HCTB Chapter 18 Blue Eyes…

"You can't travel yet, Allyn says you're still not fully recovered from the surgery," Jason said. "Jeremy's bringing her tomorrow to check on you, but I'm telling you Joshua, you're not ready to go anywhere."

"But I can't just lay here Jason, I could be home working on the books." Josh argued.

"Don't worry about the business," Jason said. "All you need to focus on is getting you're strength back."

"Jason, I'm getting stiff just lying here," he fussed.

"You're a terrible patient." Jason said and smiled, "You had us scared Joshua and I'm not taking any chances here. Allyn said you're not ready, so that means no."

Jason sat and pulled out the book that Ben had sent, Around the World in Eighty Days. "Let's see, where were we? Oh here we are, chapter 3." He began.

As Jason read, Joshua's mind wandered elsewhere. His thoughts were of Emily. It had been a few days that everyone learned the truth; that he in fact had not harmed Missy. He was innocent, yet he'd still not heard from her. He was disappointed and unable to do anything. Jason was right. He hardly had the strength to sit up much less travel down the mountain. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Jason kept reading until he glanced at his brother. Josh was asleep. Jason smiled and closed the book.

"You rest little brother," he whispered.

"Don't forget my apple pie," Biddie said "and tell Joshua that I made it special for him."

"I promise," said Candy

"You know he says my apple pie's are his favorite," Biddie rambled on. "When is Jeremy picking you up?" she asked.

"He should be here any time," Candy said. "He'll be here right after he picks up Dr. Wright."

"Did you ask Emily?" Biddie whispered.

Candy's brows went up and she shook her head. "I asked her if she wanted to come, but she just got quiet and said she didn't think it was a good idea," Candy said.

Biddie just shook her head.

"Look at the pictures Molly and Christopher drew for him." Candy said as she held up two drawings.

"Are those fish?" Biddie asked about one of the pictures.

Candy smiled. "Yes, Christopher said that he wanted to draw a picture of the catfish he'd caught to show Joshua since he missed seeing them in person."

"Oh that's funny and kind of sweet," Biddie said.

Candy held up Molly's drawing.

"Oh and Molly drew herself with the Bolts, you and Christopher," Biddie said.

"Molly said she will be glad when everyone can all be together again, so she drew a picture with us all together," Candy said with a lump in her throat.

"Candy," Peggy called out and hurried into the room. "I made this for Joshua, could you give it to him for me?" she asked.

"Oh Peggy, this is just beautiful," Candy said holding up a small blue and white Irish chain quilt.

"I started working on it a couple weeks ago, when all that trouble started. I never believed a second of what Missy said. I should know because when we had to pretend we were married, Joshua was polite and treated me with complete respect," Peggy said. "I know he doesn't feel about me… anyway I just want him to know I was thinking of him."

"I love the colors," Candy said.

"I used different shades of blue to match his eyes," Peggy said.

"Oh Peggy, I'm sure he'll love it,' Candy said.

"Yes he will," Biddie agreed "that's such a nice and thoughtful gift."

"Some of the girls helped me finish it this week," Peggy said "so they had a hand in it too."

The knock on the door got their attention. Biddie opened the door for Jeremy who was there to pick up Candy.

"Hello Biddie, Peggy," he greeted them. "Are you ready Candy?" he asked.

"Yes, I just have a few things," she said. She handed Jeremy the quilt Peggy had made for Joshua and Biddies' apple pie wrapped in a cloth and tucked securely in a basket for safe keeping.

Jeremy helped Candy into the buggy alongside Dr. Wright. "Hello Dr. Wright," she said.

"Hi Candy," Allyn greeted her. "It's just us?" she asked without mentioning Emily.

"Yes…Just us three," Candy said.

Jeremy didn't say anything, but his annoyed expression was enough. "Get up," he clicked the horse along.

Joshua threw his blanket aside and carefully swung his legs over the side. He struggled to pull himself to a sitting position grimacing at the pull he felt in his chest. Everything hurt.

Jason came into the cabin and saw him. "Joshua," he yelled. "What do you think you're doing?" he snapped, quickly walking over.

"Jason, I want to wash up," he said, "and get dressed."

"Josh, you need to stay in bed," Jason argued.

Joshua met his brother's eyes. He was determined. "Jason, I'm not going to lie in that bed, like an invalid. Jeremy's coming, what if he brings Emily? I don't want her to see me like this. The least I can do is, wash up and shave. Put on some decent clothes," he said.

Jason let out a snort and smiled. "Alright," he agreed, "you're as stubborn as that mule outside. You know that? Just… here, let me help you." He helped Josh to his feet. He was shaky and Jason helped hold him steady.

Joshua struggled not to make a sound. He didn't want Jason to know it hurt to move, he didn't want to give him the satisfaction. But Jason knew. He could see it on his face. It just made him shake his head. He helped Joshua into a chair at the table.

"Sit here," Jason said. He went outside to the wash pan he had used for cleaning up earlier. He came in with fresh water. Jason helped Josh wash up and shave because he couldn't use his right arm yet. "You hold still," Jason said.

"You think she'll come?" Josh asked.

"Maybe," Jason said "But don't get your hopes up Joshua. She may not think you're ready for visitors."

Jason started to wipe Joshua's face dry, but Joshua took the towel from Jason and finished.

