The elegant man sipped his tea and surveyed his ...
The elegant man sipped his tea and surveyed his surroundings. From the porch of the cafe he could see the entire main square of Seattle. Men and women, some arm in arm, strolled about their daily activities; and he could hear children laughing in the new schoolyard. Aaron was proud of Seattle, it was his town. Lost in his reverie, he didn’t notice the large man who pulled up a seat beside him.
“Aaron? “ The man’s voice boomed. For there was no other way Jason Bolt could talk but to boom. Jason put his coffee on the table beside Aaron’s and sat down. “Mind if I sit down?”
Aaron cast a sideways glance, “Would it matter if I did, Bolt?”
Jason smiled and drew a deep breath. “Aaaah Aaron, a beautiful spring day in Seattle. What could be better?” he took a deep swig from his cup.
“Well, Bolt, as a matter of fact, some more work would be nice.” Aaron looked over at Jason and frowned. “My sawmill’s been a little quiet these past couple of weeks.”
“Oh, Aaron,” Jason said, “There’ll be work soon enough. I’ve sent Jeremy down to Tacoma to negotiate that new contract with the railroad.” He smiled and nodded to the pretty girls passing by. “It’s spring! Why don’t you just enjoy the beautiful flowers.”
Aaron smiled wanly, ignoring Jason’s pointed remark, “So you’re sure Jeremy’s up for the job?”
“You know Jeremy’s been negotiating most of our contracts for the last year or so, he’s been doing a great job.”
“Yes, well, he’s still quite young, Bolt. You would do well not to trust a man’s job to a boy.”
“Aaron,” Jason leaned in closer, “Jeremy’s no boy. He’s a married man with a family now, and very capable of doing the job.” He sat back and folded his arms. “Now about those flowers...” he smiled again at some strolling women. “I think I’ll go pick me one.” Jason pushed his chair back with a flourish. “You might think about doing the same, Aaron, and spend some of that cash you’ve got stashed away.” He nodded his goodbye and Aaron returned it, watching him stride confidently toward the giggling women.
“Flowers, huh.” he finished his tea and walked into the square. Instead of stopping, though, he continued walking the long walk to his office at the mill.
Jeremy Bolt loaded his bags onto the wagon, under the watchful eye of his wife, Candy.
“Are you sure you have everything?” she asked nervously, wiping her hands on her apron.
Jeremy smiled and nodded. “Yes, Candy, everything. You know, I’ll only be gone for a day or so.” He took her hands and kissed them gently. “I’ll miss you.” He glanced down at her bulging belly. “Both of you!”
Candy smiled and patted her stomach. “Well, we’ll miss you too.“ Since Jeremy had taken over negotiating the Bolt Brothers’ logging contracts, he had been traveling frequently. Too frequently for her taste. Especially with the baby on the way; every night they spent apart was eternally long. “Well, off you go then. Good luck!”
He jumped into the wagon, “Now Candy, behave while I’m gone.” he teased. He tried to look sternly at her as she gave him the evil eye. He smiled his response. When was he ever able to tell Candy Pruitt what to do? “I’ve got to pick up Corky and Miller at camp. I love you.” He bent and kissed her. Then, with a slap of the reins, he was off down the road.
Candy waved at his back. “I love you too.” she mouthed silently. She turned and went back in the house. She busied herself at the sink, gazing out the window at the flowers that were just beginning to bloom.
Candy was waiting. It had been almost two years since their marriage and finally she was going to have a baby. As a wedding gift, Jason, Joshua and the rest of the loggers had built them this beautiful house, with a bedroom for she and Jeremy, a bedroom for Molly and Christopher, and an extra bedroom for all the baby Bolts. She remembered their wedding day when they were presented the house with much back slapping and laughing.
The extra room was still empty, though. There had been two babies lost since then, but they had not given up hope. They were happy, but it pained Candy that she and Jeremy had not been able to have a child. But now it appeared it would happen. Under the watchful eye of Dr. Wright, this baby would come in a month or so. Candy was ecstatic, but nervous just the same, she didn’t know if she could bear it if something happened to this baby. She walked into the nursery, hardly decorated due to her new superstitions. It was hard to believe that the baby would soon arrive, after the grief and agony of the two previous pregnancies, but she reminded herself that Dr. Wright thought everything was going to be fine. However, Candy still worried, and waited.
The next day arrived as clear and bright as the one before. Candy again admired the flowers blooming under her kitchen window. A knock at the door surprised her.
“Caaaaandy...” Biddie sang, “Can I come in?”
Candy opened the door and smiled. “Hi Biddie. What brings you out here so early?” She poured her friend some tea.
“Well, “ Biddie began. “Don’t you remember what day it is?” Her brown eyes grew wide. Her reputation as the “town crier” was well deserved.
Candy had only a second to think until Biddie continued.
“Candy, today is the day that Madame Duvall’s carnival is coming to town.” Biddie sipped her tea, while watching Candy over the top of her cup.
Candy’s eyes grew wide. “Ohhhh. Today?”
Biddie nodded solemnly. “Are you ready?”
Her friend sighed. “Oh, I suppose.” Candy slowly untied the strings of her apron.
Aaron Stempel garumphed around his small office. His bookkeeper had quit a couple of weeks ago, and already the accounts were a mess. He certainly hoped that Jeremy Bolt could bring in that railroad contract. Mentally he began to calculate the profits that would result from such a big job. But, strangely, in the middle of his calculations, he began thinking about flowers. He cursed Jason under his breath.
One hundred marriageable women and not one he was interested in. Jason and Joshua Bolt were never without female company, and once Jeremy had found Candy on the voyage west, they were never apart. But Aaron had not yet found the right woman, and he was beginning to think he never would. The brides were mostly married now, but since Seattle had been growing so much, new folks were moving in all the time. It was not easy, though, for a man straddling middle age to attract a woman, especially with all the strapping young loggers and millworkers around.
He shook his head to clear his thoughts. “That is the least of my problems,” he said to himself. Once again he turned his attention to his books, and once again he was distracted by thoughts of Jason and the women in the square. Jason was nearly the same age as Aaron, and he certainly didn’t have any trouble attracting women. Aaron shook his head at the thought. It had been that way their entire lives. Ever since they were young men, Jason had never had trouble with women, while Aaron often stood to the side, watching. So Aaron concentrated on his education and built the Stempel mill business. Which was going to crumble at his feet if he didn’t straighten out these books.
A few minutes later he looked up at the sound of giggling coming from outside his window. He saw Candy and Biddie walking by his office, obviously on their way to town. Quickly he stood up and walked out to greet them.
He bowed ever so slightly. “Good day ladies.”
They returned his greeting with small curtsies. The brides were determined not to let the rough-and-readyness of Seattle strip them of their New England breeding and manners. “Good Day, Mr. Stempel.” they replied in unison.
Aaron forced a smile. “Beautiful day, isn’t it?”
“Oh yes,” Biddie answered earnestly.
“So, where are you off to today?” For some reason unknown to him, Aaron wanted to engage them in conversation.
“Oh,” they glanced at each other before answering. “Just going into town.”
Aaron noticed the conspiratorial look between them. “Candy, I understand Jeremy’s out of town. If you need anything while he’s away, I would hope you would not hesitate to call.” What in the world was he saying??
Candy was also taken aback. “Why thank you, Aaron. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Biddie tugged on her sleeve, “Now Candy, we have to go now. Good day, Mr. Stempel.” she walked off curtsying, dragging Candy, still a bit confused by Aaron’s offer, behind her.
Aaron reentered his office and scratched his head. Normally he kept a tight rein on his thoughts and behavior, so his unexpected pleasantries with the girls was most confusing to him. With determination, he sat back down and reopened his account books.
Jeremy Bolt swaggered down the busy Tacoma street, dressed in his finest suit of clothes, but he had no sense of his feet touching the ground. He had just brought Bolt Brothers Logging Co. the biggest contract they had ever seen, and he was busting his buttons with pride. He hummed tunelessly as he nodded to passing strangers, wanting to stop each and every one to fill them in on his accomplishment. He again imagined the look on Jason’s face when he told him the story of how he, Jeremy, submitted the perfect bid. Bolt Brothers’ Logging stood to make a pretty penny on this deal. Maybe he would buy Candy a new dress. Hell, maybe he would buy her a new house! His heart leapt as he thought of Candy and the baby they were waiting so anxiously for.
Corky and Miller, his negotiating team, were already celebrating at Lucky’s Saloon when Jeremy joined them there.
“Jeremy Bolt! Man of the hour!” they exclaimed, amid much back slapping and hand shaking.
“Get this man a drink!” Corky shouted and waved over a pretty blonde barmaid. When she arrived, tray balanced on her slender hip, he continued loudly, “Please, ma’am, a whisky for Mr. Jeremy Bolt, our hero!” They didn’t notice the look she gave them at the mention of Jeremy’s name. The boys hooted as the girl, clad in sapphire blue satin, sashayed over to the bar. They hooted even more when she returned with the drinks. Jeremy grinned brightly and drank the first of many toasts in his honor.
Naturally soft-spoken, Jeremy seemed destined to live in the shadow of his older brothers. However, when Jason offered him the opportunity to go on Bolt Brothers’ Logging negotiating trips, Jeremy found that not only did he enjoy it, but he was good at it, his personal motto of ‘talk honest’ had stood him in good stead. More and more contracts poured in, and Seattle continued to grow. Jeremy’s newly developed talents, combined with Joshua’s handling of the books and Jason’s attention to everything else made the Bolt Brothers truly a team. The boy who spent his life looking down at the ground was now a man looking up at the sky…
…Well, not at the sky, really, but at the barmaid who was keeping their whisky flowing. Her flaxen hair and blue eyes caught his attention more than once, and he couldn’t help but notice her very fetching smile. At first Jeremy looked away when she caught his eye, but after a while, emboldened both by his pride and more than a little by the liquor, he began to meet her gaze. Happily married to Candy, Jeremy knew she was his soulmate. However, the attentiveness of this girl was heady stuff indeed. Shy Jeremy Bolt, his bright blue eyes and warm grin notwithstanding, was not accustomed to getting attention from pretty women. That was usually reserved for Joshua or Jason. But Jeremy was on top of the world this night and there was nothing he couldn’t do…
…Except perhaps walk in a straight line. He and Corky and Miller had to prop each other up as they were ushered out of the saloon, the last patrons to leave. They stumbled amiably down the street, singing the honky tonk songs they had been singing all night long, including the one thousandth rendition of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Another round of back clapping and hand shaking in front of the rooming house they were staying in, and the three caballeros trundled upstairs to their rooms.
The next morning came much too brightly for Jeremy’s taste. Nursing a fantastic headache, he stuffed his things in his bag and slowly decended the rooming house stairs. The lobby was deserted. Looking around for signs of his travelling partners, he spied a pot of coffee and some cups on a table. He helped himself to a cup and sat down on the settee, head in his hands. He was only vaguely aware of someone sitting down in a chair across from him.
She cleared her throat. “Excuse me.” No response. “Uuum, excuse me, sir.”
Finally Jeremy looked up. “Yes?”
“Mr. Bolt? Mr. Jeremy Bolt?”
“Yes?” he answered numbly. She looked familiar somehow.
“I’m Jenny,” she looked expectantly at him, “From Lucky’s Saloon....last night?” she tried to jog his memory.
Jeremy was surprised. This girl was barely more than a child, what would she have been doing in Lucky’s Saloon? Her blonde hair was curled in ringlets, her cotton dress well-fitting but faded. Her hands were folded in her lap and her face was devoid of make up. She looked every bit the proper young lady.
She continued earnestly. “I was working there last night when you and your friends were in.”
He shook his head, trying to reconcile the image of this young, demure girl with the party at the saloon last night. “You?”
She smiled at the small look of recognition in his eyes. “Yes, I was your waitress.” she looked down at her lap, “Congratulations on your achievement.” she looked back at him shyly.
Jeremy sat mutely. His throbbing head was making it difficult to make sense of this moment. Then his eyes grew wide as he began to remember how he had flirted with the barmaid, and what her true line of work might be.
“Um, you know, I’m married and, well, you’re sure a pretty girl but..”
“Excuse me?” She looked askance at him and continued. “Mr. Bolt, I need to talk to you about something, if you have a moment.”
Jeremy sighed and sipped his coffee. “Yes?”
“Well,” she began, eyes downcast. “When I heard last night that your name is Bolt, I well....” she stumbled over her words.
“Yes...go on.”
“Well, ummm, my name is Jenny Bolt.” she looked up expectantly, waiting to see if that meant something to him.
“Really? There are not a lot of Bolts around.” he walked over and refilled his coffee cup.
He saw her ringlets bob up and down. “I know. I was wondering....well...if we might be related.”
He smiled gently. “oh, I doubt that. My parents are long gone and I don’t know of any other relatives that live out here. Except for my two brothers and myself.”
She opened her small cloth purse and drew something out. “Mr. Bolt, I wonder if you would look at this.” She stood and walked over to Jeremy, a small photograph in her hand.
Jeremy studied it for a moment. The photograph showed a distinguished man and a younger woman holding a baby. He looked back at her. “This man looks like my father. Who is it?”
She drew herself up and looked him in the eye. “That’s my father and mother and me when I was a baby.”
Jeremy’s heart began to pound. “How could that be?”
Jenny’s heart was pounding also. “My father’s name was Jonathan Bolt.”
“B-but my father’s been dead for...” Jeremy’s stutter had a way of appearing at the most inopportune times.
“Fifteen years?” Jenny remained steady, looking Jeremy in the eye.
He was horrified. There must be some mistake. But Jonathan Bolt had indeed been dead for fifteen years. He was buried on Bridal Veil mountain, next to the boys’ mother, who had died some years earlier.
