Rainy Day Secret: Part Two
"Candy, are you ready to go?" Jeremy asked his wife.
"Yes, darling, I'm ready." She answered. "I'm so nervous."
"There's nothing to be nervous about , sweetheart." Jeremy reassured her.
Jeremy locked the front door to the cabin.
He and Candy began their walk to Maggie's Meadow.
"Oh, no, there's nothing to be nervous about. We are just time traveling to a place where they make a tv show based on our life and have our twins playing us on the show." Candy laughed.
Jeremy laughed too.
When they got to the two oak trees, Jeremy stopped.
"Let's hold hands real tight. Let's walk through the tree door at the same time." Jeremy said nervously.
"Maybe we shouldn't do this, Jeremy. I mean, I want too. But, what if we get separated?" Candy worried.
"I know what to do. I'll pick you up in my arms and carry you through the tree door. That way we will have to go through together and to the same place." Jeremy smiled.
"Yes! That's a good idea, Jeremy!" You are so smart!" Candy was relieved.
Jeremy carried Candy through the tree door. They came out on the set of Lottie's backroom on Jeremy's tv show. There was no one on that set. They went to the set of the barroom. They stayed back out of sight.
"Look, Candy. There they are. The two who play us on the show. I think her name is Betty. His name is Bernie, I believe." Jeremy whispered.
Candy gasped. "Oh, Jeremy! You were right! They look exactly like us!"
"It's sort of scary, isn't it. Lottie's looks like Lottie's too, doesn't it?" Jeremy said.
"Yes!" Candy replied, "Have you seen the men who play Jason and Joshua?"
"No, I haven't. It's hard to imagine that they could find someone as big built as Jason." Jeremy told her.
"How about Biddie?" Candy giggled.
Just then a woman on the barroom set let out a loud cackle. Betty dressed as Candy said "Oh, Biddie!"
Candy looked at Jeremy. "Oh, my goodness, this is sort of scary."
"I think Bernie has seen us. Yeah, he's coming this way. Betty's coming over here too." Jeremy said.
"Jeremy, they want us to go back on the other, what is it called? Set?" Candy told him.
Jeremy and Candy went back to the set of Lottie's backroom.
In a few minutes, Bernie and Betty came in. They played Jeremy and Candy on Jeremy's tv show. Introductions were made between the four of them. Bernie offered the ladies chairs which they accepted. Bernie and Jeremy sat down too.
"Well, it is so nice to meet both of you. But I have to say, this situation of being able to time travel is so strange. When Jeremy first told me about it last week, I was scared to death! I thought he had gotten some type of head injury at work and hadn't told me." Candy said.
Jeremy smiled. "Yes, Candy kept telling me, I believe you, Jeremy. I think you need to go see Dr. Wright, Jeremy."
The four of them laughed.
"May I ask you a question, please?" Candy inquired.
"Certainly, you can." Betty answered.
"How did you find out about us?" asked Candy.
"I bought your journal at an antique store, Candy. Joshua's great great granddaughter sold it to them. I started reading it. I loved it so much that I showed it to my fiancé. He's a tv director. He was very interested in your journal. He showed it to some of his friends in tv development and here we are" Betty explained.
"That explains a lot. Candy writes in her journal every day." Jeremy said.
"Well, I read it every day. I think it is so interesting the way the two of you and your family live during your time. And your love story is so sweet, Candy!" Betty gushed.
"Wait a minute, Candy, just what are you writing in that journal?" Jeremy blushed.
"Just about how sweet, kind, and loving you are to me, Jeremy." Candy leaned over to give him a kiss on the cheek.
"Well, okay." Jeremy said.
"Don't try to fight it, Jeremy. A guy never wins a disagreement with a lady." Bernie grinned.
"That's the truth." Jeremy agreed.
Bernie and Betty took Candy and Jeremy out to lunch.
Mr. and Mrs. Bolt were astounded at how big Hollywood was.
On the way to the restaurant, Betty asked Bernie what they would say when someone noticed the two sets of twins. Bernie told her they would say that Candy and Jeremy are their doubles. He explained to the Bolts how doubles are used when filming tv shows.
