No Justice For Jeremy Part One
Judge Everett Terry was speaking. "As the Federal Judge in the Federal Court of Washington Territory, I find the defendant, Jeremy Bolt guilty of the murder of Walter Phelps. Mr. Bolt, you are hereby sentenced to hang by the neck until you are dead. The date for the sentence to be carried out will be determined at a later hearing. Court is adjourned. Mr. Stempel, please take Mr. Bolt to the jail."
Jeremy burst into tears. "I'm innocent! I was framed by Junior Oates!"
Jeremy sobbed. Joshua and Candy rushed over to him.
"This is an outrage! Judge, you know that Jeremy is innocent"! Jason bellowed.
"Jason Bolt, meet me in Ms. Hatfield's backroom, please." Advised the Judge.
Jason went over to Jeremy. He put his arms around his heartsick brother. "We will get this corrected, Jeremy. You didn't murder Phelps. Everything will be alright." Jeremy clung to Jason sobbing. He could not speak.
Jason walked into Lottie's backroom. He closed the door.
"Have a seat, Jason." Judge Terry said.
Jason sat down at the table next to the Judge.
The Judge spoke in a low voice. "Get Jeremy out of town immediately. I am supposed to schedule a hanging within seventy two hours of a hearing, but I will put it off until next week because another pressing matter came up. I'm doing this because I know Jeremy is innocent."
"Judge, if you know that Jeremy is innocent, why did you find him guilty"? asked Jason.
"The evidence makes him look guilty." Judge Terry answered.
"The evidence is a lie!" Jason protested. "The elderly Indian was an eyewitness to Phelp's murder. He knew Jeremy was innocent. Junior and Ebon Oates murdered the old gentleman so he couldn't testify."
"Yes, but we can't prove it. This is the best I can do, Jason. I know Jeremy is a decent responsible hard working young man." The Judge replied.
"So the best you can do is to give Jeremy a few days to run." Jason said.
" A few more days to save his life, Jason." Judge Terry answered.
"Yeah." Jason was realizing that Jeremy's only option to avoid being murdered by hanging was to run.
"Have Jeremy gone by next Wednesday at the latest. One week is the longest I can postpone the hanging. I'm sorry, Jason. I had no choice but to find him guilty.' Terry said sadly.
"I understand. We will be gone before Wednesday." Said Jason.
"We?" asked Terry.
"My brother, Joshua and I are going with Jeremy. We aren't sending him into exile alone." Jason explained.
"You Bolts are the closest brothers I have ever known. You realize going with Jeremy will make you and Joshua accessories to the escape of a convicted murderer." Judge Terry said seriously.
"A falsely convicted murderer, Judge. And he's our brother." Jason was getting choked up.
Judge Terry and Jason left the back room. Aaron was waiting with Jeremy. Jason and the Judge said goodbye. Jason walked with Jeremy and Aaron to the jail. Joshua and Candy also went with them. Jeremy had stopped crying.
When they got to the jail, they went into the office.
"Aaron, can the Bolt brothers trust you now"? Jason asked.
"Yes, Jason. You and your brothers can trust me. I know that a great injustice has been done with Jeremy being falsely convicted." Aaron replied.
Jason motioned for Aaron to come closer to him. Aaron complied.
Jason whispered, "Aaron, we are going to run. It's the only chance we have to keep Jeremy from hanging."
"What do you need from me"? Aaron asked.
"Well, I'll need you to help Corky and Swede manage the logging camp. I might go ahead and sell you the business and give you the Mountain. Let me discuss it with my brothers and let you know." Jason told him
"Jason, I don't want your mountain like this. I can be ruthless, but I'm not heartless. I wouldn't dare use this travesty of Justice to my advantage. Besides, if you did all that, it would be too obvious that you and your brothers aren't coming back."
"You're right, Aaron. I hadn't thought of it that way." Jason replied.
"Where will you go"? Aaron asked.
