THE DEVIL PAYS A VISIT
CHAPTER 13
For the next few days, Candy plays a little game with Richard, without him knowing it's a game. He thinks she is really warming up to him. She prepares a nice meal for the two of them. Then they sit by the firepit and have a hot cup of coffee while they talk and get to know each other. She always places the coffeepot on the grate over the open firepit. Next she has him lay down to relax beside the firepit so he can stay warm while she massages his shoulders. Then she sits close beside him and tells him to close his eyes. Playfully she pulls her blouse down off her shoulder or unbuttons a button or two on her blouse or something that will entice him. Then she tells him to open his eyes wide to see his surprise. She teases him with a kiss to her finger which she then places on his lips while telling him the big day will soon be here. That's when she will be healed.
When the day comes that she is going to make her move, she waits for him to leave to go hunt some game for their meal. While he's out, she dresses in the outfit she wore when he kidnapped her. She wants nothing more to do with the clothes he gave her. She packs up all their belongings which isn't much, mostly Jessie's diapers and clothing. She packs some food and water. Then she hides it so Richard can't see it. She lays out a few items she will need in her charade. Afterwards, she feeds Jessie and talks to her quietly. "Today's the day, sweet girl. Today we get out of here and go home to be with your Papa and brother. Oh, this better work. If it doesn't, he'll kill us both. But I'll protect you as much as I can. I'm not going down without a fight. Wish me luck, sweetie. Mama loves you." She kisses Jessie and lays her down out of harm's way.
A little later Richard comes back with a skinned rabbit. Candy gets the big cast iron skillet and places it on the fire. She fries the rabbit and prepares some greens that she picked right outside the cave. After they eat, she cleans their plates and skillet. Then she pours them both a cup of coffee placing the coffeepot back on the fire like she always does. They talk and laugh. She has gained his trust.
"All right, Richard, it's time for your massage. I have a special treat for you at the end."
Richard says, "What is it? When are you going to be healed again?"
"Soon. But tonight's treat is something you will never forget. Let me check on Jessie, then we'll begin."
"Bring it on!"
She checks to be sure Jessie is all right, then she goes back and begins her massage. She takes her time with the massage, talking sweetly and seductively. When finished, she sits down next to him and says, "Close your eyes. And no peaking. You're really going to like this treat. Give me just a second to get my. . .to get it where I need it to be. Are you peaking?"
"No. Hurry!"
"Almost there." She says a quick silent prayer. "Are you ready?"
"I'm ready!" Richard says excitedly.
"Okay, open your eyes wide."
As his eyes open, scalding hot coffee is poured in his eyes and on his face.
He screams, "Argggggggg! You bitch! I'll kill you for this." He struggles to get up. "I can't see. Where are you, bitch?"
Candy jumps up and grabs the cast iron skillet. Hitting him over the head, she drops him back down to the ground. She hits him again. He is out cold. Looking at his face. She sees big blisters already forming around his eyes, his nose, and on his cheeks. "Oh my, you're not such a handsome dude now, are you?" she laughs.
She hurries and ties his hands, then his feet. She gets her packed items and ties them to the spare horse. She's all set to go. Richard begins to moan.
"Uhhhhh," he groans.
Standing close to him, she says, "You honestly thought I would give myself to you? You have been nothing but trouble ever since Jeremy brought you to Seattle. Well, it ends now. You better hope Johnny is all right. If he isn't, I'll come back and finish you off myself."
"Aaugh!" he moans and groans.
Seeing his gun laying close by, she picks it up and points it at him. "Maybe I shouldn't do this, but you have it coming." Candy pulls the trigger and shoots him in his right leg.
"Arggggggggg!" he yells.
She shoots him again in the same leg watching as he passes out again. "That is for you shooting Jeremy in the leg and trying to kill him. Now leave me and my family alone. We never want to see you again."
She tucks the gun in the saddlebag on Richard's horse. Then she ties a large piece of cloth around her neck and places it over her shoulder like a sling. She places Jessie inside of it. "Snug as a bug in a rug," she giggles. "Jessie, let's go home."
She mounts Richard's horse and gets settled in the saddle. She grabs the reins of the other horse and off they go down the mountain leaving Richard all alone. She doesn't care if he dies a slow and painful death.
CHAPTER 14
Jeremy hasn't been back to work since he returned to Seattle. He can't get out of Johnny's sight without causing the boy to have a melt down. Jason and Joshua stop by to see their brother. They find him outside watching Johnny try to catch a butterfly.
Seeing his brothers ride up, Jeremy breaks out with a big smile. "Hey Jason, Josh. What brings you by?"
"We just thought we'd stop and see our favorite little brother," Josh teases.
"Glad you did. I'm going crazy sitting here all day and night. I want to go search for Candy but every time I mention it, Johnny curls up into a ball and sobs. He thinks I'm abandoning him like Candy did. I can't put him through that. Plus, I don't even know where to begin to search for her."
"Has Johnny not said anything about what happened that day?" Jason asks.
"Yeah, I finally got him to talk about it some. He said his new friend Rick came over. Candy called him the devil. Said he was an evil person."
"Candy honestly told a little boy that? Why?" Josh asks.
"That doesn't sound like something Candy would do," Jason says.
"I know, but according to Johnny that's what she did," Jeremy replies. "Have you heard of a new little boy around here named Rick? I thought I would pay him a visit but Johnny doesn't know where he lives. And no one seems to know him."
"No, and I haven't heard of any new families moving in. You don't think Johnny made Rick up, do you? You know like an imaginary friend," Jason suggests.
Jeremy mulls this over. "I don't think so. I mean, if Rick was made up, why would he say Candy went with him."
"Why would Candy go somewhere with a child and leave her own child behind? Something is not adding up," Josh comments.