"Actually, Betty, you and I are Jeremy and Candy's doubles." Bernie said.
"That's true, isn't it?" Betty replied.
Their waitress at the restaurant almost fainted when she saw the four of them at the table.
"Oh, my goodness, Bernie! I didn't know you had a twin brother! Oh, wow! Two of you! That's outta sight!" The waitress gushed.
Bernie looked at the waitress's name tag. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Cindy. He's not my twin brother. He's my double on the show. And the pretty lady is Betty's double."
"Oh, okay. What are your names?" Cindy asked looking at Jeremy and Candy.
"My name is Shaddix." Jeremy answered giving her his middle name.
Candy followed Jeremy's lead. "My name is Ivera."
After lunch on the way back to the tv studio, Candy asked Betty if she could look at the journal. Betty turned a little pale.
"Oh, Candy! I'm so sorry. I loaned the journal to my grandmother today. I'm afraid we won't have time to go by her house to get it. I'm really sorry." Betty apologized.
"That's alright, Betty. I understand." Candy told her.
When they were at the studio that afternoon, Bernie suggested that Candy and Jeremy film some of the scenes of the Christmas episode instead of him and Betty.
"The tv audience will be getting the real Jeremy and Candy!" Bernie said. "But they won't know it."
Betty, Jeremy, and Candy thought that was a fun idea. Bernie and Betty helped the Bolts learn their lines. Jeremy and Candy filmed the scene where they are talking about Christmas in New Bedford and Christmas in Seattle at the bottom of the staircase in the dormitory after they returned from meeting Clancy's ship at the dock. The Bolts did an excellent job. Candy teared up a little remembering when she and Jeremy had that conversation. Bernie and Betty hid while the Bolts were filming.
When it was time for them to go home, Jeremy and Candy hated to leave.
"This has been so much fun! I really have enjoyed meeting both of you." Candy told Betty and Bernie.
"I had a great time too! Thank you both for your hospitality. Bernie, my offer to help with the records still stands if you need me." Jeremy grinned.
"I will remember that, Jeremy. I might just take you up on it. We have enjoyed your visit too. It's been great!" Bernie replied.
"Oh, I wish you didn't have to leave so soon. I have had the best time. We had some pretty good girl talk didn't we, Candy?" Betty winked.
Jeremy and Bernie rolled their eyes. Then they laughed.
Candy and Betty exchanged an exasperated look and shook their heads. Then they laughed too.
"I have an idea! Why don't you two go back with us? If you don't have any plans for tonight." Jeremy asked.
"We have the day off tomorrow since they are making repairs on some of the sets." Betty said looking at Bernie. "Are you busy tonight, Bernie?"
"No, I'm not busy tonight. I think that sounds groovy. Thank you for inviting us, Jeremy." Bernie replied.
"You're welcome." Jeremy said.
Candy and Jeremy changed back into their own clothes. While they were changing, Bernie and Betty waited on the saloon set. There was no one there but them. Jeremy and Candy could not hear them talking.
"Betty, why didn't you want Candy to see the journal? You told me yesterday that you haven't seen your grandmother in two months. You have brought the journal to work several times in the last two months." Bernie asked.
"I hated not telling the truth. Yes, I have the journal. In fact, I have it here in my purse. I told Grandma about the journal and about Jeremy time traveling. She asked me if the journal has information about Jeremy's death. I told her it does and about Candy's death too." Betty replied.
"Oh, man!" Bernie said. "So, you know when they are gonna…..."
"Yes, Bernie! It was all I could do today not to burst into tears when Candy told me how much they want children since I know they won't get the chance to raise a child." Betty said sadly.
"This just keeps getting worse!" Bernie exclaimed.
"I know. Getting back to what Grandma told me. She said if people have knowledge of their deaths ahead of time, it messes up the time and space continuum. She said if Jeremy and Candy had that information, they could be trapped in 1968. According to Grandma, if the Bolts were stuck in 1968, that would cause serious problems for generations to come. Grandma said that if other people in their family had the death information it wouldn't cause any problems." Betty told him.
"Why is that I wonder." Bernie was curious.
"Grandma didn't give me any explanation." Betty replied.