"Silas Harmon is sailing on The Golden West. He thinks a great deal of Jeremy. I believe he will help us." Jason answered. "I will send him a telegram tonight."
"Let me do that for you, Jason. You don't want to leave a paper trail." Aaron told him.
"Thank you, Aaron." Said Jason.
"You're welcome, Jason. Stay as long as you want visiting with Jeremy. Something will be worked out. Try not to worry, Jeremy." Aaron tried to be encouraging.
"Thank you, Aaron." Jeremy said hoarsely.
Aaron left the jail. Candy and Josh stayed for several hours trying to be supportive of Jeremy. Jason was back and forth trying to make arrangements for their departure from Seattle.
Candy left about 9 pm with a promise to return early tomorrow. She had tried to get Jeremy to eat a plate of food from Lottie's. He said he couldn't look at food now.
It was around midnight. Jason and Josh were at the jail with Jeremy. The brothers had finally fallen asleep from exhaustion about an hour earlier.
Suddenly, Jason woke up. A sound had awakened him. What was it? He listened. Jeremy's breathing was distressed. Jason grabbed the key to the cell. He unlocked the cell.
"Jeremy". Jason said gently as he turned Jeremy onto his back on the cot.
Jeremy did not respond. He was having great difficulty breathing. His lips were turning blue.
"Joshua! Wake up! Jeremy is sick"! Jason yelled.
Josh woke up immediately. He jumped from the chair he was sitting in.
"We have to get Jeremy to the doctor fast"! Jason told him.
Jason picked up Jeremy in his arms. Josh opened the door to the sheriff's office. They ran to Dr. Wright's office.
Fortunately, Dr. Wright was spending the night at her clinic. She opened the door.
"Something's wrong with his breathing." Jason told her nervously.
"Take him into Room Three. Joshua, help me get the oxygen tent, please." Dr. Wright told them.
In about two minutes, they had Jeremy settled in the oxygen tent. He began breathing easier.
Dr. Wright examined Jeremy. She told his brothers that he was in shock. She explained that physical or emotional trauma can have a severe adverse effect on a patient's body.
"Emotional trauma like being falsely accused of murder and sentenced to hang." Jason said with a mixture of sadness and anger in his voice.
Josh was sitting by the bed holding Jeremy's hand.
"I'm so sorry, Jason. It just isn't right for Jeremy to have been convicted." Dr. Wright said.
"How long until Jeremy can be up and around"? Jason asked.
"About two days. So, he should be alright by Sunday." She said
"Alright, thank you, Dr. Wright." Jason looked sadly at Jeremy in the oxygen tent. "Jeremy has always been loving, kind, and considerate of other people. I've often wondered why life had to be so hard for him and now this…."
"I don't understand things like that either. It's certainly not fair. Now, you and your brother should try to get some sleep. I'll let you know if there is any change with Jeremy." Dr. Wright told him.
"We appreciate that, doctor. But, I think Josh and I will feel better if we stay here with Jeremy." Jason replied. "If that's alright with you, doctor."
"Yes, that's fine." She answered.
Jeremy slept fairly well the rest of the night. His brothers watched over him as he slept.
On Sunday morning, Candy sat with Jeremy at the clinic. Dr. Wright had to make home visits to some patients. Candy asked Jason and Joshua if she and Jeremy could have some time alone. They agreed. They went home to their cabin.
"Jeremy, I want to talk to you, please. I don't want you to get upset. This is important to me." Candy said.
"Okay." Jeremy said nervously. Here it comes he thought. Candy's going to break up with me. She doesn't want to be engaged to a convicted murderer even if I am innocent. I don't blame her. But, I sure hate to lose her. I love her so much. Jeremy felt his chest getting tight. Try to be calm, Bolt. Try to breathe like the doctor told you yesterday. Jeremy thought.
Candy took Jeremy's hand. She looked into his eyes. "Jeremy, I want to go with you and your brothers." She said.
