It was a beautiful morning with a clear, blue sky. The air was cool and crisp, with the sweet yet tangy scent of spruce, fir, and pine trees. Autumn was coming.

For once, there were no puddles in the town square of Seattle, as Jason, Joshua, and Jeremy Bolt walked from their logging camp to Aaron Stempel's mill to go over a new contract. Another big job that would require all hands, long hours, and short nights. Jeremy sighed as he entered Stempel's office, thinking that once again he wouldn't get to see Candy much until the contract was completed.

Jeremy wanted to talk to Jason about it, but he didn't want to argue with his older brothers yet again about the intense pace they were keeping. He would just be overruled again... Jason would rehash the story of Old Jess, sowing the seeds of doubt yet again. It was easier to just go along with his brothers. Someday he and Candy would have the time for the wedding Candy wanted.

Aaron looked up from his accounting books as the Bolts entered.

"You're late yet AGAIN, Bolt", he half-bellowed.

Jason smiled at Aaron and countered with "Good morning to you, too, Aaron!"

"Bolt, I told you I need the Penalty Clause in because if anything goes wrong on your end, I need to have my interests covered"!

"Yes, yes, Aaron. We know all about your interests. But we have our OWN interests to see to. Put in the fee for Early Completion like we've done before and let's sign it".

"Bolt, are you SURE you can do this? This is our biggest contract yet. There's no room for failure".

Jason gave Stempel a smile that went ear to ear and said, " My brothers and I NEVER fail".

Jeremy dropped his head and closed his eyes, just when Jason happened to look his way. Jason knew what that look meant.

"Excuse us, Aaron. I need to speak to my brother." Jeremy's head snapped up as he frowned at Jason. "Let's go, brother", Jason said as he ushered Jeremy outside. He nodded to Josh, who returned his nod in understanding. This wasn't the first time this had happened, and probably wouldn't be the last. Jeremy just needed a little coaxing and reassurance.

By the time they'd walked a few feet from the door, Jeremy's patience had worn thin, and he was NOT in the mood for a pep talk.

"Look, Jason," he put his hand up to stop Jason from talking, "Save your breath. You and Josh are just going to overrule my vote, so just do what you want to do, but I'm tired of it! You're working all the men to the bone! None of us has had any time off in AGES, and it's like Candy and I are becoming strangers!"

Jason jumped on Jeremy's last point. "Ah! I see! This is all about you and Candy!"

Jeremy took a deep breath in and slowly released it in an effort to calm himself down.

"Look, Jason, you know Candy and I have been trying to get married for basically YEARS. At this point, we'll NEVER get married! I barely get to see her! I have loved that woman since the first day I met her, when she pointed that old Civil War pistol at my chest, demanding we turn Clancey's ship around."

Jeremy had to smile, and give a soft chuckle at the memory. The smile quickly left his face, and he thrust his clenched fists into his pants pockets and spoke earnestly and firmly to Jason.

"I want to give her the wedding she wants. The wedding she deserves... flowers, a special dress, music, all our friends and family, and a big luncheon afterwards. It has to be as special as she is, Jason."

Jason put his hand on Jeremy's shoulder. "Jeremy, Candy would marry you in a meadow wearing a flour sack dress, but I understand what you're saying. Tell you what, Brother. After we complete this contract, I'll make sure you get the time off that you and Candy need to make your dream wedding happen."

With that, Jason made a fist with his right hand and thrust it toward Jeremy. Jeremy gazed at the hand, took his own right hand out of his pocket, and lay it on top of Jason's. Joshua, who had been listening by Stempel's door, walked over to his brothers and lay his right hand on top of his brothers'. The Bolt Brothers. Promises kept. A bond that cannot be broken.

The spell was broken when a shout suddenly went up from outside Lottie's. "HELP! Someone's attacking Lottie!"