Catherine Crisanto 08/27/2023
I do not own the rights to the tv show Here Come The Brides or any of the related characters.
The original characters that I have created are my sole intellectual property and may
not be used without my permission.
Matilda
Chapter 1
When the brides arrived in Seattle, there was a lot of cheering going on, then when they stepped off the boat, there was silence. The men, most had not seen a woman in about 3 months were almost as shy as school boys. They parted to let the ladies go to their dorm and then they helped bring in their bags and suitcases. The Bolt brothers were busy congratulating themselves; Aaron Stemple stood by the saloon and observed the festivities.
"Ah, yes" said Jason to Aaron: "We did get quite a few beauties for our men!"
Aaron looked at him and said: "Are they educated? Can they read and write? What exactly do you propose to do now that you have these women here?"
Jason looked at Aaron and thought about it. Then he said:
"Well, get them married off, of course!" Then he walked towards the dormitory where Joshua and Jeremy were still helping to get the ladies settled in.
"Mr. Bolt!" said a particularly lovely lady:
All three Bolts looked toward the lady and said:
"Yes?" at the same time.
"I am sorry, I should clarify myself. I wanted to speak to Mr. Jason Bolt in private!"
Jason looked at her and said okay and then he guided her out to the porch. She indicated that she would like to speak to him in a more private setting such as an office.
"Well, I don't really have an office, but we can go over to the Saloon and Lottie has a backroom where we can discuss matters. What is it you need to discuss with me?" Jason asked with curiosity. He thought that the ladies that had come to him while they were traveling back to Seattle had worked quite a few things out. After all, 6 months on a voyage and most everything seemed to be settled.
"I would rather wait until we are in a private room as this is somewhat of a sensitive nature." She said as they walked to the saloon. Once inside he told Lottie that they did not want to be disturbed and asked the lady if she would like some water or something to drink. The lady declined and they went into the backroom.
Lottie, Clancy, and Aaron looked on. Aaron asked:
"Jason, do you mind If I come in with you?" Jason looked at the lady and she nodded okay. This business she had would certainly concern him as well. Jason could not refuse to let Aaron in and hoped that this would not ruin his bid to keep his mountain.
The door was shut. She took her hat off and took control of the room.
"Gentleman, My name is Miss Matilda Sweeney. I am here not to be one of your brides but because there has been a murder committed and I fear that one of the ladies that came out here was the one who committed the murder as well as being an accomplice in a bank robbery!" Jason was dumfounded, Aaron looked on with an interest that did not harbor malice for Jason but was unsure what this would do.
"What makes you think that one of the women we have brought with us, is a murderer, or an accomplice to a murder? My brothers and I checked everyone's background thoroughly!"
"Mr. Bolt, I am not saying you did not do everything within your power to make sure you had women of virtue but, there is one woman who may very well not be that kind that you had been talking about. I believe you said the word: 'Marriageable'?
"What did you not bring 100 'marriageable' women? You know you lose if that is the case!" Aaron said with a chuckle trying to lighten the anger that he saw boiling up within Jason. Aaron then said:
"Miss Sweeney, I do not believe that Jason nor any of his brothers would have accepted a lady of that sort…"
"Mr. …" Matilda hesitated and Aaron inserted his last name.
"Stemple."
"Mr. Stemple, they would not have known, I suspect as do my fellow detectives when I signed the contract, that the person in question had disguised herself and would not willingly show who she really was and that her plans may be to sneak out of town sometime and disappear. Jason looked at her and then said:
"Miss Sweeney, if you break your contract and the other lady does so as well, my brothers and I will lose our mountain!" Jason was very upsetand instead of speaking he 'boomed' at her! She did not shrink back, instead she stood straighter and looked at him, if she thought to herself if she did not have a job and would willingly want to give up her job now, she knew that this would be the man whom she would willingly settle down with. Those blue eyes, the wavy brown hair, his demeanor and of course she heard that he liked Shakespeare and that was enough for her, although his fancy talk was also something that was attractive to her as well. She silently sighed and then said to him:
"Mr. Bolt, you will not lose your mountain! I have taken measures to bring two women out to take my place and the other woman's place when I have finished the job. So, your mountain is safe, and I am sure that the men will not mind having these two women they are young, educated, and intelligent and are willing to come out. Even Mr. Stemple would not find anything wrong with them!" She said. Jason looked at Aaron who nodded his approval. This was an exception and he felt that it would not be fair or right of him to take advantage of the situation. Jason asked Matilda:
"Well, who is this woman, we can get her and put her in jail as soon as possible!" he said thundering at her. Matilda again did not shrink under his forceful voice, But she did have to stop herself from reacting to this outburst. She so did like that man!