Jeremy was surprised. He had not expected this. "Candy, I would love for you to go with us. But, it is going to be very dangerous. I will be an outlaw. The authorities will be hunting me. At some point, they will find me and probably…..k-k-kill me."
"Jeremy, I understand that it's going to be dangerous and it's very likely not to end well. But, I love you. I want as much time with you as I can have. Please, Jeremy." Candy implored him.
"Candy, I want more time with you too. But…." Jeremy hesitated.
"Well, Jeremy. This is how strongly I feel about it. Either I can go with you and we can get married. Or, you can leave me here with a baby." Candy replied.
"We don't have a baby." Jeremy said perplexed.
Candy raised her eyebrows at him.
"Oh! Wow!" Jeremy understood what she meant.
Candy kissed him hard on his mouth. She stood up quickly and slipped out of her dress. Candy stood before him in her camisole and pantaloons.
Jeremy's mouth gaped. "CANDY"!
Candy laid on top of him. She began kissing him hard on his mouth again. Her chest pressed against his chest. He felt the warmth of her body seeping into his bone marrow. Jeremy kissed her firmly on her mouth. When the kiss ended, Candy moved a little. She began planting little kisses on Jeremy's stomach. She traced his navel with the tip of her tongue. Jeremy sighed.
"Oh, Jeremy! You have the sweetest little bellybutton." Candy whispered.
Candy put her hand on Jeremy's belt buckle.
"Candy, stop! We've got to stop, Candy, please." Jeremy said.
"I have an idea that you don't really want to stop, do you, Mr. Bolt"? Candy whispered.
"Candy, please listen to my words rather than paying attention to my idea as you call it. Candy, you know how much I want you. But, not like this, sweetheart. Not in a clinic. I want it to be special for us. You want that too. Don't you"? He asked.
Candy sat on the side of the cot. "Yes, I want it to be special for us. I'm just so scared, Jeremy. The world seems so cold and so mean now, I'm afraid that any second, I'm going to turn to look for you, and you won't be there. I don't mean to upset you, Jeremy. But, that's how I feel."
"I understand what you mean. It's like someone has told me that everything I was taught about right and wrong all of my life is if there is any chance that we can or you can have some good memories of us, I want that for you, Candy. Our first time making love should be better than this." Jeremy said.
"You're right, Jeremy. Does this mean you will let me go with you"? She asked.
"Well, I'm still worried about you going because it will be dangerous for all of us. The authorities will likely put a bounty on my head. Those bounty hunters don't care who they have to kill to get the one they want. That includes wives and children." He said seriously.
Candy took his hand. She looked into his blue eyes. "I'm willing to take any risk, Jeremy. That's how much I love you."
Jeremy kissed her lips. "I feel the same way about you, Candy. But, what if we had a baby? Are we willing to risk our baby's life the way we risk our own"?
"Think about it this way, Jeremy. Let's say, we aren't in this current situation. We get married. We have a son. Then, at age 18, our son tells you, he wants to work in the family logging business. What would you tell him?" Candy asked
" I would tell him that it is hard back breaking work. I would say that it is risky every day. A man can get seriously injured or killed at anytime." Jeremy answered.
"Would you let him work there"? Candy asked
"Yes, I suppose I would. At 18, he would be an adult capable of making his own decisions. I would caution him strongly and worry myself sick, but in the end it would be his decision." Jeremy told her. "Candy, what was the point of this?"
"My point is that there are always risks in life. Please let me go with you. Let's get married and have a baby. Let's love each other while we can." She said tenderly.
"Okay. I love you, Candy." Jeremy said with a raspy voice
"I love you too, Jeremy." Candy said with tears shining in her eyes.
Later that evening, Jeremy was released from the clinic. He and Candy were married on the Shamus O'Flynn by Captain R.F. Clancy. Joshua was the best man. Biddie was the maid of honor. Jason gave the bride away. Lottie and Aaron were also there. In spite of the circumstances, it was a sweet ceremony. Jeremy and Candy were happy to be wed.