“There must be s-some other explanation.” he struggled to maintain his composure.
“I’m not sure what the explanation is, Mr. Bolt. My father died when I was a baby. I didn’t know him. But my mother often told me I had kin in Seattle...brothers.”
The room was swirling around Jeremy and he sank back into the settee. “I don’t remember my father ever saying he had a new wife and baby, miss. I think that’s something he might have mentioned.”
“I don’t know, Mr. Bolt.” she joined him on the settee, blue eyes wide. “My mother died two years ago. I was born and raised here, in Tacoma. Evidently my father lived in Seattle, with his sons, but travelled here a lot, where he met and married my mother. Your mother was already dead.”
“You know what, miss...miss...” Jeremy stood up abruptly. “I think you have the wrong guy, I can’t believe any of this...I’ve got to go now...” He grabbed his bag and walked outside into the brisk Tacoma morning.
She followed him out the door. “Mr. Bolt, I can see this comes as a shock to you. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” She tugged at his shirt sleeve, stopping him in his tracks, “I only....I mean...I don’t have anyone....I’ve always wanted to meet my brothers....” He whirled around and was shocked to see in her, standing firm with her arms crossed, a strong resemblance to Jason. Jason. He would know what to do. Jeremy was sure the man in the photograph was his father, they had a picture of him in the cabin and it was identical. He would know his own father, wouldn’t he? He tossed his bag into the wagon and rested his head on his forearm. Slowly he turned to her, where her face implored him.
“Miss...Jenny, what exactly do you want from me?”
Her lip was trembling and it reminded him how young she was. “I...just...well...” suddenly she pulled her self upright again. “you know what Mr. Bolt, I don’t want anything from you. I’m sorry to have taken up your time.” she dropped a small curtsy and walked quickly down the street.
Jeremy watched her, turned back to the wagon for a moment, then quickly strode off after her. Upon catching up with her, he put his arm on her shoulder. “How old are you, anyway?”
Her eyes were red-rimmed. “Sixteen.”
“You said your mother was dead. How do you take care of yourself?”
“I work at Lucky’s. I live in a room upstairs. I’m good with figures, though, really good.”
Joshua, Jeremy thought. So, she was sixteen and working and living in a bar to support herself. . Even if she wasn’t his sister she deserved better than that. He knew the right thing to do, but he was having trouble believing he would actually do it. He paused and took a deep breath. “Listen, why don’t you come to Seattle with me... at least for a visit.” he added quickly when he saw her eyes light up.
“I don’t want to be any trouble.” she replied slowly. “I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing it for two years now.”
Jeremy nodded. “Yeah, I know. Go get your things. You can ride with me and my friends today.” He was going to have to consult Jason about this.
Jenny smiled. “Well, thank you Mr. Bolt. I think I’ll take you up on your generous offer.” It was all she could do to keep from skipping down the street, but she remembered her manners, dropped another short curtsy, and hurried back to Lucky’s Saloon.
The day remained unseasonably beautiful, but Candy hardly noticed the weather. She and Biddie spent most of the morning in the Seattle square waiting for the great Madame Duvall, psychic and healer, and her carnival cast to arrive in town.
They were having tea at MaryBeth’s cafe when Jason spotted them and walked over.
“Not a word, Biddie!” Candy hissed as he approached.
“Good day ladies. Can you believe this sunshine? Why, it’s almost like spring!” Jason, ever enthusiastic, shielded his eyes from the sun.
“Oh, why yes, Jason, the flowers are blooming and everything!” Biddie exclaimed. “Won’t you join us?” she said, wincing as Candy kicked her under the table.
“Why certainly, I have a few moments.” he took a seat and turned to his sister-in-law. “And Candy, how are you feeling these days? It’s almost time for my little nephew to be born!”
She sipped her tea demurely. “I’m fine, Jason. And what makes you so sure it’s a nephew?” Oh yes, she thought, just what the world needs, another Bolt boy! “Jason, would you like to come to supper tonight and keep the children and I company?”
Jason took a lungful of air. “Well, that’s a fine invitation, Candy, but I am having dinner with Bonnie McKay tonight. “ he leaned toward them conspiratorially, “And to tell you the truth, I’d like to make it a double date with Aaron. I asked Bonnie to bring a friend, but I haven’t figured out how to get Aaron there yet.”
Biddie matched his tone. “Why don’t you just ask him?”
“Aaron told me he was tired of me fixing him up on dates. But you know ladies, I think he’s lonely.” For all their fussing and fighting, Jason considered Aaron Stempel his best friend and he noticed a sadness in him lately he hadn’t seen before. Jason knew that Aaron was lonely, and felt compelled to help his friend, but did not know how to go about it. It frustrated him, he wasn’t a man used to failure. “So, ladies, you’ve been spending a lot of time here at MaryBeth’s, did you run out of tea at home?”
Candy squirmed a bit in her seat. Jason would find her real reason for being in town silly. “Oh, just ....enjoying the sunshine.”
“Oh yes Jason, and we can get a good view from here.” Biddie added. Again she winced at the placement of Candy’s foot in her shin.
“A view of what?” Candy’s anxiety and Biddie’s pain did not go unnoticed by Jason. They were up to something, he thought.
“A...the flowers Lottie planted. They are so beautiful.” Candy knocked back her tea and grabbed Biddie’s arm. “Well, we’ve got to be going, Jason. Enjoy your date and good luck with Aaron tonight.” The girls stood up, Candy’s stomach almost overturning the table, and hurried off the porch.
Jason shook his head as he watched them rush down the path. Candy would be a handful for any man. He marvelled again at how his baby brother managed to keep his sanity.
“Biddie! Can’t you EVER keep quiet?” Candy, still dragging Biddie by her forearm, did not slow her pace until they were well out of town.
“Candy, you’re hurting me.” They stopped suddenly. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I did any harm.” Biddie looked downcast.
“Oh, I’m sorry Biddie.” Candy’s eyes widened in despair. “I’m just so nervous. And I know Jeremy wouldn’t approve.”
“Then why are you planning to do this, Candy?”
“What could it hurt?” Candy shrugged.
Biddie put her hand on Candy’s arm. “Oh well, we’ll come back later.” Candy nodded in agreement.
Leaves crunching under his feet, Jason walked up to the headquarters of Stempel’s mill, otherwise known as Aaron’s office, and peered in the window. Seeing his friend hunched over his desk, he knocked loudly. Aaron, startled at the noise, motioned him in.
They acknowledged each other with their usual one word greetings.
“Bolt.”
“Stempel.”
Silence.
Aaron looked up from his desk, “What do you want, Bolt? I’m very busy here.”
“Well Aaron, I have a problem.” Jason stood next to the desk and looked concerned.
“Yes? What is it?” Aaron continued to pour over his receipt book.
“Well, I’m having dinner with Bonnie McKay tonight and she....well, she has a...a..friend in town whom she doesn’t want to leave alone. Would you care to join us?”
Aaron stole a sideways glance. “Jason, I thought I made myself quite clear. I’ll court who I want, when I want.”
Jason’s wavy hair shook as he nodded his head. “Now, Aaron, I understand that. I’m asking as...as..a friend. You’d really be doing me a favor by coming with me tonight...or else.....Bonnie would need to stay home with her friend.” He smiled expectantly.
Aaron’s shoulders sank. He knew when he was beaten. “What time, Bolt.”
“Six-thirty. Meet us at MaryBeth’s.” Jason stood up and tried to sound sincere, “And, thanks again Aaron, you’ve really done me a favor. “
“Yes, well, you owe me Bolt...” Aaron turned around as Jason bounded out the door before he was able to finish his sentence.
The spangles on Madame Duvall’s dress clanged on the door of Lottie’s saloon, alerting Lottie to her presence. Lottie turned around abruptly and looked her old friend in the eye.
“Hello Marie. Back again, I see.”
Madame Duvall took a sweeping bow. “Greetings Carlotta, you’re looking well.”
Lottie gathered up some glasses and walked over to the bar. “And you also, Marie.” her voice conveyed no warmth.
“Can a lady still get a drink at your place, Carlotta?”
Lottie’s eyes were unsmiling as she answered. “If a lady were to enter, she could.”
“Now, Lottie. We’ve known each other so long. Can’t we at least be civil to each other?” Madame moved closer to the bar.
“Marie, I don’t appreciate your business. You know what I think of it. You’re a liar and a cheat. Now just do what you need to and get out of Seattle.”
Marie Duvall was clad in gypsy wear, as befitting her profession as psychic and healer. Her long grey hair was pulled up in a loose bun and her face was overly made up. She and Lottie had been friends long ago, in San Francisco, before Lottie moved to Seattle. Their lives just took different paths Marie thought; she could see no reason why Lottie had to be so hard on her.
“Well,” Madame said, “I’ll be setting up my wagon on the west side of the square, in case you should run into anyone desiring my services.” Her eyes widened, “Maybe you, Carlotta, would like to know what is going to happen to you in the future.”
“I could connect the stars in the sky, see what words it spelled out, and it would be as accurate as asking you, Marie. Now get out.” Lottie was firm.
Madame nodded her goodbye and, skirt swirling, exited the saloon.
Lottie continued to wipe glasses, shaking her head. Seattle was full of young unworldly people who might be taken in by Marie’s act. She wished she could find a way to stop it. She took a look outside her door to watch Marie’s progress. Lottie was horrified to see that Marie’s caravan had grown to four wagons, a full carnival. She shook her head again and closed the door. People were going to have to learn their own lessons, she thought glumly.
The wagon ride was pretty quiet. Corky and Miller were still sleeping off their hangovers, and Jenny was entranced with the trees. It was as if she had never seen them before. Jeremy watched her out of the corner of his eye. She sat perfectly straight, with gloved hands clasped in her lap at all times. She was not a street waif, as her circumstances might suggest, but a girl on her way to becoming a lady.
“Mr. Bolt...”
Jeremy smiled, “Jeremy, please.”
“Jeremy, tell me about these trees, are they like the ones you cut down?” Jenny’s head whipped around at the sight of some wildlife ducking around a large tree trunk.
“Well, uh, yes, there are a lot of different trees, and we use them for different things...” that said, Jeremy launched into a description of the many species of tree found in their immediate area. Jenny gave him her rapt attention.
She pointed to a hawk high in the air, “Hey, look at that!”
Bemused, Jeremy turned to her, “Jenny, it’s just a hawk. Those are pretty common around here.”
Jenny looked down at her hands, “Well, Jeremy, I’ve never been out of Tacoma, so it’s new to me.”
Never been out of Tacoma? How could that be?
She continued, “My mother worked at Lucky’s after my father died, and there wasn’t much time for anything but that.”
“You mean to say your...uh, father didn’t provide for you?” Jeremy thought of the mountain, his father’s legacy, that meant so much to he and his brothers.
Jenny shrugged. “No, not really. As my mother told it, he didn’t want you all to know about us, so we weren’t to go to Seattle to see you. He left us a little money, I guess, but it didn’t last long.” It wasn’t the money that Jenny missed, it was knowing her family. Her brothers. Especially when her mother died, and she was left alone.
They rode on a while in silence.
“Jeremy?”
“hmmm?”
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to meet you and your brothers.” She kept her eyes downcast. “I...I..always wanted to meet you. I hope I’m not going to be a burden.”
Jeremy ran his hands through his hair, “Well, Jenny, I guess we’ll have to see what Jason says.” He smiled and nodded ahead. “We’re getting pretty close to Seattle.”
The sunset was going to be a beauty.
Madame Duvall’s carnival was in full swing by nightfall, and the town of Seattle was abuzz. Bonfires and firecrackers lit the square, and the boom-boom-kachink of a one-man band filled the air. The Madame herself was holding court in the largest wagon, and the line was already quite long when Jason Bolt, Aaron Stempel and their dates entered MaryBeth’s cafe.
The girls looked quizzically at the scene in the square. Bonnie spoke first, as Jason was helping her into her seat, “My goodness, Jason, what is going on out there?”
“Well, it looks as if the carnival is in town. Wouldn’t you say, Aaron?” Jason pushed Bonnie’s chair in and glared at his friend, who hadn’t said two words in 10 minutes.
“Yes, it certainly does, Jason.” Aaron answered distractedly. He seated his date perfunctually and took his own seat.
“Aaron, “ Jason kicked him under the table, “Shall we get these lovely ladies a drink?”
“Oh sure, Jason, good idea.” Stempel forced a smile and accompanied Jason to the bar.
Jason was having a hard time keeping his temper in check, knowing that if he exploded at Stempel for his poor social skills, it might drive him further into himself. He tried a different tack. “Aaron, aren’t you having a good time? Emily seems like a nice girl...”
Stempel waved him off, “Oh yes, Jason, she’s fine. I don’t know why I’m so distracted tonight. I just feel like this is an exercise in futility.” He nodded at the barkeep, who returned with two whiskeys.
Jason drained his glass. “Well Aaron, it will be if you don’t hold up your end of the conversation. Now, just give her a chance, will you? After all, it is almost spring, and those are two fine flowers, now don’t you think?” Jason was actually quite fond of Bonnie McKay and wished for the evening to go well.
Their conversation was cut short by the grand entrance of one Captain Clancey, all abluster.
“Jason, Jason Bolt!” he waved and hobbled over to the table where Jason and Aaron’s dates sat patiently. Jason and Aaron hurried back to head him off.
“Yes, Captain. Welcome back, what can we do for you this fine evening?” Jason took the lead in corralling him.
“Well, I just noticed that the carnival was in town. and..” finally he noticed the ladies at the table. Removing his hat, he curtly greeted them, “Ladies...” and immediately turned his attention back to Jason. “...anyway, I was looking for young Bolt.”