Jason could see Josh's face. "Josh, give her time," he said. Josh just nodded.

He looked up at Jason and gave a half smile. "How do I look?"

"You look fine…half your face is purple, but not a whisker to be found," Jason grinned.

"Jason," Josh asked "Could you do me a favor?"

"What do you need little brother?" Jason asked.

"Could you help me back to bed?" he asked "I think I need to lie back down." He admitted.

Jason stood and helped Josh up. He got him to the bed and helped him down. Josh grunted from the pull in his chest and his head began to throb. He eased back and saw the concern on Jason's face.

"Jason," he said softly "I'm sorry. I've been nothing but trouble for weeks," he said.

"Joshua…"Jason started.

"Thank you Jason," Josh cut him off "for everything. You've been…"

"Joshua, you're my brother. I love you," Jason said "You're going to get past this and you're going to be fine." Jason said. He laid his hand against Joshua's shoulder in a caring touch. "Now you try to get some rest."

When the buggy rolled up, all three got down. Jason met them outside. He was disappointed seeing that Emily wasn't with them. He was mostly disappointed knowing how let down Josh would be. He wished he could talk to her and find out why she was torturing his brother, but he knew he had to stay out of it. It wasn't his place.

He and Jeremy both made eye contact and had the same thought. Jeremy just shook his head no.

"How has he been?" Allyn asked.

"He's still weak. He was up a little this morning, but it took a toll on him." Jason said.

She went inside.

"Jason," Candy greeted him, handing him the quilt Peggy made.

She passed the basket with Biddies pie to Jeremy.

Jeremy went inside, and Jason stayed on the porch. "He was hoping she would come," Jason said quietly.

Candy looked down and shook her head, before looking back at Jason. "I feel terrible Jason. I asked her, but she said she didn't think it would be a good idea. Whatever that means," she said quietly.

The Doctor looked him over and oddly enough he seemed in good spirits.

"You're healing well, but it's still too soon to make the trip back," she said to Joshua's disappointment.

"But, I'm feeling fine," he argued.

"Now Josh," Jason spoke up, "admit it, you got pretty tired earlier."

"Aww Jason," Josh griped.

"Joshua, you just try and let your body heal, and hopefully by the weekend, if everything goes alright, you should be well enough to make the trip home," Allyn said.

Joshua gave in reluctantly.

"Well, I'm pretty sure I found out who was causing all the trouble at camp…and it wasn't just our place either," Jeremy announced.

"Who was it?" Jason asked. Joshua was also listening.

"Westley works for Culvers Lumber. They lost that contract to Stempel. He has two men that help him, Burt Anderson and his friend Tom."

"How do you know?" Joshua asked.

"Davy Webber, the man I hired. He used to work for Culvers. He knows Westley and the other two. This is what they do. If Stempel fails to meet his deadline, the contract goes to Culvers."

"Aaron confronted Tom, and he confessed to everything. He also claimed that Burt Anderson shot Joshua. He didn't know until Sunday, and I guess Burt shooting Joshua was just too much for even Tom. There's a warrant out for his arrest."

"This man Davy," Jason started.

"Davy Webber," Jeremy said.

This man Davy Webber, do you trust him?" Jason asked.

"I do Jason, I got to know him in San Francisco and on the ship," said Jeremy, "I think you'll like him, you too Josh."

"Well if you can vouch for him, that's good enough for me," Jason said.

"Me too," Josh added.

Candy cleared her throat to get their attention. "Joshua, I have some messages for you," she said.

"First of all, Biddie baked her best Apple pie. She said to tell you she baked it special just for you," Candy pulled the pie from the basket and sat it on the table. "Aww, that so nice," Josh said.

"Well I hope you'll share," Jason said.

"I don't know, she made it just for me," Joshua joked.

"Oh, and Peggy made this just for you," Candy said as she pulled out the quilt and spread it over him.

"Oh wow," Joshua said, "it's beautiful."

"Some of the Brides helped her finish it, but Peggy said she picked the blue colors to match your blue eyes," Candy teased.

Joshua blushed.

"Aww Joshua I think the blue does go with your eyes," Jason joked.

"Oh what's this?" Joshua noticed the corner square had embroidery. "To Josh, Forever Peggy" was stitched on the corner.

"That's something," Josh said softly.

"Oh, and these are from Molly and Christopher," Candy said in a cheerful tone.

She handed the drawings to Joshua.

"Is this?" he smiled "its fish?" he asked.

"Yes, Christopher wanted to draw the catfish he caught, because you didn't get the chance to see them. He said to tell you that he didn't catch dinner, like he told you he would do, but he did catch desert, because he traded the fish for licorice," Candy said.

That made Joshua laugh, something he had not done in weeks.

"And Molly said her drawing is of her family. There's me and Jeremy, her and Christopher, and that's you and Jason. She said that she missed her family all being together. Since Jeremy and I were getting married, you and Jason were her family too."

Joshua's eyes were all watery. He looked up and smiled. "That's nice," he said choking up.

"My goodness brother, so many people really care about you," Jason said breaking the silence.

"Oh and I got this for you in San Francisco," Jeremy said and handed Joshua a blue checked flannel shirt.

"Well, I really need this," he laughed thinking of how a gunshot ruined his other one.

"Yea, I saw it in the store, and I know how you like red, but I thought the blue would…"

"Match your eyes," they all laughed in unison.