"Mr. Bolt, I will not say the lady in question. All I need to do is to wait for her to make her move, and she will then I can arrest her. I do believer he plan is to disappear as soon as possible. So, I will need to work quickly. But, I will need your cooperation in this matter, if I need your help then I must know that you will be ready at a mooment's notice?" Jason was about to say something when Aaron asked:
"You know, Miss Sweeney, I would like to see some credentials or proof of what you are saying and that you have permission to arrest someone? We do not have an official sheriff and the only sheriff nearby is in Tacoma. Have you had contact with him?"
She opened her purse and brought out her badges, her contract with the Pinkerton agency and a letter signed by Mr. Pinkerton himself that gave her all the rights and privileges of a Pinkerton detective. As she handed her information to Aaron, she said:
"You may telegraph the office to get confirmation. Here is my badge and number! I am going back now to the dormitory, if anyone asks you can say I needed to send a letter to my family and I wanted it to go to San Francisco on the next stage or ship out. Also, My name for this is Matilda Livingstone. Thank you, Mr. Bolt, Mr. Stemple." With that she walked out the door and over to the dormitory where Candy and the others were setting up and putting things away.
"Oh, Matilda, is everything okay? I saw you go with Mr. Bolt to the saloon?" Biddie asked as she was placing a curtain on the window. Candy looked over to her, curious as well but more polite than Biddie.
"I had to send a letter right away to my family and I requested that Mr. Jason Bolt would be sure to have it sent." Matilda said and then she went upstairs where her bags and things were placed by one of the beds in the dorm. She took off her hat, and gloves, her traveling shoes and reached into her suitcase for a pair of slippers, she then went to the washroom, washed her face, and cleaned up a bit, changing into a daily dress with an apron so that she would be able to help the ladies with decorating and cleaning the dorm.
Chapter 2
The decorations for the welcome party in the saloon were quite nice. The loggers and those that worked at the mill helped quite a bit, although when Candy was asked by Jeremy what they should use for decoration she went to help the men out. The men seemed think Moose heads and pints of beer were the thing. When Candy and Biddie entered the saloon they had brought some garland and flowers. Joshua was at the bar having a beer and laughed as they hung the party decorations on the banister and on the ceiling. Candy gave him a look that said she was not happy with his outburst. She saw Jeremy as he came in and she said to him:
"Oh, Jeremy, this is wonderful. I hope everyone will like it!" Jeremy, who had had his eye on her ever since the voyage, just smiled and gave her a kiss and said it was all very nice and he thought everyone would like it.
Aaron came by with Harve to get a meal and a drink. They noticed the decorations and thought they were nice. He and Harve sat down at a table and waited for their food.
"You know, it would be nice to have a home cooked meal I think I might look among the ladies and see if I could find someone that would be willing to cook me dinner!" said Harve who was cutting into his steak and taking a bite. Aaron looked at him and said:
"Well, you might find someone Harve, but remember this is not necessarily for you or the other workers, it is basically so the men in the Bolt camp don't run off!" Aaron said. Harve looked at him and then said:
"Mr. Stemple this is not just for the loggers, it is for Seattle, and I live in Seattle and if I can get me a wife from these brides, I will!" Aaron looked at Harve and with a chuckle said:
"Well, if you are determined, you will need to stay here to work in the mill for at least another 4 years!" Harve looked at Aaron and they both laughed.
That evening, the loggers went by twos over to the dormitory to escort the ladies to the party. Jeremy had already taken Candy's hand and Joshua had asked to escort a young lady named Karen, to the saloon. The rest of the loggers came with at least one lady on their arm, although a couple of the more fun-loving loggers agreed to take two ladies at a time. They said they couldn't choose so they had to have both. Jason escorted Matilda and Aaron was walking with a beautiful young lady who had dark brown hair and big grey eyes. She looked slightly off but he chalked it up to the long trip.
The music was playing, and all the ladies were having a great time. Jeremy wasn't going to dance but Candy found a way, when a young man came and asked her to dance, she was ready to go dance but Jeremy grabbed her and said:
"Not without me you don't!" and proceeded to dance with Candy.
Everyone was having a wonderful time. Matilda enjoyed Jason's company and Aaron was enjoying the other young lady's company as well. After the dance Matilda sat down and was watching the lady, whose name was Aurora Teasdale. Aaron was escorting Aurora back to the table when someone called for help with the punch. Aurora, immediately went to help.