Jason’s eyes narrowed, “Jeremy?”
“Yes, bucko. I wanted to ask him what in blue blazes his Mrs was doing waiting in line to see the Madame?” he patted Jason on the back, “...and her being in the family way, ‘n all.”
“Who’s the Madame?” Emily asked, demurely sipping from her glass.
“Yes Jason, what would Candy be doing seeing a fortune teller?” Aaron never missed a chance to try to get under Jason’s skin. Never.
Jason rolled his eyes. “Well, I don’t know, and frankly, it’s not my business. As it is not yours or yours. “ He punctuated his statement by looking directly at Clancey and Stempel. “I’m sure Candy is just having some fun. Now, good captain, if you don’t mind. Aaron and I were having dinner with these two lovely ladies.”
“Oh and beggin your pardon, Mr. Bolt. Mr. Stempel. Ladies.” Again, Clancey tipped his hat, turned on his heel and with a flourish, was gone.
Aaron turned to his date. “So, Emily, tell me a little about yourself...”
The sounds of Seattle met them before the sight of it by a good deal. Jeremy dropped Corky and Miller at the camp and he and Jenny proceeded down the hill into town. He was so tired from the last two days, he could hardly see straight. Jenny, on the other hand, was wide awake and trying to calm her fluttering stomach. She had waited so long for this day, and she thought it would never come. She patted her hair and tried to straighten her dress. However, a long days ride in a buckboard wagon had not done anything to improve her outward appearance.
“Something’s going on in town, but I’m not sure what it is.” Jeremy was craning his head around the tree branches, trying to get a glimpse of what was causing the noise they were hearing. “It looks like a carnival or something.”
She wondered where her other brothers were. Jeremy must have thought they were in town, as that’s where they were headed, even at this late hour. He brought the horses to an abrupt stop at the edge of town. She clutched her hat and bag tightly.
“Well, it sure is a carnival. I wonder why I didn’t remember one was coming.” Jeremy helped her off the wagon, once again marveling at how petite she was. He continued to look around the square. The citizenry of Seattle were all out, enjoying the music, dancing and side shows. Between the music and the firecrackers, Jeremy couldn’t hear himself think. He guided Jenny toward Lottie’s. Just then, a shriek hit his ears. He turned sharply toward the sound, familiar somehow, coming from Madame Duvall’s wagon, where he saw a flash of auburn hair fly out of the back.
“Candy...” he yelled, but she did not hear him. Before he could move toward her, he saw Biddie running after her, calling her name.
Jeremy, clearly torn, looked at Jenny and then after Candy, who was racing up the path to their home.
“Jeremy, go after her..... I’ll be alright.” Jenny pushed him in the direction of the path, trying to sound more certain than she was.
He started off, calling back to her. “I’ll be right back.”
Jenny took a deep breath and was almost mowed down by a couple of children chasing the firecrackers.
“Excuse me ma’am.” the young boy said. The young girl curtsied quickly. “Yes, excuse us...”
They were about to run off when Jenny stopped them. “Um...” They called me ma’am, she thought with a chuckle. “Where might I get a cup of tea?”
The girl spoke first. “Oh, you could try Lottie’s. Or maybe MaryBeth’s.”
“Are you new in town?” the boy asked.
“Well, yes I am. My name’s Jenny. What’s yours?”
“I’m Molly Pruitt and this is my brother Christopher.” The young girl said, smiling at her. “C’mon, we can show you to MaryBeth’s.” The three of them walked over to the cafe and took seats at a table on the porch.
Molly and Christopher? Those names sounded familiar somehow. Did Jeremy mention them? She glanced over at them again, scanning their features for any sign of recognition. The waitress brought them some tea and sarsaparillas and they sipped them noisily.
“Do you know anyone in Seattle?” Molly asked. Although thirteen to Jenny’s sixteen, the age difference was readily apparent in their dress. Molly had one of her old favorite ginghams, while Jenny had her mother’s silk traveling suit and hat on.
“Well, as a matter of fact, I’m looking for Jason Bolt.” There, she said it. After all, that was why she was here. She sipped her tea.
Molly peered in the window. “Well, he’s in there.”
“I think he’s on a date.” Christopher chimed in.
“How do you know Jason?” Molly continued, looking sternly at Christopher. How many times had Candy told them that other people’s business was just that, other peoples...
Jenny took a deep breath. She saw no sign of Jeremy, no telling when he would be back. She forgot to be afraid and began to tell them the whole story.
Jeremy burst into the house and glanced around for Candy and Biddie. He heard muffled sounds coming from their bedroom and followed them. His heart broke when he saw Candy sobbing on the bed and Biddie trying to comfort her.
“Jeremy, I’m glad you’re here.” Biddie stood up and backed away from the bed. “I’ll go make some warm milk.” she exited back into the kitchen.
He gently sat down next to his wife and stroked her hair. “Candy, what is it? What happened? Are you alright?” She didn’t immediately respond, but her sobs continued. “C’mon Candy, tell me what’s wrong.”
She rolled over to look at him. “Jeremy....the baby....”
“What about the baby?” he said, brows furrowed in concern.
“The Madame....she read the cards...”
What madame? Jeremy was trying to follow her train of thought. He could barely make anything out through her tears.
“the fortune teller...she said....the cards said...pain…and loss… Oh Jeremy, the way she looked at me...” Candy turned away from him. “I’m so afraid...”
He pulled her close to him. “Candy. Don’t be afraid. I’m here now.“ He held her tightly. “Dr. Wright says everything’s going to be fine....You’re not going to believe some old....f..fortune teller more than the doctor, are you?”
“But Jeremy...the cards don’t lie...” she wept.
“Cards? Candy, what’s gotten into you?” He took her chin in his hands. “Now where’s my sensible girl? There are no cards that will change anything about you, or me, or the baby. Everything’s going to be fine. I promise.” He would do anything to protect her and the child, and couldn’t bear to see her like this. He held her for a while longer until her sobs subsided.
Biddie peeked in when she noticed the room was quiet. “Would you like some warm milk, Candy?” Jeremy waved her in. Kissing Candy on the cheek, he walked into the kitchen, then out the front door.
Aaron discreetly checked his pocket watch for the third time. Two hours at MaryBeth’s and all he wanted to do was go home. Jason, of course, was the life of the party. Even now he was regaling the ladies with some logging story. Starring him, of course. The girls laughed gaily and Emily looked again over at Aaron.
“My goodness. A loggers life is full of surprises, isn’t it Mr. Stempel?” she tried once again to engage him.
Aaron looked a bit dyspeptic, “Oh yes, Miss Jones, I’m afraid a mere sawmill worker could never keep up with all that.” She seemed so nice, although Aaron just couldn’t bring himself to care whether she was there or not. He wondered again why the rituals of courting were so difficult for him. He had had relationships in the past, but it seemed nowadays that he just couldn’t be bothered.
He smiled gamely at Jason, who noted his discomfort. “Well, now, Aaron,” Jason began, “why don’t you tell the ladies about that time when....”
His effort was cut short by a couple of his loggers bursting into MaryBeth’s.
“Jason...better come quick...Jeremy’s going to jail...” they were breathless from the run to the cafe.
Jason stood up abruptly, “Jeremy? I didn’t even know he was back from Tacoma.” He motioned to Aaron and they followed the loggers out the door, almost upsetting the table where Molly, Christopher and Jenny were sitting. Aaron and Jason’s dates walked as far as the porch railing, upon deciding ladies should not be involved in such matters.
“What’s going on?” Molly asked Bonnie, who gave a vague answer about some trouble. Molly, Christopher and Jenny shared a look, leapt up and followed Jason and Aaron toward Madame Mussier’s wagon. By the time they caught up, Jason was yelling, Jeremy was yelling, and Aaron was trying to free Jeremy’s arms from the strongmen that held them tightly.
“...but J-Jason, she told Candy that..that..something terrible was going to happen to the baby.” Jeremy struggled to get loose of his captors.
Jason was using his best bluster, “So you thought you’d do what exactly?”
“Jason, she was h-hysterical...”
Jason turned his attention to the strongmen. “Was anyone hurt?”
The taller of the two looked at Jason with his bloodshot eyes. “Nope, we saw to that. He just came stormin’ in, swingin’ his fists, and we were just doing our job...”
“Well, it’s a sad job you have. I’ll take him.”
Jeremy’s captors looked at each other, and sizing up Jason and Aaron, decided to free him. They pushed their way through the crowd back to their wagons, stonefaced.
Jason clamped his hands on Jeremy’s shoulders, “Jeremy, is Candy alright?”
“Yes, Biddie’s with her.”
“Then, I suggest you go and be with her too.” Jason physically turned his brother around and pointed him in the direction of his cabin. “I don’t think she would appreciate it if you spent the night in jail...”
Jeremy whirled around, “But Jason, there’s s-something I need to talk to you about...”
Jason shook his head. “It can wait until tomorrow, Jeremy, Candy needs you now.”
“No, really Jason....”
Jason shoved him down the path. “Tomorrow, Jeremy. Now go, or you WILL see the inside of the jail. Right Aaron?” Aaron nodded solemnly. Jason continued to prod the protesting Jeremy down the road.
Jenny’s heart sank as she watched Jason and Jeremy walk down the road out of town. This was not what she had planned. The only person she knew in Seattle was leaving her stranded in the rapidly emptying town square. She was in a strange city, all alone. Hot tears escaped from her eyes and ran down her cheeks. But she did not have time for tears now. Her instincts for self-preservation ran too strongly. She turned toward the most familiar building in town and ran toward it.
“Hey, Mr. Stempel..” Christopher called after Aaron as they walked back into the square.
“Yes, Christopher?” Aaron did not slow his stride.
“We met Jason’s sister tonight, do ya want to meet her?” Christopher’s and Molly’ short legs struggled to keep up with Aaron.
Aaron stopped and looked at him quizzically, “What are you talking about? Jason doesn’t have a sister.”
“Oh yes he does, we talked to her at MaryBeth’s. “ Molly chimed in. “She was right here...” she looked around, but did not see Jenny. “oh, she’s gone now.”
“Molly, I don’t know what you two are on about. Shouldn’t you be getting back home now? It’s getting late.” Aaron pulled his jacket more snugly around him.
The children shrugged, said their goodbyes, and wandered off. Aaron looked over to the porch at MaryBeth’s cafe. He did not see Bonnie or Emily. “Well, that’s that, I guess...” he muttered as he too left the square.
Jenny walked into Lottie’s as inconspicuously as she could. The smells of smoke, bodies, and liquor assaulted her, as she walked toward the bar. Lottie noticed her immediately.
“May I help you?” she said with a bit of a motherly tone.
Jenny dabbed her tears and straightened her back, “Yes ma’am, are you Lottie?” stuffing her hankerchief back in her little purse, she tried to steady her voice.
“Why, yes I am, what can I do for you?” Lottie’s eyes took in Jenny’s slight form from her violet hat atop ringlets all askew, to her red-rimmed eyes.
“I...I’d like a room please....I don’t have any money, but I can work in exchange.” Unfortunately, Jenny could see her saloon skills might come in handy. She had hoped not to have to use them again.
Lottie slowly handed her a key and pointed to the stairs. “Second door on the left. Are you alone, miss?”
Jenny frowned, “...yes, I guess I am. What time should I start tomorrow?”
Lottie came around the bar, her dress gracefully swishing along the floor. “Now dearie, we can talk about all that tomorrow.” she escorted Jenny to the stairs, “second door on the left. Good night.”
“goodnight Miss Lottie.” Jenny slowly ascended the stairs, her silks dragging along behind her.
A small shaft of moonlight shone through the curtains in Candy and Jeremy’s bedroom, casting a bluish glow on their wedding quilt. However, Candy was not sleeping. Between her red swollen eyes, and her whale-like midsection, she was too uncomfortable to sleep. Even Jeremy’s deep, even breathing next to her did not help ease her nerves. Earlier, she had heard him come in and have a murmured conversation with Biddie. Then after a while he quietly climbed into bed next to her. She was so embarrassed by her earlier behavior that she feigned sleep. He was right, where did her sense go?? Imagine believing that some deck of cards was going to be able to tell her whether her baby would be well or not. But she couldn’t forget how sure the Madame had been...
“Well ladies,” Madame Duvall was studying Candy’s face for any sign of trouble. “What can I do for you today?”
Biddie suppressed a giggle. “We want to know the future. Isn’t that what you do?”
“Yes,” Candy agreed, heart pounding, “I’d like to know what my future holds.”
Madame glanced at Candy’s bulging abdomen and up to her face. Candy’s bright blue eyes were wide with anticipation. It didn’t take the Madame very long to figure out what was on Candy’s mind. Slowly, and with much ceremony, she drew a large deck of cards out of a black velvet pouch. She spoke what to Candy sounded like an incantation and began to place them down on the table.
She watched Candy out of the corner of her eye as she turned over the cards, one by one. They were not coming out with a positive message. Marie Duvall was certain how to interpret the signs on the cards, but she was not so sure how to tell the young woman in front of her the interpretation. She really had no desire to upset her, but card after card foretold anguish and pain.
Candy’s hands began to tremble as the dark images kept appearing. The even tones of Madame’s voice did not make the sitting any easier. She tried to cushion the reading as best as she could, but with the last card, she could not.
“Are you under a doctor’s care, miss?” she asked Candy.
Candy was finding it hard to catch her breath. “Yes, I am. Why do you ask?” She put on her politest New Bedford smile.
“Um...well, I’m afraid the reading brings some bad news....” Marie watched as Candy’s impossibly wide eyes grew even larger. Biddie put her hands on Candy’s shoulders.
