James Justice Bolt
"Push, Candy! Come on, sweetheart! You can do it! That's my sweet girl!" Jeremy encouraged his wife as she was about to give birth to their first child.
"Jeremy, please let me rest for a minute. I'm so tired." Candy gasped as the next contraction began.
"I know you are tired sweetheart, but I think one more big push will bring our baby into the world." He said excitedly.
"Okay." Candy sat up and pushed as hard as she could.
"Oh, Candy! One more big push! Alright! Oh, my God! Candy, we have a son! A beautiful healthy baby boy!" Jeremy exclaimed.
Jeremy gave the baby a little pop on his backside. The boy wailed.
Candy laid back on her pillow. "Let me see him, please, Jeremy."
Jeremy washed the baby quickly and wrapped him in a blanket. He walked to the head of the bed holding the newborn.
Jeremy sat down cautiously on the side of the bed. He turned toward his wife so she could see the baby. He carefully handed the boy to her.
"He looks just like you, Jeremy!" Candy sobbed as she took her child into her arms.
Jeremy Bolt put his arm around his wife's shoulder. They turned their faces toward each other, and their lips met. They shared a tender salty kiss.
"I love you, Candy. Thank you for our beautiful boy." Jeremy's voice trembled.
"Jeremy, I love you. I'm so grateful to you for our wonderful son." Candy whispered. "Hello, James Justice Bolt. Mommy and Daddy love you very very much."
Jeremy gave the baby a gentle kiss on his head. He got up and walked to the window. He stood with his hands on his hips gazing at the starry sky. Jeremy was silent for several minutes.
"Please talk to me, sweetheart. Please don't go inside that shell. Everything is alright." Candy spoke softly. "The memories are painful for me too. Let me help you, Jeremy, please."
"I was just thinking about how close I came to not being here for the birth of our son. I was thinking what if I had been hanged for Phelps' murder. Thank God for Grey Wolf. He showed up just in time." Jeremy reflected quietly.
"Yes, just in time. I have nightmares about that day and about the night before too." Candy was somber.
Jeremy turned from the window and walked back to the bed. He sat on the edge next to Candy.
"Candy, why haven't you told me before tonight about your nightmares? Why didn't you let me help you?" His concern was etched in his face.
"I didn't want to add to your worries and because you have your own nightmares about that day and the night before." She sighed as tears ran down her cheeks.
"Oh, I didn't think you knew about my bad dreams. I guess I don't hide it as well as you do." He said apologetically.
Candy rubbed circles on his back. "Yes, I know when you sleep fretfully and cry out for me or for your brothers."
"Well, as you said a few minutes ago, everything is alright now. We have our beautiful healthy baby boy, and we have each other. Let's start new and try to put our old fears behind us." Jeremy smiled.
"That sounds like a great idea to me!" Candy agreed.
James Justice Bolt let out a big yawn. His parents laughed.
"I believe our son likes that plan too!" Candy said.
'He's a smart boy." Jeremy whispered leaning in to kiss his wife.
"He takes after his father." Candy whispered as she kissed her husband.
The next afternoon, the new family had visitors. Jason, Joshua, and Biddie came along with Lottie and Clancy to welcome the newest member of the Bolt family.
Jeremy beamed with pride as he passed out cigars to the men. Candy cried joyful tears as Lottie and Biddie gushed over Jamie.
"How did Jeremy do during your delivery, Candy?" Lottie asked after the men had gone outside.
"Actually, Lottie, he did fine. He got nervous a few times, but he handled it well. The main thing that made him nervous was seeing me in so much pain. Jeremy is so tender hearted; he can't bear to see anyone sick or hurting. He was so sweet and loving to me. I felt safe and loved like I always feel with him. He did a wonderful job of keeping me calm. There were a few times that I started to panic, and he settled my nerves with his sweet voice and his tender but strong touch." Candy smiled.
"It almost sounds as if she's talking about a date rather than about giving birth, doesn't it, Biddie?" Lottie chuckled.
"Oh my, well…." Biddie smiled.
"Now, there were a few times Jeremy sounded a lot like Jason. PUSH CANDY! I SAID PUSH!" Candy laughed.
Lottie and Biddie laughed along with the young Mrs. Bolt.
The men walked back into the cabin. "Well, it seems that you ladies have had a humorous conversation." Jeremy smiled.
"Just girl talk, sweetheart." Candy walked over and gave her husband a kiss on the cheek.
