THE DEVIL PAYS A VISIT
CHAPTER 1
"Where's your Mama?" Ben Perkins asks young Johnny Bolt as he stops him from leaving his mercantile store.
"I don't know."
"You don't know," Ben repeats in disgust. "You know I have to tell her this time, don't you? I let you go the other two times I caught you stealing just because of who your parents are. I told you one more time and I would be forced to talk to them."
Little Johnny nods his head. "I remember. Please, don't tell them," he cries. "I promise I won't do it again."
"That's what you told me last time. I'm sorry Johnny, but you have given me no choice. I hate to do this but as soon as I can locate one of them, I'll just have to give them the bad news."
As Johnny cries, he shouts defiantly, "Go ahead! Tell them! They won't care! They don't care about me no more! All they care about is that crybaby Jessie!"
A shocked Ben gasps. "That's not true, Johnny. Your Mama and Papa love you very much."
"No, they don't. They use to before that baby got here. Now they don't even know I'm here." Tears stream down Johnny's face.
Recognizing that Johnny's stealing is a cry for attention, Ben lets up on him. "I tell you what. Let me get someone in here to watch the store and then me and you go over to Lottie's for some ice cream. Would you like that?"
Johnny nods his head. "Can I get strawberry?"
"You can get whatever you like as long as Lottie has it, that is." He tousles Johnny's hair. "Wait here while I go find someone. Okay?"
"Uh huh. Okay."
Ben goes outside thinking, Where's Molly when I need her? This would have to be her day off. He stands on the small porch and looks around to see if he sees anyone he can rely on. "Biddie! Biddie!" he shouts and motions her over.
"My goodness, Ben. What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing's wrong, Miss Cloom, uh, I mean Mrs. Masters. I was just wondering if you could watch the store for awhile. I have something important I need to take care of."
"Well, I guess I could, if you're not gone too long. I have a special date tonight that I need to get ready for."
"Biddie Cloom! You're a married woman!"
"Oh relax, Ben. I have a date with my husband, Corky," she cackles.
"That's a relief," he chuckles. "I don't think this will take long. If by chance, I'm not back when you have to leave, just lock up."
"All right, Ben. You run along and I'll see you shortly."
"Thanks, Biddie." He takes her inside. "Come along, Johnny. Let's get that ice cream."
They leave and Biddie says puzzled, "Ice cream? How is ice cream important?"
CHAPTER 2
Afterwards, Ben walks Johnny home then he goes back to check on the store. He closes early and goes up to the logging camp to find Jeremy.
"Ben, you wanted to see me?" Jeremy asks as he drinks water from a dipper.
"I do, Jeremy. Is there somewhere we can talk without being overheard? I don't think you'd want this to be common knowledge."
"This sounds serious, Ben. Come on into the tent. I think Jason and Josh have already left for the day."
Ben follows Jeremy inside. Jeremy clears a chair off so Ben can sit down. "Okay, what's going on?"
"Well Jeremy, I hate to bring this up, but I thought you should know. And Candy too." He hesitates trying to figure out how to approach the subject.
"Go on," Jeremy says.
"Well, Johnny was in the store today. He's a cute little rascal. He reminds me of you when you were that age," Ben chuckles.
"Yes, he is, but I don't think that's what you want to tell me. Is it? Did he break anything?"
"Oh no, it's nothing like that."
Waiting for Ben to tell him the reason for him being here is starting to get next to Jeremy. He's tired and hungry. All he wants is to go home to see his wife and kids. "Well, what is it then?"
"Well Jeremy, Johnny, oh how do I say this? Johnny was looking at the marbles. And he stuck some in his pocket."
"What? You're saying Johnny stole some marbles? Ben, you must be mistaken. Johnny wouldn't do something like that. He's a good kid."
"He is a good kid, but I'm not mistaken, Jeremy. Johnny stole those marbles. And this isn't the first time he's done something like this."
"He's stolen something before? I don't believe it!" Jeremy says exasperated.
"Twice before. First time, I ignored it when he took a stick of candy. The second time, I caught him taking a lollipop. I stopped him that time and he started crying. He begged me not to tell you. I felt so sorry for the little fellow that I just let him off with a warning. Told him never to do it again. If I caught him stealing again, I'd be forced to talk to you."
"Where is Johnny now?"
"At home. When I confronted him this time, he begged me again not to tell you or Candy. But Jeremy he said something else that I think you should be aware of."
"What?"
"He got mad. No, I don't think mad is the right word for it. Anyways he said, 'Go ahead and tell them. That you wouldn't care. That you don't care about him anymore ever since that crybaby came.' Jeremy, he broke my heart saying such a thing."
Jeremy places his hands on the sides of his head and pushes. "I don't believe it! Johnny honestly thinks we don't care about him? Oh, my God!"
"I took him over to Lottie's for some ice cream and tried to tell him how much his Papa and Mama love him. But I don't know if I convinced him or not."
"Candy! Oh, this is going to kill Candy. How do I tell her that her son is a thief because he thinks we don't love him?"
"I don't know if I'd use those words. Jeremy, I think Johnny is jealous of Jessie. I mean, for five years he's been the apple of your eye. He's gotten all your love and attention. Now, he has to share that attention with a strange little baby sister. I can see how hard it can be for him. Emily and I went through something like that with Ben, Jr. when his brother was born."
"Jealous? You think that's what it's really about?"
"I do. Just tell him how much you love him. Once he's secure in your love again, I think he'll change and be the happy, carefree little boy as before."
"I sure hope you're right, Ben. I guess Candy and I didn't realize what he was going through seeing us loving on Jessie. I'll talk to Candy and we'll come up with a way to show him we love him as much as we do Jessie. Thanks, Ben. I appreciate your coming to me about this."
"You're welcome, Jeremy. And good luck."
After Ben leaves, Jeremy sits down and plans out how he's going to talk to Candy about this. Now he dreads going home.
CHAPTER 3
Jeremy opens the front door and hears Candy's voice admonishing Johnny. "Johnathan Jeremy Bolt! Just look at the mess you've made!" He goes into the kitchen and sees Johnny standing before his Mama with big tears falling down his chubby cheeks.