“W...what?” Just then the baby moved inside Candy and she instinctively wrapped her hands around her belly.
“Well, I think...you...well...maybe you should prepare for....the...the” Marie did not know how she could say these words, “possibility that .....all is not well with your baby...” Shock and horror registered on both Candy and Biddie’s faces, “Well...it’s just that the cards say....” she couldn’t finish her sentence as Candy screamed and ran out the door, with Biddie in hot pursuit.
Snug in her bed, Candy wanted to cry, but she had no tears left. She refused to believe the God of her Sunday School lessons would do anything but allow this child to arrive safely into the arms of the two parents who wanted it so. Cards or no cards. Maybe she would go and see Reverend Miller tomorrow, perhaps some extra prayers would help... And then to Dr. Wright’s office. She readjusted her body again and tried to concentrate on Jeremy’s still-even breathing, in hopes that she might finally get some rest.
The house was dark, as usual. Not even a porchlight to welcome any visitors. But then, Aaron Stempel had not had many visitors lately. He opened the front door with a sigh and lit the small oil lamp inside the front room. He glanced around the formal sitting room, taking in all corners, mentally checking for any objects out of place. When he was satisfied with his inventory, he poured himself a whiskey nightcap and sank down in his favorite chair. As he ruminated on the evening just passed, he found his thoughts turning to Ellen. He and Ellen were no older than Candy and Jeremy when they had fallen in love. Ellen was the only woman to whom Aaron felt he could bare his soul. That was back before he locked his soul up behind a sawmill’s office door. Back before the Apaches ruined the life he had so wanted.
Surely there was a woman somewhere that could allow him to feel like that again... Time, his entire lifetime, was passing him by. Marriage, children, all of the things he thought he never wanted, at least after Ellen, suddenly seemed so important. Like there was some kind of deadline to be met. The house he’d contentedly lived in for almost all his adult life now felt so empty, he rarely did anything but sleep there. Aaron sighed deeply and, setting his half-full glass down, went into the washroom. He lit a small candle and splashed water on his face. He looked into the mirror where a man he almost didn’t recognize stared back. In the flickering candlelight his sharp features looked hollow, and he looked much older than he was. Hurriedly, he blew out the candle.
Jenny was floating down the stairs of Lottie’s. She was so glad to see everyone from Seattle there to greet her. She was in an elegant red dress, and her hair was fixed ornately on top of her head. At the bottom of the stairs were Jason and Jeremy, arms outstretched. She lost herself in their dazzling smiles. Her brothers each took an arm and began to escort her around the saloon, introducing her to all the patrons. She smiled and waved gaily, and, not forgetting her manners, dropped a curtsy now and then. Her happiness filled her like a warm bath down to her velvet-clad feet. The three of them nodded slowly to everyone in the room as the men escorted her to the door. But while Jason held it open, Jeremy pushed her out of it and slammed it behind her. She was in the mud now, choking on her screams.
She opened her eyes and it was morning.
The sun had not yet broken through the trees when Jeremy awoke from his fitful sleep. Leaving Jenny behind had been hard, but it was a no-win situation, either leave or go to jail. Jeremy wished Jason would have shut up long enough for him to get a word in edgewise. He was beginning to feel uneasy about talking to Jason and Joshua about Jenny. Somehow in the light of day, it seemed like a much more difficult chore. Slowly, so as not to disturb Candy, he slid out from the blankets, hoping to make it to town quickly.
“Jeremy?” came a sleepy voice.
He leaned over to kiss her, “Good morning.” He whispered. He turned and pulled on his boots. Candy inched herself up on her elbows. “Jeremy, it’s not even light out. Where are you going?”
“I have to go into town. Go back to sleep.”
She inched herself up a little more, “Well, at least let me make you some breakfast.”
He put his hands on her shoulders and nudged her back into the feather pillows. “No, I’ll get something at Lottie’s. You rest some more, I’ll be back later.” He flashed her a grin, grabbed his shirt and before she could protest some more, was out the door.
Candy sighed. Jeremy must be really upset with her. She couldn’t bear the thought of that. They had had their share of arguments over the course of their relationship, their quick tempers had seen to that, but it was the times that she disappointed him that were the worst of all. Jeremy had such a keen sense of right and wrong, Candy felt she could never quite measure up. And when she acted foolishly, like last night, it was the worst of all. She sank back down into the bedding and waited for Molly and Christopher to awaken.
Lottie was setting her flowers in vases for the tables when someone banged at the door. Frowning, she walked over to the window and peered out.
“Jeremy!” she opened the door and ushered him in. “What brings you here so early?” He nodded his greeting and followed her to the bar, where she brought out a steaming pot of coffee and poured him a cup.
“Well, uh...I...aa...” he gulped down some coffee to stop his stammering.
“Jeremy, sit down.” she guided him to a table, and looked steadily at him. At this moment, he still looked like the boy she’d once known; shaggy hair hanging in eyes still puffy from sleep. Lottie could tell something was wrong. She had heard about last night’s altercation and was planning on having words with her ‘friend’ Marie today. But, Jeremy must have had a reason for coming to her so early. She waited quietly for him to speak.
Jeremy wondered what he should say. He didn’t want to tell anyone about Jenny before he had a chance to talk to Jason, but for all of his life, he had always felt that he could talk to Lottie. She always knew the right thing to say, so he took a chance that the words would come out right. He needn't have worried, for once he opened his mouth to speak, the words tumbled out freely. He told her the whole story. More than the discovery of Jenny, it was the contract he had won, and Candy and the baby, and the fortune teller. It was his confusion about the two roles he played, the grown man who made a decision to bring Jenny to Seattle, or the little brother being forced about by his elders.
“.....so I guess that explains the young lady upstairs.” Lottie said when Jeremy was finished his tale.
Relief flooded him. “She’s here?”
Lottie nodded. “Room two.” She put her hand on his arm as he started for the stairs, “Jeremy, it’s early. She looked like she needed some rest. I’ll not have you bursting in on her uninvited.”
Jeremy’s shoulders sagged. He momentarily considered continuing upstairs, but the set of Lottie’s jaw gave him pause.
“So, do you believe her?” she asked plainly.
“I don’t know how I can’t, Lottie. She has a picture of my father with a woman and baby I’ve never seen before.”
“You’re sure there can be no mistake?”
“Lottie....” Jeremy looked down and sighed. “I did what I thought I had to do.”
She stood up and brushed her hand gently over his cheek. “Then go talk to Jason.” Jeremy paused, then nodded and walked out the front door. Lottie smiled as she watched him go. She was proud of Jeremy and who he had become. She had worried about him so, growing up without parents, such a sensitive child. Lottie herself had had a large hand in raising him, filling in the blanks of Jason’s undeveloped parenting skills. Jason was younger than Jeremy is now, and was in charge of not only a business, but two young brothers. He had turned to Lottie on more than one occasion for help and advice. What Lottie didn’t say to Jeremy about Jason was how difficult it was for parents to let go. A lesson he himself would probably learn down the road.
The sun streamed in the front windows. Another unseasonably bright and sunny day. Still smiling, Lottie continued to prepare her tables for opening.
The sunlight was like a pin poking Jenny in the eye. She awoke not knowing what was real or what was a dream. The room was comfortable, but unfamiliar, and it took her a while to regain her bearings. Then, as the events of the past two days came flooding back to her, she turned her head into the pillow. It was frightening and exhilarating all at the same time. She tried to give herself a pep talk, but it was to no avail. She was in a strange city, she knew only one person, Jeremy - her brother, and he had left her alone in the square.
“Well, I guess I can just go back to Tacoma. Maybe I can get my old job back at Lucky’s.” She arose and began to prepare for the day. “I mean, I’ve done ok so far....I haven’t needed any help from anyone.” she buttoned her shoes carefully. “If they don’t want me, I can go. Maybe my father had the right idea keeping us from them. Maybe there’s something wrong with them...” Her thoughts streamed quickly by, but they brought her no comfort. The fact was, she never wanted to see the inside of Lucky’s Saloon again, she didn’t care if she ever saw Tacoma again, and she desperately wanted her brothers to recognize her as part of their family.
Lottie’s was still fairly quiet when Jenny ventured down the stairs. A tall dark haired man was having an animated conversation with Lottie and a grizzled-looking sea captain. She moved as quietly as she could, but Lottie noticed her right away. She left the two men and quickly was at Jenny’s side.
“Good morning, dear.” Lottie said, surprised in the difference in Jenny’s appearance. The violet satin gown and hat had given way to butterscotch gingham and a matching hair bow in her tow-head of hair. Only the remnants of ringlets remained, like the sweet memory of a party now over.
“Good morning ma’am.” Jenny dropped a curtsy. “May I sit down?”
Lottie sat at the nearest table. “Of course, dear. Would you like some breakfast?”
Jenny took a deep whiff. The food smelled so good, she was famished, but there was something she needed to take care of, first. “I would, but first I need to speak with you about a working arrangement. I’m an experienced barmaid, I have a couple of years...” her words came quickly, but Lottie interrupted her.
“You don’t look old enough to even be in a place like this, let alone work here.” Lottie exclaimed. She looked about thirteen, although Lottie realized she must be older. She found herself searching for echoes of Jonathan Bolt in Jenny’s face, and she shocked herself by finding it in her brow and the set of her jaw. Her bright blue eyes were a dead giveaway also. “I don’t really need another barmaid right now, I don’t think I even got your name.”
“Jenny. Jenny Bolt.”
At the very sound of that four letter word, Aaron Stempel’s head whipped around, remembering his conversation of last night with Christopher. Why, this must be the girl! He sauntered over to Lottie and Jenny.
“Bolt, you say?” his Cheshire-cat grin unnerved Lottie. He pulled up a chair. “You know, we have some Bolts here in Seattle.”
“Have a seat, Aaron.” Lottie snarled.
“Don’t mind if I do.” He was already seated. He turned his attention back to Jenny, “So, are you....related?”
She looked him over, taking in his dark wavy hair and his big smile. She was not sure how to react to him, he was acting solicitous enough, but she sensed something else. Hesitantly, she continued. “Um...yes, they’re my brothers.”
Aaron feigned shock. “Brothers, you say. Well, well, Lottie, I don’t recall the Bolt brothers ever saying anything about having a sister.” he smiled again at Jenny. “Allow me to introduce myself. “ he took her hand and kissed it gently, “Aaron Stempel, at your service.”
“Jenny Bolt.” Jenny nodded her greeting, her eyes never wavering from his, not sure what exactly was going on.
Clancy had quickly joined them. “Why, dearie, where did you come from? Awwww Lottie, ain’t she the picture of Jason, now.....” he continued to fawn over Jenny, while Aaron chattered on about Seattle.
“Ex-cuse me.” Lottie interrupted. “This was a private conversation.”
“So, “ Aaron continued, ignoring Lottie’s pointed remark. “Miss Bolt, have you seen your brothers yet?”
“Jeremy brought me here from Tacoma. I haven’t met Jason or Joshua yet.” Jenny looked down at her entwined hands.
She hadn’t met Jason or Joshua yet. Aaron was having a hard time containing his glee. He stood up and put his hands on Jenny’s chair. “Well, I’d be pleased to show you to their cabin.”
“Aaron...” Lottie warned.
“Lottie, I wouldn’t be a gentleman if I let this young lady try to find her way around Seattle all by herself, now would I? “ Aaron helped Jenny out of her chair, and guided her to the front door. As they exited, he shot another grin back Lottie and Clancy’s way. “Good day.”
“Good day.” Lottie spat at him as he closed the door behind them. “Snake in the grass.” she muttered. Anytime Aaron could get under Jason’s skin was a good day for him. She wished he would stay out of it. “C’mon fishface, I’ll buy you a drink.”
Clancy smiled and pulled her chair out for her. “Aaaah yes dearie, that would be just fine.”
Jenny’s fingers rested lightly on Aaron’s arm as he escorted her to the Bolt cabin. She smiled as he pointed out the wildflowers just beginning to bloom along the path. She was so taken with his gallant manner, she forgot to be nervous about their destination. His dark good looks were pretty distracting as well.
Aaron could barely contain his glee. He couldn’t wait to see the look on Jason’s face when presented with a new sibling! A long lost sister! Another person with a claim on Bridal Veil Mountain! He chuckled to himself imagining how Jason would squirm.
Or maybe he wasn’t chuckling exactly to himself, as he noticed Jenny looked over at him quizzically.
Aaron didn’t know why she had come, whether this story of hers was true; or if she was just an opportunist, a gold-digger looking for a piece of a mountain that was worth more every day. He had to admit that Jenny did seem like a nice girl though; pretty too, he couldn’t help noticing. Her breezy laugh and animated conversation betrayed her unorthodox upbringing. She was no prissy East Coast bred girl, although her behavior was nothing if not ladylike.
They stopped walking upon reaching the cabin. A man’s cabin, Jenny noted to herself. No flowers in the garden, or curtains in the windows. Aaron rapped on the door, but only silence greeted them.
“Hmmmm, they must be up at the camp.” he turned to Jenny and smiled, “Would you like me to escort you up there, it’s just a while on up the mountain.”
Oh, yes, Jenny’s heart leaped, please do! “I’m sure I’ve already taken up too much of your time, Mr. Stempel.” she managed to be a bit demure.
Aaron looked around and checked his watch. “Oh, it’s no trouble. I didn’t have any plans for the morning.” he offered his arm again. “Really, it would be my pleasure.”
She took his arm gladly. The path to the camp was narrow and not always level, and Jenny found herself stumbling around the unfamiliar territory. Aaron, surefooted over this well-traveled terrain, was always there to keep her from falling. He entertained her with stories of wild and wooly Seattle, and she found herself laughing aloud.