"When we go back with Jeremy and Candy, are you going to leave the journal here?" Bernie asked.
"Yes, that would be a good idea." Betty answered. "On second thought, I will take it with me. I'll just be careful not to let the Bolts see it."
"May I see the Journal, Betty? I won't tell Candy and Jeremy." Bernie promised.
Betty took the journal out of her purse. She handed it to Bernie.
"Thank you, Betty."
"You're welcome, Bernie.'
Bernie read the last entry in the journal which was written by Biddie. Biddie got the details from Jason and Joshua. The two brothers learned the details from Candy a short time before she died.
"That is terrible!" Bernie had tears in his eyes.
"I know. It is so sad." Betty replied.
Bernie gave Betty the journal. She put it back in her purse.
Jeremy and Candy came on to the barroom set.
"Are you ready to go?" Jeremy asked.
"Yes, we're ready." Bernie responded.
The four of them went to the fake back room.
Jeremy picked up Candy in his arms. Betty gave Bernie permission to pick her up.
Jeremy opened the back door of the fake back room. He carried Candy through the door with Bernie carrying Betty right behind him.
Jeremy and Candy came out on the other side of the tree door in 1871. Bernie and Betty came out right behind them.
Bernie and Betty went with the Bolts to their cabin. They had supper. Betty helped Candy clean up the kitchen after the meal.
Jeremy and Bernie went out to tend to the horses. Bernie was surprised to learn that Jeremy had a horse named Brownie who looked just like the Brownie that they used on the show. Bernie told Jeremy that Brownie was his favorite horse on the set. Jeremy said his Brownie was also his favorite. Bernie was interested to hear about Big Brownie who was Jeremy's horse when he was a child.
Inside the cabin, the ladies were talking too. "This time traveling and the four of us being twin couples is so strange, isn't it?" Candy asked.
"Yes, it is." Betty agreed. "There has to be an explanation for it."
Candy laughed. "Yesterday, I pinched a plug out of Jeremy's arm to make sure we weren't in one of his fever dreams."
"So, I take it from your laughter we are not in one of his dreams." Betty smiled.
"No, Jeremy yelled and asked me why I pinched him. He looked at me like I was crazy when I told him." Candy replied.
When it was time for bed, Jeremy gave Bernie his key to Lottie's. Jeremy told him it would be fine for him and Betty to get rooms for the night. Jeremy said he would pay Lottie for the rooms later. He said he would come up with some kind of an excuse for giving her the money.
Bernie and Betty went to the saloon. They took two rooms next to each other.
"Betty, May I borrow the journal to read before I turn in, please?" Bernie asked.
"Certainly, Bernie. Don't stay up too late." She handed him the journal.
"Thank you." Bernie looked wistful. "They are wonderful people. It's so awful that…"
"I know. I feel the same way." Betty said. "Goodnight, Bernie."
"Goodnight, Betty." Bernie went to his room.
A half hour later, he was knocking frantically on Betty's door.
"Betty! Betty! Let me in, please!" Bernie pleaded.
Betty opened the door. "Bernie, what's wrong? Come on in."
Bernie went inside her room. He had the journal. "I was reading, and it hit me! Tomorrow is the day that Candy is kidnapped by Rafe Holiday!"
"Oh, Bernie! What can we do? We can't warn Jeremy or Candy." Betty worried.
"I have an idea! I'll talk to Jason! I can tell him what's going to happen and hopefully he can find a way to stop it." Bernie exclaimed.
"That sounds like a good idea, Bernie. How are you going to convince Jason that you're not Jeremy?" Betty asked.
"Well, I'll j-j-just t-t-tell him." Bernie stammered. He had learned to stutter so well that sometimes he stuttered when he was nervous.
Betty cut her eyes at Bernie. "Yes, your stuttering is really going to convince Jason that you're not Jeremy."
"I know what you mean. But why would Jeremy be trying to convince his brother that he isn't himself? Jeremy wouldn't do that. So, Jason will have to believe me, don't you think?" Bernie asked.
"I suppose so unless Jason thinks Jeremy has had one too many concussions." Betty smiled.