"What's going on?" Jeremy asks.
"Oh Jeremy, thank goodness you're home. Your son dropped a whole pitcher of milk on the floor. I told him not to touch it, but oh no, he couldn't listen. Just look at this mess!"
"Candy, I'm sure he didn't do it on purpose." He bends over and picks Johnny up holding on to him tightly. "It's okay, Johnny," Jeremy says in a soothing voice. "Everything will be all right." He kisses his cheek. Johnny wraps his little arms around his Papa's neck and sobs.
"All right? Yes, because it won't be you having to clean up the mess," Candy smirks. "Johnny, you go to your room and think about what you've done. We'll call you when supper is ready."
"Come on, Johnny. I'll take you to your room." He walks from the room still holding tightly to his son.
"Jeremy! Jeremy!" Candy calls after him annoyed.
Jeremy turns towards her. "You sit and calm down."
"Calm down? But. . . . ."
"I said Calm down!" He continues to Johnny's room.
After about five to ten minutes, Jeremy returns to the kitchen where Candy is down on her hands and knees cleaning up the spilled milk mumbling to herself.
"Candy, get up. You know you're not suppose to be doing this. Besides we have to talk."
"Can't you see I'm busy. I've got to get this cleaned up before the milk sours and starts smelling."
He helps her up, then grabs the cloth from her and gets down to finish the job. Finally getting it all up, Jeremy takes the cloths and rinses them out in the sink. He then takes them out the back door and throws them on the clothesline. Returning, he washes his hands and directs Candy away from the stove and into the parlor.
"Jeremy, I need to get supper on the table," she protests.
"Supper can wait. This can't." He gently helps her sit on the settee, and sits down beside her. Taking her hands in his, he says, "Candy, we have a problem."
"What kind of problem? Did I do something wrong?"
"Yes, you did. . . and so did I. Our son is hurting and it's all our fault," he replies as his eyes fill with tears.
"Johnny? What's wrong with Johnny? I know I scolded him and maybe I shouldn't have been so harsh with him, but. . . . ."
Jeremy interrupts, "It's bigger than that, Candy. A whole lot bigger."
"Well, tell me then."
"Ben came up to the camp to see me. He told me something very disturbing. He caught Johnny stealing some marbles."
"Oh Jeremy, not Johnny. I mean he's just a little boy."
"I'm afraid our little boy likes to steal things. This is the third time Ben has seen him stealing."
"Third time? I don't believe it. Not Johnny."
"Yes, Johnny. Candy, it's our fault," he blinks his eyes to keep his tears from falling.
Candy squeezes his hand. "Jeremy, you keep saying that, but I don't understand. Johnny's a good boy. Is Ben going to press charges against a little boy over some marbles?"
Jeremy wipes his eyes on his arm. "No, he isn't. Ben is not cold-hearted. He understands what Johnny is going through."
"What is he going through?" Candy asks puzzled.
"Candy, Johnny told Ben to go ahead and tell us. That we wouldn't care. That we don't love him anymore," Jeremy cries as his heart is breaking.
"What? We don't love him? Of course, we love him. Why does he think that?"
"Because of Jessie. He thinks we only love her now."
"That's ridiculous."
"Is it? Think about it. Johnny has been the center of our life for five years. Then a tiny little baby girl comes along and takes our attention from him. He feels alone. I guess we didn't think about how this would affect him. Poor little guy. Candy, we have to convince him that he is still our life."
"Of course we do. But. . .oh my," she says as her tears fall, too. "The way I talked to him when he spilled the milk. The look on his face. Oh Jeremy, what have I done?" she sobs.
Jeremy wraps his arms around her. "It wasn't only you. We're both guilty of making him feel that way. But we're going to fix things. We're going to show him how much we love him. Starting right now." He kisses her tenderly and stands up. "You get supper on the table and I'll go get our son. Then after supper we'll sit him down and have a good talk. After we're finished, he'll probably wish we didn't love him so much."
"Let's hope so. Go on. He needs his Papa."
Jeremy adds, "And his Mama."
CHAPTER 4
During supper, Jeremy and Candy talk and tell funny stories hoping Johnny will join in and do some talking of his own.
"Johnny, how about you and I go fishing tomorrow? I'll take the day off and we'll fish all day long," Jeremy says.
Johnny's eyes light up. "You mean it? Just you and me?"
"I mean it. Would you like that?"
"Sure would." Then a solemn look crosses his face. "What about the baby? She comin', too?"
Jeremy and Candy give each other the look. "Not this time, pal. Jessie will stay here and keep Mama company. Besides, she's too little to fish. Maybe when she's older, you can teach her how to fish."
"Johnny, I'm expecting you and Papa to catch a lot of fish for supper tomorrow night," Candy adds.
"Okay. Then can I help you fry them?" Johnny asks excitedly.
"You sure can. I'll need all the help I can get. Maybe Papa can help us, too," she laughs.
When they're finished eating, Jeremy says, "Let's all go into the parlor and have a little talk."
They sit down on the settee with Johnny between his parents. Jeremy and Candy look at each other and she nods her head. "Johnny, I had a little talk with Mr. Perkins today. Do you think you can guess what it was about?"
Johnny looks down at the floor and shakes his head. "No, Papa."
Jeremy bites on his bottom lip, then lets out a deep sigh. "Really? That surprises me. Doesn't that surprise you too, Mama?"
"Yes, it does." Taking Johnny's chin in her fingers she turns his face towards her. "Johnny, both your Papa and I love you very much. We already know what happened at the store today. But we would like for you to tell us your side of the story. Whatever you tell us won't make us love you any less. You're our son and we will always love you. Do you understand that?"
Big tears start running down his cheeks.
"Johnny, do you want to tell us what happened?" Jeremy asks.
"I-I-I'm s-s-sor-ry," he cries.
"What are you sorry for, son?" Jeremy questions.
"I-I took some marbles. I didn't think nobody would care. Not Mr. Perkins and not you and not Mama." He throws himself down on the floor, curls up into a ball, and cries heart wrenching sobs.