Finally they came upon the deserted logging camp. Most of the loggers were in town courting their sweethearts, and those that had married didn’t stay at camp anymore. However, they did hear voices coming from the Bolt tent, in the center of the camp. Loud voices. Angry voices that the canvas of a tent could not contain.
Jenny’s eyes began to widen as they neared the tent. She winced at the shouting, and was horrified when she realized it was about her. As was Aaron.
“....Jeremy, you can’t just pick up people like a stray cat!”
“Jason, she’s not a stray cat!”
“...well we don’t know who or what she is, do we??”
From outside, Jenny could understand the implication of that last statement.
Jason continued, “We don’t know the first thing about her, do we? She could be after our business, our mountain, and you just cart her down here???”
“What about the picture??”
“I haven’t seen any picture.....”
“I have, and Jason, it’s our father!”
Now came another, softer voice, “Jason, I think Jeremy would know if it was Father or not.”
“Joshua, don’t tell me you are on his side... Honestly, Jeremy, sometimes you don’t have the sense of a mule...”
At that moment, a flurry of gingham burst through the tent flaps. Jenny’s eyes blazed as she planted her hands on her hips. Aaron followed her in.
“Jenny??” Jeremy whirled around to see her in living color.
“Aaron???” Jason and Joshua cried in unison, looking at their sheepish guest.
Jenny looked directly at Jason and began to speak, “Listen, Mr. Bolt. You may not believe I am who I say I am, but I do not deserve to be spoken about as if I was some....some...I am not an alley cat, and I am not a whore.”
Jason was flabbergasted by the tiny girl’s outburst. “um...well, I beg your pardon, miss.”
“Jenny, this is...” Jeremy stepped forward, but Jenny interrupted him. “I think I know who they are, Jeremy. Thank you anyway.” she whirled around to Aaron. “Mr. Stempel, would you mind escorting me back to town?”
Aaron could see that her lip was trembling and her eyes were filled with tears. He could see that she wanted to leave with some dignity. “Yes, certainly, Miss Bolt.” he emphasized the last word, as she took his arm and they left the tent.
Jeremy ran after them. “Jenny, just give me some time. And give me the picture.”
Jenny did not look at him. “Thanks, Jeremy, all the same. I don’t think this is going to work out.”
“Really, Jeremy, I...” Aaron turned.
“Stempel, how exactly did you get involved in this? This is Bolt Brothers’ business.” Jeremy interrupted.
“Bolt Brothers??” Aaron peered down at Jeremy’s diminutive figure walking along side of him. “Sounds like you might have to reword that.”
“Jenny, please wait.” Jeremy implored.
“Jeremy, please leave me alone. I know when I’m not wanted.” Jenny could barely get the words out.
Jeremy stopped walking abruptly and Aaron continued to lead her down the path. He turned around and, head down, walked back to the tent, where his brothers were still fighting.
Jenny and Aaron walked a long while in silence, broken only by Jenny’s sniffles. Aaron offered her his handkerchief, and she took it, gladly. Aaron truly felt badly for her. He also felt some remorse for his part in leading her to the slaughter.
“Miss Bolt?”
“Please, call me Jenny.” she sighed, taking in the fragrance of the trees, as well as of the man walking next to her.
Aaron nodded, “Jenny. May I buy you some breakfast?” Perhaps this small gesture would calm his screaming conscience.
Again unsure of his motives, but starving all the same she replied, “Thank you, that would be nice, Mr. Stempel.”
Jason nursed his drink while he contemplated the fine knots in Lottie’s bar. It had not been a very good day. Jeremy was not speaking to him. Joshua declared himself out of the fray, and some young girl claiming to be his sister was running around Seattle on the arm of Aaron Stempel. He sighed deeply then drained his glass.
“Lottie, again please.” he tapped his glass on the bar.
“Now Jason, is this going to help?” Lottie asked as she refilled his glass.
Jason shrugged his large shoulders. “Oh Lottie, it certainly couldn’t hurt.” he had an air of resignation about him that Lottie had seen only rarely before.
However, she knew exactly what was on his mind. “So, did you meet the girl?” she ventured, ushering him to a table.
He looked surprised, and Lottie took a seat and relayed the story of Jenny’s arrival the previous night, and Jeremy’s early morning visit.
Jason was uncharacteristically quiet. He trained his eyes on her intently. “Lottie, if my father had a whole second family, don’t you think I would have known about it?”
Now it was Lottie’s turn to shrug. “I don’t know Jason, you were not much more than a boy yourself.”
“I was my father’s right hand man, Lottie, “Jason’s eyes shone with indignity. “Why, “he shook his hands for emphasis, “My father would have confided in me, told me something...he wouldn’t have betrayed me...us...like this!”
“Maybe he was afraid you’d react just as you’re doing right now.” she poured herself a drink. She continued quickly as Jason opened his mouth to respond. “Jason, your father was a young, vital man when your mother died. Is it so hard for you to believe he would be lonely for the company of a woman?” Silence. “He died so suddenly. Maybe he was going to tell you but didn’t get the chance. You’ll never know....But Jason, it’s not the girl’s fault.”
Jason almost writhed in his seat. “Oh, I know that Lottie. But I just can’t believe that my father could do this to me...to us.” he added quickly. His brothers were but an afterthought, this was personal. “We don’t know anything about her. As...as far as I know, she’s just some young girl Jeremy picked up off the streets of Tacoma.” Jason folded his arms as if to end the conversation.
“And as far as Jeremy’s concerned, she is your sister. He’s not a boy you know Jason. He made a man’s decision, and you would do well to respect it.” Lottie rose to help some other customers, when Jason put his hand on her arm. “Lottie, I know he’s a man, I’ve certainly told enough people that. I do believe in him, but this...this is...too much.”
Lottie shrugged again. “Well, the famous Bolt stubbornness comes through again.” she leaned in close to Jason, “Compromise, Jason. Find a way to solve this without anyone losing face.”
Jason ran his hand over his chin and fixed his gaze on the front window. Lottie refilled his glass again and sauntered off.
“Candy?” Jeremy poked his head into the cabin, expecting to see his wife. He saw only Biddie, a semi-permanent fixture in his home.
She was rolling out some dough. “Oh Jeremy, hello.” she said in her sing-song whine. “Candy’s out picking some berries for pie. I offered to go, but she wanted to be alone.” she added quickly.
“Well, how long has she been gone?” It was afternoon now, still unseasonably warm, and Jeremy rinsed the sweat and dust off his face at the sink.
Biddie shrugged. “Oh, about half an hour, I guess. “ She looked directly at him, and said defensively, “I’m trying to look after her the best I can, Jeremy.”
Drying his face on the delicately embroidered towel, Jeremy managed a smile. “I know, Biddie. I’m going to try to do a better job at that myself.”
Jeremy and Biddie had an unofficial understanding since Candy’s pregnancy that while Jeremy was traveling, Biddie would look after Candy. Jeremy was filled with guilt about leaving Candy alone so much. She already had Molly and Christopher to look after, and now this difficult pregnancy. The episode with the fortune teller just cemented his belief that he was needed at home. Now he was going to add to their burdens with the story of Jenny.
He found her at her favorite quiet spot, a large flat rock not too far from the cabin. As he approached, he could see the sun glinting off her auburn hair, and he remembered for the thousandth time when he first had seen that beautiful hair, back in New Bedford. It seemed a lifetime ago.
“Hello, stranger.”
She whipped head and hair around, startled. “Oh, Jeremy. Hello.”
He climbed onto the rock next to her and took her hand. Her wedding ring barely poked through her swollen fingers. In fact, he noticed that there wasn’t a part of her that wasn’t swollen or puffy. “How’s the berry picking?”
She smiled, “Oh, I just wanted to be alone for a few minutes.” she looked down at her empty basket. “I’m afraid I’ve eaten Biddie’s pie.”
“Well, maybe the baby is fond of berries.” He lifted her chin gently to bring her face to his.
“Oh Jeremy, I’m so sorry about everything yesterday. I just....just...”
“Candy, don’t worry about it.” he kissed her gently. “It’s over now.”
“Oh, I’m just so dumb, why would I have done that....I’m just dumb and fat and...”
“...And so beautiful to me.” he finished her sentence for her and shrugged. “Candy, we all do dumb things. You’re just worried about the baby. You have to have faith that everything will be alright.” he paused, “Let’s just forget it happened.” It was his turn to look down. “Besides, I have something else to talk to you about.”
Jason stormed up the path to the camp, determined to get some work done that day, when he ran into Stempel. He was alone.
“Well hello Aaron. Imagine seeing you all by your lonesome.” Jason smiled a little too politely and Aaron just sneered.
“Good day, Bolt.” he began to walk off, but Jason put his hand out.
“Wait.” upon getting his attention he continued, “Where’s the girl?”
“The girl? Is that any way to refer to your sister, Bolt?”
Jason rolled his eyes. “Just tell me where she is. I have a feeling you know.”
Aaron examined his finely manicured fingernails, “Well, as a matter of fact I do know where she is. She’s in my office, doing some book work for me.”
“She’s what?” Jason bellowed.
“Well, she tells me she has a mind for figures, and you know I’ve been without a bookkeeper for a while now, so I thought it would be mutually beneficial. You know, she has to support herself; rooms at Lottie’s are not free.” Aaron grinned.
Jason smiled back, but it was more like a teeth-baring. “No, Aaron, they are not. Although what business that is of yours, I’d like to know.”
“Well Jason, the poor young thing has been abandoned by her brothers, her family,” he emphasized the last word, “and I just thought someone ought to do the right thing.”
Jason leaned in closely, “Aaron, the right thing for you to do would be to help me figure out who she is.”
“But Jason, I believe I know who she is.” Aaron began to walk away, “…and I think you do too.” Staring intently into Jason’s face, Aaron couldn’t resist one last quip, “You know, she does resemble you quite a bit, Jason. Good day.” He turned on his heel and left Jason speechless behind him.
Jason walked slowly along the trail. Maybe it was time for a chat with this girl.
He saw her through the windows sitting at a small table in Aaron’s office. In front of her were some papers and she was studying them intently. Every so often she put the back end of the pen into her mouth and gave it a chew, just like Josh did. She was quite blond, Jason noticed, and slightly built. He did not know what he was going to say to her exactly, but he was determined to control his temper. He remembered the morning’s interlude, and realized she could probably hold her own in a temper match with him anytime.
“Are you going to come in, or just stand there and watch me all day.” Jenny called, not raising her head from her work.
Once again Jason was speechless. He took a deep breath and walked into Aaron’s office.
She looked up from the desk, “Mr. Stempel is not here.”
Jason pulled Aaron’s chair over to where Jenny was sitting. “I know. Actually, I was looking for you.”
“Did you mean to impugn my character some more this afternoon?” Jenny couldn’t believe the words coming out of her mouth. She did not fear Jason Bolt; she was so hurt by his rejection that she didn’t care what she said.
“No.” Jason was also stunned by her reaction. She was no mouse, that was for sure. “I just thought maybe we’d have a little talk, that’s all.”
Jenny glanced down at her papers. “Well, I’ve got some work to do, so make it quick.” She was not about to let Aaron down after all of his kindness.
“Jeremy said you had a picture...a picture of my father.” Jason’s heart went into his throat.
“I have a picture of my father and mother. Jeremy is the one who said it was his father too.” Jenny matched his steely gaze.
“Well, I’d like to see it, if you don’t mind.”
“Would it really make any difference to you? You seem to already have decided your opinion of me.”
“Well,” Jason leaned back in his chair, “I’d like to know the truth. That’s all.”
She pondered his statement, knowing it was in fact a little victory for her. Slowly she drew the picture out of her bag and handed it to him. As he looked at it, she watched his expression change from anger to confusion to sadness. She adopted a gentler tone, “Do you think it is your father?”
Jason looked up at her, giving her no indication of his thoughts. “And you say that is you and your mother?”
“Yes, it is.”
Jason stood up, picture in hand. “Do you mind if I take this? I’d like to...”
Jenny drew herself up to her full five feet and two inches, exactly a foot shorter than Jason. Quickly she snatched the picture out of his hands, before he knew what had happened. “Yes, I mind. This is my only remembrance of my parents, and I’m not about to let you wander off with it.”
He had forgotten for a moment that she had no family. After a slight pause, he continued. “Alright, fair enough. Thank you for sharing it with me.”
She sat back down and turned her gaze back to her papers. “Mr. Bolt, I need to finish my work, now. Mr. Stempel expects these invoices to be done today.”
“Well then, good day.”
She noticed he did not use her name. “Good day, Mr. Bolt.” He left before he could see the tear trailing down her cheek.
The smell of food on the fire met Jason as he entered the clearing of the camp. His men were beginning to disperse for the day, laughing and clapping each other on the backs. Most of them had sweethearts or new wives and were anxious to see them. He warmly greeted them as he scanned the clearing for his brothers. He saw Joshua sitting by the fire, stirring something in a black kettle. He was laughing and joking with some of the loggers as he wished them good luck in their pursuits for the evening. Josh himself was in between sweethearts. Jason smiled as he regarded his blond brother, the family romeo. He was tall, good-looking and well off financially- by Seattle standards- what woman wouldn’t want him? And Joshua certainly took advantage of his standing in the community. Why, Jason thought, he had probably romanced half of the available brides in Seattle, and all of them still look on him fondly.
“Josh, my brother!” Jason boomed, “What’s for dinner tonight?” Since Jeremy’s marriage, Josh had taken over the cooking chores, and it was not a pretty sight. But, after two years of it, Jason had almost become immune. “Hello Corky, Sam, Abe.” Jason nodded to each of his best loggers.