"You think you're funny, doncha?" Bernie smirked at Betty.
"Bernie! What if you run into Jeremy at the camp tomorrow? He can't know about what's going to happen to him and Candy!" Betty said frantically.
Bernie thought for a moment. "I guess I will just have to slip around and not let Jeremy see me."
"It's going to be kinda hard to slip around at a logging camp." Betty sighed.
"It sure is." Bernie sighed too.
The next morning, Betty stayed in her room at Lottie's with the door locked. Bernie went downstairs quietly. Lottie was behind the bar. Bernie hurried toward the double doors.
"Jeremy! Are you going to leave without telling me good morning?" Lottie asked.
Bernie turned around. "Good morning, Lottie! Well, I have to get to work!" He started toward the door.
"Jeremy Bolt! You come here and give me a hug right now!" Lottie demanded.
Bernie turned around and walked back to Lottie. She was now standing in front of the bar. She had her arms opened wide for a big hug. Bernie gave her a hug.
After a few seconds while they were still locked in the embrace, Lottie whispered in his ear, "Who are you and what have you done with Jeremy?"
Bernie cringed and stepped back from Lottie. "Jeremy is fine, Lottie. I can explain. You might not believe me, but I can explain."
"Alright, young man let's go in the back room and see if I believe you."
Lottie told him. "You look and sound just like Jeremy. But I know you are not him. This explanation ought to be a doozie."
"It is, Lottie, believe me, it is." Bernie sighed.
They went into the back room and sat at the table. Bernie told Lottie about Jeremy time traveling, about Candy's journal, and about the t.v. show. Bernie told her about him and Betty playing Candy and Jeremy on the show.
Lottie studied Bernie's face for a minute. "I can understand why they chose you to play Jeremy on this tv show. Not only do you look like him, but you are also honest and straightforward like him. I believe you, Bernie."
Bernie was relieved. He did not tell her that Jeremy and Candy were going to be killed by Rafe Holiday today. Bernie didn't want to risk the information getting back to Jeremy and Candy.
Bernie told Lottie he was going to talk to Jason. She wished him good luck.
Bernie borrowed a horse from the livery stable. He would give the fee to Jeremy later hopefully.
Bernie rode up to the logging camp. He dismounted the horse and went into the office tent. Jason was sitting at the table going over the ledger. Bernie was not surprised to see that Jason looked just like Bert who played him on the show.
"Good morning, Mr. Bolt. May I talk to you, please?" Bernie asked.
Jason looked up and smiled. "Well, good morning to you, .
Of course, you can talk to me, Jeremy. Why are you being so formal this morning?"
Bernie laughed. "The truth is, Mr. Bolt, I'm not Jeremy. But I need to talk to you about Jeremy."
Jason looked quizzically at Bernie. "Oh, Jeremy, we don't have time for games this morning. We have a lot of work to do. That contract has to be completed tomorrow. Just say whatever it is you need to say."
"May I sit down, Mr. Bolt?" Bernie asked.
"Yes, Jeremy, sit down. Why do you keep calling me ?" Jason inquired.
"Like I said, I'm not Jeremy. I look and sound like him, but my name is Bernie Sherwood. This is going to sound strange, I'm here from the year 1968 and I play the role of Jeremy on a tv show. The show is based on Candy's journal that she is writing in everyday now. But in the future, my friend Betty is going to buy the journal at an antique store and that's where the idea for the tv show comes from. I am here in your time because Jeremy has been time traveling to 1968 and he and Candy invited us to come back with them when both of them time traveled to 1968 the other day." Bernie had to stop talking to take a breath.
"Oh, Jeremy! Why didn't you tell me or Josh? You have another concussion, don't you? This one must be very bad for you to talk like that. Doctor Wright said that one too many blows to the head can addle the brain. It sounds like you've had one too many, baby brother. Come on, Josh and I will take you to the doctor. Hopefully she will be able to help you." Jason was concerned.
"What? Wait a minute, Mr. Bolt. I don't have a concussion. I'm not addled. I'm just fine. I know what I said sounds crazy, but I'm not crazy. I'm only trying to explain that I'm not Jeremy because Jeremy is going to need some help today so that he and Candy won't be killed. I'm sorry to be so blunt, but that's what I am trying to do. I am trying to keep Jeremy and Candy from being murdered today. Please listen to me, Mr. Bolt!" Bernie demanded.
