Here Come the Brides Chapter 7 Burned Biscuits

Joshua had a fitful night of tossing and turning. He woke up tired. Jeremy was making breakfast, the smell of bacon and coffee filling the cabin.

"Morning Joshua, are you hungry?"

"Morning," Josh said. He walked over to the coffee pot and poured a cup. "I don't want anything." He said walking over to the chair that faced the fireplace.

"Come on Josh, you need to eat something," Jeremy said.

Jason came into the house. "Joshua," he said "You sleep okay?" he asked.

Jeremy sat bacon and eggs on the table. He set out three plates and got a cup of coffee. Jason picked up a cup and filled it with coffee after Jeremy sat the pot down. He pulled out a chair and took a seat. "Joshua," he said over his shoulder. "Come get something to eat. Jeremy went to the trouble to cook breakfast. You can at least eat something,"

"Is something burning?" Jason asked.

"The biscuits!" Jeremy shouted as he jumped up and ran to the stove...

He grabbed a towel and pulled the pan from the oven. Grabbing a plate he pulled them from the pan, dropping them quickly, burning his fingers.

"Sorry, they're a little over done," he said sitting them on the table.

"Joshua," Jason called. "Come on. You need to try and eat something," he said.

Joshua got up and took a seat at the table. He looked at the food, and then to his brothers. He smiled slightly and picked up a hot biscuit. "We got any jelly?" he asked.

Jeremy grinned and looked at Jason as he passed Joshua the Jelly.

"We're going into town after breakfast," Jason said. "I've already got the men started on the north ridge. I put Corky in charge of the crew. I figure with everything that's going on, I'll give him lead."

"You think Corky can handle running a crew Jason?" Jeremy asked.

"Corky's a good man and he's been with us a long time." Joshua spoke up. "I think he's earned the chance to prove he's up to the task."

Jason smiled. He was happy to see Joshua trying to get back to normal. "I agree," he added, "And I know we can trust him."

"You still think someone from the crew's behind all our trouble?" Jeremy asked

"I don't know," Jason said "but it has to be someone that knows the operation. The challenging part is catching them."

"I can't figure out why anyone would do that." Jeremy said.

Joshua's expression grew distant. His thoughts went back to Missy's lies. "I can't figure out why she's doing it either," he thought to his self.

Jason noticed the slight change in Josh's expression. "Josh, I'm sure you can keep yourself busy with the books while we're in town. I need you to take into account that third crew we're looking to hire, "he said trying to get Joshua's mind on work.

"When did you decide to hire the third crew?" Joshua asked, relieved Jason finally agreed with him on the matter.

"I mentioned it a couple days ago, but you couldn't keep your eyes open." Jason answered.

"Yea, I guess I haven't been pulling my weight lately," he said. "I'm sorry Jason, Jeremy."

"Joshua, the only one that's suffered is you," Jason said. "I get it, you're in love…It's normal to want to spend all your time with Emily. It's just that if you don't get yourself the proper rest. You're not able to fully enjoy the time you're with her. Your work suffers, and we hardly see you, when we do, you're not really here." Jason said.

"Am I though?" he asked…"In love? I'm not sure if I even know what it is." He said. "I was thinking about it yesterday."

"Well only you would know what's in your heart little brother," Jason said shaking his head.

"You sure act like someone that's in love," Jeremy smiled.

"I really need to talk to her Jason. I can't imagine what she's heard, or what she thinks. I have to tell her what really happened."

"Candy said she would bring Emily here today," Jason said. "But you can't go into town. That was the deal."

Joshua slammed his fist on the table. "I know I can't go into town," he yelled. "You don't have to remind me!" he spat in anger and stood up and ran his hands over his face.

"Josh," Jeremy started but Jason stopped him.

Jason just watched him calmly. He knew Josh had to get it out of his system, and he expected an outburst from him from time to time right now. Joshua was usually easy going and patient, until he was pushed. That's when his temper would flair. Jason knew that Josh sometimes just needed let it out.

Candy was putting a picnic basket together. She made enough for four people, hoping she would need it. She hadn't spoken to Emily yet, but hoped she would agree to go and meet with Joshua.

"Have you talked to Emily yet?" Biddie asked.

"No, she was with Missy earlier and I didn't want to mention lunch and Joshua while she was around. Oh Biddie, I don't have a good feeling about this. I feel like Missy is trying to convince Emily that Joshua is guilty."

