Here Come the Brides Chapter 3 The Dance
"I'm not going," Joshua told his older brother Jason.
"Not going to the dance?" Jason asked. "Are you feeling alright? You don't look sick."
Joshua just turned away and sat down in the chair facing the fireplace. It was spring, so there wasn't a fire in the cabin, but he sat there staring into the empty hearth anyway. He leaned forward elbows on his knees. Jason looked at the back of his younger brothers blonde head, and then he looked over to his youngest brother Jeremy. Jeremy just shrugged his shoulders, not knowing what to say or why Joshua was in a sour mood.
Jeremy stepped closer to Joshua. "Come on Joshua, It's Saturday night, what are you going to do, just sit here all alone?" he asked.
"Yea, I thought you had a date," asked Jason, "You can't stand the girl up. That wouldn't be right Joshua."
"I'm not going," Joshua stood up and snapped back.
"Why? What happened?" Jeremy asked softer, as he tried to understand what happened.
"Missy dumped me," Joshua bit back. "She dumped me for Burt Anderson."
"Ahh," Jason said looking at Jeremy," Our brother Joshua here is suffering from a case of jealousy."
"I'm not Jealous," Joshua sat up and snapped back. "It's just...I'll feel stupid."
"Aww, come on, you can't let that keep you from going," Jeremy said "there's plenty of girls that would dance with you."
Josh looked at Jason and then to Jeremy with frustration. "Oh, you don't understand. It'll be humiliating!" he argued.
"Not as humiliating as hiding out at home," Jeremy said pointedly.
"Yea, you're a Bolt, and us Bolts don't hide out," Jason said puffing out his chest. "You need to go to the dance and show them that you don't care."
"Yea come on Josh," Jeremy pressed "If they see you're not there, that'll be a million times worse."
Jason grabbed his arm, pulling him up. "Come on little brother," he said forcing Josh to his feet.
"Fine, I'll go," a frustrated Josh said as he got up and went to clean up and change into his good clothes. "But I won't have a good time," he added with annoyance.
Jason and Jeremy secretly smiled at each other and shook their heads.
The night air was a perfect 77 degrees as the three Bolt brothers walked down the hill towards town. Early evening was just falling and the tall trees that lined the road sparkled with thousands of fireflies that lit up like stars in the forest. The sounds of the men from the logging camp could be heard as they made their way to town. They could hear music and laughter the closer they got to town, as a sign that the dance was beginning to get underway.
Jeremy left Jason and Josh to meet Candy at the Brides dorm, so he could escort her to the dance.
"Are you going to meet Allyn?" Josh asked Jason after he saw Jeremy leave to get Candy. Doctor Allyn Wright was Jason's usual date for the towns dance.
"She's meeting me inside," the older Bolt said. "She's helping to set up refreshments" he added.
Jason continued on towards Lottie's where the dance was underway. "Come on Josh," he said as he led Josh by the shoulder.
Once they stepped inside Clancey spotted them and shouted "Jason" and raised a glass. "Come an 'ave a drink with your o-ollld friend," he slurred.
Jason smiled at Clancey. "Hi Clancey, your starting early, I see." He laughed. He looked around for Allyn. He spotted her next to the punch. Jason leaned over to Clancey, "I'll be right back, I've got a lovely lady to see about first" he said and made his way to Allyn.
Josh immediately spotted Missy and Burt already on the dance floor. He turned around and was about to leave but saw Jeremy and Candy walk in. He knew Jeremy would protest him leaving so instead he stepped towards the back of the room.
Jeremy led Candy to the dance floor and took her by the waist for their dance.
Candy saw Josh standing in the back and knew something was wrong. "Jeremy, what's wrong with Josh?"
Jeremy looked at his brother across the room.
"I think he's jealous," he whispered.
"Missy and Burt?" she asked.
"Yea," Jeremy said. "We practically had to d-drag him here."
"Oh," Candy said, half smiling and half, feeling sorry for the middle Bolt boy.
"Excuse me a minute Jeremy," she said and left him standing on the dance floor.
Candy walked over to Emily Hall and secretly whispered to her. "Emily, do me a favor and go ask Josh for a dance. He looks lonely."