Jason looked sadly at Bernie. "I'm sorry, Jeremy. Maybe I made you work too hard, and you had a sunstroke or something. Let's go to the doctor now and see what she can do for you. Josh will go with us."
"No! Mr. Bolt. I'm not going to the doctor. I just told you that Jeremy and Candy are going to be murdered today! You have to do something to stop it!" Bernie said emphatically.
"Don't worry, Jeremy. Joshua and I will help you, brother. Everything will be alright. We will take the buckboard so you can lie down in the back. Let's go find Josh. We love you, Jeremy. Don't worry." Jason reassured him.
Bernie looked at Jason. He didn't know what else to say. Maybe Joshua would understand.
Jason went outside the office tent and yelled for Joshua,
"Jason! What's wrong?" Joshua ran up to his brother.
"Jeremy has a severe concussion. We have to get him to Doctor Wright immediately. He keeps talking about time travel and about how he and Candy are going to be murdered today. And he keeps saying he
isn't Jeremy. He says his name is Bernie Sherwood and he is from 1968." Jason explained.
"Well, Doctor Wright warned us that one more concussion would be very serious for Jeremy since he has had so many. Let's go." Joshua replied. "Jeremy is in terrible shape! What if Doctor Wright can't help him, Jason?"
"We have to hope and pray for the best, Josh. Doctor Wright is an excellent physician. If she can't help Jeremy, she will know who can help him."
"I hope so, Jason." Joshua replied.
The two brothers went into the office tent. Bernie was still sitting at the table. He looked at Joshua. Just as he thought, Donny Hart, who played Josh on the show was Joshua's twin.
Bernie told Joshua what he had told Jason. Joshua thought Bernie was Jeremy with a bad concussion too.
Bernie tried to tell the two oldest Bolts that he wasn't going to the doctor. Jason picked him up and put him in the bed of the buckboard.
"Jeremy, who do you think wants to murder you and Candy today?" Jason asked as they were on the way to town.
"I'm not Jeremy. I'm Bernie. I don't think that Rafe Holiday is going to murder Candy and Jeremy today, I know for a fact he is going to do it unless someone stops him." Bernie answered.
"How do you know this, Bernie?" Joshua asked.
"My friend, Betty bought Candy's journal at an antique store. The last entry in the journal is about Jeremy and Candy dying today." Bernie said with a ragged breath.
"If they died, who wrote the last entry in the journal!?" Jason asked.
"Candy's best friend, Biddie. When you two got to Rock Canyon that day, it was too late. Jeremy was dead and Candy was fatally injured. She lived about five minutes after you got there. Candy told both of you what happened to them. Joshua told Biddie and she wrote it in the journal. Joshua's great great granddaughter sold the journal to the antique store." Bernie told them.
"Jason, that time travel stuff sounds strange, but what he just said sounds true somehow. Jeremy has said that Holiday told Candy plainly that he wants her. A man like him is not very likely to take no for an answer." Joshua said.
"I don't know, Joshua. I mean I'm concerned about the possibility of Jeremy and Candy being killed. But how can we be sure this isn't Jeremy having some type of spell or something due to a head injury. The time travel and Jeremy and Candy each having a twin who pretends to be them on this thing called a TV show. It's just too hard to believe Josh." Jason shook his head.
"I know what you mean, Jason. But think about this. What if it is true? What if we don't heed this warning as crazy as it sounds and Jeremy and Candy die?" Joshua and Jason shared a frightened glance.
Jason looked back briefly at Bernie sitting in the back of the buckboard. "Do you have any way to back up what you have told us?"
"My friend Betty is in her room at Lottie's. She plays Candy on the show. She has Candy's journal with her. You can read the last entry. Oh, Lottie knows that I'm not Jeremy and about the time travel. She doesn't know that Jeremy and Candy will be killed today unless something changes." Bernie replied.
"How does Lottie know that you are not Jeremy?" Joshua asked.