Jason, Joshua, and Aaron escorted the newlyweds to the Bolt family home place where they would spend their wedding night. The two older brothers and Aaron camped out about five miles away so Candy and Jeremy could have privacy. Aaron said that he needed to escort the couple in and out of town to avoid any talk of favoritism or leniency.
Very early on Monday morning, Aaron received a telegram from Captain Silas Harmon. The Golden West was off the coast of Australia. He would not be able to help Jeremy. Captain Harmon deeply regretted that.
The Bolt brothers and Candy were worried when they got the news that Captain Harmon was unable to help. They pondered what to do for a few minutes.
"I have an idea!" Aaron exclaimed. "It might be a little rough on you, Candy."
"If it keeps Jeremy safe, I will do it, Aaron." Candy replied.
"I have a close friend, Freddie Connors, he works as a wagon master. He has a wagon train which will be in Sweet Home, Oregon two weeks from today. If you get what gear you can, here from Ben and leave tonight, Jason, you could make it to Oregon in time to meet the wagon train." Aaron told them.
Jason thought for a minute. "It could work, Jeremy, Joshua. It would be like getting lost in a crowd. What do you think, brothers?"
Jeremy and Joshua looked at each other. Then they looked at Jason.
"I say let's go, Jason!" Jeremy answered.
"Me too, Jason!" Joshua agreed.
"Candy, are you sure?" Jason asked.
"Yes, I'm sure. I go where Jeremy goes." She replied.
Aaron had to take Jeremy back to the jail. Candy went with them.
Jason and Joshua started getting things ready for them to leave tonight. Aaron gave Jason some money to help them out on their journey.
"Thank you, Aaron. If I wasn't so desperate to get Jeremy out of town, I wouldn't accept it. But, I can't afford to be proud now." Jason told him. "If we ever return to Seattle, I will pay you back."
"Jason, don't worry about paying me back. Just keep Jeremy and the rest of you safe. God bless all of you." Aaron gave Jason a pat on the back.
Aaron looked at Jason for a few seconds. "Oh, hell, Bolt!" Aaron gave Jason a big hug. Jason returned the hug.
"Thank you, friend." Jason said in a raspy voice.
"You're welcome, friend. Let me help you and Joshua get the gear together." Aaron said.
They headed to Ben's Store to buy the gear.
Candy and Jeremy were talking when Biddie came into the jail.
"Excuse me, please. I'm sorry to interrupt, but it's important that I talk to Candy, please." Biddie said.
"That's fine, Biddie." Jeremy replied.
"Thank you, Jeremy. Candy, may I speak to you outside, please?" asked Biddie.
"Of course, Biddie." Candy responded. "Excuse us, please, Jeremy."
Jeremy nodded.
Biddie and Candy went outside.
"Candy, I love you like a sister. I truly love you the same way Jeremy and his brothers love each other." Biddie looked at the ground.
"Thank you, Biddie. I feel the same about you. Oh, I'm going to miss you so much!" Candy said tearfully.
"Candy, you don't have to miss me! I want to go with you! I'm serious." Biddie stated firmly.
"Oh, Biddie! That is so very sweet! But, it's going to be dangerous. All of us could get killed. I'm serious too, Biddie." Candy spoke somberly.
"I understand, Candy. I am willing to take that risk. And I'm willing to die if it comes to that. You are family to me, Candy. There's also another reason that I want to go. It's an equally important reason." Biddie explained.
"What is it, Biddie?" asked Candy.
Biddie took a deep breath and looked Candy in the eye. "I'm in love with Joshua."
"Oh, Biddie!" Candy squealed like a little girl. "I knew it! I just knew it!"
"You haven't told Jeremy, have you?" Biddie blushed.
"No, Biddie! Have you told Joshua?" Candy inquired.
"Oh, no! I couldn't do that, Candy. What if Joshua turned me down?"Biddie asked.