Jeremy bends down and picks his son up off the floor. He holds him tightly until Johnny calms down. Candy leans over to him and kisses his chubby cheek. "Johnny, we'll always care what you do. We're sorry, too."
"What for?"
"We're sorry that we let you down. After Jessie got here, we didn't show you how much you mean to us, how much we love you. Can you forgive us?"
Johnny nods his head.
"What you did was wrong, taking those marbles. You do understand that, don't you?" Jeremy asks.
Johnny nods his head again. "I-I guess we're not goin' fishin' anymore," he says.
Jeremy looks over at Candy to see what she thinks. She smiles and nods her head. "I didn't say that. What I want you to do is apologize to Mr. Perkins first thing in the morning. Then we'll see if we can dig up some long fat juicy worms and head to the fishing hole."
Johnny throws his little arms around his Papa. "I will, Papa. I will. I love you." He turns towards his Mama and says, "I love you, Mama."
Candy wipes her eyes. "I love you too, Johnny. If you're ever feeling like we aren't giving you enough love, please tell us. We don't want you to do anything like this ever again. All right?"
Johnny nods his head.
"Good, now lets me and you go over to Uncle Jason's to let him know I'm playing hooky tomorrow so I can go fishing with my son." He looks at Candy, "Is it okay if we run over to Jason's?"
Before Candy can answer, a loud continuing "waah, waah" drifts downstairs. "Oh my, please go on. I must check on Jessie. She doesn't sound very happy," she says as she stands. "But hurry back."
CHAPTER 5
Everything is going smoothly at the Jeremy Bolt home. Johnny is feeling secure in the love of his parents. He even has taken a liking to his little baby sister.
One day, Johnny is sitting by the fishing hole doing some fishing and waiting for his Uncle Chris to join him. A stranger rides down and stops next to the boy.
"Catching anything?" the stranger asks.
"Not much," he replies as he squints his eyes looking up at the stranger.
The stranger looks closely at the boy thinking he looks so familiar. No, it can't be. "What's a small boy like yourself doing here all alone?"
"I'm not alone. I'm waitin' for my Uncle Chris. He should be here soon."
Uncle Chris. Would that possibly be Christopher? Christopher Pruitt? "What's your name, boy?"
"Johnny."
"Johnny. Do you have a last name?"
"Sure, I do. It's Bolt. I'm Johnny Bolt."
The stranger was expecting the Bolt name, but yet he was still surprised. "Glad to meet you, Johnny Bolt. What's your parents' names?"
"Mama and Papa."
"No, I mean what are their real names."
"Oh," Johnny blushes. "Mama is Candy and Papa is Jeremy," he smiles proudly. On a hillside behind the stranger, Johnny sees his Uncle Chris. "Hey Uncle Chris!" Johnny shouts and waves.
The stranger says, "I better get going. Maybe I'll see you around sometime."
"Okay. Hey, what's your name?"
"Rick," the stranger answers. "Just plain Rick."
"Rick, you can come fish with me someday if you want to. I fish about every day."
"I may just take you up on that offer, Johnny Bolt." He trots his horse off in the opposite direction that Chris is coming.
When Chris arrives he asks, "Who was that man?"
"Rick. Just plain Rick."
"What did he want?"
"Nothin'. Just to talk, I guess."
"Well, you better watch out who you talk to. Jeremy and Candy don't want you talking to strangers."
"He's not a stranger. He's my friend, Rick."
"Whatever," Chris says as he rolls his eyes and sits down.
Later at supper, the Bolt family is sitting at the table talking and enjoying their meal.
"How was fishing today?" Jeremy asks his son and Chris.
"Pretty good," Chris answers. "Caught about twelve."
"Yeah, we gave them to Grandma Lottie," Johnny beams.
"That was a nice thing to do," Candy says.
"That's what Grandma Lottie said, too," Johnny remarks. "I made a new friend today. His name is Rick." Johnny feels his Uncle Chris kick him under the table. He looks at Chris and sees him slightly shake his head no. "That's all."
Everyone looks at Johnny with confused looks. After a few moments of silence, Jeremy clears his throat while wiping his mouth. He looks at Candy bracing himself for her reaction when he tells her the news. "Jason informed me that I will have to go to Tacoma for a few days. Chris. . . . ."
"No, Jeremy," Candy moans. "Can't it wait a few more weeks? At least until Dr. Wright says I'm ready to resume my household duties. There's still so much I can't do without your help."
"I'm sorry, Candy. I tried to get Jason to postpone the trip, but he says we need those supplies now. Plus there's a bidding coming up for a big job. We plan on winning that contract." He sees that Candy is about to cry. "Please don't be upset," he says as he leans over and takes her hand in his. He squeezes her hand and then kisses her fingertips.
"What am I suppose to do?"
"Chris can take my place. He's strong enough to do whatever you need him to do."
Chris's mouth drops open. "What? You mean I can't go to the logging camp? I have to stay here at home?"
"I'm sure Candy won't need you the whole day. You can work half the day. Then come home for lunch and do whatever she needs you to do. You can go back to the camp afterwards."
"That don't seem too bad," Chris shrugs.
"Candy, does that sound all right with you?" Jeremy asks.
"I guess it will have to be all right. So, when do you leave?"
"Day after tomorrow. I'll be back home late Friday." Seeing her chin start to quiver, he adds, "Everything will be okay. It's just a couple of days."
"I know," she says forcing a smile.
Jeremy adds, "Johnny, I want you to stay close to home until I get back. Mama might need you before Chris arrives. Can I depend on you to be a big boy and take care of your Mama and sister?"
"You mean I'm in charge?"
"Well, sort of. Mama is still in charge, but you'll be the man of the house."
"Until I get home," Chris boasts. "Then I'll be the man of the house."
"Let's have no arguing about it. Candy will need both of you. Understand? Can I count on the two of you?"
"Yes, Papa," Johnny says at the same time Chris says, "Sure Jeremy."