Jeremy looks at his son. "Look at him. He tries so hard to be happy. He says he doesn't want to talk about his Mama. But at night, I sometimes find him looking at her picture as he cries silently. He misses her, but he won't admit it." They watch Johnny for awhile. "I don't know what to do. If Candy was forced to leave, she must think I'm looking for her. When she finds out, I didn't look for her like I did before, well, what is she going to think of me? I feel like I'm letting her down."
"Jeremy, I think Candy will understand. She would want you to take care of Johnny first and foremost."
"I hope so. But I've got to change his mind so I can look for her. I love her and I want her to come back home."
X X X
Candy gets to the flat land below the mountain. She stops and looks around. Checking on Jessie, she says, "Oh my Jessie, I don't know where we are. Which way should we go? If I can find some kind of town, I can wire Jeremy. But where is the nearest town from here." She sighs loudly. "Well, I say we go that way. You better hope your Mama made the right decision," she laughs nervously.
CHAPTER 15
Candy travels on for a couple hours. Looking at the sky, she tells Jessie or maybe its herself, "It'll be getting dark soon. I was hoping we would come to a town before nightfall. I'm not keen on staying out in the middle of nowhere alone at night. But it can't be helped. I better look for a good spot to stop." She peeks in the sling at Jessie. "Hey there, sweetheart. How's Mama's girl? You getting hungry? It shouldn't be much longer until we stop for the night." She rides on until she spots a nice little creek beside the road. She stops to water the horses. To Jessie she says, "Sorry baby girl, we can't stay here. I'm afraid someone else may want to stop here to water their horses. We can't take any chances." She rides on and sees a perfect spot underneath some trees.
The next morning as they ride along, she notices the darkening sky. She rides on as raindrops begin to fall, so she decides to make a stop to get out of the rain. In her hurry to get out of the rain, she loosely ties the horses, then takes the bedroll and the other belongings over to some trees. She spreads the bedroll to sit on as she changes Jessie, then begins to nurse her. The rain starts coming down harder and there is a blinding flash of lightening followed by a deafening roar of thunder, enough to frighten the horses. They rear up and break loose, running away.
"No!" Candy screams at them as she jumps up. "Come back!" She watches them gallop off as tears flood her eyes. "Now what?" she asks of no one. Dejected, she plops back down on the bedroll and cries.
When the rain stops, Candy places Jessie in the sling and gathers everything that she can carry and trudges on down the road. The hot sun takes its toll on her. After awhile, she finds a shade to sit and rest. She tends to Jessie's needs. Then she decides to abandon some of her belongings. She places some food in the clothing bag, along with the gun. The rest she leaves behind as she continues her journey.
"I can't believe there has not been a single person on this road besides us. I guess I did go the wrong way." She trods on. Her steps get sluggish as her legs get weary. To lighten her load, she drops the bag after salvaging a couple of diapers and a small bite to eat. She tucks them in the sling with Jessie. The gun, she tosses it as far as she can throw. And on she wobbles down the road.
Candy stops beside a creek to refill the canteen and to wash her face. The cool water feels so good to her parched face. She tends to her and Jessie's needs. After she gets rested up, she gathers up whats left and puts everything back in the sling with Jessie. And down the road she goes again.
An exhausted Candy, begins to stumble. She catches herself before she falls. Wiping the sweat from her face, she moans. "Jessie, I don't know how much farther I can go. Where is your Papa?" She trudges on until her legs give completely out. She falls to her knees before she falls the rest of the way.
About dusk, a wagon carrying a young man and woman come along and see something laying in the road. "Earl, what is that? Is that a person or an animal?"
Earl replies, "I don't know. Let's just drive on by. Pretend we didn't see anything."
"We can't do that. Stop the wagon!"
"Now Mary. If we have to stop, you stay here and I'll check it out." He climbs down and goes over to Candy. He checks for a pulse. "It's a woman! She's alive!"
Being startled by a voice, Jessie begins to cry. "There's a baby here, too!" he shouts to his wife.
Mary climbs down and runs to her husband. "Let me see that baby! Oh, she's precious." She scoops Jessie up in her arms and gives her comfort. "Do you see a bottle?"
"No, just a couple of diapers and a slice of bread. That's all."
"Earl, we have to take her with us. Put her in the wagon. We'll take her to Doc Yeager."
"Are you sure?"
"We can't leave her out here to die. This baby needs her Mama. Hurry up!"
Earl lifts Candy up and places her gently in the back of the wagon. Mary climbs in to sit beside her. Mary feels Jessie's soggy bottom, so she changes her diaper, then lays her next to her Mama so she can nurse. Jessie quietens down. Mary rips the bottom of her petticoat off and pours some of the water from the canteen on it. She washes over Candy's sunburned face and her parched lips.
A half conscious Candy whispers, "Jer-e-my."
"No, not Jeremy. Who is Jeremy?"
"Se-at-tle," Candy whispers before passing out. Mary continues to wipe Candy down.
When they get to the small town of Everett, they go straight to the doctor's office. Earl carries Candy inside with Mary and Jessie right behind him.
"Who do we have here?" Doc Yeager asks as he motions for Earl to place her on the exam table.
"Don't know who she is. Found her about a mile outside of town. She was laying in the road."
Mary speaks up. "She was holding this baby."
Doc begins to check Candy over. "Has she been unconscious all this time?"
"Yes, but she did say the words, Seattle and Jeremy," Earl answers. "Then she passed completely out."
"Seattle. Think that's where she's from? Maybe Jeremy is her husband. Wonder what happened to him?"
"How is she? Think she's going to make it?" Earl asks.
"I think she's exhausted and dehydrated. I can't find any injuries. Let's let her rest and then we'll pour liquids into her. I'm going to put her in room two. A bed will be better than this table."
After getting Candy taken care of, Doc goes over to the telegraph office. He talks to Allen, the telegrapher. He writes out a message and Allen begins tapping it out.