"So, Miss Livingstone, Are you enjoying your evening tonight?" asked Harve who wanted to find out more about her.
"Why yes, I am enjoying myself, Mr.?"
"Just call me Harve!" He said to her.
"Sir, as a proper young lady, I must insist on knowing your last name since this is the first time we have met!" Harve looked at her, he had not met anyone that formal since he left home at 15 to go to war. Even the ladies from the south had not been so formal by the time the war was over!
"Well, Miss Livingstone, my last name is Miller!" He said politely.
"Thank you, Mr. Miller. I am pleased to know you!" He took her hand and kissed it gently. She was wearing gloves so he could not tell if her hands were rough or soft, but since she wore gloves, he thought that her hands would of course be soft he thought in his own mind.
"Matilda!" Aurora called: "Can you help with the punch, we need to make some more.
Matilda excused herself and went to help the Aurora. She had gotten close to her and was acting as her best friend. It seemed that Aurora did not suspect, or at least Matilda hope she did not suspect that Matilda was a Pinkerton.
"I am enjoying this party, aren't you, Aurora?" said Matilda as she joined her in the kitchen. Pulling on an apron, they proceeded to make the punch.
Aurora and Matilda made conversation. Aurora, wanted find someone to confide in, a person whom she could use to find information about Matilda. But then she thought, Matilda and her were in the same room, maybe she could go upstairs and look on Matilda's bed.
"Will you take this punch bowl out while I run upstairs, I forgot something and wanted to bring it to the party." Matilda suspicious of this forgetfulness said she would take the punchbowl out.
Meanwhile Aurora went upstairs and went to Matilda's bed and her private things. She had a lock or two on a couple of boxes she stored under the bed. Aurora was not deterred; she knew how to pick locks. But before she could do that Biddie came in and was looking in her own things for something she wanted to show to Corky.
"Oh, Aurora, there you are? I was going to get my blue ribbons for the best Strawberry Rhubarb Pie in the county and show them to Corky! He likes Strawberry Rhubarb pie. What are you getting?"
Aurora looked at Biddie and said:
"Oh, I just thought I would see if I had my favorite blue hair comb to put
in my hair."
"Oh, well that is nice, do you want me to help you?"
"No, that won't be necessary Biddie, I will be out soon."
Biddie nodded and was about to go down the stairs when she said:
"Aurora, that isn't your bed, it is over there by Sandy's bed. You are in between Sandy and Olivia!"
Aurora looked at Biddie, and giggled and said:
"Oh, yes, I guess I just forgot where I sleep, we have been here for such a short time." Said Aurora who went to her own bed and pretended to find her comb.
"No problem see you later!" said Biddie and she left the dorm room. Meanwhile, Matilda had come in the French doors that led out to the balcony and had slipped in quietly without being noticed. She saw that Aurora was by her bed and her boxes were on her bed.
"Aurora? What are you doing at my bed?" Matilda asked.
Aurora looked at her and smiled foolishly, "Oh, Matilda, it was a mistake. I simply forgot where my bed was, and we have the same kind of boxes, and I was just looking for a ribbon for my hair. I will be leaving now, it is getting late, and I do want to dance again. You know that Mr. Bolt and Mr. Miller are quite good looking, maybe I ought to dance with them!" she smiled at Matilda and walked down the stairs. Matilda was glad she had given her important papers to Aaron. When he asked if she needed them back, she had said to keep them in his safe for now. She did not want to have anything nearby that would identify who she was until she was ready to make an arrest.
The party was winding down and everyone was heading back. Some of the ladies were with a man and others were by themselves. It would take time for them to get to know each other but soon there would be marriages and babies abounding in Seattle. Jeremy and Candy sat under a tree and talked. Candy still insisted that they had known each other only 6 months and that she should call him Mr. Bolt and he should call her Miss Pruitt. He kissed her hand and took her to her door, and they said goodnight. Joshua and Karen were also saying good night. Jason was standing at the door of the saloon when one of the ladies came to the door and there was no one to walk her back to the dormitory.
"Mr. Bolt, I was wondering if you wouldn't want to walk me back to the dormitory. I just don't feel comfortable with Seattle just yet to walk by myself?"
Jason said okay and took her arm and walked her back. While they walked back, he asked her how she liked Seattle and what her thoughts were.
"Mr. Bolt, I think I like Seattle, but it will take some time to get to know everyone here in Seattle. I wonder, do you remember my name? I am sure I took the pen from you when I signed the contract?"