Jason and Jeremy knocked on the door of the Brides dorm. "Have you thought of what you're going to say?" Jeremy asked his older brother. "There's a lot I would love to say," Jason said frustrated. "I want to hear her story, and find out exactly what she expects from our brother."

"Hello Jason, Jeremy," Biddie said when she opened the door. "Please come in," she said stepping aside.

"So I'm guessing, you're here to see Candy?" she asked Jeremy.

Jeremy smiled. "Well yes, but thats not the only reason were here," he said looking at Jason then back to Biddie.

"Jeremy, Jason," Candy greeted them walking in from the kitchen.

Biddie stepped aside, letting Jeremy walk over to Candy. She turned back to Jason.

"Biddie we wondered if we could have a word with Miss Hunter please?" Jason asked.

"Missy?" Biddie asked. "Candy, Jason says he's here to see Missy." She said.

"Well I'm not sure if she'll talk to you, Jason, but I'll ask. Why don't you and Jeremy here have a seat and I'll go check." Candy said.

Jason bowed slightly and took a seat at the dining table. Jeremy sat next to him.

Candy rushed upstairs and went to the back where Missy was chatting with Alice.

"Missy, there's someone to see you downstairs," she said.

"Who is it?" she asked.

"Jason Bolt," she said.

Missy's eyes grew wide. "No," she said. "I-I-I don't want to talk to Jason Bolt. I won't talk to any Bolt," she argued.

Alice stepped forward. "She doesn't have to talk to anyone. Can't you see how upset she's getting? Haven't the Bolts done enough?" Alice said stepping between Missy and Candy.

The other women started to come around and watch the drama. Candy looked around at them. "Okay, I'll tell them you're refusing to see them," she said finally. "I think they deserve to hear what happened from you, but I can't force you to tell them," she said before turning and going downstairs.

Candy came down and the Bolts stood up.

"Missy refuses to come down," she said irritably.

"Is she dressed?" Jason asked,

Candy nodded with a confused look.

Jason looked from her to Jeremy. He raced upstairs taking two steps at a time.

"I'm coming upstairs ladies, hope you're decent," he shouted.

"The women were stunned and shocked when he entered the upstairs dorm room.

When he got upstairs, he walked towards Missy. He didn't whisper, but spoke clearly. The other Brides, stunned at the openness of his questions.

"I'm not here to frighten you, or do you any harm, but I need to know what happened yesterday, "Jason said. "Joshua told me his side of things Missy and I would like to hear yours. I don't want to drag this out into a public hearing, but I will if I have to, and I'm not sure you would want that," he said. "I just want to hear the truth."

"Oh, I'm sure he told you that he didn't do anything, didn't he?" She hissed. "Well he lied. Everyone here saw what he did to me. He tore at my dress, he ruined it! He threw me down in the mud, he, he tried to take advantage of me," she spat in anger. "You tell that brother of yours that I hate him and he'll regret ever crossing me."

Jason stepped closer, his tone more subdued. "You know Missy, Joshua has never hurt a woman in his whole life. The Bolts were raised to respect women. I find it very difficult to believe your story. I'm wondering if maybe you were upset when Joshua told you that he had feelings for Emily, and not you. Maybe, you got angry and wanted to get him back, to make him pay for turning you down." Jason said. "I feel sorry for you Miss Hunter. I feel bad for anyone with that much hate in their heart.

Jason knew it was pointless to continue. The women surrounding Missy were feeding her anger and he was afraid he would say something to fuel the flame. "Alright, Miss Hunter, If you insist on a public hearing, the circuit judge is due the middle of next month," he said before he turned and left.

Jason went downstairs where Candy and Jeremy were talking. "I'm hoping she'll come," Candy said. "But I'm afraid Missy may have gotten in her head last night," she fretted.

"I hope not,' Jeremy said "I'm afraid losing Emily may break him," he said as Jason walked up.

"Did she say anything helpful?" Candy asked Jason

"I'm afraid not,' he answered. "I didn't expect she would really. She has an audience around her, and a sympathetic one at that," he said, "I hope I didn't just make things worse." He looked at Jeremy. "I'll be at Lottie's," he said then looked to Candy, "Try and Get Emily up to the camp if you can."

She nodded "I'll do my best."

"Maybe we can meet you and Joshua at the lake for lunch?" Candy asked Jeremy.