Ben Perkins wipes his hands to write out the message. He reads it twice. The message he receives is
To: Seattle Washington Territory
From: Doc Yeager Everett Washington Territory
Have young redhead woman in office with baby girl
She mentioned Seattle and Jeremy before passing out
Is there a Jeremy in Seattle
Ben replies
To: Doc Yeager Everett Washington Territory
From: Ben Perkins Seattle Washington Territory
Jeremy Bolt lives here
Must be his wife Candy and baby girl Jessie
Have been missing for couple weeks
Will tell him right now
Ben folds the message and runs to Jeremy's house.
Jeremy is outback chopping wood. He doesn't hear the knocking on the front door. But Ben hears the chopping sound. Ben runs to the backyard. "Jeremy!" he yells. He has to holler several times before Jeremy hears him.
"Ben, sorry, I didn't hear you. Something I can do for you?"
"No, but I can do something for you," Ben beams. "A telegram just came for you. Here, read it."
Jeremy reads it. He looks at Ben, then Johnny who is playing on the swing. He reads it again. "You're sure this is real?"
"It's real, Jeremy. It's Candy. Candy's been found," Ben says excitedly.
"Candy," Jeremy whispers. "I better get going. I have a trip to make," Jeremy laughs. "Johnny! Johnny, come over here."
Johnny comes running. "Johnny, your Mama has been found. I'm going to go bring her home."
"No! You can't leave me!" Johnny throws his arms around his Papa's waist.
"I'm not leaving you," Jeremy says as he lifts his son up in his arms. "You're going with me. Just think, we're getting your Mama back. Run and get ready. I want to leave soon as possible." He kisses Johnny's cheek and sets him down on the ground.
"Anything I can do for you?" Ben asks.
"Ben, you've already brought me a miracle. Thank you. Thank you so much." Jeremy is beaming with joy. "Oh, you can send this doctor word that I'm on my way." He takes a couple of steps then stops. "Tell him not to let Candy leave. Keep her there." He runs towards the house.
"Will do! Have a safe trip, Jeremy! Hope Candy is all right!" he shouts.
CHAPTER 16
Up at camp, Jason and Joshua are sitting under the big tarp drinking a cup of coffee and looking over a map. They're not really focusing on their work. "Jason, what do you think about what Johnny told Jeremy about what happened that day? Why would Candy call a little boy the devil? It doesn't make sense."
Jason shrugs, "I know it doesn't. We're missing something here. Who is this little boy? This Rick?"
"I think I can help you there," Chris says as he walks up behind them.
"Well, by all means, have a seat and tell us what you know about him," Jason replies.
"Where you're going wrong is that you think Rick is a little boy."
"He's Johnny's friend. He has to be a little boy," Josh states.
"No, he's not. I saw him, mind you, it was from a distance, but he was a grown man."
"You're telling us that Rick, Johnny Bolt's friend, is a grown man? He isn't a little boy?" Jason asks.
"That's right."
"What does he look like?" asks Josh.
"I can't describe him. I wasn't close enough but he was sitting on a horse. He was dressed all in black."
Jeremy and Johnny ride up and Jeremy quickly climbs from the buckboard seat.. "Glad you're all here! Candy's been found! Johnny and I are on our way to Everett to get her and Jessie."
"How did you find this out?" Jason asks.
"A telegram came in to Ben's from a doctor in Everett. He said a young woman with red hair and a baby girl is in his office. She said the words Jeremy and Seattle before she passed out. The doctor let Ben know. I thought maybe you would like to ride along with us."
"Of course. We have some more news for you. It seems that Rick isn't a little boy like we all thought. Chris saw him and Rick is a man," Jason tells him.
"A man?" Jeremy turns to his son. "Johnny, is your friend Rick a man?"
Nodding his head he answers, "Yes, Papa."
"Why didn't you tell us that? Why make us believe he was a little boy?"
"You didn't ask me."
Jeremy rolls his eyes. "You're right, we didn't." He rubs a hand over his chin while thinking. "Johnny, did your Mama know this man?"
"I think so. She called him the devil. She said he was evil."
"Did she call him anything else?"
Johnny thinks real hard. "She called him Richard."
"Oh my God! Richard! Rafe! Rafe took Candy!" Jeremy yells as Johnny begins to cry. "It's all right. I'm not mad at you," he says as he bends down and picks Johnny up. "I love you." He kisses his son. "Okay," Jeremy says to his brothers. "This changes everything. If you want to go with us be ready in ten minutes. I can't wait any longer. I have to be sure that SOB doesn't come for her again. If I ever get my hands on him, I'll kill him."
CHAPTER 17
Jeremy hurries into Doc Yeager's office. He says to the first person he sees, "I'm Jeremy Bolt from Seattle. Where's my wife and daughter?"
The nurse says, "Hello Mr. Bolt. I'm Nurse Emily."
"Fine. I just want to see my wife."
Jason says, "Jeremy, don't be rude."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. It's nice to meet you Nurse Emily. Could you please tell me where my wife and daughter are?"
"Wait right here and I'll get Doc Yeager." She goes down a hall and knocks on the door. Jeremy can hear their voices but can't make out what they're saying.
A middle aged man comes out in the waiting room. "I'm Doc Yeager. And you are Jeremy Bolt?"
"Yes, I am. Doctor, please I need to see Candy, hmm, my wife. How is she?"
"She's doing very well. She has no injuries, she's just exhausted and dehydrated. The baby is fine. She took very good care of her baby."
"Well, she is a wonderful mother. Can I see her? Them?"
"Certainly. Come with me."
Jeremy leans down to Johnny who is wrapped around his Papa's leg. "Johnny, do you want to go in with me to see Mama? I'm sure she wants to see you."
Johnny shakes his head no. "She don't want me." Tears fill his eyes.
"Yes, she does. She loves you. Please, come in with me."
