CHAPTER 6

Jeremy helps Candy in the house. "It really smells good in here," he says.

"Oh I forgot, I put a roast of beef with vegetables in the oven earlier. It should be done," Candy replies.

"You're always one step ahead, aren't you?" he chuckles. "Let me get you upstairs in bed and I'll bring us up some supper."

"I'll eat at the table. There's no sense in you having to bring food upstairs. Help me over to the table."

"Are you going to be this stubborn all during your recovery?" he asks sternly with his hands on his slender hips.

Candy bites on her lip, then bursts out crying. "I'm. . .s-sorry."

Jeremy gives her a hug. "No, I'm the one that's sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. Here, have a seat." He fixes a plate for each of them. When he sees Candy's hand shaking so much that she can't even hold a fork, he takes the fork from her and says, "Here, let me help you." She nods her head as she cries.

"Candy, why are you crying? Are you in pain?"

"A little. I feel helpless. I don't want you to have to feed me."

"I don't mind. I'll do anything for you, you know that, don't you?"

She nods her head. "I know. Thank you."

"Well, let's finish eating so I can get you upstairs and change your clothes. You need to get in bed and relax."

As they just finish eating, Molly, Christopher, Biddie, and another bride named Anna come into the kitchen.

Biddie giggles, "Don't mind us. We just came to get some clothes for the youngins'. I'll keep them with me until you start feeling better."

"Oh, thank you," Candy says quietly. "So, are you two all right?" she asks them as they give her a little hug. "I'm so proud of you both for going all by yourselves to get Jeremy. Thank you."

"Candy, we were scared. I thought that bear would eat you up," Molly says.

"I wasn't scared," Chris brags pushing his chest out. "I ain't scared of no bears."

"Well, you should be," Jeremy tells him sternly. "Bears are nothing to play around with. Leave them alone from now on. You hear me?"

"Yes, Jeremy," Chris says hanging his head.

"Well, I'll take Molly and Christopher to get their clothes. Anna has something she wants to say to you."

After they leave, Candy says, "Anna, is something wrong?"

Anna starts wringing her hands and looks down at the floor. "Yes, there is. I'm so sorry."

"For what?" Jeremy asks.

Anna looks at both of them and blurts out, "It wasn't Biddie that told your secret. I mean, I guess it was a secret. You did make her promise not to tell and all, so I guess it was a secret." She pauses and sees the questions in their eyes. "You know, about Jeremy turning into a hungry bear and ravishing you."

Candy gasps as Jeremy asks, "Just what are you saying, Anna?"

"I heard Candy and Biddie talking about. . .well, you know. I was sitting out on the porch and heard it through the open window. I'm sorry, but I thought it was so sweet how much she loves you and how much she loves having. . .sex with you. So, I told some other brides about it. I told them not to tell, but well, I guess they told someone anyways. I'm sorry."

"You eavesdropping and blabbing about what you heard, did cause problems for us. Jeremy was hurt terribly. But I can't blame you for this. It was my fault. I shouldn't have told Biddie in the first place. It was my big mouth that caused the problems," Candy explains.

"Well, just the same, I hope you can forgive me and I promise not to eavesdrop again," Anna says.

Looking at Jeremy she adds, "Jeremy, I'm so sorry I hurt you. I would never intentionally hurt you for anything in this world. I've always had kind of a little crush on you and you're such a kind sweet man. Please forgive me."

Jeremy gives her his big smile that makes all the brides weak- kneed. "It's all right. All's forgiven."

"Thank you," Anna says as Biddie and the kids come back in.

"Everything okay in here?" Biddie asks. When they reassure her that all is taken care of, she says, "Anna, why don't you take Molly and Christopher back to the dormitory. I'm going to stay and clean up the kitchen then I'll be on my way."

"Biddie, you don't need to do that." Candy protests.

"I think I do. And you Candy, need to go to bed. And you Jeremy need to see that she does just that. Now, everyone be gone, so I can get to work." She shoos everyone out and gets busy.

After getting Candy into her nightgown, Jeremy helps her into the bed. He heard Biddie turn the lock on the door before she left, so he undresses but leaves his longjohn bottoms on. He lays down beside Candy. "Are you all right? Are you in pain? Can I get you anything?"

"I'm starting to hurt."

Jeremy jumps up and gets some pain medicine for her, then lays back down. After laying there in silence for some time, he asks, "Candy, do you want to talk about it? About your attack?"

"No, I just want to forget it. I'm tired, goodnight Jeremy."

Jeremy sighs, "Goodnight. I love you." He kisses her cheek gently.

"Love you, too." Then she closes her eyes to drop off to sleep.

Around two or three o'clock, Jeremy is awakened by Candy moaning in her sleep. She seems to be having a bad dream. Suddenly, she screams. Jeremy grabs her and holds her. "You're all right, Candy. It was just a dream."

Candy opens her eyes and is relieved to be safe in her bed with Jeremy. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to awaken you."

"It's all right." He lays back down bringing Candy with him. "Your dream, was it about the attack?"

She nods her head. "Candy, I don't mean to push you, but I think you'll feel better if you talk about it."

Finally, she says, "Jeremy, I was so scared. I just knew I would never see you again. That's all I kept thinking of. You," she sniffs. "I pictured you finding my remains and. . ."

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that," he comforts her.

"I played dead like you told me. Every time it would nudge or paw me, it was all I could do to be quiet and to lay still. It kept flipping me. When it took a bite of my thigh, I knew I was a goner. I passed out."

"You're going to find this hard to believe, but I think that bear was just toying with you. It had no intention of hurting you."

"What! You're right, I don't believe it."

"Candy, if that bear really wanted to hurt you, believe me, it would have. It would have killed you in an instant. I would be mourning over the love of my life's body instead of laying here holding you safely in my arms," he says as he kisses her forehead.

"Really?"

"Really. When you didn't show any sign of life, she lost interest and left. That's what they do. I've heard tales of that happening." He runs his fingers through her hair, wrapping a strand around his finger. "I'm so glad you were able to recall what I told you to do about meeting a bear. I didn't think you were listening to me, but some of it must have sunk in," he chuckles.

"You were a good teacher, but I was more interested in the teacher than what you were teaching," she grins.

Jeremy shakes his head. "Why Candy Pruitt Bolt, do you have a crush on me, too?"

"Yes, I do. Anna said hers was a little crush, but Jeremy, mine is so much bigger. I love you so much. Thank you for being here with me and helping me through this." She kisses his lips.

"Candy, there is nowhere else I'd rather be. I love you." He kisses her lips. "Now try to go to sleep. You need your rest after what you've been through. We'll talk more in the morning."

When he thinks shes asleep, she surprises him by saying, "Jeremy, do you mind if I still think of you as my hungry bear?"

He chuckles, "No, I don't mind." He pauses then adds, "Just know that I will never hurt you like a real bear does. But I will play with you. . .in a gentler way."

"Goodnight Jeremy."

"Goodnight Candy."

THE END