"I'll make sure he's there," Jeremy said

Once Jason left, Jeremy took her hand. "It's such a mess Jeremy," she said. "Everyone is on edge. I've told the girls they weren't allowed to talk about it in front of Molly and Christopher. It's all I can do to even stay here." She said shaking her head. "Something is up though… It just seems strange," she said. "I mean from what Emily said, after lunch, Joshua took the shortcut back towards camp, so why was Missy following him towards the lumber camp?" she wondered. "She wasn't going to see Burt, he works for Stempel, and that's the opposite direction."

"I don't know, but unless the story changes, or unless someone saw something, it's his word against hers. It doesn't look good for Josh, but I just know he didn't do it," Jeremy said.

Jason walked into Lottie's Saloon. She stood behind the bar, wiping the counter. "Morning Jason," she said. "It's a little early in the day isn't it?" she asked. "How about some coffee?" she asked

"Sounds good," he said. She poured him a cup and sat it in front of him. Jason leaned onto the bar and wrapped his hands around the hot coffee cup.

"Have you gotten any answers?" she asked.

Jason knew what Lottie was asking about and she knew he would.

He took a long, deep breath. "I know what my brother told me, so I know what his part in it was," he said. "What ever happened after with her, no one knows except the girl."

"I've known Joshua since he was a little boy," Lottie said. "Nothing can convince me he's capable of physically hurting a woman." She said. "The problem is; I'm not the circuit judge."

"There's something we're missing, I just don't know what it is…yet" Jason said.

"I'll keep my eyes and ears open," Lottie said "not much gets past here."

"Thank you," Jason said.

Once Jeremy and Jason were headed back to camp, Candy finally got Emily alone.

I told Joshua and Jeremy we would meet them for lunch at the camp," Candy said. "He really wants to see you Emily."

She looked down, picking her nails nervously. "I don't know," Emily said and turned away.

Candy could see her shaking, sense her apprehension.

"Oh Emily, he really needs you," Candy stressed "If you turn away from him now…"

"Candy, I do love him, but I believe he's made a fool of me," she cried softly. "I need to think. I just…Oh Candy I just don't know what to think anymore. Everyone's telling me horrible things, and I just… I can't" she finally said. "I just can't… not right now, and I'm sorry. I may regret it but I just need everyone to leave me alone," she said before running back upstairs.

"He said he still loved her," she kept remembering Missy's words over and over.

"She's not going?" Biddie asked. "What are you going to tell Joshua? Oh he's going to be so hurt."

"I don't know," Candy said. "I'll have to tell him the truth, but it's not going to be easy."

"I can come, if you think it'll help… That way he'll at least not feel like a third wheel for lunch," Biddie said. "I know sometimes I may say the wrong thing, but right now…I think he needs his friends."

"You're right Biddie," Candy said "I think it'll be nice if you came."

When Jason and Jeremy got back to camp, they found Joshua trying to work, he was bent over the books, but his mind just couldn't focus. All he could think of was Emily. He needed to see her and tell her what happened in the woods with Missy. Thankful his brothers got back, he looked at Jason, hoping for some good news, hoping Missy finally came clean with the truth, but his big brothers expression told him that didn't happen.

"Candy's going to meet us at the lake," Jeremy said.

"And Emily?" he asked.

"She's going to try and get her to come," Jeremy said

Joshua's expression grew dark, "Try?" he looked at Jason then back to Jeremy as he stepped closer. "She doesn't believe… he looked away in thought, head shaking… He looked at his older brother. "Jason I have got to talk to her. I need to tell her the truth," he said desperately.

"Josh, I didn't say she wasn't coming," Jeremy said trying to reassure him.

Josh just shook his head but kept the worried look on his face.

Jason knew he couldn't say anything to ease Joshua's worry, but he still had the business issues to discuss.

"Joshua, Jeremy," Jason said getting their attention, "Clancy leaves day after tomorrow. Jeremy, I think you should be the one to go this time. You'll need to find ten good, strong men for the crew."

"You want me to go?" Jeremy asked "It was Joshua's idea, shouldn't he be the one to go?"

"If Joshua leaves Bridal Veil Mountain before the circuit judge comes, it'll look like he's running. No you have to go this time" Jason said.

"Why can't you go?" Jeremy asked Jason.

"I can't leave. Not while we have someone trying to sabotage us.

"You can do this Jeremy, you'll do fine." Joshua reassured him.

Jeremy nodded, but he hated leaving. It felt like the worst time to be going anywhere.