Chapter 5

Jeremy and Candy were taking a walk along the lake. They stopped to view the water. Jeremy held Candy's hand and they stood there just looking out.

"Jeremy, what makes you think that there is nothing to worry about the riddles? Jason seems upset and Joshua is worried about the finances?" Candy asked him. Jeremy wasn't sure he wanted to say anything to Candy, he thought she might get mad.

"Well, Candy, I can't tell you yet, but maybe when this is done, I can let you know." He said he was hoping that it would keep her from asking more questions. He already knew that Jason suspected but wasn't sure if Josh had or not.

"Hey, you know what Candy, I haven't seen Joshua, do you want to take a ride up to the cabin, maybe he is there?" Candy was surprised that he suggested the cabin, usually he didn't talk about it very often, and they had other plans, he did not want to live in his parents cabin. Not with a new bride and all, so he had insisted on building their house a mile or two away from there. Joshua and Jason knew about that but had also not said anything to anyone.

"You know, we haven't been up that way in a long while. I wouldn't mind going there today. It is a bit chilly thought; I want to get my coat." She said and they walked back to the town together. He went and got the wagon, and she got the coat, and a blanket for the ride. They headed up to the cabin and got there a little before it got dark. They had forgotten that the days got shorter, closer to winter.

"Well, it's okay, I will sleep in the front, and you can have the bed. Jeremy said to Candy." Candy looked at him with a forlorn look in her eyes. He almost couldn't resist that look. He noticed that there was some fresh food in the cabin. Someone had been staying there he thought. He lit the fire in the fireplace and the room warmed up. Candy was glad she had brought her blanket, but she also noticed a couple of fresh blankets in there as well. Jeremy had set the table with some food and fresh water to drink. They ate their meal and smiled and talked for quite a while. Jermy deftly avoided any talk about the food, the blankets or the cabin being ready for visitors. Candy decided that if he wanted to tell her, he would. She was tired. The day had been long but too short. She started to yawn. They sat next to each other very happily holding hands. Soon Candy had fallen asleep on Jeremy's chest, and he didn't want to wake her, so he lay there on the bed with her. They both slept peacefully.

The fire died and it was cold in the morning. Jeremy got up and lit the fire and got some more wood. He made some coffee and waited until Candy woke up. Before she woke up though he heard some noise out on the porch. He opened the door and Joshua and JoJo stood at the door ready to wake them up. He shushed them and went outside to talk.

"Jeremy, Candy is sleeping, we know, but it is cold out here!" Joshua said. JoJo, smiled and wanted to laugh at him. He was always cold.

"Joshua, you don't know what cold is until you have no shoes, rags for clothes and no food!" she said. Jeremy let JoJo and Joshua in. He also saw Jason and Julie coming up as well.

"Hey, is this the party?" said Julie who was holding onto Jasons hand.

"mmm, Oh, hello!" Candy said as she woke up and saw people in the cabin. She saw that she was still dressed and looked at Jeremy who smiled and winked at her. She put her face down and hoped that they had not done anything wrong!

"don't worry Candy, here is a cup of coffee, they are here for the surprise!" Candy took the coffee, sat up and looked at Jeremy and said:

"What surprise?" Jason said:

"Well, Candy, your surprise! We wanted to keep it a secret; we didn't want the whole town to know. Even Biddie didn't know, until this morning, but she is over preparing the wonderful breakfast that we will be having as soon as we get there."

Candy looked at Jeremy who again was smiling. He looked at Joshua and Jason. The new girl, she did not know so, instead of waiting until they were introduced, she said:

"Hello, my name is Miss Candy Pruitt, what is your name?" She put her hand out to shake it and the woman shook her hand and said:

"I am JoJo short for Josephine. I am pleased to meet you Miss Candy Pruitt!" She smiled. Candy noticed she had nice straight teeth, ebony black hair, and large brown doe eyes. She was very beautiful. She wondered where JoJo was from.

"Where are you from and how do you know the Bolts, especially Jeremy?" Candy's green eyes were getting greener.

"It is time for us to leave" said Jason and took the ladies to the wagon, Candy looked at Jeremy and he was still smiling.

"Miss Pruitt, you can sit next to JoJo and talk with her, you will have plenty to talk about." Jason said as he helped her up to the wagon. She felt as if she had permission to ask JoJo all sorts of questions and JoJo was very forthcoming on the ride. Candy liked this woman. She wanted to get to know more but they arrived at the place and when she saw it, she was overwhelmed.

It was a simple two-story farm house. Complete with a yard for children and chicken pen, and a place for a garden. There were extra rooms upstairs for the children, even her sister and brother. The reason why the books had been wrong was not only upside down and in the wrong hands but because the Bolts, with the unknowing help from Aaron had put back some of their lumber to build the house. JoJo, had helped as well, she had prepared the garden for winter, and it would be ready when spring came to plant.

Biddie came out of the house and gave Candy a big hug and said to her and Julie and JoJo to come inside they would need help. The men stayed outside even though it was cold, there was a further surprise for Candy. Their minister arrived and was ready to perform the ceremony. She did not know that they were going to be married that day. Aaron came with some of his men. Lottie had been inside preparing the dress and other accessories for when Candy and Jeremy were married.

Aaron was wondering about the riddle that they had, he had figured out the first two but the third one he was still not understanding. Jeremy and Joshua said:

"Where the house stands were an old tree that was large and had a lot of shade. Mom would take us up there and we would sit and play on that tree all day, while dad was gone. Jason was already working so we spent some of the best days of our lives playing under that tree. The cutting season, every year for the past 5 years before we went to get the brides, we were going to cut that tree down, but it seemed that it never was the right time. Then two months ago, we looked at it, and decided that it was time. Candy never saw the tree that we cut down, but she saw this place afterwards and loved it, she even described where she would have everything if we lived here. So, this will be our new home." Jeremy said.

"Come on fellas, we are being called in I hear the bell!" said Jason as he leads Jeremy and Joshua toward the house. When they entered there was an arch entwined with winter flowers. There was a piano and a guitar as well, so that Jeremy and Candy would always have music. The arch was in front of the stairs. Jeremy stood at the end near the dining room. The minister was standing in the doorway of the dining room. Joshua started to play the music for the bridesmaids, and they came floating down one by one and stood on one side, the bride's side. The grooms stood on the other side. Joshua had stopped playing but Lottie was playing the piano now as Joshua took his bridesmaid and they stood with their respective bride or groom. Finally, it was Candy's turn. She was in tears, as she descended the steps, she was a vision, crying under her veil, Jason took her arm and walked with her to Jeremy, he too was crying, they both were so very happy. When they said 'I do' it was a mere whisper. The pastor had to ask them to say it a little louder. When they did, it was almost too loud, and everyone laughed. The pastor declared they were man and wife and they kissed and turned to the community and walked back through to the kitchen door. Where Candy stood and threw her bouquet and Julie Stemple caught it!

They all had a lovely reception and when it was over. The groom carried his bride up to their 'bridal chamber' and through the door and shut it and…well, you know, What would J. Bolt Do? Or, What Would Mr. and Mrs. J. Bolt Do?