Josh sniffed his brew, “Well, Jason, it appears to be stew.”
Jason forced a smile, “Stew again, huh. Well....it’s good to stick to what’s working, I guess.” Jason lived for the days when Candy would invite them over for a decent meal.
Josh ladled some into a dish for Jason and himself as he motioned his goodbyes to the others, “Corky, say hello to Sue Ann for me...” he called with a twinkle in his eye. Obviously, Joshua had his eye on his next conquest.
Corky grinned and acknowledged the request.
Jason scooped up some stew and prayed that it would be edible. He rolled it around in his mouth for a time before proclaiming it to be not bad.
“Such high praise, brother.” Josh hungrily slurped it down. “Seen Jeremy today?”
“Not since this morning. You?”
“No, he must have gone home to see Candy.”
They ate for awhile in silence.
“Joshua, I went to see the girl today.” Jason began. Josh just kept eating. “I saw the picture Jeremy was talking about. It is our father with someone she says is her mother holding a baby.” He looked down at his food. “It appears to have been taken shortly before Father died. He looks exactly like I remember him.”
“Well Jason, “ Josh said between chews, “What do you want to do?” He was trying to remain neutral. All three Bolt men had quick tempers, but Josh thought it best to keep his in check while Jeremy and Jason were warring it out. Someone had to keep their wits about them. Jason continued to eat.
“You know, we could send to Olympia for her birth certificate.” Josh stated simply.
Jason looked up slowly, “Of course, of course!” his voice rose on each phrase, “Well, that would be the proof we need one way or another.” He scraped the remains of his plate in the garbage and slapped his brother soundly on the back. “Now why didn’t I think of that....Joshua, you are a genius!” He sauntered down the road toward town, hoping to catch Ben Perkins at his telegraph machine. Josh just shook his head. The solution had come to him that morning, while watching Jeremy and Jason argue, but he wanted to see how long it would take them to ask his opinion.
“Oh well, “ he said to himself, scraping his own plate, “the ladies await...”
Lottie’s saloon was still the place to socialize in Seattle. Often after a meal at Mary Beth’s cafe, the local men and women stopped in at Lottie’s for a night cap. Jenny was eating her dinner at the inner corner of the bar, trying to make herself as small as possible, when Lottie waved gaily and nudged her shoulder, “Jeremy and Candy are here.” she whispered, walking over to the couple just coming in the door.
“Hello Jeremy; Candy, you’re looking well today.”
“Hello Lottie.” Candy dropped the barest of curtsies. “Is that her, Jeremy?” She whispered, motioning toward Jenny, who kept her back turned to the door.
Nodding, Jeremy led her over to where Jenny was sitting. “Hello, Jenny. I--I wanted to introduce you to my wife.”
Jenny took a deep breath and turned to them, “Hello.”
It was all Candy could do not to stare. “Pleased to meet you, Jenny. Won’t you join us at a table?” She smiled sweetly, as did Jeremy.
Jenny looked at Lottie, who gave her a go-ahead wink. “Alright, thank you very much.”
Jeremy grabbed her half-finished plate off the counter and seated them at an empty table. He ordered a beer for himself and some tea for Candy. While he waited for his drinks at the bar he watched Candy and Jenny expectantly. When he had relayed to Candy the events of the past couple of days, and the less than welcoming greeting Jason had given Jenny, she had insisted that Jenny come to stay with them. She never questioned him, she just accepted what he told her as the truth. She immediately knew the right thing to do. Candy was definitely a woman of action; Jeremy smiled just thinking of it. His smile dimmed, however, while standing at the bar; when he began to tally the cost of another mouth to feed, and the baby to come who would add another. Candy was right of course, Jenny should be with them, but the thought of being the head of a household of five - soon to be six - was a little overwhelming. He drained the glass set before him and pointed to the whiskey. As the barman poured his shot, he was happy to see Jenny smiling as he brought the drinks to the table.
Candy’s powers of persuasion along with Jeremy’s quiet agreement soon had Jenny packing her small bag and bunking in with Molly; Christopher begrudgingly moving his bedroll to the floor. Soon after their goodnights were said, the sound of Molly and Christopher’s even breathing told Jenny they were fast asleep. Her eyes were wide open however, so she padded out to the kitchen for a glass of water. She heard soft murmuring from Candy and Jeremy’s room, then quiet. She looked around the kitchen. The rough-hewn table and chairs were in stark contrast to the polished hutch with delicate china on display. The sink was under a window framed by white eyelet curtains. The surroundings may have been sparse, but Jenny could feel everything in the room suffused with love. She walked over to the fireplace, drawn by the glowing embers, and looked at the pictures on the mantle. First was Jeremy and Candy’s wedding picture. Their smiles were startling. Jenny had only seen photographs of people straight-faced and grim. These two were almost glowing. Ever handsome in his dark suit, Jeremy had his arms around his beaming bride who was in lace from head to toe. Jenny wondered if she would ever find a man to hold her in his arms like that.
The other picture, also from the wedding, was of Jeremy flanked, all but dwarfed, by Jason and Joshua, all three of them grinning like the cats that ate the canaries. The Bolt Brothers. Sons of Jonathan Bolt. Well, she was the daughter of Jonathan Bolt, and somehow she was going to get these men to accept it.
She drained her water glass and tiptoed back to bed.
The unseasonably dry weather caused the normally soft pine needles to crunch beneath Aaron’s feet as he made his way to his office. He craned his neck to get a glimpse of the small building. Was there a fire today? Ever since Jenny had come to work for him, she arrived early and always started a fire in the wood stove. By the time he got to the office, it was warm and inviting with the pungent fragrance of fresh coffee brewing. She even kept a small vase with wildflowers on her small desk. Suddenly, and surprisingly to Aaron, the office wasn’t such a bad place to be. He realized that some members of Seattle society looked askance at his employing such a young girl, but even at her young age, he was amazed at her skill with numbers. His books, kept by him in a slapdash manner since the departure of his accountant, were up-to-date and completed in her girlish but impeccable handwriting.
Aaron caught sight of the office and did not see the now familiar light in the window. His heart sank and his brow furrowed as he opened the door. “Well, I can start a fire, just as well...” he muttered. He found himself irritated that she wasn’t there. Or was irritated the right word for it? He paused. She was his employee, just as all of his workers were his employees, and he expected her to be on time. After heating and pouring some of yesterday’s coffee into his cup, he grimaced and sat down at his desk to begin his day.
He couldn’t keep from glancing over at her empty chair. They would probably be chatting about the latest happenings at the mill, or at the logging camp, or she would be laughing at the joke Clancey had told the other day at Lottie’s. She had an infectious laugh, Aaron thought, quickly shuffling some more papers on his desk. The sound of the papers was not enough to drown out the sound of her laughter in his head. He walked outside to see if he could see her coming down the path. Perhaps he should be worried. Yes, he thought, she should be here for work, and she’s not. I’d better make sure that everything’s alright...He started down the path to Jeremy and Candy’s house, where Jenny was staying. His feet moved a little faster as he neared the house.
Joshua shielded his eyes from the light as he peered toward the east end of Bolt property. “I sent Jeremy to look over the eastern stands to see how they were doing.”
Jason kept his eyes glued to the map as he did some mental calculations. “Well, I hope he brings back some good news.” He turned away from the sun. They had been waiting for a long time for the eastern stand to produce. However, Jason’s mind was elsewhere. “Joshua, we still haven’t heard anything from Olympia about that birth certificate, have we.”
Josh shook his head. Jason looked back down at the map, but he could not concentrate. The mystery of Jenny was never far out of his thoughts. Even with the passing of time, Jason had not become any more comfortable with her presence. Now that she was working for Aaron Stempel -- and they were almost inseparable -- he worried even more. Jason knew that he and Aaron were still friendly rivals not just for Bridal Veil Mountain but for the entire town of Seattle. He would not put it past Aaron to use this situation to his advantage to achieve either of those goals. Slowly he folded the map.
“Josh, I think I’ll take a ride to Tacoma today.” with a flourish, he handed his brother the map.
“But Jason...what about the eastern stands?” Josh knew what this was about and was tiring of the whole Jenny matter.
“Well,” Jason replied thoughtfully stroking his chin, “You and Jeremy can make the decision, and besides, I’ll be back tomorrow.” he strode off, leaving Joshua shaking his head. When was this going to end, he wondered. Just embrace the girl and be done with it. The rift between Jeremy and Jason had not really healed, and Jeremy continued to support Jenny’s story. Joshua wished they would hear from Olympia, and put this thing to rest.
Aaron stopped short of Jeremy and Candy’s front walk, carefully lined with brightly-colored flowers. Vines were beginning to grow around the delicately latticed arbor arch. He remembered Jeremy proudly bringing him the choicest wood from the mountain to be specially milled so he could build Candy this arbor for her birthday. Aaron always surprised himself at how jealous he was of Jeremy’s devotion to his bride. At first he found it so easy to dismiss them; young, stuttering Jeremy and his little sweetheart. To Aaron, they were little more than children. But, as more and more time went by, he realized that the joke was on him. Jeremy lived in this cozy home with a good woman who loved him, while Aaron’s house was as cold and sterile as his heart seemed to be. He was so lost in his thoughts, he did not see Jenny emerge from the front door.
“Aaron!” Jenny called, “Thank goodness you’re here!” She ran down the front walk.
“Jenny?” he responded dumbly. Her hair was pinned haphazardly around her face and her face was flushed. “Why aren’t you..”
“Candy’s going to have the baby and I think there’s something wrong.” she wiped her hands on her apron nervously.
Aaron put his hands on her shoulders, “What’s going on?”
“Jeremy left for work today, and he was going way east on the mountain, and then Candy started having a lot of pain and I didn’t want to leave her alone, but I think we need the doctor, oh Aaron, I’m glad you’re here!” her words ran together breathlessly. She turned him around and pushed him away from the house, “Go get Doctor Wright.” He looked at her for a moment, then hurried toward town.
Jenny took the barest moment to savor the weight of his hands on her before she went back into the house.
Jason took a big lungful of air as he traveled along the well-worn road toward Tacoma. The sky was clear, the trees green, the air fresh. A bright, beautiful day. He wondered why he hadn’t made this trip sooner. A little visit to Lucky’s Saloon in Tacoma would hopefully shed some light on this whole mess.
As they so often did recently, Jason’s thoughts turned to his father. Jonathan Bolt was a man strong enough to single-handedly carve a logging business out of a mountain, yet sensitive enough to pull little Jeremy onto his lap for a lullaby at the end of a long day. Charming and handsome, Jonathan was the center of any room he was in. Jason remembered how he idolized him when he was a youngster, before Josh and Jeremy came along. It was just the three of them then, with Jason’s gentle and beautiful mother keeping her boys in line. Most days, when his mother had finished with his lessons - as there was no school in town yet - Jonathan would come home to pick him up and take him to camp. It was there he taught Jason the difference between a good tree and a great tree. He had his own axe at 5, and was felling trees alongside Jonathan at 7. Even after Josh and Jeremy were born, Jason was always the one tagging along with his father. Jonathan fed his interest and helped his eldest son to develop canny business instincts as a young teen. Jason remembered his mother’s exasperated face as he discarded his lessons as quickly as he could once he heard Jonathan’s footsteps coming up the walk. By the age of 15, Jason was as big as his father, and could beat any of the loggers in the weekly chopping contest. He could always count on his father to cheer him on.
Until his mother died. Julia Bolt left three sons, two of them little more than babies. She left her husband without his loving partner and helpmate. Jason found himself in the unexpected position of caretaker of the two much younger boys, neither of whom could understand where their mother had gone. It was hardest on Jeremy, as he and his mother were rarely apart. Jason would never forget the day of her burial, and how Jeremy could not close the prayer with “amen” without stuttering. Jason became a man that day. His father’s equal. Jonathan began traveling more and more to bring new business to Bolt Logging, leaving Jason in charge of the day to day business, plus keeping his little brothers in line. He was Jonathan’s right hand, his confidante; and this is where Jenny’s story was too hurtful for Jason to believe. That his father would have started another family and never tell him? It was unimaginable to Jason. Unimaginable.
When he looked up, the sign for Lucky’s Saloon loomed in front of him.
Jenny closed the door behind her and hurried back into Candy’s room; where she lay on the bed, face contorted in pain. Pain was normal during childbirth, Jenny knew, but she remembered there should be moments of peace between pains. Candy did not seem to be experiencing any of that peace. For hours now, she was crying and moaning, and, most frightening to Jenny, bleeding. It didn’t seem as if there was any progress in the delivery either. Jenny had attended births before, and this was very different.
She put another cold compress on Candy’s forehead. “Candy, would you like to walk a little?” She remembered other laboring women for whom walking eased the pain.
Candy could barely croak out no. She pulled Jenny close to her and said between clenched teeth, “Where’s Lottie? or Dr. Wright??”
“I’ve just sent Aaron after the doctor. Here, “ she dabbed Candy’s lips with the cold cloth, “does that help?”
Before Candy could answer, she was overcome with another pain. This one caused her to cry out. Jenny prayed that Aaron would hurry.
Jeremy and Harve were examining the eastern stand trees when Jeremy felt a chill go down his spine. He whipped his head around when he thought he heard a scream.
“Did you hear that?” he looked at Harve, who shook his head no. Jeremy was sure he heard something. He waited, but heard no more. Uneasily, he turned his attention back to the map.
Aaron burst through the front door, followed closely by Doctor Wright and Lottie. His eyes widened as he heard Candy crying in pain. The doctor and Lottie pushed by him and joined Jenny in the bedroom.
Dr. Wright was shocked when she saw how much blood Candy had lost. She turned to Jenny. “What’s been going on?”