"I'm not sure. She saw me leaving the saloon earlier today. From a distance, she thought I was Jeremy. She asked for a hug. When we embraced, she realized I'm not Jeremy. She asked me who I am, and I told her. She said she believed me." Bernie explained.
Joshua thought for a minute. "Lottie's pretty smart, Jason."
"Yes, she is smart. Let's go see her instead of Doctor Wright. Does that sound alright to you, Bernie?" Jason asked.
Bernie was relieved. "It sounds great to me, Mr. Bolt!"
"How about you, Joshua?" Jason asked.
"Yes, I think talking to Lottie is the right thing to do." Joshua responded. "We need to find Jeremy and Candy too."
"No, Joshua. They can't know what the last journal entry says. Betty's grandmother told her that people can't know about their demise ahead of time. It messes up the time and space continuum. It's okay for friends and relatives to know." Bernie explained.
When they got to town, the three men went into Lottie's.
"Jason! Joshua! Thank God you two are here! I was just about to send Ken to find you. Jeremy came in about twenty minutes ago looking for Candy. He thought she was upstairs visiting Bernie's friend, Betty. Jeremy went upstairs. About five minutes later, he came running downstairs saying he had to go find Candy." Lottie paused for a moment.
Lottie continued, "As Jeremy was leaving, Biddie came rushing in. She had been looking all over town for Jeremy. Biddie told Jeremy that Candy left with Holiday about thirty minutes earlier supposedly to look at some land where he wants to build a cabin. He wanted a woman's opinion about the property and that's why he wanted Candy to go with him. Holiday said the land was close to Rock Canyon. Biddie said Candy told her not to tell Jeremy. But Holiday kept saying be sure to tell Bolt. I want him to be our first visitor. Biddie told Jeremy that seemed an
N odd thing for the sheriff to say. Biddie said she hated to go against what Candy wanted, but she felt that Jeremy just had to know."
"So, Jeremy is on his way to Rock Canyon to rescue Candy." Jason shuddered. He and Joshua and Bernie looked at each other.
Betty came out of Lottie's kitchen. "Mr. Bolt, I'm afraid what's happened is my fault. I wasn't in my room when Jeremy came upstairs to find Candy. I was in the washroom freshening up. I left Candy's journal on my bed. I left the door to my room open. When Jeremy went into my room, he saw the journal and read the last entry. I figure this because when I returned to my room, the journal was open to the last entry face down on the bed. I left the journal open to that entry face up on the bed. I just didn't think to put up the journal before I left my room. I'm so used to leaving it on my bed at home that I did the same thing here. I'm scared that they are going to get killed because of my stupid mistake."
"It's not your fault, Betty. It's Holiday's fault. According to the journal that is what happens. We have got to get there earlier to prevent it this time." Jason told her.
"Jeremy was riding like hell when he left town a little while ago. He had his shotgun too. Are you saying that Candy is going to get killed if you and Jeremy don't get there in time? Is that what Jeremy read in the journal?" Lottie was terrified.
Joshua put an arm around Lottie. "That wasn't all Jeremy read in the diary."
"What do you mean not all, Josh?" Lottie stared at him.
When Joshua hesitated about answering, it dawned on Lottie. "Oh, dear God, No! No! No! Not both of them! Not either one of them! I will go up there and kill that bastard myself!" Lottie fell against Joshua squalling at the top of her lungs.
Joshua hugged Lottie as tightly as he could. "We are going to save them this time, Lottie. They will be alright."
Lottie looked up at Joshua. "This time, Josh? That means that last time they died like it says in Candy's book. Jeremy and Candy died."
"Lottie, we are going to save them today. Somehow, we have gotten a second chance. Jeremy and Candy have gotten a second chance, and we are not going to lose them again." Jason promised.
.
.
Bernie insisted on going to Rock Canyon. He wanted to help rescue the young couple so much. Jason said that Bernie would be at great risk because he looks identical to Jeremy. Jason explained that they didn't want to take a chance on him getting hurt or worse. Joshua said they could only protect one Jeremy at a time. Joshua also said Bernie did his part by warning them about the tragedy and by continuing to tell them until they listened. Just like Jeremy would have done.
