Jeremy woke up in a cold sweat. He was breathing heavy, and his eyes were crying; he didn't know why. He felt scared, guessed it was probably a nightmare, and he blamed Josh for it. Darn Josh anyway, for talking about when they first moved to town! He should know better.

In a fit of temper, he kicked the upper bunk.

"Hey!" Josh protested, but he didn't fully wake up.

At least, Jeremy didn't think he did. When he heard Josh, he'd buried himself in his bedcovers and pretended to be asleep as hard as he could.

Jason half sat up when Josh spoke, and Jeremy held his breath. Jason would probably know he wasn't really asleep.

Well, he'd just pretend he was anyway. Jason probably wouldn't look too close because he wouldn't want to wake him up if he was really asleep. He just had to remember to be really really still, he thought, as he squirmed his way deeper into the covers.

Jason laid back down without speaking or getting up, and Jeremy sighed in relief.

Jason was awake enough to wonder what mischief he'd missed and he smiled at the sigh. Kid couldn't fib worth a darn, even when he didn't have to.

At breakfast, Jason asked his brothers if they'd slept well.

Jeremy shrugged, not even darting a glance Jason's way.

"Did it storm or something? Something shook me in the night, I thought either the bed broke or the house fell in, but I was in bed and the roof was over me, so I didn't bother to really wake up." Josh shrugged. "What are we doing today?"

Jeremy smirked, not looking at anything but his food.

Mischief indeed, Jason thought, but he answered Josh with,"No storms. I thought I heard you yell, that's all."

"Must have been dreaming."

"Me or you?" Jason asked, as he began gathering the dishes.

"Maybe it was Jeremy," Josh teased. He yanked the boy's hair as he went to bank the fire.

Jason laughed. "Could have been. He was moving around like he was running away from something."

That got him the very quick glance he'd been expecting from wide too-innocent blue eyes. He wanted to laugh again, but didn't. His brothers didn't need to know his every thought, just as he didn't need to know theirs. They each deserved some measure of privacy, after all.

Jeremy walked ahead of his brothers into the work camp. They had been discussing work, as usual. Boring stuff, only interesting when they argued about something.(Like they were sort-of doing. Jeremy was more interested in examining the ground. It wasn't as slick as it had been yesterday. Maybe he could –

"Hey," Josh grabbed his collar. "You talk about us not including you. How about you listen every now and then? Maybe even participate in a work conversation? You ever been told you get the respect you earn?"

"No," Jeremy replied, pulling away from Josh. "Did you ever t-tell me that? Th-that'd be why I forgot!"

"Boys," Jason objected, mildly. He was still feeling amused, but that could change rapidly when they got to squabbling. "If that's how you're going to act today, I guess we'll have to leave Jeremy here in camp again today. I was going to put him to work, but" Jason shrugged.

"If we split into two crews, you could have him."

"L-leave Josh here to sharpen, fix, and keep the f-fires b-burning. I c-can work in his place."

"You don't think I'd complain about that, do you? Can't we try it, Jason? We can tally up how much work is done and see what difference it makes."

"I don't know. I – it's the same amount of men doing the same work. How much difference can it make?"

"Well, we won't know until we try it, will we?"'"Joshua, I don't –"

"I know, let's ask Jeremy here. He can cast the deciding vote."

"Me?" Jeremy squeaked. He didn't want to.

"Why not? You want a voice. You raised your voice. Why not use your voice? For something useful, for a change."

"Josh –,oh, never mind. That might not be a bad idea, including him in on these things. Alright, Jeremy. Do you know what we're talking about?"

Jeremy, wide-eyed, looked up at Jason, and at the men standing around them, and shook his head. He did not like being put on the spot.

"The proposition is this. Should we split the men into two crews working in two places, doing this same job, or should we just stay as one, as we have been doing? Josh thinks we'll get more accomplished that way, and I don't see how it will make a difference. Same men; same job; same output. Right?"

"Not right," Josh objected. "I think the same amount of work but in two places will get two places cleared faster than doing first one and then the other. Doesn't that make sense?" Josh looked appealingly at Jason, who nodded, then indicated Jeremy.

"Well, Jeremy? What do you think?"

Jeremy looked around, silently counting the men waiting for orders. There were nine of them. Not that that mattered, but he did it anyway. He looked up at Jason, again.

Jason who was patiently(!) waiting for him to say something. Him, who hardly ever spoke in public. No, no,no! He couldn't. He just couldn't.

Jeremy frantically shook his head, and backed away.

Josh made a disgusted noise, which drew Jason's attention for a moment.

Jason turned to the men. "Well, fellows, get yourselves some coffee and make yourselves comfortable. But not too comfortable. While the Bolt Brothers decide on today's strategy. Joshua. Jeremy." He led his brothers away from the general crowd, even as they dispersed.

Josh poked Jeremy in the ribs. "You asked for it, you got it. What are you going to do? Run away and hide?"

"C-can I?"

"No!" Both brothers answered him.

"C-can I th-think ab-bout it a m-minute?"

"Thinking is good. Thinking too long is bad. Right now we're paying these men to sit around and drink coffee, during a slow money time of year."

"Oh." Relieved, away from the crowd, Jeremy thought for a moment. "If it's a s-slow t-time, then th-there's no hurry?"

"No one's waiting on anything. If we do get an order it would be nice to have it on hand, ready to be delivered."

"It would have to be an awfully big order for us to not be able to fill it immediately," Josh pointed out. "We're in good shape there."

Jeremy's forehead puckered. "W-what d-does it h-hurt to t-try something new, then? Isn't – isn't slow t-times when you sj-should try to - t-to –" he hesitated , searching for the words he wanted, "To try new ways? If it w-works, w-we c-can b-be faster w-when it 's b-busy? And if it d-doesn't, we're not really out anyth-thing?"

Jason and Joshua both smiled. Jason put his hand on Jeremy';s shoulder. "That's that, then. How shall we divide the crews, Josh? Do you want a fair half?"

"What do you think? Split down the middle. Except you get Jeremy. He works better with you."

"Fair enough. Let's go talk to the men." The older brothers walked away.

Jeremy hugged himself to stop from shaking. That had been terrifying. Not that he thought his brothers would believe that. It was hard to talk in front of people when you couldn't talk. And to make a decision that said what they would be doing.

Josh glanced over his shoulder. "Are you coming, Bolt Brother Three? You're part of this aren't you?"

Jeremy took a step forward, hesitated, then ran to catch up, declaring, "Yes! Yes! I AM!"