CHAPTER 6
The next day, Johnny is once again fishing at his favorite spot when Rick rides up and dismounts. "Hey, Johnny Boy! Caught'em all yet?" Rick chuckles.
"Nah, they're not hungry today. Only caught three so far." He pulls his string of fish from the water to show Rick, then plops them back in the water. "You want a pole?"
"I don't think so. Not today. Maybe tomorrow."
Johnny looks sad. "I won't be here tomorrow, or the next day, or the next day."
"How come?"
"Papa says I have to stay home to help Mama."
"Oh, help your Mama do what exactly?"
Johnny shrugs. "I don't know. Whatever she wants me to do."
"I figured your Mama was the kind of woman that could manage to do everything by herself."
"She can. She's not afraid of tryin' anything. But. . .she had a baby and she's not healed yet. She can't do liftin' or stoopin'. I gotta do that for her."
"Don't sound like much fun. A baby, you say. Boy or girl?"
With a frown Johnny says, "A girl. Jessica Ann. Jessie or Jess for short."
"Must be nice to have a little sister. I only had four older brothers."
"I'd rather have a brother. All Jessie does is eat, sleep, poop, and cry. She cries an awful lot."
Rick laughs. "Well, who's with your Mama doing all the lifting and stooping right now?"
"Papa is. He's home packin'. He's stayin' home till I get back, then he'll go to the camp."
Upon hearing that Jeremy is packing, Rick becomes more interested in what the boy is saying. "Your Papa is packing? Why? Is he moving out?"
"Nah, he'll never move out. They love each other. All they do is that mushy stuff, you know huggin' and kissin'."
Rick makes a growling noise. "Why is he packing then?"
"He has to go to Tacoma. To get supplies. And there's a biddin' that he has to be there for. He's not happy havin' to stay away from Mama that long."
"I see. How long is he going to be gone?"
"I think he said he'd be back by Friday."
"Friday, huh? When's he leaving for Tacoma?"
"Tomorrow mornin'." Johnny pulls in a small fish. "Shoot! He's too little to keep." He takes the fish off the hook and gently places him back in the water. "Go grow some more," he laughs.
"Tell me Johnny Boy, where's your Mama's sister Molly? Why is she not helping your Mama?"
"She has a job helpin' Mr. Perkins in his store." He looks at Rick funny like. "Hey, how do you know Mama has a sister?"
"Oh, I heard it in town somewhere. Not important." Boy, I gotta be more careful. Almost blew it, he thinks to himself. "You said you had an Uncle Chris. Does he not help your Mama?"
"He works up at the loggin' camp with Papa. Papa told Uncle Chris to come home for lunch and help Mama do the stuff I can't do. Then he can go back to work."
"Sounds like your old man has it all worked out."
"Yep, Papa is a smart man. The smartest man I know."
Rick sneers, "Yeah, right." He pats Johnny on the head. "Well, I better get going. I have plans to make. Maybe I'll see you soon."
"Okay. But it won't be til Saturday. Bye."
Rick mounts his horse thinking, That's what you think.
CHAPTER 7
Morning comes too early for Jeremy and Candy. After some heavy snuggling, caressing, and smooching, Candy says, "I need to get up before we do something we shouldn't. I'll be so glad when Allyn says we can continue with our sex life." She arises and begins to get dressed.
"You? How do you think I feel? I want you so badly it hurts," he playfully tries to pull her back into bed.
"Jeremy! Stop it! You know we can't! Get up and get dressed. Corky will be here soon." She blows him a kiss as she rushes from the room to go downstairs to fix breakfast.
After they eat a hearty breakfast, Jeremy goes to saddle his horse, Brownie. He tells Molly, Chris, and Jessie bye. "Remember what I said boys. You are to take good care of the ladies. No matter what happens, they are to be your first priority. Understand?"
"Yes, Jeremy," Chris replies.
"Yes, Papa. Papa, what does piarty mean?"
Jeremy chuckles. "Priority. It means most important. Like your Mama, sister, and aunt are the most important things we have. Take good care of them."
"Okay, Papa. I will."
Jeremy lifts Johnny up and gives him a big hug. "I'm sorry you have to stay around here all day. I know you'd rather be fishing or playing with your new friend. But it's only for a few days. I'll make it up to you when I get back. I love you, son."
"I love you too, Papa." They give each other a kiss and Jeremy sets him back down.
Jeremy places his arm around Candy as they walk outside to wait for Corky. Candy begins to fidget with his collar just to have something to do so she won't cry. "You take care of yourself, you hear? And come back home as soon as possible. Oh Jeremy, I'm going to miss you so much."
"I'll miss you, too. Don't worry about me, all right? I'll be fine. I love you." He kisses her tenderly on her lips. They hear the wagon coming towards the house. He turns his head and says, "Morning, Corky. Ready to hit the road?"
"I am. You ready? Morning, Candy. Don't worry about Jeremy. I'll take good care of him for you."
"You better. And take care of yourself, too."
Jeremy and Candy embrace and kiss again. "I love you, Jeremy."
"I love you, too. See you in a few days. Remember if you need anything, send word to Jason and Josh."
"I will." Another quick kiss.
Jeremy mounts Brownie, gives a full fledged grin and a wave. Then they ride off as Candy watches them leave. She sighs heavily, then goes inside.
Biddie comes over to spend the day with Candy knowing that she is lonely for her husband. When Chris gets home, Biddie leaves but not before telling her, "I'm sorry Candy. I won't be able to come over tomorrow. I have to work at the hotel. Thank goodness Molly was able to watch the front desk for me today."
"That's all right, Biddie. I enjoyed spending the day with you, but I don't need a babysitter. I'm quite capable of being by myself. Besides, Johnny will be here in case I need something. He's such a big help."
"I'm sure he is. Well, I'll be going, but I'll check in with you in a day or two. You take care."
Biddie and Candy hug. "You take care, too. Bye."
CHAPTER 8
The next day, Candy fixes breakfast for her siblings and Johnny. Molly goes off to her job at Ben's store and Chris goes to the camp, telling Candy that he'll be back for lunch.
