Chapter 1

The field was beautiful, Candy was picking some wildflowers for the dining room at the dorm. Jeremy would be down the mountain to see her this evening. She was going to be cooking his favorite dinner and one of her apple pies. He really liked those pies. She picked a few more flowers and put them in her basket. Sitting down in the middle of the field she was content to wait. Enjoying the beautiful day.

Jeremy was coming down from the mountain when he noticed that Candy was in the field. He stood out of her sight just to watch her. He watched as she carefully picked the summer flowers and watched as she sat down in the meadow. He watched as she fell sleep there in the meadow. He was just about to go down to see her when he noticed that someone was coming towards her. He did not hesitate but headed towards her as well a little faster than he would have walked but he did not know the person who was walking over to her. When they reached her, he suddenly recognized the man.

"Well, Jeremy, have you made her your wife yet?" I hope so, because if you haven't then I sure do have a good chance of taking her from you and this time it won't be such a sweet remembrance for her!"

Jeremy was shocked, he had thought "the kid" had left the area, in fact there had been rumors that he had been killed. But here he was standing in front of Jeremy. Jeremy then took his gun, shot the kid, and killed him. He then ran, he ran far away from Candy and the mountain. He was so far away that Candy woke up with a start and yelled:

"Jeremy! Jeremy! Come back, I am here for you!" She was so distraught that she ran towards the camp as she got closer, Jeremy and his brothers were walking down from the top of the mountain and when they saw her, Jeremy ran to her. She was crying and fell into his arms.

"Candy, what is the matter?"

"Jeremy, I dreamed that you shot "Richard'" she said as she stopped crying for a minute and then she said: "You started to run and run, and I couldn't find you?" then she cried again as he held her in his arms. Jason and Joshua came up and listened and helped Jeremy to calm her down.

"It was just a nightmare!" Jeremy said as he shushed her, drying her tears.

"I just fell sleep; everything was so warm and peaceful until I had that dream!" she said, letting Jeremy's arms surround her, making her feel safe and protected.

Joshua said: "Perhaps you are worrying about something Candy?" Jason looked at Josh and decided that it was probably what happened.

"No, it wasn't worry, I mean, I dreamed that he saw me lying in the meadow and he came over and Jeremy shot him! But I don't know why Jeremy would run from me? Or why Richard was in my 'nightmare'? she said and started to cry again.

"Candy, I will take you to the cabin and we can sit for a while. I won't leave you until you feel better!" Jeremy said as he took his arm on her shoulder and led her towards the Bolt cabin.

"Jason, Josh, do you mind if you go to Lottie's for a while?" asked Jeremy as he was walking away. Jason and Josh both agreed and headed into town for dinner.

Once Jeremy and Candy got to the cabin, he sat her down and started some water for some tea. Ever since the ladies had shown up, the Bolt brothers had some tea on hand for the ladies that would come to visit their cabin.

"Candy, c-ca-can you tell me a little more about this dream? Asked Jeremy as he almost made a mess of the tea leaves. Candy got up and helped him. She liked helping Jeremy. He accepted it but then he made her sit on the chair, and he sat next to her holding her hands in his. He brought them up to kiss them once or twice as she sat there. He let her take a sip of tea.

"Jeremy, I don't know why I dreamt of Richard today. It was such a nice day that laying down in the meadow…Oh! I left the flowers there!" said Candy remembering the basket of flowers.

"We can go get them if you want to? Jeremy said, holding her hand and watching her. He was concerned, she had been having some dreams or rather nightmares for a week now. He had wanted to tell her of something that happened just a month before, but he had not had the time nor the desire, and figured she didn't need to know about that incident. While Jeremy was looking at her and remembering the incident, Candy looked up at Jeremy and saw that he was remembering something. She knew he was not good at lying and wondered if there was something he needed to tell her or didn't want to tell her. She wasn't sure if she wanted to know. But it could be something that she needed to know.

Jeremy looked at her. She was going to be his wife. There should be no secrets between them. No lies or worries bothering their consciences. But he wasn't sure he wanted to tell her. Knew of his encounter. It had happened about a month ago. When he left to go to Olympia to pick up the wedding ring. On the way back the stagecoach he was on was stopped and there was a robbery or an attempted robbery. The Kid had stopped the stagecoach in order to rob the passengers. He was surprised that Jeremy was on the coach.

Chapter 2

The Kid recognized Jeremy and said:

"How is Candy? I hope that you are treating her right, because if you aren't, I will have to do something about that! Say, what is that in your pocket? Jeremy tried to cover the ring box that was in his jacket pocket, but he Kid noticed and smiled and said to Jeremy:

"When is the date? It might be nice to see her again? Maybe I should be your best man? Of course, if she says that you aren't treating her right, I will just have to shoot you and marry her!" He taunted Jeremy who was doing his best not to react. Jeremy held his temper and kept his thoughts to himself. The Kid told Jeremy he wanted the ring; he would return it on the day of their wedding.