“She’s been having so much pain, and I can’t keep up with the bleeding...” Jenny realized there was much more blood than she had ever seen at a delivery before and she was frightened.
The doctor tried to shoo her out of the room, “Well, thank you, I’ll take over.”
Jenny stood her ground. “I want to stay. I’ve helped deliver babies before.”
“Fine, then. “ the doctor glanced out to the front room where Aaron was still standing, dumbstruck. “Perhaps you could get Mr. Stempel to find Jeremy and bring him back.”
Jenny nodded and went back into the front room, closing the bedroom door behind her.
“Aaron?” she said as she approached him, “Aaron, thank you for bringing the doctor.”
“You’re welcome. “ he replied, flinching at another scream.
Jenny gently showed him the door. “Aaron, why don’t you go outside, this is women’s work.” she put her hand on his shoulder. She could feel his warmth through the wool jacket, but he did not respond to her. “Aaron?”
“Are you going to be all right here?” he turned and looked down at her worried face. Her blue eyes radiated from her pale skin, and her hair was still askew. But her voice was steady.
“Aaron, I was raised in a saloon, I’ve seen quite a few babies being born. “ she said matter-of-factly. Some of the girls at the saloon had babies as unwanted by-products of their jobs. “Would you please go and get Jeremy. I think he should be here.”
Nodding, Aaron reached out and gently touched her cheek, then quickly withdrew the gesture. “Yes, certainly. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Jenny managed a smile and watched him walk out the door. Slowly she brought her hand to her cheek in disbelief. Yet another cry of pain turned her attention back to the situation at hand.
Jason walked into the saloon with his usual purposeful stride. The saloon was empty, as it was early in the day, and Jason looked around for the barkeep. He found the hot coffee pot in the corner and helped himself to a cup. Sitting on the small settee, he examined his surroundings. Lucky’s was a larger and finer saloon than Lottie’s, with a finished floor and fancy window coverings. The bar was ornate and had a large mirror behind it. He tried to envision his father coming here. He had his doubts that Jenny was the house bookkeeper. Houses like this just did not employ young women as bookkeepers. Finally a bartender appeared behind the bar and Jason met him there.
“What can I get you?” he asked, drying a shot glass
“Whiskey, thank you.” After being served, he drained his glass and tapped it on the bar. After the second one, he took a deep breath. “So, I wonder if you can help me. I need some information.”
The bartender was unimpressed, “Yeah.”
“I was wondering about a girl...”
“We have plenty of those.” he slightly tilted his head toward the second level.
“Well, I had one particular one in mind.”
“We can do that also, my friend, for a price.” the bartender smiled. A giant logger with a request. He could almost smell the extra money.
Jason leaned onto one elbow, “What do you know about a girl named Jenny?”
“She don’t work here no more. Took off one day, maybe a month ago.” he shrugged, “But, we have a girl named Nancy, just as pretty.”
Jason shook his head vehemently, “No, no, I’m not interested in that. I just need to know about Jenny. Her...background...and such.”
Visibly, the bartender’s shoulders drooped. Well, you’ll have to talk to Lucky about that. He’ll be in this afternoon.”
Jason smiled broadly, “Thank you kindly.” He tossed a coin on the bar and strode outside, the daylight stinging his eyes.
Aaron reigned his horse in as he caught sight of the two figures in the grove. The ride up the mountain was interminably long, and his normally calm demeanor was rattled by the scene he had witnessed at the cabin. He could see it was urgent that he get Jeremy back there as soon as possible.
“Jeremy!” he called, waving his arms to get their attention. Looking up, the men ran toward him.
“Aaron! What are you doing here?” Jeremy asked breathlessly.
“It’s Candy, she’s having the baby, C’mon!” Aaron watched Jeremy’s face light up as he wordlessly ran and mounted his horse.
“Congratulations Jeremy!” Harve yelled and smiled.
“Harve, “ Jeremy managed to reply, “Finish up...up” he waved his arms around him, motioning to the trees, “...this!” and with that, he turned his horse around and chased Aaron down the mountain.
“Candy, keep pushing, I can see the baby!” Doctor Wright was feigning calm, as Lottie squeezed Candy’s hand. Jenny was still applying cool water to Candy’s brow, when she could. Lottie and Jenny continued to encourage Candy, whose spirits were lagging. “I know you’re tired, but let’s get this little one out!”
Dr. Wright was concerned about Candy’s blood loss. Her lips were white and her hands cool. She wanted to get the baby born as soon as she could, so she could tend to Candy herself.
Candy groaned with the strain, “Lottie,” she panted, “Where’s Jeremy?”
“I sent Aaron to get him, I’m sure he’ll be here any minute.” Jenny replied. She had sent Aaron over two hours ago, where could they be?
“Let’s....wait.....for.... him...” Candy looked imploringly through sweat soaked bangs at the doctor.
“Candy, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Babies have to come when they are ready.” She peered down again, “And I think this one’s about ready.”
“C’mon honey, you can do it,” Lottie cooed. She too could see the concern on Dr. Wright’s face. Another groan and contraction.
Candy looked up woozily, “I don’t think I can...”
“Yes, you will.” Dr. Wright shouted at her, shocking her awake, “Here’s the head, now, one more, Candy, one more...”
And then, the bluish slippery baby appeared.
“It’s a girl!” the doctor exclaimed, holding her so Candy could see. But Candy couldn’t see her daughter, as she had slipped into unconsciousness. Dr. Wright roughly handed the baby off to Jenny and she and Lottie turned their attention back to Candy.
A crushing rainstorm had set in, casting the main street of Tacoma in a gray gloom. A gloom that matched the mood of Mr. Jason Bolt. After two days of unsuccessful attempts to meet Lucky, Jason was beginning to lose his patience. He wished one of his brothers were there to keep him company. Even Aaron’s company would be preferable to being alone. It just didn’t suit Jason’s garrulous personality to spend this much time with nothing to do but sit.
But sit he did, for the second afternoon at Lucky’s saloon, when he noticed a new man walk in and go behind the bar. The bartender pointed to Jason and the new man walked over to him.
“I’m Lucky Flannagan, I understand you’ve been looking for me?” he said, thumbs in the pockets of his suitcoat.
Jason stood quickly, and stuck out his hand. “Yes, I’m Jason Bolt, would you join me?” Jason couldn’t help but notice his fine suit and well-groomed appearance. But it was his shock of red hair that drew Jason’s eye. He did not think he had ever seen anyone with hair quite that color. Vegetables were the first thing that came to Jason’s mind. Carrots and tomatoes to be exact.
“Yes...Mr. Bolt? What can I do for you?” Lucky continued to talk, unaware or unwilling to acknowledge Jason’s stare.
“Um..yes, well” Jason had only a second to compose himself. “I need some information about a girl named Jenny.”
As Jason relayed the barest details of Jenny’s story, Lucky mentally looked him over. He certainly resembled Big Jon Bolt, that was for sure. He figured that Big Jon’s sons would turn up sooner or later and he would tell them what their father was really like. He was glad to hear that Jenny was all right, though. He was a little worried when she left so abruptly, but he hoped she could take care of herself. He thought back to the few moments he had with her before she left.
“I can’t believe this is happening, Lucky!” Jenny was stuffing her sparse wardrobe into her small traveling bag. “I mean, my brother is here and he’s taking me back to Seattle.”
Lucky stood in the doorway, “Well Peach, are you sure you know what you are doing? I mean, you don’t know this man, and you have no idea what will happen to you once you are in Seattle.”
Jenny shrugged, eyes wide, “Well Uncle, I’ve got to go. This is what I’ve always dreamed of!” she closed her bag triumphantly.
Lucky walked over and held her face in his hands. “Well, I guess then you’ll have to go. But you know if you have any trouble there, you always have a home here with me. I love you, Peach. When I see you, I see Hannah.” Hannah, his sister, her life ruined by Jonathan Bolt. But he knew there was a mountain there, in Seattle, and Jenny was entitled to her share.
She was luminous in her mother’s violet silk suit. He held her tightly and kissed her cheek. She was breaking away quickly, “Good bye Lucky, good bye.”
“Good bye, Peach.” and that quickly, she was gone. He heard her footsteps down the stairs and the saloon door shut behind her. He watched her walk quickly down the street, and climb into a buckboard wagon next to a man who he must have been her brother, one of Jonathan’s sons.
“So, I thought perhaps you could enlighten me as to whether this story is true, or the product of a young girls imagination.” Jason had finished his speech, and paused to let his companion respond. Jason was usually good at reading people, but this man’s expression was inscrutable. He stood up slowly and walked to the bar to pick up a drink. Jason figured them to be about the same age, Perhaps Lucky had a few years on him. His suit was impeccable, and made Jason think of Aaron. He certainly was prosperous, the elegant saloon was testament to that. Jason, however, could never see how a man could make his living indoors. How could you spend your life inside a smoky saloon, when the wide world was just outside your door. Out in the fresh air, working your body as well as your mind. Jason noted that Lucky did not look as if he had ever worked his body.
Lucky placed two whiskies down on the well-lacquered table and took his seat. The moment before he spoke was agony to Jason. He knew at that moment that he was going to find what he was looking for, and he was not sure he was ready to stop looking.
“It’s pretty much the way she told it, Mr. Bolt.” Lucky drained his glass, while Jason played with his. “Except for a few things.”
Jason furrowed his brow. “What do you mean?”
Lucky sat back in his seat, anticipating taking some time to tell his story.
It was pretty much as Jenny had told it, as it had been told to her many times in her life. Jonathan Bolt, a fledgling logging camp owner from Seattle, spent a lot of time in Tacoma tending to the details of his business, such as contracts, transportation and such. His attorney was down the street. There wasn’t much in Tacoma for a single businessman to do in the evenings, except drink in one of the many saloons in town. Jonathan’s saloon of choice was Lucky’s. Night after night, he drank and played cards at Lucky’s, entertaining the other customers with his tall tales. Lucky was the proprietor, having built the saloon up with the help of his sister, Hannah. She worked odd jobs around the saloon, including serving when he needed her, and book work. She was quick to notice Big Jon, as he was known around the saloon, with his flashing blue eyes, broad shoulders, and charming manner.
Lucky knew they were stepping out after hours, and he didn’t really approve, as Hannah was barely out of her teens, and he knew Bolt to be nearly twice that. He had known men like Bolt before, and figured that he was only using his charm on Hannah to get her into his bed. But when he confronted Hannah with his suspicions, she dismissed them, explaining that Bolt was a widower with three sons back in Seattle, and that he was a good man. Lucky was skeptical, but tried to give Hannah the benefit of the doubt, as she truly seemed to care for him, and he for her.
One night, after some months had passed, with Bolt coming and going back and forth to Seattle, and spending all his free time in Tacoma with Hannah, Lucky heard them having an argument. Bolt stormed out of the saloon, leaving Hannah crying hysterically. While trying to comfort Hannah, his worst fears were confirmed. She was with child, and Bolt wanted no part of it.
Lucky was torn. On the one hand, Hannah begged him not to get involved. But on the other, his duty was clear. Get Bolt to make an honest woman of his beloved sister. Lucky was only a little older than Hannah himself, and slightly built, so he was certain physical strength was not going to be among the weapons he could use to sway Bolt. Reason was his only hope. For a day, he waited to see if Jonathan reappeared. Just as Lucky was saddling his horse for the journey to Seattle, he saw Bolt stride into the saloon, oblivious to his surroundings. Lucky trailed him into the building in time to see Bolt take Hannah in his arms and kiss her.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Lucky, his voice trembling, called to them.
Jonathan Bolt bared his infamous grin, “Well, Lucky, I think I’m kissing your sister.” In his arms, Hannah beamed. Without another word, they walked past Lucky and out the doors of the saloon.
Within a day, Jonathan had set Hannah up in two small rooms above the general store. Obviously he was giving her money, but as far as Lucky knew, they were still not married. Hannah continued to help him in the saloon until her pregnancy was advanced, then she confined herself to the back office and the bookkeeping. She didn’t speak to Lucky about Jonathan, and Lucky finally stopped asking. He knew Bolt was with Hannah when he was in town, same as before, but she never mentioned anything about a wedding. But, they paraded themselves all over town, ignoring the pointing and stares of the townsfolk. It was hard for Lucky to see his sister degraded like this.
Then, the baby came. Came while Bolt was not around, of course. It fell to Lucky to make sure she was delivered safely.
“Jenny Bolt” was what Hannah told him her name was. Jenny was a beautiful baby, as pretty as a peach, he always said. A couple of weeks after she was born, Bolt came to town and immediately began acting the proud father. He even posed for a picture with Hannah and Jenny, when the traveling photographer came to town. But still no wedding. Hannah said she did not care, that Jonathan cared about her and Jenny, and that was enough. Lucky tried to convince her to push for a wedding, to try and save the shreds that were her reputation. He reasoned with her to do it for Jenny’s sake. Lucky didn’t have to do any research to know that Bolt’s logging business was growing, and with a little digging, learned about Bridal Veil Mountain also. He thought Jenny and Hannah should share in that wealth, but he saw no evidence of it in the way they were living. Hannah continued to work in the saloon, bringing Jenny if she could, or asking someone to watch her if she couldn’t.
One day Hannah sauntered up to him, telling him that Jonathan was on his way to Tacoma with a ring. Days passed with no sight of the big logger. Still Hannah waited expectantly. Jenny was almost a year old, and still the apple and peach of her mother’s and uncle’s eye.