Johnny turns and wraps his arms around Uncle Jason's leg. "Go ahead, Jeremy. Go see Candy and Jessie. I'll take care of Johnny."
Jeremy closes his eyes and sighs. Going into the room, he sees Candy propped up in bed with her eyes closed. "Candy?"
She opens her eyes. "Jeremy!" She opens her arms to him. He quickly fills them.
"Candy, thank God you're all right. You are all right, aren't you? And Jessie?" He pulls back and looks into her eyes.
"We're both fine. How are you? How is Johnny? Did he come with you?"
"Now, that I've found you, I'm fine. As to Johnny, well he's fine, too."
"Oh Jeremy, I didn't want to leave him. Or you either. I didn't really have a choice."
"It was Rafe, wasn't it? I didn't find out until yesterday afternoon. Candy, I'm so sorry. Did he hurt you?"
"Yes, it was Richard and no he didn't hurt us. But I had to get us away from him before he did. Jeremy, I'm so sorry," she cries.
"It's not your fault. I'm going to kill that SOB the next time I see him. Where is he?"
"Don't concern yourself with him. He's not going to hurt us ever again. Where's Johnny?"
"How do you know he won't? He won't give up."
"Why won't you tell me where Johnny is? What are you not telling me?"
"Nothing. I'll go get him." He gives her hand a gentle squeeze and goes out of the room.
"Johnny, Mama wants to see you. Will you please go in so she can see that you're all right?"
"I don't want to see her."
"Look, I know you think she doesn't love you, but that's not true. She loves you very much. And she's dying to see you." No response from Johnny. "I tell you what we'll do. You don't have to say a word if you don't want to. Just let her look at you. You can hold on to me. Your uncle can come in with us, too. All right? Please, for my sake."
"All right. Don't let go of me. Promise?"
"I promise."
The three of them go in to see Candy. Jeremy is holding Johnny and he stops beside her bed.
"Hey Johnny. Would you like to sit on the bed?" He shakes his head no. Candy bites on her lip. "Can I hold you?" Johnny tightens his grip on Jeremy. Tears spring up in Candy's eyes.
Jeremy whispers in his son's ear, "I'm going to sit on the bed. I won't let go of you."
When Jeremy sits down beside Candy, Candy rubs her hand on Johnny's back. "I've missed you sweet boy. Will you please look at me?" Johnny clutches his Papa tighter.
"Hello, Candy," Jason says. "It's good to see you looking so well. If it's okay, I'll take Johnny outside so you two can talk. Johnny, you want to go with me?"
Johnny jumps from Jeremy's arms into Jason's. "I'm sorry about this. Hopefully when you get home, things will be better."
"Thank you Jason, " she mumbles before bursting into tears. Jason leaves as Jeremy holds her in his arms.
"I'm sorry. It's going to take a while for him to trust you again. But he will." He kisses her forehead.
"He hates me Jeremy!"
"No, he doesn't. He's just hurt right now, but he will come around. Wait and see." He lets her cry her heart out. When she calms down, he asks, "Candy, can you tell me what happened? Where did Rafe take you? How did he treat Jessie? And what did he do to you?"
"Jeremy, all I can tell you right now is Richard didn't force himself on me. He didn't touch me that way. I don't want to talk about anything else right now. I hope you understand. I promise to tell you soon, but not now."
"All right. When you're ready, I'll be here to listen. I love you."
"I love you, too. Jeremy, take me home."
CHAPTER 18
After a delicious meal made by Lottie and Biddie, the worn out travelers call it a night. Candy gets Jessie ready for bed while Jeremy gets Johnny ready. "That's it, pal. Go jump into bed and I'll be up later to tuck you in."
"All right, Papa." Johnny runs and climbs in bed.
Candy and Jeremy walk into their bedroom with arms around each others waist looking forward to holding each other in bed once again. They are surprised to see Johnny laying in the bed.
"Johnny, not this bed." He turns to explain to Candy. "I let him sleep in here with me while you were gone. It helped both of us."
"It's all right, Jeremy. He can sleep here. I'll just go sleep in his room."
"No, you won't. This is where you belong." He pulls the covers off Johnny and says, "Come on, Johnny. Now that Mama's back, you need to start sleeping in your room. We'll be in shortly to say goodnight."
"No, I want to sleep in here with you."
Jeremy starts to get tough with Johnny, but Candy stops him. "I insist on sleeping in Johnny's room tonight. We can work this out tomorrow." She covers Johnny with the quilt. She bends to kiss him, but he buries himself in the covers. Hurt, Candy pats his back. "Goodnight, sweet boy. I love you."
On her way out of the room, she kisses Jeremy's cheek. "Goodnight, Jeremy. Thank you for bringing us home. I'll see you in the morning. I love you."
She hurries from the room as Jeremy calls out to her, "Candy! Stop!" Hearing her shut the door, he says, "I love you, too."
Sighing loudly, Jeremy gets into bed. "Are you mad at me, Papa?"
He says to his son, "No, but we're going to have a big talk about this tomorrow. So be prepared. Goodnight."
The next day, Candy and Jeremy sit in the swing on the front porch. Johnny is playing in a dirt pile while Jessie is in a basket sleeping. "Candy, I'm sorry about last night. I should have never let him start sleeping in our bed in the first place."
"I understand, Jeremy. You did what was necessary to make Johnny feel safe and loved. It wasn't bad sleeping in his room. His bed is a lot better than sleeping on the cold, hard floor of a cave."
"I'm sure it is, but tonight I want you in my bed where you belong. I'll talk to him."
"I want that, too, but I don't want to upset our little boy. I want to gain his trust and love. If we force him to sleep in his bed, I'm afraid he'll hate me more than he already does. Let it go for a few more days."
"He doesn't hate you. He's just scared of being hurt again."
"I never meant. . ."
"I know you didn't. And he'll realize that soon."