"Jeremy, I will return it on the day of your wedding. Now when is the wedding? He asked Jeremy who said very clearly:

"Give that back to me! It does not belong to you!" The Kid laughed in his face while the gun was positioned so close that Jeremy could feel the barrels pushing into his stomach.

"Oh, maybe it does! But you see, I still want to marry her and make her mine. Maybe I should shoot you and then she will have to marry me!" He smiled. Jeremy could not take it anymore, regardless of the barrel that was in his stomach, he reached up to hit The Kid but used his feet and legs to knock him off balance. Once the kid was down, he had fought to get the gun away from both of them, but it went off. Some of the passengers and the Stagecoach driver immediately went and pulled Jeremy off of The Kid. The Kid had been shot, but he had not died yet, With his last breath he said to Jeremy:

"I will see Candy again…he took another breath…and you won't be able…to…stop….me!" He had a gruesome smile when he expired. Jeremy was too stunned to react at the time. He got back in the stagecoach with the wedding ring and sat there until they got to Seattle. When he got off, he forgot to get his bags. The Stagecoach driver had time, so he took the suitcases up to the Bolt cabin and saw Jason.

"Jason, you need to see your brother Jeremy. We were held up and seemed The Kid was working the stagecoach line and Jeremy may have shot him. He is pretty shook up!"

"Thanks Frank. I will go check on him." Jason said and left the cabin going to Lottie's thinking that Jeremy had gone there first. Candy was out picking her flowers that day, so she had not been there when the coach arrived. Since Jason could not find him at Lottie's he went to search for him. He found him in the little church sitting and crying. Jason came in and saw him and sat next to him. He put an arm around him and waited. It took awhile but he finally started to tell Jason what happened.

"Th-the-thank you J-j-jas-jason!" Jason told him to take some breaths when he was ready to tell him what happened.

"It was a rob-robber-robbery! We were stopped by The K-K_Kid. He recognized….me and took the-the-the ring. He held a g-g-g-un-gun against my…!" Jeremy started to not breathe again, and Jason held him and said very quietly:

"Breathe Jeremy, take a breath, 1…2…let it out…tha's it." Jason said and waited for Jeremy to relax and breath normally. This might take some time.

Jeremy finally continued a little calmer and said:

" I could feel the barrels of the gun pushing…pushing into my stomach!" He stopped and then he said:
"He had the wedding ring, s-said he was going to show up and give it to us! He was…he was trying to get me mad. Then I just balled up my fist and went to hit him, and my legs kicked his legs off balance….I d-d-don't know what happened after that….it was….its w-w-was like I was not there but there?" Jeremy stopped Jason, gave his brother a hug and waited again.

"I was back on the stage, and I remember getting to Seattle and….I guess you found me!" Jeremy said and then he started to cry again and said:

"P-p-p-please don't tell Candy? I d-d-do-don't want her to know!" Jeremy said as he leaned into his brother and cried. Joshua was out looking for his brothers when he went by the church. Someone was crying. When he went in, he was surprised to see that Jeremy was crying. He was about to make a snide remark when Jason gave him a look and he stopped and waited for Jason or Jeremy to tell him what was wrong.

"Jeremy, I am going to take you home. Joshu and I will be with you the whole night, you won't be alone. Joshua, I want you to go to Lottie's and get a bottle of whiskey. And a couple of beers. And tell Lottie to let Candy know that Jeremy is home, but he will not be able to visit tonight we have some important Bolt business to handle." Joshua understood and did not have to be told twice. Jason walked Jeremy home from the church. Taking a different direction so they would not pass by the dormitory in case anyone happened to see them.

Joshua went to Lottie's and talked to her. She said she would see Candy in a few minutes. She did not ask any questions although she was curious, but she also knew what ever it was would come out sooner or later. She gave Joshua two bottles of whiskey and two beers for him to take home. That night both Jason and Joshua sat up, with Jeremy giving him some whiskey every now and then when he started to wake up. They wanted him to sleep for a couple of days and would not let anyone see him.

Chapter 3

Candy was beside herself with worry, she felt that she should be there to take care of Jeremy. But neither Jason nor Joshua would let her in or let her see him. They had taken a few days off from the logging operation. Corky was handling things with Big Swede helping as well.

"Jason, I am Jeremy's fiancé! I don't see why I cant help?" Candy said as she tried to push past or see past Jason's big frame. Jason was like a mountain; you could not move him even if you tried.

"Candy: I know that you want to see Jeremy, but he is not feeling well and needs to sleep! Lottie said to go talk with her, she can let you know how Jeremy is doing." Jason said as Joshua came up to the door with supplies for them.

"Joshua, can you give me the supplies and escort Miss Pruitt to Lottie's?" Joshua nodded yes and gave Joshua the supplies, Candy tried to peak behind Jason but still could not see a thing. Everything was all dark inside! She reluctantly took Joshua's arm and went with him to see Lottie.