" I don't think Josh will turn you down. I mean you are willing to go on this dangerous trip risking your life. Giving up another home possibly forever. He's got to see that you are seriously in love with him." Candy replied. "You should tell him, Biddie."
"Well, Candy, I will think about it." Biddie replied.
"Biddie, I know you're scared. That's normal. But, what if something happens to us and you haven't told him that you love him? How would you feel then?" Candy inquired.
"I would certainly hate for us to die without Joshua even knowing how I feel about him. But, Candy, I can't just blurt it out to him. Even I am not that scatterbrained." Biddie cackled.
"You don't have to blurt it out, Biddie. Have a talk with Josh and tell him. I imagine he feels the same way about you." Candy smiled.
"Oh, Candy! Have you heard something? Has Jeremy told you anything?" Biddie was excited.
"No, Jeremy and Joshua haven't said anything. But, I have eyes, Biddie. I can see how Joshua lights up when you come into a room. He always dances the most dances with you at every party. And, I believe you told me that you almost went to Lover's Lagoon with him except you chickened out." Candy cut her eyes at Biddie.
"Oh, well. Lovers' Lagoon, well. I need to tell Joshua how I feel about him." Biddie decided.
"Yes, you do, Biddie." Candy agreed. "He is at the cabin. You could go talk to him now."
"Yes, I'll just do that. Oh, Candy! Wish me luck!" Biddie exclaimed.
"Good luck, Biddie! We will be sisters-in-law!" Candy said excitedly.
Biddie left to go see Joshua. Candy went back inside the jail.
"Is Biddie okay?" Jeremy asked.
"Oh, she's fine, Jeremy. And she's about to be wonderful!" Candy replied.
"What?" asked Jeremy.
"I don't want to jinx it by saying anything. But, you will find out soon." Candy smiled.
"Well, okay, Candy." Jeremy shook his head wondering what Biddie was up too.
Biddie knocked on the door of the Bolt cabin. Joshua opened the door.
"Hello, Biddie. It's nice to see you. Please come in." Joshua said.
"Thank you, Joshua. I know you are very busy. I want to talk to you, please, if you have a few minutes." Biddie went inside the cabin.
"Yes, I have a few minutes. In fact, I have been wanting to talk to you too." Joshua replied.
"Joshua, first I want to say that I am so sorry about what happened with Jeremy's trial. How anyone could ever think that your sweet brother would murder someone is just beyond me. And I also wanted to tell you, Joshua, that I…. I…..well…." Biddie lost her nerve.
"Thank you for your concern about Jeremy, Biddie. It is hard to believe that he was convicted. I wanted to tell you, Biddie, that I have enjoyed the time we have spent together. The dances we shared. Our walks and our talks. And I want to tell you….Biddie, I want to say….." Joshua gulped. "Biddie, I love you!"
"That's very nice, Joshua. I want to tell you….wait….what? Did you say you love me?" Biddie looked at Joshua.
Joshua smiled. "Yes, Biddie. I love you."
"Oh, Joshua! I love you too! That's what I was trying to say." Biddie smiled. Tears ran down her cheeks.
Joshua put his arms around Biddie. They looked into each other's eyes. Their lips met in a sweet tender kiss.
"Biddie, I know this is a terrible time for my family and I'm asking a lot of you. But, Biddie, will you marry me and go with us?" Joshua whispered.
"Yes, Joshua! Oh, yes!" Biddie said sweetly.
They shared another kiss. When the kiss ended, they smiled at each other.
"Oh, I have wanted to tell you that I love you for a long time, Biddie. But, I was afraid you didn't feel the same about me." Joshua explained. I'm so glad that you love me too. Thank you for accepting my proposal!"
"Well, Joshua. I thought the same thing. I thought you didn't feel the same about me. Being your wife is going to be wonderful, Joshua! I'm so glad we decided to tell each other." Biddie put her arms around his neck.
"I guess this terrible situation that Jeremy is in, has made me realize how quickly life can change." Joshua said sadly. "I love Jeremy so much. Biddie, what if they hang my brother?"
