CHAPTER 1

"Drop it, Candy!" Jeremy Bolt snaps at his wife.

"No, I won't drop it, Jeremy. Jason needs a wife and family so he'll stop interfering in our life," Candy replies. "Why he doesn't marry Allyn, I don't know. Maybe that young widow that just moved to Seattle. . ."

Jeremy grits his teeth as he seethes. "I said to drop it!" he shouts. "If Jason wants a wife and family, he knows how to get one. We, meaning you, will do nothing to. . ."

"But Jeremy, I'm tired of Jason coming over here and telling me how to be a good little wife to you. And it's none of his business if and when we have a baby. Maybe if you didn't run and tell him every little thing that happens, well then just maybe he wouldn't criticize me so much!" Candy shouts back at him.

Jeremy rubs the temples on each side of his forehead. He came home from the logging camp with a headache and now after going at it nonstop with Candy, he feels like his head is going to explode. "I don't run and tell him every little thing." He rubs his temples again. "Maybe Jason is the smart one. Maybe he knows what he's doing by not getting married!" he shouts.

"What? What do you mean by that?" Candy shouts back. She waits for Jeremy's answer, but he doesn't give one. "Are you saying you regret marrying me?" Candy asks in dismay.

Jeremy looks into her questioning eyes and sees the hurt he put there, then grabs his jacket, and rushes from the house, leaving Candy standing there with tears falling from her eyes.

When Jeremy gets to his and Candy's favorite spot, the large boulder by the water, he sits on the ground leaning against the boulder with his knees brought up to his chest. He lays his head on his knees. Finally, he takes a bottle of laudanum from his jacket pocket and raises it to his lips. He only takes a small sip, just enough to take the edge off his headache, but not enough to make him fall asleep. Why? he wonders. Why did I say that to Candy and why didn't I answer her when she asked me if I regretted marrying her? Of course, she's going to think I regret it. Oh! he groans. I've really stepped in it this time. As soon as my head feels better, I'll go home and make amends. I just hope she'll accept my apology and we don't get into another shouting match. I don't think my head can take it. He lays his head back down on his knees and closes his eyes to rest.

Candy is beside herself with worry. Oh my! Jeremy regrets marrying me. He must or he would have said he didn't. But he didn't say anything. Just rushed right out. . .to get away from me. Should I go look for him? No, he's probably over at Jason's telling him all about our argument. Maybe, Jason is right. Maybe I do nag at Jeremy. But Jeremy is at fault, too. If he would just talk to me instead of getting that damn stubborn attitude every time I bring up Jason. But noooo, according to Jeremy, Jason is always right. He never does anything wrong. I'm the one that is always wrong. What's the point in me going to look for him? He has his mind made up already. He won't listen to my side of the story. If Jeremy wants to talk to me, he knows where I am. That is if he can break himself away from Jason. She goes upstairs and gets ready for bed, knowing that she won't get much sleep. At least not until or if Jeremy comes back home.

Jeremy's headache has dwindled to a slow, dull throb. I guess I need to go face Candy. Get this over with. What do I say to convince her that I love her and I don't regret marrying her? It's just that ever since I had that accident and hit my head a few months ago, these headaches have been building. I know it's my fault. I didn't listen to doctor's orders. I didn't take it easy and I went back to work too soon. Now, every time I get a headache, I take it out on Candy. How does she put up with me? I really need to tell her everything that has been going on with me, but I don't want to worry her. Allyn thinks it's only a complication from all the concussions I've had over the years and I have had a lot that's for sure. He runs his fingers through his hair. Well, first things first. I have to go make up with Candy. I'll tell her all this other stuff another time. Right now, she's whats important. He stands, puts his bottle of laudanum back in his jacket pocket, and heads for home.

Their bedroom is awash with the moonlight coming through the windows. Candy is laying in bed still wide awake when she hears Jeremy come in the house. She hears his footsteps coming up the stairs, hears him open their bedroom door, and hears him go to the washroom. When he comes back into the room, she pretends to be asleep. She hears him take off his clothes and gently get into bed. There is complete silence.

Finally she says in almost a whisper, "Jeremy?"

Jeremy turns on his side to face her. "Yeah, it's me. Candy, I'm so sorry."

Candy turns to face him. "So am I. I'm sorry too, Jeremy." She reaches out to touch his face. They move closer to each other. "Jeremy, I have to know. Do you regret us getting married?"

"No, I don't regret it. Candy, the day we married was the happiest day of my life. I have never had any regrets about us. What I do regret is saying what I did about Jason knowing not to get married. I didn't mean to make you feel like I didn't want you. I'm sorry. The only excuse I have is that my head was hurting so bad that I. . ."

"How is your head now? Are you all right?" she asks concerned.

"It's better. Just a dull throb right now. I just had to be alone and calm down. I also took a sip of laudanum. Just enough to get the headache under control."

"Oh Jeremy," she cries. "These headaches you're having worry me."

"Shh, don't worry. I'll be fine. I promise," he says as he kisses her tenderly on the mouth.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" Candy asks.

"I don't want us to ever get into another shouting match like we did earlier. I came home with a slight headache and when we got into our argument, I honestly felt like my head was going to explode. Can we, both of us, try not to do that again?"

"Yes, we need to work on that. I admit, I'm embarrassed at the way I acted. Can you forgive me?" she asks.

"Already done. I was just as bad. Can you forgive me?"

"I forgive you," she answers as she kisses his shoulder.

"Did Molly and Chris hear us arguing?" Jeremy asks.

"No, thank goodness. They were over at Lottie's helping her clean up her back room."

"That's good. I don't want them to ever hear us carrying on like that. Do you mind if we talk about this tomorrow? I'm really beat and I'm afraid if I don't get some sleep, my head is going to start hurting again."

"Jeremy, do you need some more laudanum? I'll get it for you if you do."

"I'm okay. You're all the medicine I need right now." He wraps his arms around her and pulls her close to him. "Good night, Candy. I love you."

"I love you, too. Good night." They give each other a tender kiss and fall asleep.