Bernie said he understood. He agreed to stay at Lottie's.
Jason, Joshua, and Aaron got their guns and their gear. They left on the way to Rock Canyon. Bernie, Betty, and Lottie prayed.
Jeremy rode hard on the way to Rock Canyon. He stopped just before the last curve in the road to the canyon. Jeremy tied his horse to a tree. Jeremy got his shotgun and began running the rest of the way. He left the horse behind because he didn't want the horse making noise that would alert Holiday. And he didn't want the horse killed leaving him and Candy stranded.
When Jeremy got close to the cave where he figured that jackass was holding Candy, he stopped running. He listened closely as he crept toward the opening.
Jeremy heard Rafe Holiday talking, but he couldn't quite make out what he was saying. Just as he got to the cave entrance, Candy screamed. Jeremy looked inside the cave.
Holiday was trying forcibly to kiss Candy. She was fighting to get out of his grasp. Holiday yelled and slung Candy to the ground.
Jeremy took two steps forward. He was just inside the cave. His finger was on the trigger of the shotgun. Candy raised her head a little. She saw Jeremy behind Holiday. Her facial expression did not change.
Holiday turned in Jeremy's direction. Jeremy pulled the trigger. The bullet hit Richard Holiday right between the eyes. The dirtbag dropped dead.
Candy burst into tears. Jeremy took a breath. They looked at each other.
Jeremy ran to her and knelt beside her. He laid down his shotgun.
"Candy, is it alright for me to touch you? Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" Jeremy held out his arms to her.
Candy fell into Jeremy's arms still sobbing. "Jeremy, I was terrified. He kept telling me that he was going to kill you and marry me. He talked as if he thought it was the most normal natural thing in the world. He acted as if he was doing me a favor. Thank you for saving me, sweetheart! I love you! Are you alright?"
"Yes, Candy, I'm fine now that I have you back safely. Are you sure he didn't hurt you? I saw him sling you to the ground just as I got to the cave entrance. You can tell me anything. It will be alright. I don't want you suffering in silence." Jeremy replied.
Candy smiled a bit. "That's how I feel when you stop talking, that you are suffering in silence which you are."
"I'm sorry, Candy." Jeremy whispered. "I'll try not to do that to you again."
Jeremy gazed intently into her eyes. "No, Jeremy, he didn't hurt me in the way that you are thinking about. He made a few bruises on my arms when he tried to kiss me." Candy said softly.
"Thank God!" Jeremy was relieved. "Are you ready to go home or do you want to rest here awhile before we leave?"
"Let's go home! I don't want to be in this awful place anymore!" Candy responded.
"Okay, let's go!" Jeremy smiled at her.
Jeremy helped Candy stand up. They left the cave and walked down the road to Jeremy's horse.
Jeremy helped Candy climb on the horse and then he got on in front of her. "Jeremy?"
What, sweetheart? Are you alright?" He asked.
"Yes, I'm fine. I just wanted to say thank you and I love you." She answered.
"Well, you're welcome and I love you." He spoke.
A few miles into their journey home, they saw Jason, Joshua, and Aaron coming in their direction.
"Jeremy! Are you both alright?" Jason called out.
"Yes! We are fine!" Jeremy shouted back.
When they reached each other in the road, they stopped. "Thank God both of you are okay!" Jason exclaimed.
"Jeremy! Candy! We have been so worried. We met your friends, Bernie and Betty. Bernie warned us about Holiday. He had a terrible time trying to convince Jason that he wasn't you, Jeremy. I am so grateful that you two are okay." Joshua said.
"What about Holiday?" Aaron asked.
Jeremy spoke solemnly. "He's dead. I killed him."
"It was self-defense and, in my defense, too." Candy said. "That thug told me he was going to kill Jeremy so he could marry me."
"I believe you, Candy. There won't be any charges filed against you, Jeremy." Aaron replied.
"Did you bury him, Jeremy?" Jason asked.
"No, we just left on our way home. The body is in the cave." Jeremy replied.
"That's okay, Jeremy. I can understand you and Candy wanting to get home. Aaron, how about going with me to bury that scoundrel?" Jason inquired.