"I hope so. I miss his little hugs and kisses. I want him back."
Jeremy puts his arms around her while leaning over to kiss her lips. "What about me? Do you miss my hugs and kisses?" he asks as he hugs her and kisses her again and again and again.
"Of course, I do. I want to be with you." She returns his hugs and kisses.
"I want to be with you, too. A few more days and that's it."
CHAPTER 19
A few nights later, Johnny wakes up as he hears someone crying. He tries to awaken his Papa, but he only mumbles, "Go to sleep, Johnny." He listens a few minutes before crawling out of bed to go in search of the crying. He stands outside in the hallway and hears that it's coming from his room. Opening the door quietly, he tiptoes to the bed where his Mama is laying with her back to him. She is crying.
Johnny stands there and watches for a minute or so before he pats her on the back. His touch startles Candy and she jumps. Turning over she sees her precious little boy. She wipes her tears with the sheet. "Johnny? Is something wrong?"
"I heard you crying. Are you hurt?"
"No, I'm not hurt, I'm just sad."
"Oh. . . . because of me?"
"Johnny, I'm so sorry. I never wanted you to get hurt." She begins to cry again. "I-I'm so sor-sorry."
Johnny lifts the covers and climbs in beside her. Laying down he places an arm over his Mama. "I'm okay, Mama. Please don't cry. Everything's okay."
"I love you, Johnny. Please forgive me," she continues to cry.
"Okay."
Candy moves to where she can hold him in her arms. "You're such a sweet gentle soul. You're just like your Papa. Be proud of that."
"Okay. You feel better?"
"I do, thank you." She kisses his cheek.
After a long pause, Johnny asks, "Mama, can I sleep in here with you?"
Candy sighs happily. "Of course, you can. I'd like that very much."
"Papa won't wake up mad, will he?"
"No, your Papa won't be mad. He'll be as happy as I am." She squeezes him. "Goodnight, Johnny. I love you."
Johnny kisses her. "Night, Mama. Love you." And he's out like a light.
Jeremy wakes up an hour later and notices that his son is missing. He gets up to go search for him. When he walks by Johnny's room, he sees that Johnny is tucked safely in his Mama's arms. A big smile breaks out on his face, "All right!" he whispers. Then he goes back to bed.
Later that morning, Jeremy and Candy are taking a walk with their two children. As Johnny runs from here to there, Jeremy carries his daughter. "Candy, I saw you and Johnny have made up. He seemed very content being held by you."
"Yes, we did. He heard me crying and came to check on me. The next thing I knew, he was crawling in bed and telling me everything was going to be all right. He is such a sweet boy."
"So, does that mean you'll be joining me in our bed tonight?"
"I hope so, but first we have to talk. There's something I have to tell you. After hearing what I have to say, you may not want me anymore."
"Not want you? Candy, there's nothing you can tell me that would make me not want you. So, what is it?"
"No, not here. Not now. We need to be alone. I don't want anyone to hear us. I think I'll see if Chris will let Johnny bunk with him tonight. Then we can talk."
"Candy, I need to know now."
She stops and places her hand on his cheek as she kisses his lips. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to worry you. It's just that I don't want to take a chance of Johnny or anyone else overhearing us. Please, be patient."
In silence, they continue on their walk.
CHAPTER 20
Bedtime comes and after they get their children all settled for the night, they retire to their room. Jeremy shuts the door, then takes Candy's hands in his. "All right, Candy. I've been very patient. Tell me what that son of a bitch did to you?"
"It's not what you think."
"That's good, because I'm thinking some awful things. If he so much as touched you, I'm going to kill him."
She places her hand on his cheek. "Shh, you're not going to have to kill anyone." She sits on the side of the bed. "Come sit with me."
"All right." He sits down beside her and holds her hand.
"Jeremy, when Richard showed up here at the house, I was shocked. I never realized he was Johnny's friend, Rick." She continues to tell him about the choice Richard gave her. "You do understand why I had to choose Jessie, don't you?"
"Yes, I do. But Johnny didn't understand. He was devastated, Candy. He has been like my shadow. I tried to look for you, but not knowing who took you or which direction you went, it was hopeless. I had to take Johnny with me. He wouldn't let me out of his sight."
"Oh, that poor boy. If he'd only told us that Rick was a man," she cries.
"We can't blame him for any of this. I mean, he's only a little boy."
"I don't blame him. I don't blame anyone but Richard."
"Good. Go on and tell me more."
"Well, he took me to another cave. I have no idea where it was. I guess, somewhere north of Everett. It was bigger and nicer than the first cave he took me to. We argued for days. He wanted to take me, you know, have sex." Jeremy gets upset and is about to explode. "But he didn't," she places her hands on his arms to calm him down. "I told him that I wasn't healed yet. And if I had sex before I was healed, then I might get an infection and die or become sterile. I wouldn't be able to have any babies. He wanted me to have his baby."
"Like hell you would! Candy, I. . . . ."
"I know, Jeremy. I stalled as much as I could. I only hope God can forgive me for all the lies I told." She mumbles, " And for what I did." She closes her eyes and swallows hard to keep her voice from quivering. "Finally, I got this brilliant idea for me and Jessie to escape because my time was running out."
"Yeah, what was your idea?"
"Now, I want you to remain calm, okay? I was just pretending."
"I already don't like the sound of this."
"Just hear me out before you go all crazy. I made a deal with Richard. I told him that I love you and always would, but I realized he was never going to let me go. So, if he could raise Jessie like she was his own daughter, I saw a future for him and me. I would give myself to him freely if he promised not to hurt you. He had to leave you alone and not try any longer to kill you."
"You what! Candy, no!"
"Jeremy, it was all a part of my plan. There was no way I would give myself to him. I just had to make him think I would. And he believed me. I became nice, sweet and for the most part, obedient. Every night after supper, we would sit down next to the firepit, have our coffee, and talk. Then he would lay down and I would. . . .oh, this part is so hard to tell you," she cries.