"Candy, I don't think I could," she said nervously "He's not interested in me."
"Oh don't be a chicken. I know you like him, now's your chance." Candy pressed.
Emily gathered her courage. "Here goes nothing," she mumbled.
Candy smiled watching Emily walk towards Josh and then she went back to a confused Jeremy and continued their dance.
Josh wished he hadn't come. Missy was smiling and having the best time with Burt, right in front of him. He felt humiliated.
He thought she liked him, but clearly he was wrong.
"Hi Josh," Emily said as she walked up to him. "You look lonely over here all alone," she smiled.
Josh smiled shyly. "Hi Emily," he said. "No I'm just enjoying the music." he said softly without meeting her eyes.
"Would you like to dance?" she asked nervously.
"I'm not much of a dancer," he said.
"Oh, okay" Emily said. She felt deflated as it took all her courage to ask and he turned her down.
Josh looked at her disappointed expression and felt terrible.
"Wait, sure but I'm just warning you, I'm not very good," he said smiling. He was being polite. It wasn't normally like him to say no if a girl asked. They both made their way to the dance floor.
Candy watched the two as she danced with Jeremy and nudged her partner, showing him that Josh was no longer sulking in a corner.
Jeremy just smiled and whispered "Matchmaker."
Josh still was bothered by Missy, but decided to try and get past her. He hadn't noticed Emily much before. He'd never noticed her hazel eyes and clear, soft complexion.
Emily was a pretty girl, he just hadn't taken notice, among all the other single girls in town. She was quieter than most.
"Why haven't you ever talked to me before Joshua?' she asked.
"We've talked before," he said "Well, I'm sure we have."
"Saying hello as you pass me in the street, isn't talking," Emily said with a smile.
"No, I guess it isn't really, is it." He said smiling as he finally began to relax.
Seeing Josh smile melted Emily's heart.
The music blended in with the next and they just kept dancing, both feeling a little nervous.
The second song ended and they looked at each other, not sure what to do.
"Would you like something to drink?" he asked her. She was relieved at the break of awkward silence and smiled, "That'd be nice."
Josh took her hand and led her towards the refreshment table for punch.
He grabbed two cups and handed Emily one.
"Would you like to go outside and get some air?" he asked.
"Yes please." She said thankful to get out of the warm crowd.
As they made their way outside, Missy watched and seeing Josh with Emily bothered her.
The night air was a pleasant break from the heat of the crowded dance.
Josh and Emily walked slowly along the town's main street.
"Why haven't we talked before Emily?" Josh asked lightly.
"Well, Josh, I don't know," she said.
They both didn't know what to say. The silence began to get thick.
"So Josh, where were you and your brothers born?' Emily asked, struggling to start a conversation.
"I was born right up there on Veil Mountain," he said nodding in the direction if the mountain. "My father brought our mother and Jason here before Jeremy and I were born. He staked a claim, worked hard, built a home. He taught us that if we took care of the mountain, it would take care of us in return." he said.
"Where are your parents now?" she asked.
"They've both passed" He said "Buried up on the western ridge near the old home place. Mama died when I was 9. Our father died 2 years later. Jason was 18 so he kept us together."
"I'm sorry," she said.
"It's okay, it was a long time ago and I have only good memories of them," he smiled.
"What were they like? Your parents?" she asked "is that too personal? You don't have to talk about it, I'm sorry," she stumbled, feeling like she was prying where she didn't belong.
Josh turned towards her. He smiled softly. "No that's alright. It's just no one has ever asked me about them before."
They started walking again. He looked upward as he thought of his parents. "Our Father," he started.' He was so much like Jason in looks and his manners. It's like they were one in the same. He was big and tall, a bear of a man. He had dark hair like my brothers," Josh smiled. He was a hard worker, and honest. He was a good man."
"If Jason and Jeremy both have dark hair like your father, let me guess, you're mother had blonde hair like you?" Emily asked smiling.
"Yes," Josh smiled at the memory. "Her hair was 'yellow as sunshine,' our father would always say."
"So you must get your good looks from your Mother," Emily smiled.