"Sure, Jason. I'm glad to be of assistance." Aaron answered.
Jason and Aaron proceeded on to Rock Canyon. Joshua rode back to Seattle with Jeremy and Candy.
When they got home, Lottie was overjoyed to see them. Bernie and Betty were ecstatic.
The young Bolt couple went upstairs to one of Lottie's rooms and collapsed from exhaustion on to the bed. They slept for hours.
When they woke up, Jason and Aaron had returned. Lottie had prepared supper. She insisted that they eat. Lottie fixed four plates. The twin couples ate together in the back room.
The four ate in silence for a few minutes. Bernie looked around the room.
"This is the real back room at Lottie's" He said.
"Yes, it is." Jeremy smiled.
"Lottie is a wonderful cook. This food is delicious." Betty offered. "Candy, are you sure you're okay? You went through an awful scare today. That horrid man kidnapping you and threatening Jeremy like he did. Bernie and I were worried out of our minds about both of you."
"Thank you both for all of your concern. I'm really alright now that I'm back at home with Jeremy. It could have turned out much worse." Candy told her.
"It did before." Jeremy murmured.
Bernie and Betty cringed at Jeremy's words. They didn't say anything.
"What? Did you say something, Jeremy?" Candy looked at him.
"What? No, I was just mumbling to myself. Don't pay any attention to me. I'm tired after the long day." Jeremy responded.
"Oh, alright." Candy replied.
"Well, as much as we hate to, it's time for Betty and me to go. We have to be back at work tomorrow. Candy, Jeremy, I just can't tell you how happy I am that both of you are safe and sound. I just…..Bernie's voice trailed off.
"Bernie is an old softie. He is so tender hearted." Betty said.
"Jeremy is just like him!" Candy told her.
The ladies looked at each other and laughed.
Bernie and Jeremy exchanged a glance and shrugged.
The twin couples walked to Maggie's Meadow together. Jeremy wanted to speak to Bernie privately before he and Betty returned to 1968. Betty and Candy walked on ahead several yards.
Candy looked back at Jeremy and Bernie. They seemed to be having a heartfelt lively conversation. At times they were crying and hugging and then laughing and slapping each other on the back.
Candy looked at Betty. "Do you know what they are talking about? Is Jeremy, okay? Bernie is alright, isn't he?"
"Both of them are fine, Candy. They just had something to talk about. Maybe Jeremy will tell you about it." Betty reassured her.
Candy made a note in her mind to ask Jeremy about it later.
Jeremy and Bernie finished their talk. Before Bernie and Betty left, the twin couples hugged and said their goodbyes. Bernie picked up Betty to carry her through the tree door. Just before they went through the door, they turned and waved goodbye. Then they were gone to 1968.
Jeremy and Candy walked home to their cabin. When they got in bed, Jeremy held Candy in his arms. He kissed her tenderly and told her he loved her many times. At one point, he broke down crying. Candy stroked his hair and whispered sweet words of love in his ear. Jeremy's tears ended.
"Jeremy, there is something that you and Bernie and Betty know that I don't know, isn't there? It has something to do with today and with my journal, doesn't it? Do you want to tell me?" Candy asked softly.
Jeremy squeezed her a little tighter. He kissed the top of her head.
"Candy, let's just say it's a secret for another rainy day, okay? I'll tell you someday but not now, alright?" Jeremy asked.
"Alright, Jeremy. I trust you. I love you." Candy agreed.
"Thank you, sweetheart. I love you too." Jeremy sighed deeply.
A week later, it was very late at night. Candy was sleeping in Jeremy's arms. She woke up. Candy sat up and looked at her husband. He was sleeping peacefully. Candy traced his cheek lightly with one finger.
Thank You, dear God for giving me this wonderful man to love. Help me to always love and cherish him. He is so precious to me. Candy prayed silently still looking at Jeremy's beautiful face. Candy smiled and then she got out of bed.
Candy walked quietly to her desk there in the bedroom. She sat at the desk and opened her journal. Candy picked up her quill pen.
In her journal, Candy wrote: Today, I told Jeremy that we are expecting our first baby. He was so happy, he cried.
The End
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