"Miss, I don't recall everyone's name but if you wish I would like to know your name?"
"Mr. Bolt I am Miss Aurora Teasdale!"
He looked at her for a moment and then said:
"I am not always good at remembering what a Lady wears, but I do remember you had a very nice green hat with a feather in it as well as a green matching coat?" She smiled; he did remember such things, so she said:
"Why yes! Mr. Bolt, I did wear a green hat and coat. Would you like to escort me to church tomorrow? I will wear that very same coat and hat!" She smiled at him sweetly and he said yes, he would.
When she got into the dorm and settled and all the ladies were talking about their evening Aurora said to Candy,
" Candy, May I borrow the green hat and coat for church tomorrow"
"Why do you want to borrow my coat and hat?" asked Candy curiously. Aurora giggled and said"
"I may have been a bit forward, but I did ask a certain gentleman to escort me to church tomorrow."
"Oh, my Aurora, you actually asked? What did he say?" said Candy sitting on her bed and looking across at Aurora astonished!
"He said yes, of course!" she smiled as she noticed that Matilda was watching her.
"Who is it, Aurora?" said Biddie as she sat on her bed and combed her hair.
Aurora took a breath and then she said very quietly:
"Mr. Bolt!"
Candy and Biddie looked at her and asked at the same time:
"Which one?
Aurora smiled again amused that she had caused a stir. "Well, Mr. Jason Bolt that is!" and then she went to her bed and lay down as the lights were blown out and everyone settled down to sleep.
Chapter 3
Aurora was up early that Sunday morning, she had gone to the closet and taken the coat and hat out. Candy thought she was a bit rude for not waiting for her to get the coat and hat and give it to Aurora. She hoped that Jeremy wouldn't notice.
Jeremy was the first to come around and take Candy by the hand and take her to church. Then Joshua took Annie and Jason took Aurora. When Jeremy and Candy reached the church, Jeremy asked Candy a question.
"Why aren't you wearing your green hat and coat today? It is a bit chilly?"
"Aurora wanted to borrow it for today. Seems she wants to make a good impression on Jason!" Candy giggled and Jeremy smiled. His mind was only on Candy, so he thought nothing of why Aurora wore the coat and hat.
"Miss Teasdale, you are especially lovely today in that green coat and hat!" Jason said as they walked to the church. On their way they met up with Ben and Emily.
"Miss Teasdale, I would like you to meet two of our most outstanding citizens of Seattle, Mr., and Mrs. Ben Perkins. Ben and Emily this is Miss Aurora Teasdale!"
"It is nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Perkins!" Aurora put her hand out and Ben looked at Emily and rather than kissing Miss Teasdale's hand he just shook it gently.
"It is nice to meet you as well Miss Teasdale!" said Emily and then she and Ben went in to the church where they sat down.
Jason escorted Miss Teasdale and sat next to her during the service. After the service they all escorted the ladies back to the dormitory with a promise of a picnic that afternoon.
At the picnic Joshua was having a good time with Anna and also Karen was with them. Jeremy and Candy had walked a little way away and talked about things. Harve was enamored of a couple of the ladies, so He was just standing and talking with Miss Teasdale and one other lady a Miss Beason. They were all very happy and when the picnic was over, everyone went home. Candy and Jeremy took the longest it seemed, and Lottie noticed this.
"Jason, I think you may have to prepare for a wedding soon and it might be your little brother's wedding!" She said as she was cleaning her saloon and putting out fresh table cloths for breakfast in the morning. Jason looked at her but somehow his mind was elsewhere. He was thinking of a love sonnet that was written by Shakespeare and wanted to share it with Aurora. Lottie looked at him and said:
"Jason! Where are you? You seem to be somewhere else?"
Jason looked at Lottie and said:
"I'm sorry Lottie, I was thinking of the young woman I spent the day with today. She is rather lovely, and I think I might just see if she would like to step out with me tomorrow?" He smiled at the thought and Lottie just stood there and then said:
"Jason, you are twitterpated! Take your time! You would tell your brother's that as well!" Jason looked at Lottie and said:
"I suppose you are right, but we shall see. Thank you, Lottie, Have a good night!" He left the saloon and headed home to his cabin. Jeremy and Candy were still out walking somewhere, and Joshua had just come in when Jason entered the cabin.
"Well, Jason, what do you think? The first week and it looks like Spring is about to bloom here in Seattle!" Joshua said as he took his boots off. Jason had gone over to the book shelf for his book on Shakespeare and was opening it up.