"Joshua, everything is going to turn out fine somehow. You and Jason and Jeremy especially have to believe that. Jeremy is innocent. The truth will prevail. Your brother is not going to hang, sweetheart." Biddie said gently. She gave Joshua a hug.
"Thank you, Biddie. I know that you're right. Hey! Let's go tell Jeremy and Candy our good news!" Joshua exclaimed.
"Yes! Let's do that!" Biddie agreed.
When Joshua and Biddie arrived at the jail, Jason and Aaron were there too.
"We are glad all of you are here. We have an announcement." Joshua said smiling at Biddie.
Biddie smiled and blushed a little.
Candy suppressed a giggle.
Jason and Jeremy exchanged a puzzled look.
Aaron took out his pocket watch and checked the time.
"Biddie and I are getting married!" Joshua stated proudly.
"WHAT?! Josh! You never told me…..Jeremy, did our brother tell you?" Jason was surprised.
"Not a word, Jason! I know what Josh sees in the lovely Miss Cloom. But, Biddie, what in the world do you see in my lunkheaded brother?" Jeremy teased.
"Oh, Jeremy!" Biddie laughed.
"Alright! Watch it, Baby Brother!" Josh laughed.
Jeremy laughed.
Jason laughed at his brothers kidding each other. "May I be the first to congratulate you both." Jason gave Biddie a tiny kiss on her cheek. He shook hands with Joshua and slapped him on the back.
"Oh, Biddie! I told you, didn't I? I'm so happy for you two! Congratulations!" Candy was thrilled.
"Seriously, I'm very happy for both of you. Josh will be a great husband to you, Biddie. He's a good man. Congratulations!" Jeremy grinned.
"Congratulations, Biddie and Joshua!" Aaron said. He also gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you, everyone for your well wishes! We want to get married as soon as we can change clothes and get Reverend Adams here to the jail." Joshua said.
"Now, Josh, you don't want your wedding to be here at the jail, do you? You don't have to…" Jeremy said.
"Yes, Jeremy, we have to have our wedding here. Biddie wants you to give her away. Jason, you're my best man, okay?" Joshua asked.
"It's fine with me. Thank you, Biddie. I'm honored." Jeremy answered.
"Thank you, Joshua. I'm proud to be your best man." Jason said tearfully.
Biddie walked over to Candy.
"Candy, will you please be my Matron of Honor?" She asked.
"Yes, Biddie! I will be happy too." Candy and Biddie hugged.
"Listen, I will be glad to transfer Jeremy to the church for the wedding if it's okay for me to attend the ceremony." Aaron said.
"That would be great, Aaron! Certainly, it's alright for you to attend the wedding. Thank you!" Joshua answered.
"Thank you, Aaron! Oh, Joshua, we have to tell Lottie and Clancy. We want them to be there." Biddie said.
"That's right! We will go tell them now." Joshua replied.
Biddie and Joshua went to the saloon. Lottie and Clancy were surprised and happy. They said they would definitely be there. Candy and Biddie got ready at the dormitory. Jason and Joshua got dressed at the cabin. The brothers took Jeremy's and Aaron's dress clothes to them at the jail.
When it was almost time for the wedding, Aaron transferred Jeremy to the church. Jason went quickly to the cabin on a last minute errand. He made it to the church in plenty of time.
The ceremony was lovely. Joshua and Biddie were glowing. Clancy cried and had to be consoled by Lottie.
After Joshua kissed his bride, Jeremy surprised them by singing The Lord's Prayer. Jeremy played his guitar as he sang. Jason's errand was to get his brother's guitar.
Jeremy sang beautifully. Lottie cried and needed comfort from Clancy.
After everyone had toasted the newlyweds with champagne that was a gift from Lottie, it was almost time for the Bolts to leave on their journey.
Aaron transferred Jeremy back to the jail. Candy went with the rest of the Bolt family to help finish loading the buckboards. They were taking four. One for each brother and one for supplies. Lottie and Clancy helped load the buckboards.