Candy is in the parlor having just fed Jessie. She places her in the cradle, then sits down to do a little mending. Johnny is putting a puzzle together on the floor. There is a knock on the door.
"For heaven's sake. Who could that be?" Candy asks of no one.
Johnny jumps up and runs to the door. "I'll get it!" he yells.
Johnny opens the door and bursts out in a big grin. "What are you doing here?"
"I thought I'd drop by and see my friend, Johnny Boy. How you doing?"
Candy calls out, "Johnny, who is it?"
"It's Rick, my friend."
Eager to meet Johnny's new friend, she says, "Well, invite him in. I'd like to meet your friend."
Johnny and Rick walk into the parlor. "Here he is, Mama."
Candy looks up from her work and is shocked at who she sees. "Richard! This is your friend?"
"It sure is."
Candy throws her work down and stands. Grabbing Johnny by the arm, she brings him close to her. "He is no friend. He's the. . .he's the devil."
"Now Candy Honey, how can you say that? That hurts my feelings," Richard smirks.
"Feelings? You don't have any feelings. I want you out of my house, now!"
"Mama, no, why you yelling at my friend?" Johnny whines.
Candy leans over to Johnny. "This man is no friend. He's an evil person and I don't want him near you."
"You know Rick?"
"Johnny, listen to me. His name is not Rick. His name is Richard Holiday, also known as Rafe or The Kid. He has done some awful things. He's a thief and a killer. He almost killed your Uncle Joshua and your Papa. He has to leave!"
Johnny looks at Richard. "You tried to kill my Papa? Why?"
Richard shrugs like no big deal. "He had something I wanted."
"What did he have?"
Richard grins, "Your Mama." He walks over to look at Jessie. "Cute kid. At least she looks more like you. Johnny Boy looks too much like Bolt. Poor kid." He then sits down on the settee. "Have a seat. Let's talk."
"I'm not sitting with you pretending like we're friends. You need to leave before Jeremy gets home. He's coming home for lunch and he won't be happy to see you here."
"Aww, now Candy Honey, we both know that's a lie. I know he's gone to Tacoma and not expected back until Friday."
"How do you know that?" Candy asks angrily. She turns towards her son. "Johnny, did you tell him that?"
"Yes, Mama. I didn't know it was a secret. Are you mad at me?" his eyes fill with tears.
She places her hand on top of his head. "No, Sweetheart, I'm not mad at you. Everything is going to be all right. Or it will be when he leaves."
Standing as erect as she can get, she places her hands on her hips and asks sternly, "All right, Richard. Just what is it that you want?"
"What I always have wanted. You, Candy Honey."
"I'm not available. As you well know, Jeremy and I are happily married with two wonderful children. You need to move on."
Richard looks at Johnny. "Johnny Boy, I'm thirsty. How about fetching your friend here something to drink? I'm sure your old man has a bottle of whiskey around here somewhere. Go get it!"
Johnny looks up at his Mama. She says, "Forget it, Johnny. If Richard is thirsty, he knows where the horse trough is."
Richard chuckles. "That's funny. Glad to see you still have a good sense of humor." He walks over to Candy and brushes his finger against her cheek. She slaps his hand away. "I'm going to tell you what's going to happen. You're coming with me. The kids stay here."
"I'm not going anywhere with you."
"You come with me willingly or I get rid of your brats". . .he pauses, then using his fingers like a gun he points at them and goes, 'pop, pop'. "Bolt will hate you."
"Jeremy will not hate me. He knows I would never leave him and the children, especially for you."
"When he finds out that you could have saved his kids, he'll turn on you. He'll probably leave you for revenge."
"No! He knows how much I love our children. He knows how much I love him. Richard please, you can't hurt them."
"That's up to you, Candy Honey. You do as I say and your brats will be okay. Understand? Now, as I was saying, you and me will go off somewhere, where no one will ever find us."
"Jeremy will find us. You know him. He'll never give up looking for me. You know that."
"You better hope he does because this time I will kill him. He doesn't get another chance. Go get what you need and lets go before Chris gets home. Yes, I know Chris is coming home for lunch."
"But my kids need me. They need their Mama. I mean Jessie is not even a month old yet. She needs me to feed her. And Johnny is at the age that he needs his Mama's love. You can't take me away from them."
Richard thinks about it. "All right, I'm not completely heartless. You can take one of them. The other one stays here. Your choice."
"I can't make that choice. They both need me. I need both of them."
"Mama!" Johnny cries.
"Hurry up, choose! I don't have all day!" Richard shouts.
"But. . ."
Richard grasps her arm tightly, then slaps her across the mouth. "You listen to me girl. You're going to be mine," he snaps.
"Don't hurt my Mama!" Johnny yells as he hits Richard's legs over and over.
Richard lets go of Candy and grabs the boy twisting his arm.
Johnny cries, "Ow, that hurts! Mama! Help me Mama!"
Candy begs, "Please Richard, don't hurt him. I'll go with you. Just don't hurt my children."
Richard lets go of Johnny. "Now, that's more like it. Get a move on. We need to be going."
Candy takes Johnny over to the settee and sits down. She holds him in her arms. "Johnny, I want you to listen to me. I love you with all my heart. You believe that, don't you?" Johnny nods his head as he cries. "This is so hard to do. I don't want to go, but I have no choice. I have to go to save you, Jessie, and your Papa. Richard means it when he says he'll kill all of you." She wipes her eyes on her sleeve. "You know how I have to feed Jessie. No one else can do it. She'll starve to death if I'm not with her. Understand?" He nods his head. "I'm taking Jessie with me, and you'll stay here with your Papa."
"No! Mama, you can't leave me!" Johnny cries.
"Johnny, my sweet boy. Papa needs you. Please take care of each other. Always remember, I love you." She hugs him tightly. Kisses his forehead, his cheek, and his lips. She places him on the settee and stands. She grabs a bag and stuffs it with Jessie's diapers, some clothes, a blanket. She starts to stuff more in the bag.
"Whoa! That's enough. You don't need to take all that," Richard says.
"Obviously, you've never been around a baby before."
"I'll get you whatever else you need. Get the kid and lets go!"