Jeremy jumps up in a rage, "You laid with him? How could you, Candy? He did touch you!"
Candy quickly grabs him by the shoulders, "Shh, you'll wake the children."
"I don't care about that right now! What I care about is my wife making out with the scum of the earth!"
"Jeremy, I did no such thing. I didn't lay with him, nor did I make out with him. I didn't kiss him at any time. You have to believe me." She continues to cry.
"All right, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have accused you of what I said." He wraps his arms around her. "It's just that I can't stand the thought of him even touching you."
"I know. Will you sit down and let me finish?"
He keeps his arms around her and they sit back down on the bed. "Continue."
"Stay calm, please." After he nods his head, she continues. "Well, he would lay down by the firepit, like I said. Then. . .then I would massage his shoulders." She sees Jeremy's eyes widen and his hold on her tightens. "Afterwards, I would sit beside him and we'd play a little game. I'd have him close his eyes. Then I would do something to surprise him when he opened his eyes."
"Like what? How did you surprise him?"
Candy gives a sideways smirk. "I'd unbutton my blouse. Just a little. Only one or two buttons. Just enough to entice him. Or I'd pull my dress down from my shoulders. Don't worry, he couldn't see anything. But it worked. He was always eager to see what I'd do next."
Jeremy stops holding her. He leans over placing his elbows on his knees. He rakes his hands through his hair. "I'm not believing this."
"It's true, Jeremy. I swear. I didn't show him anything. Oh,"
While still leaning over, he turns his head and asks, "Oh, what?"
"At the end of our little game, I would kiss my finger and. . .and touch his lips with it. I hated doing that, but I had to keep him trusting me."
Jeremy closes his eyes and bites on his lips.
"The day of our escape, I did our usual routine. When he closed his eyes, that's when I made my move. I told him to open his eyes wide and when he did, I poured scalding hot coffee into his eyes. He couldn't see anything. He yelled that he was going to kill me so I hit him over the head several times with a cast iron skillet and knocked him out. I tied his hands and feet. I then got the items I hid and tied them to the horse. I scooped up Jessie and placed her in a sling I placed around my neck. I was on my way out when I spotted his gun. I knew I couldn't leave it with him, so I took it, too. He was starting to moan and was cussing me, so I did something I thought I could never do."
"Yeah, what's that?"
"I pointed the gun at him and shot him in his leg. Twice. I told him that was for shooting you in the leg and trying to kill you. He screamed and passed out again. And I left."
Jeremy looks at her in bewilderment. "My wife is one badass woman."
After Candy finishes her story of how she got to Everett, Jeremy says, "I can't believe a hundred pound woman could take down a tough guy like Rafe. You're a lot stronger than I thought you were."
"I really don't feel that strong. I just knew I had to get me and Jessie back home to you and Johnny. You were my motivation."
"I'm sorry I couldn't look for you like I should have. Can you forgive me?"
"There's nothing to forgive. You took care of our son, just like I wanted you to." She hugs him. "Jeremy, after hearing all the bad things I did, do you still want to share a bed with me?"
"Of course I do. Candy, nothing you did has changed how I feel about you. Except, maybe make me love you more." He embraces her and they kiss. He begins to unbutton her blouse. "We can, can't we?" he asks shyly.
"Yes, we can."
"Was that true about if you have. . .hmm, sex before you're healed that you could die?"
"No, that was a lie I told to stall for time. Don't worry though because I'm all better. Allyn said so."
"Good, because I want you tonight. Now." He finishes undressing her and carries her to the bed. He undresses himself and lays beside her, engulfing her with his arms. "I love you so much," he says as he begins to cry. "I'm sorry. It's just, I could have lost you for good."
"Oh Jeremy, it's all right. Everything worked out like it should. I love you, too. You are my life."
They have a night of tender, gratifying, passionate lovemaking.
CHAPTER 21
Several days later after taking Candy and the children over to spend the morning with Biddie, Jeremy goes up to camp to talk to his brothers. They sit inside the tent talking about the contract that is almost fulfilled.
Noticing that his little brother is too quiet, Jason asks, "Jeremy, how are things at home? Everything all right?"
"Yeah, things are fine." Knowing that he wasn't very convincing, he adds, "I have a problem and I don't know what to do about it. The thing is, is that I promised Candy I wouldn't tell anyone, not even the two of you. Should I break my promise?"
Josh chuckles, "Well, if it's bedroom problems, I certainly want to know."
Jeremy sneers as he rolls his eyes. "Sorry to disappoint you, Josh, but that department is well and fine. No, it's something that happened while Candy was away with Rafe." His brothers notice him balling his hands up into fists so tightly that his knuckles turn white.
"Rafe didn't harm Candy, did he?" Jason asks with much concern.
"No, she says he didn't and I believe her. It's. . ." he runs his hands through his hair. "I don't want to break my promise to Candy. If she ever found out I told this, she would never trust me again. Yet, this is driving me crazy."
"Well Jeremy, you do have a problem. We won't try to talk you into telling us, but just know that if you do decide to share your secret with us, then we will not say a word of it to anyone. You have our solemn oath."
"I have to tell someone cause this is more than I can handle on my own." He gets the three of them sitting closely so he doesn't have to talk too loud. He relates what Candy told him about her escape from Rafe.
Jason and Josh are left speechless. "Well, say something," Jeremy begs.
Jason raises his hands slightly and sighs. "I don't know what to say. I'm floored."
"Me, too," Josh adds. "Do you think he's still alive?"
"I have no idea. But I think I need to find out one way or another. If he got loose and is still alive, I have to know if he'll be back to kill us all."
"What do you plan to do?" Jason asks.