"What did you say Josh?" Josh looked at Jason and smiled.
"I said, I haven't seen you this distracted since the last time you left Seattle and came back with a girl who you had thought you were going to marry!"
Jason looked at Joshua and said:
"You know you may be right, Josh, I cant remember a time when I felt this 'up in the air' except for when Josephine showed up from San Francisco. She was a beauty!" Said Jason who was looking at the fireplace but not really seeing the fire.
Joshua laughed; he remembered her. Jason had come home from San Francisco before their father had passed away, Josh was only about 14 and Jeremy was 10 at the time. His father had looked at Jason and then took him out on a short overnight camping trip to spend time with him. When Jason came back, Josephine had left. For some reason, Father only knew, but Jason was upset and was going to find her when he found out that she had only been after him because of the fact that he was heir to Bridal Veil Mountain.
The talk and the fight between his father and Jason had sent Jeremy scrambling to hide in his favorite tree and Joshua went with Jeremy to take care of him. Of course, his dog King was there to take care of Jeremy anyway. But Jason had left and insisted on going to San Francisco to find her. When he returned 6 weeks later, he was not as happy or as proud of himself as he had been. He and their father had a talk and Jason and his father cleared things between them, but Joshua had always wondered what had happened to Josephine.
"Jason, I would be careful, Aurora acts like Josephine, I am not sure you should trust her?"
"Joshua, will you kindly stay out of my love life! This is not forever, nor will it be like what I had with Josephine!"
"Okay, just reminding you, I remember how deep you fell when your found her!" Joshua said. Jason relented. He did remember and he did not want to make the same mistake twice.
"Joshua, I will be careful, but I would like to pursue my own life as you and Jeremy pursue your lives!" Jason said as he took the coffee pot and poured his coffee.
"I like to think that I am a little more mature than I was back then." He smiled at Joshua and then Jeremy came in.
"Jeremy, how come you are so late?" said Jason with a fatherly voice which startled Jeremy for a moment.
"B-b-because Candy and I have been talking and we forgot the time and the moonlight was…."
"That is okay, Jeremy, you are old enough. I was just having fun with you?" Jason said with a smile. Jeremy smiled back and then went to his bed and got ready to sleep. They all said good night to each other.
In the dormitory, the ladies were all chattering about the men. Biddie was talking about how Corky loved the pie she had made, and Candy was talking about Jeremy, how blue his eyes were and how much they had in common. Matilda was preparing for bed and brushing her hair 100 times. While Aurora had finished and was laying in bed reading a book.
"Matilda, did you have a good time today with Harve?" Asked Candy. Matilda was about to answer when Aurora said:
"I saw her standing by the balcony talking to Harve, looks like he likes you, Matilda!"
Matilda blushed and said that may be so, but she was tired and did not want to talk about anyone. She was concentrating on Aurora and her 'friendship' with Jason. The thought she might want to warn Jason but decided to wait until morning. Aurora was still trying to find out about Matilda, she had been kind to her on the trip. She had helped Aurora with a few things but why? She had not known of Matilda, nor had she ever heard of her. The only way to find out something about Matilda was to see if talking about Jason would get to her.
"You know he is so very tall; it is true that he could pick the stars and give us a diamond! I think he is so handsome!"
Biddie talked more about Corky, and Karen talked a lot about Joshua. Candy was sleepy so she did not say much more but she was listening to her, and she wondered there was a sound or something about Aurora that she could not put her finger on. She watched Matilda, she liked Matilda better as a friend. Matilda had let what Aurora had said slide. She was not interested in Aurora's' social life. She wanted to hear her say something about the murder.
The ladies all went to sleep and after a few hours Aurora got up and walked down the stairs, she was in her robe, but dressed to go riding. Biddie was awake and went down to see what she was going to do.
Aurora was startled and tried to tell Biddie that she wanted to make a cup of tea to help her sleep. She wanted to send Biddie back upstairs but decided against it.
"Would you like a cup of tea Biddie?" Aurora asked. Biddie, yawned and said:
"Oh, I don't want a cup of tea, I came down for a little sleep medicine." As she said this she opened up the cupboard and took a little bottle that she kept with the glasses and took a glass and poured a shot. She took her shot while Aurora was standing in the middle of the kitchen. Aurora put the water on the stove to boil and then watched as Biddie went back upstairs.
"Good night, see you in the morning!" Biddie said as she went back up the stsairs. Aurora, took a breath and then went back to gathering what she would need for a midnight ride to Tacoma in the dark.
