CHAPTER 4

Days later, the men are so excited when they finish the logging contract that they slap each other on the back and cheer. Jason gives them a heartfelt speech with his thanks and invites them all to meet him at Lottie's, the drinks are on the Bolt brothers. He also tells them that they don't have to be back at work until Monday morning.

The men depart the camp and Jason asks, "Jeremy, you coming to Lottie's with us?"

"No thanks, Jason."

"You going to stay up here? You know you're always welcome to come back and stay with Josh and me at the cabin in town," Jason reminds him.

"I know and thanks. But I have plans of my own."

"So, you're taking Candy's advice and going off somewhere to be alone and think about your marriage situation?" Josh asks.

"No need to. I've been thinking about it for days. I know what I want," Jeremy replies.

"Which is?" Jason inquires.

Jeremy presses his lips together in determination. "I want Candy. I want us to work our problems out together. I want to be the best husband I can be to her. She needs me and quite frankly, I need her even more."

"Proud of you little brother," Jason says as he holds his hand out in front of them. Josh places his hand on Jason's and then Jeremy lays his hand on Josh's.

"Thanks. I probably won't be seeing as much of you as I have been. I need to stay home more with my wife."

"That's fine, Jeremy. We'll be here if you need us," Josh says.

"Come on, I'll walk with you to town. I want to go to Ben's and buy Candy some flowers," Jeremy tells them.

"Josh, I think our baby brother has finally grown up," Jason laughs as he puts an arm around each of his brother's shoulders and leads them towards town.

X X X

Jeremy walks home with a big beautiful bouquet of wildflowers. He is concentrating so hard on the speech he wants to say to his wife that he doesn't pay attention to what is going on around him. He faintly sees the woman and the men that passes by him on their way to town. Coming up the drive to his house, he pauses to compose himself. He's nervous. And scared. Scared that Candy won't take him back. All of a sudden he sees the front door open and Harve steps out on the porch followed by Candy. Jeremy steps behind some bushes and watches. He sees Harve take Candy's hand and kiss it. He sees Candy giggle like a young school girl. Harve leaves and runs across the road into the woods while Candy goes back inside.

What the Hell just happened? Why was Harve here and why was he kissing Candy's hand? Has she already replaced me with . . .with Harve of all people?

Jeremy storms into the house, slamming the door. "Candy!" he shouts.

Candy answers, "Jeremy? In here!"

He follows her voice to the spare bedroom on the ground level. Candy is standing beside the bed with a change of sheets in her hand. He notices the bed is unmade and the sheets are all rumpled up.

"Jeremy, why are you here? Have you finished your contract?" she asks.

"Yes, we did."

"That's good. So you got through in time and you don't have to pay Aaron the penalty money?"

"Yeah, we finished in time."

"That's wonderful. Have. . ."

"Cut the crap Candy! I want to know why Harve was here and why does this bed look like this. . .like someone was rolling around in it," he shouts angrily.

"What are you insinuating, Jeremy Bolt?" Candy asks just as angrily.

"Don't act like you don't know! I'm gone three or four days and come home to find out my wife is entertaining another man in one of our bedrooms. At least you had the decency not to take him to our bed! How could you do this, Candy? How could you cheat on me with Harve?"

Candy is shocked that Jeremy would say such a thing. "How dare you! How dare you accuse me of cheating on you! I would never do that and you know it!"

"How would I know it? You kicked me out and told me not to come home until our work was done. You knew it was going to take several days so you planned your little lover's rendezvous. How many times have you and your lover met? Is Harve the only man you've been seeing or have there been others?"

"You've got this all wrong, Jeremy. Harve and I are not lovers. You have to listen to me!"

"Save it Candy. I can't even look at you right now." He throws the bouquet of flowers on the bed. "Two can play this game!"

He storms out of the house with Candy calling his name, "Jeremy! Jeremy, come back!"