"I want to go look for that cave. Candy doesn't even know where it is, just somewhere north of Everett, and she's not even sure about that."
"Maybe if she sits and thinks about it real hard, she'll be able to tell you more of its location," Josh suggests.
"No, Josh. I can't bring this up to her. If I ask, she'll know I talked or she'll know I plan to do something about it. No, this has to be kept secret."
Jason asks, "Again, what do you plan to do?"
"I've been doing a lot of thinking about it. What if, Jason, you send me and Josh to Olympia for a bidding. A bidding so big that it takes the two of us to work on it together."
"Jeremy, there's no bidding that big going on in Olympia," Josh states.
"We know that Josh, but Candy doesn't know it. Instead of going to Olympia, we head towards Everett. I can't go into town because they've seen me and they'll wonder what I'm doing there. But you Josh, you can go and ask about caves in the area. Tell them that you want to go exploring. What do you think about it so far?"
Jason smirks, "Might work. Then what? What are you going to do if you find the cave? If you find Rafe?"
"Not sure. If he's dead, I guess we'll bury him."
"And if he's alive?" Josh asks.
"I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
Josh says, "I guess we will."
"I have a favor to ask of you, Jason. Candy won't be too happy about me going off and leaving her and the kids alone. She's still uneasy about being alone. Would you go over and have supper with them, then spend the night? I'll have Molly sleep upstairs with Candy and you can have Molly's room."
"What will Candy think about that?" Josh asks.
"Nothing. I'll tell her I don't want to leave them alone, that it'll make me feel better knowing she has help if she needs it. She'll probably be grateful."
"When do you want to leave?" Jason asks.
"I'd leave right now, if I could. How about in the morning? The sooner the better," Jeremy answers.
"All right. I hope you find what you're looking for."
"Me too. Whatever that is," Jeremy says.
CHAPTER 22
Candy goes to the sink to begin washing dishes. She watches Jeremy out of the corner of her eye. She tosses the cloth down in the dishpan splashing water everywhere. That's it! she thinks. "Jeremy, what's wrong and don't tell me nothing."
He looks up and answers, "What? Oh, supper was delicious. Thank you."
"It was so delicious that you barely ate anything," she says as she shakes her head. "Jeremy, I know you well enough to know when somethings bothering you."
He goes over to her and takes her hands in his rubbing his thumbs gently back and forth over them. "I have something to tell you that you're not going to like."
"What is it? Did I do something wrong? Is it about what I did to Richard?" she asks with apprehension.
He takes her in his arms. "No, nothing like that." He parts with her so he can look into her eyes. "There's a big and I mean big bidding that is going to take place in Olympia. Jason wants me and Josh to go."
"Why you and Joshua? Why can't he go alone?"
"Jason thinks it will take the both of us to come up with a winning bid."
"Why can't Jason go with Joshua?" Why you?"
"He says he's got too much to do right now that prevents him from going. Look, I know you're uneasy about being left here alone, just you and the children. So Jason is going to come eat supper and stay the night. He'll sleep in Molly's room while Molly moves upstairs with you. I realize it's not the perfect solution, but it's all we could come up with on the spur of the moment."
"I guess that will work, but Jeremy I really wish you didn't have to go." She places her hands on his waist and leans into him.
"I know. I wish that, too," he replies as he hugs her tightly.
"When are you leaving?"
Jeremy swallows hard. "Tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow morning!" She finds his lips on hers. The kiss deepens.
"I'll be back as soon as I can. Might be three or four days, or more or less."
"All right. I don't like it, but I do realize you have a job to do."
"Yes, I do. You do, too. Your job is to keep the home fires burning and my bed warm for me."
"I can do that. I love you."
"I love you."
CHAPTER 22
When Josh gets back to camp from Everett, he tells Jeremy what he found out. "There's a string of hills or small mountains north of here. Plenty of caves to explore."
"Oh great!" Jeremy replies in disgust. "Couldn't it be just two or three at the most?"
"Don't worry, we'll find it. You ready?"
"Yeah, let's go."
It gets dark before they finish searching the caves they had found. They make camp and start afresh the next morning. They get close to one cave when the stench gags them. Josh looks at Jeremy and says, "I think we've found it."
They cover their nose and mouth with bandannas. Carefully, they go inside. With no more than getting inside, Jeremy runs back out, gagging. He moves farther down the hillside, removes the bandanna and retches. Maybe five minutes or so later, Josh asks, "You all right?"
"No, I can't take that smell. Did you go all the way in?" he asks as he wipes his mouth.
"I did. It's him. It's Rafe."
"How could you tell it was him? Maybe it was someone else."
"Nah, there was no mistaking that it was him. He still wore the black clothes. He had the sandy blonde hair."
"What about his face? Could you see that it was his face?"
A grim look covers Josh's face. "Well, from what's left of it, I would say it is Rafe." He waits then asks, "What now? What do you want to do?"
"Give me a little time till my stomach settles down, then I'll start digging a hole."
They get the hole dug. Tying several bandannas around their nose and mouth, they go to wrap Rafe's body in the women's clothing left in the cave.
Looking at Rafe, Jeremy says, "She did a number on him, didn't she?"
"She was brave to try doing that. If she missed her target, we would be burying her and Jessie."
"Yeah, let's get this scum buried and get out of here. I need to see my wife."
They drop Rafe into the hole along with anything else they find that could show a woman and baby had been there. Before covering the grave, Josh asks, "You want to say anything?"
"Just, burn in hell." They throw dirt in the grave, put a marker in the ground (not a cross), gather their things, and start for home.
As they come upon a watering hole to refresh their horses, they strip naked and take a bath to wash the stench from them. Putting on a change of clean clothes, Josh asks, "Jeremy, you going to tell Candy about our trip?"
"I haven't made my mind up. I think she deserves the truth so she won't live in fear wondering when he's going to turn up. But then, can she live with the truth? Of her being the cause of his death. I'll decide before we get home."