Candy picks Jessie up in her arms and looks at Johnny who has curled up on the settee staring at her with big sobs. How can I do this to him? Just look at that face.
"Ma-ma-ma!" Johnny wails. "Ma-mama!"
As Richard pushes her from the room, he says, "Sorry kid, but my needs are more important than yours. You'll forget her someday."
Johnny jumps up and starts hitting Richard. "I hate you! I hate you!"
"Yeah well, join the crowd." He pushes Johnny down and he hits his head on a big rock that serves as a doorstop. Johnny is knocked out.
"Johnny!" Candy shouts as she sees him lying there bleeding from a head wound. "Johnny!" She tries to turn around to go check on him, but Richard drags her from the house. He forces her to mount the horse he has tied up in back of the house. He mounts his horse while holding the reins of both horses. They gallop away.
CHAPTER 9
Chris gets home for lunch coming in the back door into the kitchen. "Candy! Candy, I'm home!" He notices there's no food ready. Not even the scent of food that has been prepared. "Candy! Did you forget to fix lunch?" he yells as he steps into the hallway. He sees Johnny crumpled up on the floor, blood coming from a gash on his forehead.
He stoops and shakes him. "Johnny! Johnny, wake up! Where's Candy?" He jumps up and runs through the house calling for his sister. He goes back to Johnny, picks him up, and runs to the clinic.
"Dr. Wright! Hurry!" Chris calls out.
Rachel, who is Dr. Wright's nurse, instructs him to go into exam room 2. Allyn runs into the room right afterwards. "Christopher, what happened?" she asks as she immediately starts to work on Johnny.
"I-I don't know. I came home for lunch and found him like this in the hallway."
"Where's Candy?"
"I don't know that either. She wasn't there. Neither was Jessie. Allyn, Johnny is going to be all right, isn't he?"
"I'm sure he will be. I need to get him checked over and cleaned up. While I do that, you need to go find his Papa."
"Jeremy left yesterday for Tacoma. He's not back yet."
Allyn sighs heavily. "All right. Go to the hotel and see if Biddie has seen Candy. If Candy's not there, then go get his uncles, Jason and Joshua."
"Okay!" Chris shouts as he runs from the clinic.
Having no luck at the hotel, he arrives at the camp seeing Jason and Josh sitting down by the water eating their lunch. "Jason! Josh!" he shouts.
"That was fast," Josh jokes. "Candy not have anything good to eat?"
"Candy wasn't there. Neither was Jessie. Johnny was laying on the floor bleeding. He's unconscious. Allyn wants you two at the clinic," Chris pants, out of breath.
Jason and Josh drop their plates and they all three take off running towards town. As they run by the men, Jason yells, "Swede, you're in charge!"
The two men make quite a commotion entering the clinic. Rachel meets them at the exam room door. "Dr. Wright will be out shortly. Have a seat."
"Rachel, what happened?" Josh asks.
"I can't answer that, Joshua. We don't know what happened."
"But he is going to be all right, isn't he?" Jason asks.
"You'll have to wait until Allyn gets finished with her exam. Where's Christopher?"
"He stopped off at Ben's to tell Molly," Josh replies.
"Candy? Where is Candy? It's not like her to leave Johnny home by himself," Jason says.
Chris and Molly rush into the clinic. "Nobody knows where Candy is."
Dr. Wright comes out of the exam room. "Glad you're here."
"How is Johnny?" Jason questions.
"He has a slight concussion and a large gash on his forehead. I cleaned it and stitched it shut."
"Is he awake? Has he said what happened? Where his Mama is?" Josh asks.
"Johnny is awake. He hasn't said anything about what happened. He just lays there and cries for his Papa. When is Jeremy to be back?"
"Not till Friday," Jason answers. "Josh, you stay here with Johnny. I'm going over to Ben's to send a wire to Jeremy. Tell him to forget about the bid. He needs to get home fast. His family needs him."
CHAPTER 10
After riding for quite some time and distance, Richard stops to rest the horses. "All right, Candy Honey, we're going to rest here awhile. No need overworking our horses." He dismounts and helps her and the baby down. "I'll fix us a quick bite to eat. You can sit over on that log."
"Richard, I'm tired of sitting. All I need is to take care of mine and Jessie's personal needs. Then I just want to walk around awhile. Will you hold Jessie so I can go over there?" she indicates behind some bushes using her fingers.
"I don't know how to hold a baby." He looks at her with a questionable look. "You won't try to run off, will you?"
"And leave Jessie here with you? You must be crazy. I'll be right back." She hands the baby over to him and rushes behind the bushes.
"Hurry Candy Honey! I don't think she likes me!" he shouts as Jessie begins to cry.
"Nobody does! But I'll be there in a minute! Walk around with her!" She finishes and returns to their rest spot. "That wasn't so bad, was it?" she asks as she takes Jessie from him.
"Whatever." He gets some food together from his knapsack. "I have some fried fatback and some biscuits. Here eat something." He hands her a plate with the food.
"I don't want anything, Richard. All I want is to go home. I'm worried sick about Johnny. You didn't need to push him. What if he's hurt badly? What if he died?" Tears roll down her cheeks.
"Aww, I'm sure he's all right. If he's like his old man, he'll never give up that easily. I said to eat. I don't want you passing out on me. We don't have too far to go yet."
Candy takes a bite of her food. "Where are we going? To that cave you took me to the first time?"
"Nah, I know that's the first place they'll look. I have a different cave all ready and waiting for our arrival. You'll like this one better. But don't get your hopes up that Bolt will find it. It's well secluded. He'll never find this one."
"So, we're going to live in a cave? I don't like caves. They're dirty and damp. They're not good places for a baby to live. If I have to stay with you, then I want a house. A real honest to goodness house."
"You don't get to call the shots, Candy Honey. You'll do as you're told. Now, hurry up and eat so we can get going." He turns and walks over to the horses to check them out.
As he does, Candy silently mimics him saying, You'll do as you're told. And sticks her tongue out at him.