"Mama was pretty," Josh said "and she always had a smile. She never yelled at us or lost her temper. Yea," he hesitated, "we tested her patience. I mean, we were rambunctious boys, always pushing the limits," he smiled "but Mama was special. I just remember she was always happy, warm and soft..." he sighed at the memory.
He looked at Emily, coming back to the present. He took her hand in his. "Thank you," he said smiling.
"What for?" she asked.
"For asking, and letting me remember." he said softly. He brought her hand to his lips and softly kissed it.
Emily smiled and felt a flutter in her chest.
"Thank you," she emphasized.
"For what?" He asked softly.
She leaned in and said with a smile, "for finally talking to me."
He squeezed her hand and said, "You're easy to talk to.
The sound of the dance grew louder bringing the two back to the present.
"I guess we should get back, or people will start to talk," Emily said.
"Yea, I guess you're right," Josh smiled as they made their way back to the dance just as it was beginning to wind down.
As they approached the building, the open doors were trickling out occupants, couples wandering slowly away. Some people were parting to go in separate directions while others were going home together.
Jeremy walked out with Candy on his arm, followed by Jason and Dr. Wright. Candy spotted Josh walking hand in hand with Emily. She nudged Jeremy and nodded it their direction that brought a smile to Jeremys face.
"Josh, what are you doing out here?" Jason shouted.
Joshua just smirked at his big brother, and then turned towards Emily. "I'd like to see you again, if you would too," he asked.
Emily smiled "I would like that very much," She said.
Josh's smile grew and he squeezed her hand. They turned and walked towards the others.
"I had a wonderful time Jeremy," Candy said quickly with a hurried peck on the cheek. She released his arm and giving him a victorious smile she turned and started to walk towards Emily.
Jeremy just shook his head a smiled back. "Matchmaker," he mouthed.
Emily turned and waved to Josh before she left with Candy.
Josh just watched with a big smile. Sticking his hands in his pockets he walked towards Jeremy.
"It looks like Josh is happy," Allyn said.
"You would never have known I'd practically forced him to come," Jason laughed.
Allyn just smiled as Joshua met up with them. Josh nodded a polite greeting towards the Doctor.
"Can I walk you home Allyn?" Jason smiled, offering her his arm.
"Yes that would be nice," she said as she took his arm. "Josh, Jeremy," she said nodding a polite goodbye.
"Night mam," they both said to her in unison.
Jeremy looked at Josh and grinned, "Emily huh?"
"She's nice," Josh said innocently and turned to walk back home, a smile slowly spreading across his face.
"Glad you came?" Jeremy asked.
"Yea," Josh smiled.
"Well, what happened?" Candy quietly asked Emily as they walked to the dormitory.
Emily glanced back, catching a last glimpse of Josh as he walked up hill out of town.
"Emily?" Candy pressed with a smile.
Emily smiled and thought about the walk shared in the moonlight. "We walked, and talked," she said with a sigh.
Candy squealed.
"What happened?" Biddie asked as she walked up on the two. "What'd I miss?"
"Emily and Joshua," Candy said clapping her hands together.
"Ooh Emily and Joshua!" exclaimed Biddie. "Wait… what about Emily and Joshua?" she asked.
"She won't tell," Candy said, "but I think maybe…" Candy trailed off teasingly.
"Oh" squealed Biddie "That Joshua Bolt is a good looking thing too," she said. Looking at Candy she continued "Just imagine if Emily marries Joshua, then when you and Jeremy get married, Joshua would be like your brother!"
Candy just stopped with her hands on her hips. "Biddie… Joshua doesn't have to marry anyone for him to be my brother when I marry Jeremy," she said.
"Huh?" asked Biddie. Then she thought about what she said. "Oh yea I guess not," she said, laughing at her own mistake.
"Joshua and I just went for a walk, and here you're talking about us getting married!" Emily exclaimed.
"Well, that's true," Candy said, "It just makes me happy to see two of my favorite people happy is all," she said as she sauntered towards the brides dormitory.
Missy caught a part of the conversation, but she was with Burt, and couldn't hear much. She didn't like the idea of Josh and Emily. She thought he would try harder to win her back and it looked like he wasn't upset about their break up. But she could change the easily if and when she wanted to.