It's the next morning when they come riding up to the house. Johnny sees them coming and runs in the house, "Mama, Papa's back!"
Candy runs out the door and throws herself at Jeremy before he hardly gets his feet on the ground. "You're back! Oh, how I've missed you!"
He wraps his arms around her and buries his face in her hair. "I've missed you, too. How are things around here?"
Jason and Johnny hurry up beside them. "Things have been good, haven't they Johnny?" Jason says.
"Did you win the bid?" Candy asks.
Jeremy and Josh look at each other. "No, we didn't. But that's okay. We were successful in other ways."
"That's right," Josh says. Changing the subject he comments, "Something sure smells good."
"Well, come inside, we were getting ready to call Johnny in to eat."
"Hey Papa, did you miss me, too?" Johnny asks.
Jeremy bends down and picks his son up. "I sure did. A whole lot." He kisses his cheek, then places him back down. "You run along with your uncles. Mama and I will be in shortly."
They watch the three of them go inside. Jeremy grabs Candy and kisses her tenderly, then passionately.
"Jeremy, is something wrong? Did something happen on your trip?"
"No, this trip just made me remember how much I need you. I don't think I could live without you."
"That's good to know. I feel the same way. I love you, Mr. Bolt."
"I love you, Mrs. Bolt." They kiss and then with an arm around each other, they join the others.
EPILOUGE
25 YEARS LATER
Candy and Jeremy are sitting in the swing on their front porch as much in love as they have ever been. It's a nice spring night with the stars and a bright moon filling the sky. A gentle breeze is blowing through the treetops. Candy lays her head over on Jeremy's shoulder.
"You tired?" he asks.
"I'm exhausted. I love when the grandchildren are here, but I'm worn out when they leave. Where do they get all that energy?"
"From their parents, I think. Don't you remember Johnny and Jessie being just like that?"
"Oh yes, I do remember. We've had a good life, haven't we Jeremy?" She kisses his shoulder.
"I think so. We have two wonderful children. I still sometimes can't figure out why Johnny wanted to come back here after being away at college. I mean he could have gone anywhere, but he returned home to work up at the camp. Tell me why we spent all that money for college for him to return here to be a logger. It boggles my mind," he chuckles.
"I know, but he did meet Patti. That's a good thing and we wouldn't have Jack and little Jeremy to love on everyday."
"True. And Jessie, I'm amazed by how beautiful she is. She takes my breath away." He slips his arm around her shoulder.
"So am I. Have you ever seen such a beautiful young woman?"
"Yes, I have. Her Mama." He kisses her forehead.
"Oh Jeremy, get serious. I've never been as pretty as Jessie and you know it."
"I know no such thing, Miss Pruitt," he chuckles. "You were beautiful then and you're more so now."
"With this red hair starting to turn gray? And all these fine wrinkles?"
"Yes, with all of that," he grins. "You're as beautiful as the day we met."
"Well, thank you dear husband. I think you're as handsome as you were when you first swept me off my feet. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to be sure this is my life. We've been pretty lucky what with all we've been through." She kisses his shoulder.
After several minutes of silence, Candy asks, "Speaking of all we've been through, are you ever going to tell me or are you going to keep me in the dark for another twenty five years?"
"Tell you what?"
"About why you and Joshua really went on your little trip all those many years ago? There was no bidding going on in Olympia, was there?"
"Wh-what? Of course, there was. Why-why would I lie?"
"For the same reason you're lying now. You want to protect me. You went to find Richard, didn't you?"
"Candy, what are you t-t-talking about?" he asks nervously, his face turning red.
"There's no use in hiding it any longer, Jeremy. I know what you did. You broke your promise to me of not telling anyone what I did. Then you lied to me about going to Olympia."
"How did you find out?"
"I just watched you three Bolt brothers. Your actions and expressions told it all. And Jeremy, you're a terrible liar. You always have been."
"Why didn't you say something?"
"I was waiting for you to tell me. I wanted to see how long it would take you. Seeing that one of us would probably be dead before you spilled the beans, I thought I'd bring it up."
"I'm sorry, Candy. I didn't want to lie to you. I was going to tell you when we got back, but you were so happy and full of love and life, I couldn't do that to you. I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?"
She acts like she's seriously thinking about it, then she smiles, "Yes, of course, I forgive you. I know you did it out of love for me and our family." She sighs, "I guess you found him. But how? I didn't give you very good directions."
"Yes, we found him. It was a pretty gruesome sight."
"So, he was dead, right? He didn't get lose and wander off."
"No, he was still tied up. Candy, let's not talk about it any more. Let's just forget it."
"No, Jeremy. I need to know. Tell me and tell me everything."
He knows there's no use arguing with her so he proceeds to tell her the whole story. "So, you can forget about him showing up and killing us. He's burning in hell as we speak."
"Knowing that doesn't make it any easier. I killed a man, Jeremy."
"We don't know that for sure. Maybe he had a heart attack or a snake bit him. Any number of things could have happened. Please don't blame yourself. He's not worth it."
"Jeremy, as evil as he was, he was still a man. I hate the part I had in his death."
"I know you do. I have never hated anyone, not really. Not even Sgt. Todd. But after all Holiday did to you, well, I can honestly say I did hate him. But I've been working on that."
"What do we do? Will God forgive us for this?"
"I hope so. Every night for the past twenty-five years, I've been asking him to forgive us for our sins. I think he knows you did it out of desperation and I lied to protect you. We've been model citizens and faithful church goers ever since. We believe and trust in the Lord. I think he'll forgive us."
"I hope so. Thank you Jeremy. I love you."
"You're welcome. I love you, too."
They sit with their heads leaning together. Candy finally stands, taking Jeremy's hand in hers. "Ready to turn in?"
"Yeah, I'm tired."
"Me, too."
THE END