"J-j-jason, who was that?" Joshua asked weakly. Jason put the supplies down and said,

"Candy, she is wanting to find out how you are doing. How are you today?"
"I-I-I'm okay, a little fuzzy from all the whiskey you gave me!" Said Jeremy sitting up in his bed. Jason looked at him. He would need a good wash before he would feel any better physically.

"Do you feel like you could get yourself cleaned up? Josh and I can get the tub and get you some water to take a bath?" Jason said as he put the supplies away. He wanted Jeremy to tell him what really happened but was afraid that it might cause some more confusion. Jeremy sat on the edge of the bed and then said:
"You know, that would be a good idea! Thanks Jason!" Jeremy said. Holding his head, a little with a hangover.

"Okay as soon as Josh gets back, I will get the tub." Jason said finishing with the last of the supplies.

"Jason, I don't need help with a bath, I am not ten years old!" Jeremy stated emphatically.

"You may not be ten, but little brother, you do need a bath and until I deem that you are ready to go out into the public, you will stay here while I get the tub and Joshua and I fill it with water!" Jason said with a silly grin on his face. Jeremy had that helpless little boy look on his face and then they both laughed. Jeremy knew he wasn't feeling well so it was good to have his brothers helping him.

Joshua got home and they proceeded to get a bath ready for him.

"Just like the old days when we had our Saturday night bath and mom would bath you while we took our baths afterwards!' Joshua chuckled and so did Jeremy.

Candy was bound and determined to see Jeremy. She decided to watch the cabin. She also had a Biddie watch as well.

"Candy, I think they are getting a tub of water, they may be giving Jeremy a bath?" said Biddie who then said: "you probably don't want to go in there while he is in the bath?" and she gave a shy look at Candy who said:
"Well, if I interrupt his bath, then I will know how he is doing, won't I!" Candy said with a look of determination on her face. Biddie just giggled and they kept watch.

"You know Candy, maybe I can get them to come out to help with something?" Candy looked at her friend and said:
"That's not a bad idea!" Candy thought and thought and then grabbed Biddie and said,

"Let's go see Mr. Stemple!" Biddie practically fell when Candy grabbed her hand and pulled her back to town.

"okay, Jeremy, you water is ready!" Jason said. Joshua got Jeremy and helped him get in the water. Jeremy still wasn't feeling so good, but as soon as he sat in the tub he just suddenly relaxed. Almost to the point of closing his eyes and sinking.

"Jeremy, don't sink to far down, you might drown!" Jason said as he poured himself a cup of coffee. He went to sit in his chair and read, while Joshua was at the table looking over the books.

"Thank you for this bath. It feels so good!" Jeremy said. There was a knock on the door. Jason went to open it and Joshu put a towel around the kitchen chair in front of Jeremy to keep anyone from seeing him.

"Aaron, what are you doing here?" Jason said.

"I heard that Jeremy was back and that you haven't been at your camp this week. I need to talk to you about your contract that is due next Thursday? Could you come down to my office for a few minutes?" Aaron asked.

"I think I can, I will leave Joshua here with Jeremy." Said Jason, getting the books ready to go.

"Well, I really need Joshua as well, Is Jeremy okay to be left alone?" asked Aaron. Jason and Joshua looked at Aaron and then looked at Jeremy. Joshua said first looking at Jeremy behind the chair and then at Jason.
"I think if we lock the door, he will be fine?"

"I will be fine if you two need to talk to Aaron. You can tell me later." Jeremy said as he was using the soap to scrub his legs. Joshua then looked at Jason and then at Aaron.

"Okay, we can go. I am going to lock the door from the outside. Don't answer it until we get back. You know where the towels are when you want to get out of the tub!" said Jason. He and Josh left with Aaron and went to his office in town.

Candy and Biddie were hiding nearby. Biddie had a hairpin and Candy had one as will. They both silently picked the lock and opened it up quietly.

"Oh, this was easy!" said Biddie a little too loud. Candy shushed her and she went in. Biddie stayed outside as a look out for when Jason and Joshua would come back.

Candy slowly creeped in and took two steps and saw the chair in front of the tub. She was almost close to the tub when from behind, Jeremy coughed. Candy turned around and saw him. He was dripping wet and had a towel around his waist and was blushing. Candy also started to blush as well. Then they both started to laugh. Jeremy was very happy to see Candy and almost dropped the towel. Candy quickly averted her eyes.

"My pants…" Jeremy said, pointing toward the other chair. Candy took the pants, and without looking held them out for him to take. He got his pants on and then he said she could turn around. When they looked at each other they both fell into each other's arms and held for a long time.

"Oh, Candy, I missed you so much!" Jeremy said as he held her close to him.

"Oh, Jeremy, I missed you I was so afraid they wouldn't let me see you?" She looked up and he could see she had questions in her eyes, but he as not ready to tell her yet.
"Ah, Candy, they are back!" said Biddie who was almost run over by both Joshua and Jason. They stood looking at Candy and Jeremy and Candy and Jeremy stood looking at Jason and Joshua.