XXX
In the early morning hours, Josh sits outside on the porch of the hotel waiting for his little brother to arrive back in Seattle. Just as he is about to nod off, he hears a horse coming into the square at breakneck speed. Josh runs out in front of the rider to stop him. It's Jeremy.
"Josh! That was a foolish thing to do. I could have run you over," Jeremy says as he stops just in time.
"Never mind that. Come with me."
"Where? What's happened? Are Candy and the kids all right?" Jeremy asks as he dismounts.
"I'll tell you, but you may want to sit down first."
"All I've been doing is sitting. Just tell me!"
"All right, hmmm, but Jason wants to tell you."
"Well, where the hell is Jason? Come on, somebody tell me something! I'm going out of my mind with worry!"
"Jason is inside the clinic with. . . with Johnny."
"Johnny? What happened to him? Where's Candy? Is she with Johnny?" He runs to the clinic and yells, "Johnny? Candy, where are you?"
Jason comes out and meets him in the hallway. "Jeremy, so glad you're here. Did Josh tell you?"
"No, he said you would tell me. Jason, where's Candy and what is wrong with Johnny?"
"Let me start at the beginning. You want to sit?" Seeing that Jeremy is going to stand, he begins. "Well, Chris went home for lunch yesterday just like he told you he would. When he walked in, he saw Johnny laying on the floor in the hallway. He was unconscious. He also was bleeding from a big gash on his forehead."
"Where was Candy?"
"Chris looked everywhere for her, calling her name. Jeremy, Candy wasn't there. Neither was Jessie. So Chris ran with Johnny to bring him here. Allyn cleaned him up and sewed his gash shut. She said Johnny has a small concussion."
"I can't believe Candy left him home alone. That's not like her. Where is she?" Jeremy asks angrily.
"We don't know. No one has seen her since yesterday morning. It's like she just vanished into thin air."
"And took Jessie with her," Josh adds.
Jeremy runs his hands through his hair in disbelief. "Johnny? Did he say what happened?"
"I'm afraid not. When he was waking up, Allyn said he called out for his Mama. Told her not to leave him. But now, he won't talk, except to call for his Papa."
Allyn comes up beside Jeremy. "I thought I heard you. So glad you're here, Jeremy. Johnny has been calling for you. He won't even acknowledge any of us."
"Can I see him?"
"Sure. He's back there in room one."
Jeremy hurries to the room. He sees his son on the bed, all curled up into a ball, rocking himself back and forth. He's saying, "Papa. I want Papa," over and over again. Jeremy sits on the bed and tries to lift Johnny up into his arms. Johnny fights back. "Whoa, Johnny. It's me, your Papa."
Johnny stops fighting him, looks at him, and throws his arms around Jeremy's neck. "Papa! Papa!"
"Yes, I'm here. Everything will be all right." He kisses Johnny on the head as he holds him tight. "I love you, son."
Johnny bursts out sobbing while clinging to his Papa. Jeremy cries silently along with him. After Johnny calms down, Jeremy tries to lay him back down on the bed. Johnny continues to cling to his Papa. "Johnny, lay down and talk to me. Can you tell me what happened? Can you tell me where your Mama is at? Where's Jessie?"
Johnny clings to Jeremy and jumps back into his arms as his sobbing starts again. Jeremy rocks him back and forth trying to soothe him. "If you'll lay down and get some rest, I'll lay with you. How's that?"
Johnny nods his head. Jeremy lays his son down, then he lays down beside him holding him. "Close your eyes, Johnny. Go to sleep. I'm here and nothing is going to hurt you."
After a few minutes, Johnny is sound asleep. Jeremy, very gently gets up. He covers his son with a blanket. He looks at Johnny and lets out a big sigh. He has to know what happened to traumatize his little boy. And what happened to his wife and daughter.
CHAPTER 11
Jeremy talks with his brothers while standing in the doorway so he can still watch over Johnny. "Where can Candy be?" he worriedly asks.
"Don't worry. We've sent the men out to look for her," Josh says.
Jeremy gives Josh a frown. "But why did she leave with Johnny being hurt? Or did she leave, then Johnny got hurt?" He rubs his hands over his face. "Damn it! I need some answers!"
Jason puts his hand on Jeremy's shoulder. "I know you do. We all do. When Johnny wakes up, maybe he can tell you what happened."
"I hope so. This is killing me." He sees Johnny stirring. "I better get back over to him before he wakes up. Keep me informed if you hear anything."
A couple days go by and Jeremy still hasn't heard anything about his wife and baby daughter. He wants to go search for her, but Johnny won't let him out of his sight. He won't answer any of Jeremy's questions about what happened. Jeremy is at his wit's end.
"Johnny, how would you like to go with me for a ride?" he asks one day.
"Where to?"
"Oh, just around. Thought maybe we'd just ride around the area. Maybe if we feel like it, we could camp out and ride around some more the next day. How about it?" he asks holding his breath.
"I don't think so." Johnny hangs his head sadly.
"Why? We'd have fun."
"Maybe."
"Sure, we'll make camp and do some fishing. Cook the fish for supper. Now, don't that sound like fun?" he asks hopefully. If this is the only way he can get out there and look for Candy, then so be it. "We can ask Uncle Jason and Uncle Josh to go with us. Make it a men's day. Come on pal. We need to get away from here for awhile."
Johnny asks, "You'll stay with me? You won't leave me?"
Jeremy sits Johnny on his knee and hugs him. "I promise I'll stay with you. I won't leave you."
"Okay. I'll go." He throws his arms around his Papa and hugs him. "I love you, Papa."
"I love you too, son." You're all I have left, Jeremy thinks to himself. I won't lose you, too.
XXX
"Morning, Candy Honey," Richard says as Candy wakes up. "How did you sleep?"
"Richard, I can't take much more of this hard ground. I need my bed."
"All right, go home." He smirks before adding, "But the little one stays here with me."
"I can't leave Jessie here with you! You wouldn't take care of her. Plus, I'd never leave my child."
"You left Johnny Boy. Isn't he your child?"
"You gave me no choice. At least I knew he would be safe with Jeremy."