About an hour later, the door to the sheriff's office opened. Joshua walked in leading Brownie, Jeremy's horse. Jason, Candy, Biddie, Lottie and Clancy followed Brownie.
Jeremy gasped. "Josh?" Jeremy had tears in his eyes.
"Don't worry, Jeremy. If Brownie has an accident, I'll take care of it." Joshua tried to chuckle. He was choked up.
Aaron unlocked the cell and opened the door. Jeremy walked over to Brownie.
Jeremy put his arms around Brownie's neck. "Hi, Brownie. I have missed you. We had lots of fun together, didn't we, boy?" Jeremy petted Brownie.
"I have to go away, Brownie. I hate that I can't take you with me, but you will be better off here at home. You are going to belong to Aaron now. He will love you and take care of you. I'm counting on you to be a good boy, okay? I know you will, Brownie. You're a good boy. Yes, you are, Brownie. I love you, Brownie. I will never forget you. Oh, Brownie!" Jeremy sobbed hiding his face against his horse.
"I'm sorry, Brownie! This isn't the life I had planned for you or for me or for any of us! I have ruined your life, Brownie! I have ruined EVERYBODY's life!" Jeremy screamed.
Brownie rubbed his nose against Jeremy's shoulder as if he was trying to comfort him. Candy ran to Jeremy. She put her arms around his waist and her head on his back.
"Jeremy, this is not your fault. You were framed. Please don't blame yourself, sweetheart. I love you. All of us love you." Candy said softly.
Brownie whinnied.
Everyone laughed a little. Even Jeremy laughed a bit.
"You see? Brownie's saying he loves you and he doesn't blame you." Candy hugged her husband closer.
Jeremy wrapped his arms tighter around Brownie's neck. He cried for a few more minutes. Then he took some deep breaths. Jeremy kissed Brownie on his nose. "I love you, Brownie." He whispered.
Jeremy turned to face Candy. "Thank you, Candy. I love you."
"You're welcome, sweetheart. I love you too." Candy put her head on his shoulder.
"Candy's right, Jeremy. All of us love you. You are not to blame. And you are not ruining our lives. We want to go with you." Jason said earnestly.
"Thank you, Jason. Thank you, everyone. Josh, thanks again for bringing Brownie here. Thank you, Aaron for taking him for me. I know you will take good care of him." Jeremy said.
Everyone patted Jeremy on the back and told him everything would work out.
Aaron took Brownie back to his stable. Clancy and Lottie said tearful goodbyes and left.
The Bolt brothers had another painful goodbye to face.
The three brothers went out of the sheriff's office. They walked arm in arm a ways of the street toward their cabin.
The three of them stopped and looked up. There it was in all it's beauty, Bridal Veil Mountain. Memories of their childhood ran through their heads. They thought of the good times and the sad times.
"Jason, we know it has to be the hardest for you to leave our mountain since you're the oldest. You have the most memories of it." Joshua said.
"Yes, it's hard to leave, Josh, Jeremy. Our home is important. But, it's more important that we stay together. Remember, wherever we are is home." Jason said quietly.
"Yeah." Jeremy whispered.
The brothers gazed at their mountain a while longer. Then they hugged each other and went back to the jail.
Two hours later as twilight was falling, Jason, Joshua, and Big Swede drove the buckboards to the jail.
When the Bolt family was on the buckboards ready to leave, they said goodbye to Aaron and Big Swede.
Before they were out of sight of Bridal Veil Mountain, the brothers stopped their wagons. The three turned to look back at their mountain once more.
"Goodbye, Bridal Veil Mountain. You were a wonderful home. We will miss you." Joshua said.
"Goodbye, Dad. We love you. We will miss you." Jason said.
"Goodbye, M-M-Mama. W-W-We l-l-love you. W-W-We will m-m-miss you." Jeremy said.
The Bolt family began their journey to save Jeremy's life.
To be continued…..