Two weeks later, Candy was recovering well from the birth and Jamie was thriving. Jeremy returned to work after taking the two weeks off to take care of Candy and help her with the baby.
Candy managed her first day alone with the baby fine. By that evening, she was missing Jeremy terribly. She had gotten used to him being with her all day.
Mrs. Bolt looked at the clock. It was 7:30. Jeremy should have been home before this time. He told her this morning before he left that he was going to leave the camp between 5:00 and 5:30 and come straight home.
Candy looked out the window. It was raining hard and thundering and lightning. She prayed that her husband was alright. Candy chided herself. Why wouldn't he be okay? Maybe he got busy and lost track of time. But it was pitch dark now. You can't cut trees in the dark.
Candy watched at the window about fifteen more minutes. She was starting to panic. She hated to get the baby out in this weather, however, she had to look for Jeremy. He wouldn't have stopped by Lottie's or his brothers' cabin after work. Not on his first day away from them.
Candy got Jamie dressed and wrapped in his blanket. Clancy had made the baby a carrier out of a whiskey crate. The captain sandpapered the inside of the crate to get rid of splinters and rough spots. He had painted it blue and painted the child's name on it in yellow. Clancy had even painted little fish all over the carrier for decoration. Lottie had sewn a pillow to fit in the carrier. She even quilted a small quilt to be used as cover in the carrier.
Candy got the carrier, quilt, and pillow. She got her baby boy settled in his carrier and grabbed her raincoat and rain hat.
She left the baby inside the cabin while she hitched Annabel to the buckboard. Thank The Lord that Jeremy had put the tarp on the back of the wagon last month. She could put the baby right behind her in the vehicle and he would be protected from the weather.
Candy placed her son carefully behind the driver's seat of the buckboard. "We are going to look for Daddy. I'm sure he is okay. He just…well, I don't know. However, I'm sure he is alright." She tried to convince herself.
Candy put Jamie's bag next to him. She got in the buckboard seat.
"Giddy up, Annabel, giddy up." Candy told the horse.
The horse moved slowly along the path as Candy guided her. Holding up the lantern, Candy searched closely for any sign of Jeremy or his horse, Brownie.
For many miles, there was nothing out of the ordinary along the road. The rain was a steady drizzle not a downpour as it had been earlier.
"Oh, Jeremy! Where are you?" She was close to tears.
Suddenly the lantern light shone on a brown horse on the side of the road. Candy brought the buckboard to a halt. She stood up and held the lantern as high as she could. She looked all around Brownie.
At first, she didn't see him. Then the light fell on his boots. Jeremy was on the ground on the other side of Brownie. It was as if the horse was standing between him and the road to protect him.
Candy put the brake on the wagon. She made sure the baby was under the tarp. She jumped down from the buckboard and ran to Jeremy.
"Jeremy! Jeremy! Can you hear me? Jeremy, please!"
Candy held the lantern in his face. He was unconscious and slumped against a pine tree. Candy lifted his head gently. She was aghast to realize that the back of his head was covered with blood.
"Oh no, sweetheart! Hold on, Jeremy, please hold on!" She yelled.
Candy got Jamie's bag and one of the canteens from the wagon. Using strips of her petticoat, some water, and one of Jamie's nappies, she cleansed and bandaged the wound on the back of Jeremy's head. She folded the nappie so it would cover the wound better. Candy poured some water on a clean cloth from Jamie's bag. She gently wiped her husband's face with the damp cloth.
Candy looked back and forth between Jeremy and the buckboard. She could move the wagon closer to him, however, she still wouldn't be able to get him on the vehicle. What was she going to do? He needed the doctor right away. Candy couldn't leave him here alone to go get help.
"Dear Lord, please help Jeremy. Please let him be alright and please give me a way to get him in the buckboard. In Jesus' Name, Amen." Candy prayed aloud.
She checked on Jamie. He was asleep. As Candy was walking back to Jeremy, she heard a voice.
"Hello! Don't be frightened, dear. I've come to help you." He spoke.
She glanced behind her. An older man was approaching her. He was on foot. There was not a horse or a wagon in sight.
Candy ran back to the wagon, "Please don't hurt us! My husband is unconscious, and our baby is only two weeks old. I'm begging you, sir! Please don't hurt us! They are my whole life! Please, if you have ever loved anyone…" Candy cried.