"Keep telling yourself that." He claps his hands together. "Now, what do you want to do today? We can go for a walk, go on a picnic, stay in here and mope. See, I'm giving you more choices."
"Lucky me," she groans.
Richard squats down in front of Candy. "Look, Candy Honey, we've been here a couple days. You might as well get used to it and start enjoying our life together. I'm a patient man, but when the time comes that you're all better, well, I expect to get my reward. What is it, a few more days until you're all healed?"
"A week," she answers hoping that he'll believe her. Surely Jeremy can find her in a week.
"A week?" he grins. "That'll give you time to warm up to me. And I know you will, if you only give yourself a chance. I'm really a nice guy. I'm fun, I can be very romantic, and just look at me. I'm a handsome dude. Better looking than Bolt." He places his hand on hers. "Give me a chance, Candy Honey. I'll make it worth your while." He stands up and walks out of the cave.
Candy sits there and folds her hands in prayer. Oh dear Lord, help me. Help me and Jessie get out of here and back home to Jeremy and Johnny. I have a plan to get us out of here. Forgive me for what I'm about to do. I only hope Jeremy can forgive me, too. Amen.
CHAPTER 12
For the next few days, Candy is nicer to Richard. He notices the difference and one day he asks, "Candy Honey, what's up? Why you being nice to me?"
Candy lays Jessie down after her feeding. "Richard, would you sit down and talk to me? I think we have a lot to discuss."
Richard sits. "All right, what's wrong now? Let me have it."
Candy smiles demurely. "Oh Richard, there's nothing wrong. I was just wondering if you would let me and Jessie go home. Aren't you tired of us?"
"You should know better than to ask me that. The answer is no!" He begins to get up.
Candy grabs his arm to stop him. "No Richard, please don't go. I had to ask you that before I told you what's on my mind. Please."
He sits back down. "All right. What is it?"
"Well, you just confirmed that I can't go home. So with that said, I guess I'll just have to change my way of thinking. First, I want you to know that I love Jeremy. I always will, but. . .but I realize that you'll never let me go home to him. In that case, I want to know if you could become a Papa to Jessie? Can you treat her with kindness, protect her, and love her as your own? If you can do that then I see a life together for you and me."
Richard is taken aback. "What are you trying to pull?"
"Nothing. I just realize that if I have to stay here, then I want us to be a real family. I can't live how we're living now. It may take me a while to warm up to you, but if you treat me and my child right, then I think I can grow to care for you."
Richard looks at her skeptically. "I don't know if I trust you or not." He thinks about it. "Wait! I see what you're trying to pull. You think if you divorce Bolt, you'll have to go to town to a lawyer. That's when you'll pull your escape. Nah, no way!"
"Who said anything about a divorce? I'm willing to live with you like a married couple would. Divorce or no divorce from Jeremy."
"Why? I still think you're trying to pull one over on me."
"Richard, isn't this what you've been wanting. Me as your wife, your lover. The mother to your children. I only have one condition."
"I knew you were up to something. What's the condition?"
"My condition is that you will leave Jeremy and Johnny alone. You will forget about ever hurting them. If by chance Jeremy ever does find us, you will not kill him. You will not harm one hair on his head."
"Oh, I'm just suppose to let him shoot me instead, huh?"
"No, if I ever see Jeremy again, I will tell him that him and I are over. I'm with you now in every sense of the word. He'll hate me so much that he will divorce me. And that will be the end of the Jeremy and Candy love story."
"And why are you willing to do this again?"
"I told you. I love Jeremy and always will. But I am willing to give him up and live with you if you'll promise to not hurt him. Leave him alone and let him raise his son with someone that he can love and trust and be happy with. I want Jeremy to be safe. Do we have a deal?"
"So, you're willing to give up your life to save Bolt's. Is that what you're saying? You love him that much?"
"Yes, I do. I thought you got that message the first time you kidnapped me. Jeremy and I are soulmates. We love each other dearly. I would do anything to save him. Even commit myself to a life with you."
"Let me think on it." He jumps up and hurries out of the cave.
Candy thinks, You sorry SOB. You think on it. You take all the time you want to think on it. Jeremy, please. Don't give up on me.
XXX
Johnny still won't talk about what happened. Jeremy continually asks but Johnny shuts down. One day Jeremy takes Johnny fishing hoping to talk with him about the event. They're sitting on the bank with fishing poles in hand. Jeremy watches his son closely. He tries to think of how to broach the subject without Johnny getting upset. His friend. I'll ask about his friend first. Here goes.
"Johnny, you haven't seen your friend lately. What was his name? Rick?"
No response from Johnny. But Jeremy did notice him tense up a little.
"Why don't you ask Rick to come fishing with us? I'm sure he would be glad to see you again."
"Can't."
"Why not? Did the two of you have a disagreement?" Jeremy pauses. "I never have met him. I'd like to meet your friend."
"He's the devil."
Jeremy was shocked by that statement. "What do you mean, he's the devil? Did he do something to hurt you?" He waits for a response. "Come on, son. You can tell me. Why is he the devil?"
"Mama said he was."
"Your Mama said that! She met him. Candy met him? When? She never told me she met him. Why would she say such a thing?"
"She said he was a evil person."
"Did she say that in front of Rick?"
Johnny nods his head yes.
"I don't believe it. Candy would never say that. What did Rick do?"
"He laughed. Can we talk about something else? I don't want to talk about Mama no more."
"Why? Johnny, you know your Mama loves you very much, don't you?"
"She left m-m-mee," he says as tears run down his chubby little cheeks.
Jeremy lays his pole down and puts an arm around his son. "I'm sorry about that. I'm sure she's sorry, too. Do you know where she went?"
"She went with my friend. She went with him and left me." He begins to sob.
Jeremy takes the pole from Johnny's hand and lays it down. He pulls his son into his arms to comfort him. "Again, do you know where they went?"
Johnny rubs his nose on Jeremy's shoulder. He shakes his head. "Don't know. Don't care. I only want you, Papa."
Jeremy squeezes his son. "It's all right. I want you, too." And your Mama and sister.