CHAPTER 3

The next day Dr. Wright sends word to Jeremy that she has some news. While Candy is at the church for choir practice, he slips over to the clinic to have a talk with Allyn. "Jeremy, Lisa is eager to meet you and run a full exam on you."

"Yeah? When?" Jeremy asks.

"As soon as you can get there. I'm sorry I won't be able to go with you but I have an obligation in Olympia that I can't get out of. I'm sure Candy will take good care of you."

Jeremy moans, "I'm sure she would but I'm not telling Candy about this. No, the less she knows the better off she'll be."

"Jeremy Bolt! You can't keep this a secret from your wife. She's going to find out eventually and when she does she may never forgive you for keeping something like this from her. And I don't blame her. I would be upset, too."

"It's just that Candy hasn't been feeling good lately and I don't want her to worry."

Allyn asks, "Not feeling good, how?"

"Well, she doesn't complain, but I can tell. She's tired, doesn't have much of an appetite. Probably from having to take care of me, huh? Oh, and I'm pretty sure I heard her throwing up, but she denied it. I just don't want to add another burden to her already full plate. I'll talk to Jason and see if he can go with me."

"I think you're wrong, but you do whatever you think is best. Would you do me a favor and tell Candy to come over so I can see that she's alright? We can't have her under the weather, too."

Jeremy grins, "That's a good idea. But you promise you won't say anything about San Francisco to her?"

"I promise."

Jeremy sits on the church steps waiting for Candy. When she exits the church, he stands and takes her by the elbow, "Hey," he says as he leads her towards the clinic. "I saw Allyn a little while ago. She wants you to come right now to see her."

"Right now? Can't it wait?"

"No, she was pretty insistent for it to be now. While you're at Allyn's, I think I'll go see if Jason and Josh are anywhere around. I'll see you at home later, okay?"

"Well, okay. I'll try not to be too long." They give each other a tender kiss on the lips, then go their separate ways.

Jeremy and Jason meet up at Lottie's and have a drink. Then they go to the Bolt cabin to discuss the information that Allyn told Jeremy. Jason asks, "And Allyn is sure that you need to make this trip?"

"Yes, she is sure. Look Jason, I know this is a surprise to you, but it was to me, too. If you don't want to go with me, I'll ask Josh."

"It's not that I don't want to go with you, Jeremy. I'm just afraid of what Candy will say."

Unbeknownst to them, Candy has just now stepped up on the porch feeling giddy with delight. That is until she hears the conversation coming from the room through the door that has been left slightly ajar.

"Candy won't say anything, because I'm not telling her about Lisa and San Francisco," Jeremy says. "Not yet anyways."

"Oh, Jeremy. That's not right. Candy deserves to know about this," Jason says shaking his head.

"I know she does, but I can't tell her. I have to go see Lisa first and get this all straightened out. When I get back, I'll sit Candy down and tell her everything."

"How do you think Candy will take the news?"

Jeremy sighs heavily. "Not good, I'm afraid. But hopefully she'll understand that. . ."

"Jeremy, Jeremy, Jeremy. I'm afraid you're not thinking straight. This is Candy we're talking about."

"I know, this is going to hurt her. I hate doing this to her, but right now all I can think about is going to San Francisco to see Lisa. I'll deal with Candy when I get back." He scoots his chair back to stand.

Candy backs up off the porch with her hand over her mouth in shock, anger, and in tears. She bumps into Josh as he is arriving home.

"Hey Candy. I didn't mean to. . .Candy, you all right?" he asks concerned when he sees the anguished look on her face. He watches as she runs away from him. "Candy?" he calls out.

Hearing Josh call out Candy's name, Jeremy and Jason go out on the porch. "What on earth did you two do to Candy?" Josh asks.

"Nothing, we haven't seen Candy," Jeremy answers. "Why?"

"Well, something sure has her upset. She was crying and looked frantic when I saw her."

"When was this, Josh?" Jason asks.

"Just now. She was coming off the porch and took off running. She really didn't look well," Josh says.

"Oh no," Jeremy moans. "Candy was here and must of heard us talking. I've got to go find her." He starts to run but drops to his knees instead, cradling his head. "No, not now," he cries. "I have to find Candy."

"Jeremy, you're in no shape to go find anyone. Come back inside until your headache subsides. Then Josh and I will take you home. Candy will probably be there by then," Jason says as he helps Jeremy to his feet.

"And if she isn't there?" Jeremy asks in pain and tears.

"Well, if she's not there, then Josh will stay with you and I'll go look for her."

"All right. But Jason you can't tell her the truth. I have to be the one to tell her," Jeremy pleads.

"You're right, Jeremy. This has to come from you," Jason replies.