"It's alright, dear. I promise. I'm not going to hurt you or your family. I can put your husband in the buckboard and drive you to Seattle if you want. Or I can just put him in there and let you drive the wagon to town." The stranger said kindly.
"Well, since Jeremy is injured and I have the baby with me, it might be a good idea to let you drive us into town. How did you happen to be out here?" Candy inquired.
"I was taking a walk and I heard you praying. I didn't mean to eavesdrop on you. I couldn't help but hear you." He explained.
"That's okay. I guess you are the answer to my prayer, Mr.?" She asked.
"Just call me Daryl." He replied.
"Alright, Daryl, thank you. My name is Candy. My husband is Jeremy. He was thrown from his horse, and he has a bad head injury." Candy told him.
Daryl picked up Jeremy and placed him in the back of the buckboard. Candy watched anxiously. Her husband did not move or make a sound. Daryl tied Brownie to the back of the wagon.
"Your beloved will be alright, Candy." Daryl reassured her.
They traveled in silence for many miles. Candy was in the back of the wagon with Jeremy and Jamie. She prayed for Jeremy. Jamie was a bit restless. She held him and hummed softly to the child.
As the baby went back to sleep, Candy remembered the night before when Jeremy rocked him to sleep singing to him. The memory brought tears to her eyes. She placed the baby back in his carrier. She touched her husband's cheek. He didn't have any fever. Candy felt encouraged by that.
"Daryl, do you have a family?" She asked.
"Yes, I have a wife and children. They mean the world to me." He answered.
"That's nice. Thank you so much for helping us. I don't know what we would have done without you." Candy told him.
"All of you are most welcome. The three of you make a grand family. May you and your Jeremy be blessed with many more little ones." Daryl spoke.
"We hope to have a large family. Both of us love children." Candy sighed as she held Jeremy's hand.
When they reached Seattle, Daryl drove the buckboard to the clinic. He carried Jeremy inside and placed him on an exam table.
Daryl told Candy he had to be on his way home. She thanked him again, He said he would stop by the Bolt cabin to tell Jeremy's brothers that he was injured and at the clinic. He told her he would take Brownie to the brothers as well.
Doctor Wright was examining the youngest brother when Jason and Joshua arrived. Candy and the baby were in the waiting room.
"Candy! Are you and the baby alright? What happened to Jeremy?" Jason looked worried.
Joshua leaned down to give his sister-in-law a hug.
"Jamie and I are fine. Jeremy…" Candy cried. "Oh, Jason! Joshua! He has a horrible cut on the back of his head. It looked like Brownie threw him and he was slammed against the pine tree where I found him."
"I wonder what caused Brownie to throw Jeremy. He is such a good horse. Something must have happened fast for Jeremy not to be able to calm Brownie.' Joshua wondered.
"You're right, Josh. Jeremy can probably tell us when he wakes up." Jason agreed.
Doctor Wright walked into the waiting room. "I'm glad you and Joshua are here, Jason."
Jason narrowed his eyes at the lady doctor. "Allyn, why does your voice sound strange? What is it?"
"Oh, dear God! Jeremy died!" Candy screamed.
"No! Jeremy is not dead!" Doctor Wright spoke firmly.
"Let's all calm down. What do you need to tell us, Doctor?" Joshua asked.
Doctor Wright looked at each one of them and sighed. "I'm sorry to have to tell you this and I pray that I'm wrong. However, as of right now, it doesn't appear that I am." She paused.
"Allyn." Jason was frightened. "What is it?"
Tears streamed down the doctor's face. "Jeremy is never going to wake up."
Jason looked as if someone had kicked him in the stomach. He couldn't speak. Joshua buried his face in his hands and wept quietly.
Candy spoke in an urgent whisper. "No! This can't be true! No! Just last month God saved Jeremy from hanging at the very last minute. Aaron was about to put the noose over Jeremy's head and a witness rode up and told the truth about who murdered Walter Phelps. God wouldn't save Jeremy from hanging only to let something this awful happen to him. This is as bad as hanging! Maybe even worse!"
"Allyn, Jeremy is a young man. He is healthy and strong. How could this happen to him?" Jason asked.
"I understand what you're saying, Jason. But the severity of the head injury is the reason that this seems probable. Jeremy could live a long life in this condition." Allyn put her arm around Jason.
"Doctor, is there any chance at all that you could be wrong?" Joshua frowned.
"Yes, of course there is, Joshua. As I said earlier, I pray that I am wrong." The doctor replied.