Biddie went back to her bed and then woke up, she looked at Candy and woke her up and said:
"Candy, Candy, are you asleep?" Candy answered her and said:
"Not anymore, Biddie what is it?"
"Aurora was downstairs getting tea in her bathrobe!" said Biddie
"There is nothing wrong with that?"said Candy.
"Well, I suppose nothing but she was wearing her clothing under her robe, and I thought that was odd!" Candy sat up and made a noise. Matilda woke up and then asked what the problem was. When Biddie told her she told Candy to go get the Bolts. She told Biddie to go back down the stairs and listen to see what she was doing.
Meanwhile Aurora was preparing her escape gear making sure she had everything necessary to leave the town without anyone knowing what was happening. She checked her gun and the bullets, she did not want to use them but, she would if she had too. Suddenly, she heard a sneeze. She looked to see where it came from and saw Biddie sneezing on the bottom stair. She knew then she would have to be quick if she was going to get out. She went up to Biddie and holding her by the neck with the gun told her:
"If you scream or say a word, I will shoot you!" Biddie kept her mouth shut. She was scared. "Now. Get those bags for me, you will carry these out to the horse I have secured. If you are really good, I may leave you here! If not, I will take you and I have no problem killing you! Do you understand!"
Biddie was about to speak when Aurora said: "Just nod! I have killed people for less!" She let the 's' sound like a snake and carried it to an end. Biddie picked up the bags and walked out the back door. Aurora pointed to where the horse was. Biddie took it to the horse and put it on the horse, then Aurora grabbed Biddie, flung her on the horse, and jumped on it herself, She was about to make her way out when she saw Matilda, and Jason, Joshua, Jeremy and Aaron coming out. She pushed Biddie off and galloped out of Seattle. It was hard to see in the dark, but she managed to find the road. The Bolts and Aaron jumped on their horses and rode after her along with Matilda.
Chapter 4
Candy and Biddie were sitting in the kitchen of the dorm. Lottie had brought a little brandy for Biddie who was grateful for that. It was close to morning when they heard horses. Candy ran to the window and was so happy that they were okay. However, Miss Teasdale was not. Miss Sweeny had shot her. They took Miss Teasdale to the jail and dressed her wounds. Then Miss Sweeny asked Jason if he would wake Ben to send a telegram to her boss, Mr. Pinkerton.
Jeremy and Joshua went to the dorm and calmed the ladies down, Candy ran to Jeremy, and he held her for a little while.
"Oh, Jeremey, I am so glad you are not hurt!" said Candy almost crying tears of joy.
Jeremy held here and kissed her and said he was glad as well.
"So, Miss Sweeney is a Pinkerton Detective. She is one of the women Detectives run by a Miss Kate Warne." Said Joshua continuing to say more:
"She was here to capture Aurora, who happens to have killed a man and rob a bank!"
Biddie shivered and said:
"She what!" then she reached for another glass of brandy.
"She killed a man while robbing a bank in the east!" said Joshua.
Karen said: I heard of that robbery, it was near New Bedford, Biddie, you must remember, we both lived close to the bank that was robbed about a year ago. Right before we left for Seattle!"
"Oh, my then she was on the ship with us!" said Biddie who again took a long sip of the Brandy(Aarons Brandy!)
Sandy and Susan both shivered they had never ever in their lives been exposed to a killer, let alone a woman killer.
Jason was sitting with Joshua in the saloon when Aaron came in and said that the lady was in jail, she was healing well and that the sheriff from Tacoma would be coming the next day.
"Joshua, you know, I think your instincts were right! She was definitely not the one for me, however," Jason said and continued looking over at Matilda.
"Matilda, would you consider making your home here in Seattle? I would really like to get to know you some more?" Jason smiled at her. Jeremy looked at his brother and said:
"Talking honest, I see!" Then they all three laughed and Matilda who was sitting at the table said:
"Mr. Bolt, if I were at liberty to say 'yes,' I would truly consider that but, it seems as if I am needed elsewhere. My job here is finished and I must say good bye. I will be leaving tomorrow on the stage and on that stage will be two new replacements, that you might find more suitable than Aurora and I. She went over and kissed him on the cheek and shook Joshua's hand and then left to go over to the dormitory.
Six weeks later, Jason received a letter from Matilda that was for his eyes only. She really had an affection for him, and she said that if she had been able to stay, she would definitely have spent much more time with him. He folded the letter and put it in the inside pocket of his shirt and then walked towards his mountain to think.
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