When Jeremy was moved into a room, his wife and his brothers went in to see him.
Jason crouched by the head of the bed. He whispered in Jeremy's ear. "Brother, you have to do this old man a favor. You have to wake up. This old man loves you with all of his heart and if you don't wake up, Jeremy, this old heart will stop beating. It will just quit because it can't go on without you!" Jason put his face on the side of the bed and squalled.
Joshua was at the foot of the bed removing his brother's boots and socks.
After he took off the second boot, Joshua hugged Jeremy's leg and cried. "Jeremy, you have to wake up! Do you hear me? You have too! You just have too!"
Candy was at the head of the bed on the opposite side from Jason. She was on her knees, and she was stroking Jeremy's hair.
"Jeremy, please wake up, sweetheart. I want to see your beautiful blue eyes. Please, darling. You know how much I love them. I never told you this before, I get lost in your eyes, Jeremy. They are like deep shining pools of the most piercing blue ocean that a girl could ever imagine. They just draw me right into you almost hypnotizing me. As gorgeous as your eyes are, Jeremy, the most beautiful thing about them is the love that shines through them, the love that you have for me. So, please wake up. I'm waiting for you, Jeremy. I'm waiting for you to wake up and say Candy, I…." She put her face on her husband's arm and cried.
Three weeks of praying, crying, and waiting went by. Jeremy's wife and his brothers sat with him constantly except for an occasional break. Lottie and Biddy took care of Jamie at night so Candy could get a little sleep at Jeremy's bedside. Candy managed quite well taking care of the baby while sitting with her husband during the day.
Jason and Joshua took leave from work and put Corky and Swede in charge. Friends made sure the Bolt family had regular meals and breaks from sitting with Jeremy if they wanted or needed a break.
Reverend Adams visited Jeremy and his family everyday. Many people in Seattle went to the church each day to pray for Jeremy to recover.
Three weeks to the day of the accident, Candy and her brothers-in-law had a serious discussion about how Jeremy was to be cared for in the weeks and months to come. Neither of them could bring themselves to say years. Doctor Wright participated in the conversation. She recommended a hospital in Bridgewater. The Bolt family agreed to follow the doctor's suggestion. She told them the arrangements would be made soon.
After the doctor left the room, Jason spoke up. "Candy, Joshua and I want you to know that if at some point, you decide that you want to get on with your life, we will understand. At that time, you can divorce Jeremy and there won't be any hard feelings. All we will ask is that you allow us to still be a part of Jamie's life and see him on a regular basis. We want to do that for Jeremy and for ourselves so Jamie can know his Bolt family."
Candy was shocked. "Get on with my life? Divorce Jeremy? What in the world are you talking about? I love Jeremy! He is my life! I made a promise before God to love him for better or worse and in sickness or in health. I mean to keep my promise!"
"We understand that, Candy. But you didn't know there would be such a life changing injury so soon." Joshua replied.
"Joshua, the wedding vows do not specify an upset stomach or a bad cold where they say sickness. The vows mean any type of illness or injury. You two are stuck with me. Get used to it!" She demanded.
Jason and Joshua smiled at each other.
"You are a wonderful wife to our brother, Candy. We are grateful." Jason told her.
"You are both welcome. Why don't you two get some fresh air. Biddy is going to keep the baby for a few more hours. I can stay with Jeremy." She smiled.
"We will do that, Mrs. Bolt." Joshua spoke. "We will be back in a few minutes."
The two Bolts left the room and the clinic.
Candy sat in a chair by the bed, she held Jeremy's hand for a few moments. She moved from the chair to the side of the bed.
Candy gazed at her husband's face. Suddenly, she was angry seriously angry.
Candy grabbed Jeremy by his shoulders pulling him up from the bed.
"Wake up, Jeremy Bolt! Wake up!" She cried.
Candy felt ashamed. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I love you. I hope I didn't hurt you." She laid him down gently.
She looked intently into his face as she stroked his hair. There was no response from Jeremy.
Candy returned to her chair. Her eyes became heavy and she fell asleep.
She didn't know how long she had been asleep when she was awakened by a voice. Who was it?
"Am I in Heaven?"
Candy opened her eyes. She glanced behind her. There was no one there.
"Are you an angel? Is this Heaven?"
Candy turned her head back toward the bed. She gasped.
Jeremy was awake and looking at her. "Is this Heaven? Can I talk to Dad, please?"