Hannah received the news of Jonathan’s death on Jenny’s first birthday. There was no mention of them in the will, said his attorney from down the street. No part of the company, no mountain. No nothing. And he handed a letter to Hannah written in Jonathan’s own hand asking her to never contact his sons in Seattle. Sadly, Hannah packed herself and Jenny up and moved them back to a room over the saloon. There they stayed until Hannah’s death from pneumonia years later. She never married, and rarely left the saloon. Jenny was the only thing that mattered to her. Somehow she found the strength to honor Jonathan’s last wishes. Lucky hated Bolt for taking his sister’s dignity, and long wanted to contact the Bolt boys himself. He always ceded to Hannah’s begging that he not, but he harbored nothing but ill will toward them all.
Now here was the spitting image of Big Jon Bolt sitting in front of him.
“And that’s about all of it, Mr. Bolt.” Lucky took a drag on his cigar.
Jason was dumbfounded. The man’s story swirled around dizzily in his mind. His could hardly believe the person in the story was his father. He always did the right thing, was always honest and above-board. He was everything to Jason, and now to hear this....
Jason stood up woozily. “Excuse me, Mr. Flannagan, I...I need some air.” He stumbled out of the saloon, breathing heavily. He leaned on the porch post, trying to regain his mental bearings. He did not notice Lucky following him out.
“Mr. Bolt?”
Unsteadily, Jason turned around, “Yes?”
“You owe that girl a lot, I suggest you begin paying her back.” He turned on his heel and let the saloon door slam behind him.
Jenny took the baby, wide-eyed but still not crying, into the kitchen and wiped her down with the last soft cloth in the house. She was, of course, beautiful. Her downy red hair, blue eyes, and rosebud mouth reminded Jenny of cherubs she had seen in church. She methodically counted her fingers and toes, oblivious to the noises coming from the bedroom. She diapered her and wrapped her in one of the many handmade blankets from Candy’s friends in town.
The rain had become a small tapping on the roof, but it was still unseasonably warm. Jenny took the baby to the porch and rocked her awhile. She was two days old, and neither her father nor mother had held her. Candy was unconscious, as she had been since the birth, and Jeremy, upon arriving home, did not leave her side. Jenny and Molly were taking turns looking after the baby, who didn’t even have a name. Doctor Wright and Lottie both begged Jeremy to hold the baby, but he refused.
For the first time, Jenny wished Jason were there. Josh said he had gone to Tacoma, and was due back any time. Jenny wondered what he would find there. In her arms, the baby gurgled, and screwed her face up in a stretch. She was a solemn little thing, like she understood the gravity of her situation. Jenny murmured to her and kissed her on the forehead. As she was about to go into the house she noticed a rustling of the trees on the path in front of the house. Maybe it was Aaron, she thought, heart jumping a bit, as he had been stopping by twice a day to check on them. Instinctively, she tried to smooth her dress, but with her bundle, it was difficult, if not impossible.
“Excuse me, ma’am,” called the figure. Well, she thought, it wasn’t Aaron. She squinted her eyes to see who was approaching the cabin in the rain. “Yes?” she called in return.
He ambled up to the porch and pulled off his well-worn hat, revealing a head of light brown, curly hair. “Hello, ma’am, I was wondering if you could tell me if I was going in the right direction to Seattle.”
“Yes, sir, it’s that way.” Jenny nodded her head to her right. She was surprised to see how young he was. He looked to be near to her age. His buckskins were soggy from the rain, and he had a pack of some sort slung across his back.
He smiled, “Well, thank you kindly.” he nodded and replaced his hat. “Oh, and congratulations.” he smiled widely at the bundle in her arms.
Jenny was startled, “Oh, ..it’s.. I mean ...she’s my niece... but thank you anyway.” she stammered.
The young man replaced his hat, smiled again and started down the road. “By the way, I’m Gabriel Rowan.”
“Jenny Bolt, “ she called after him, “Pleased to meet you.” She watched as he disappeared down the road, the mists of rain swallowing him up. The baby started to whimper and Jenny hurried inside.
Doctor Wright replaced the cold compress on Candy’s forehead. There was still no change in her condition, and Allyn feared that the more time that passed, the less likely she would recover. She had seen many women die from complications of childbirth, it just went with the territory. She never thought that Candy would be one of those unfortunates, but she was losing hope. Just watching Jeremy at Candy’s bedside, hour after hour, whispering into her ear to no avail, was enough to break her seasoned doctor’s heart. And then there was the baby. A perfect little girl, who was running the risk of losing both her parents.
She placed her hand on Jeremy’s shoulder. “Keep talking to her, perhaps she can hear you. I’ll check back tomorrow.” Jeremy did not answer. She breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Lottie’s voice coming from the front room.
“Hello Lottie, I’m so glad to see you.” Jenny exclaimed, opening the door and taking Lottie’s hands in hers. She dreaded spending time alone in the cabin with only Jeremy and Candy. Not to mention the fact that she was exhausted from caring for the baby.
“Any change, honey?” Lottie asked hopefully. Jenny & Dr. Wright shook their heads in unison. Lottie swept off her hat and went into the bedroom. Jason Bolt, you picked a fine time to disappear, she thought bitterly.
“Hello Jeremy. “ she sat down next to him. He barely acknowledged her arrival. She put her hand over his as he held Candy’s. They sat for awhile in silence. “You look like you need some rest. Why don’t you lay down. I’ll sit with Candy.” He shook his head and continued to stare at his love.
“Jeremy,” she tried again in a moment. “You have a beautiful baby girl out there. Why don’t you go and see her.” She watched as tears slowly ran down his cheeks and splashed on he and Candy’s intertwined hands.
“Candy is my life.” he said in a hoarse whisper. “How can I love something that would take her away from me....”
Lottie gently rubbed his back. “Because, Candy would want you to. That baby is a part of Candy and a part of you. She is the product of your love, Jeremy.
“No matter what happens to Candy, your baby will be the part of her you will always have.”
Jeremy did not answer. He put his head down on the bed and Lottie could feel his shoulders shake with silent cries. Suddenly she saw him as a little boy, hair tousled, shirt torn from yet another battle with the town bully. Sobbing, and afraid of what his older brothers would say, he would race into the saloon, where Lottie would tend his scrapes and send him back out with a kiss. She was always rewarded with Jeremy’s big grin as he went on his way. Now, she closed her eyes and stroked his hair, murmuring words of comfort. She was angry that this was all she could do, but soon Jeremy’s sobs turned to even breathing, and she knew he was asleep. She put a small quilt on his shoulders, turned, and went back into the other room.
Jason cursed the rain for the third time that day. He waited an extra day in Tacoma to see if the weather system would blow over, but no dice. Now, he was wet through and through. Nothing like the smell of a wet horse, saddle and rider to really make one’s day, he thought sullenly. He was still smarting over Lucky’s revelations about Jenny, however he could see that the story made perfect sense. Jason remembered his father spending long spans of time in Tacoma, without telling him exactly why. He also remembered seeing blank entries in the bank register book, also with no explanation. What he couldn’t figure out was why the whole thing made him so angry. He was stewing so much that he did not see Joshua approach.
“Jason, hey, Jason!” Josh called and waved from his horse. His brother did not acknowledge him until they had almost collided.
Jason reigned in his horse, “Whoa....Josh, you almost ran me over!”
“Jason, where have you been?” Josh took refuge from the rain under a tree branch. “You didn’t say you’d be gone this long!”
“Well, aah Joshua, it took me a little longer than I expected. Say, meet me back at camp, I’ve got something to talk to you about.” Jason’s horse stamped and snorted, tiring of the rain.
“Jason, there’s time for that later. You’ve got to get over to Jeremy’s.”
Jason grinned, “Oh, did the baby come?” He stopped smiling immediately upon seeing Joshua’s eyes widen.
“Let’s go, I’ll fill you in on the way.” Josh turned his horse and sped off, leaving Jason in his wake. Jason could feel the panic rising inside of him as he followed his brother down the hill.
Jason and Josh bounded into the cabin, only to catch the whispered wrath of Lottie. “Be quiet, you two,” she hissed. “Everyone is sleeping.”
“Lottie, how is Candy?” Jason asked, pulling up a chair. It scraped loudly on the floor and Lottie shot him a stern look again.
Lottie shook her head. “Not good, Jason. There’s been no change. Jeremy has not left the room, and we’ve all been looking after the baby.”
Jason’s eyes brightened, a little. “The baby?”
Lottie walked them over to the cradle. “She’s perfect, Jason. Absolutely perfect.” she smiled down at the little bundle, peaceful in sleep.
Jason was astonished to find himself picking the infant up and holding her close to him. “Oh yes Lottie, she is perfect. A princess, wouldn’t you say, Josh?”
Josh was also astonished to see Jason holding the baby. “Oh...a... yes, a princess for sure, Jason.”
Jason carefully arranged himself in the rocking chair, never taking his eyes off the baby. “So, what’s your name, little one?” he cooed.
Lottie shrugged. “She doesn’t have one, Jason.”
“Well, every princess needs a name....Let me talk to Jeremy.”
“Jason, he’s asleep. Jenny too. Now, just let them be.” Lottie turned on her stern voice yet again. “Now, give me that baby before you wake her up.”
Jason stood again slowly. “I’ll do it.” He lowered the babe gently into her cradle. “It’ll be ok, princess. Uncle Jason will make it all better....”
Jeremy and Candy were smiling as they walked along their favorite path. The sun was just setting, casting a golden glow over the forest. The early evening breeze rippled through the trees above their heads, leaves and branches dancing together. The smell of fresh pine needles as they crunched them under their feet wafted up and gathered them in. As they walked and talked, however, they didn’t notice that the weather began to change rather dramatically. The sun ducked behind the horizon, and all that was gold was now gray. The wind was no longer rippling, but swirling, whipping Candy’s skirt about her knees. The ground beneath them squished and sagged as though they were traipsing through a bog, soft pine needles all but gone. Pretty soon, Jeremy’s wind-blown hair was stinging his eyes, causing him to lose sight of Candy. Suddenly she cried out and Jeremy realized that he had lost her hand, as well as his footing. She was falling from him and calling to him
“Jeremy, get the baby! Take care of the baby!” her voice faded as she disappeared into the darkness.
Jeremy’s heart was racing as he madly grabbed the air around him, his feet stuck in the gooey mud.
“Candy!” He screamed but it just echoed in his ears. His arms flailing about, he realized he was up to his ankles in mud, and he couldn’t move. “Candy!” he screamed again, his own voice fading as he sunk into the mud.
Jeremy startled awake to the sound of kittens mewing. His neck was stiff as he straightened up, and his arms tingled as he unfolded them from under his head. He shook his head, lost for a moment in the nightmare; thankful to be awake, only to remember the nightmare in front of him. But there was that sound again, like a pack of wild cats squalling. He stood up slowly and walked into the front room. It was dark and empty. But the sound grew louder. Running his hand through his hair, he followed the sound over to the cradle. There he stared down at his daughter, who was bawling her head off. He stood there looking at her, swaying a little as he struggled to become fully awake. Candy’s words from the dream came back to him. “take care of the baby....”
Slowly, gently, he picked her up and held her close to his chest. Her head was swaddled in a white bonnet, and she was tightly bundled up against the chill night. Still swaying, he cooed to her. She calmed a little, but was still fussing as he wondered what to do next. Quietly, he began to sing the first song that popped into his head. His sweet tenor filled the room, although he sang barely above a whisper.
“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound...” her cries slowed to a whimper. He continued, the words as familiar to him as his own name.
“That saved a wretch like me.....
I once was lost....but now I’m found...
Was blind, but now I see.”
He did a small two-step around the kitchen as he sang. The baby was quietly alert now, taking her first good look at her father, blue eye on blue eye. Jeremy looked back at her tenderly, and continued to hum as he walked back into the bedroom and sat down in his well-worn chair. He kissed the baby, laid her down next to Candy and clasped both of their hands in his. He prayed again that God would give his wife and this baby’s mother back to them.
The dawn light was just peeking through the curtains when Jeremy heard another sound. He checked the sleeping baby, but it wasn’t coming from her. Afraid to hope, he slowly leaned down close to Candy,.
“Jeremy?” she whispered. Her words were nearly lighter than air.
He could barely form a response, “I’m here.” he kissed her on the forehead.
“...the baby?...” she strained to make herself heard.
“The baby’s here, she’s right here!” Jeremy held the baby up so Candy could see her. He watched expectantly as Candy struggled to open her eyes.
“Oh....” a smiled played at the corner of her lips. “Jeremy....” Again, he had to lean right over her to hear her. His heart was pounding so hard it nearly drowned her out.
“Yes sweetheart.” His face was only inches from hers as she finally forced her eyes open. Oh thank you, thank you, thank you! Jeremy’s heart was singing.
“...the baby...” her lips could barely form the words.
“She’s perfect.” Jeremy smiled again at the wriggling bundle in his hands. He laid her down next to her mother.
“A girl. We have a little girl....” the smile grew. “What shall we call her?” She could not keep her eyes open. “I’m tired, Jeremy. “
“I know. Rest now.”
After a moment she spoke again. “How about Annie?” she asked weakly.
Jeremy smiled again, “I like that.” He thought for a moment. He looked down at the baby, and remembered the moment that he first met his daughter. “How about Annie Grace?”
She nodded and drew in a ragged breath. “I’m going to go back to sleep now, Jeremy.” she closed her eyes, still smiling. “Take care of Annie. “
He kissed her softly on the lips and took the baby back in his arms. “I will.”
Jenny awoke slowly from a sleep so deep she felt like she was at the bottom of a well. She remained still, warm and snuggly beneath her quilts. Her senses were involved in a tug of war, her dreams dragging her back to slumber, while the smell of frying bacon was forcing her awake. She tried to recall the dream she had been having, but she couldn’t see it, only feel it. Little nudges of happiness, short scenes fading in and out of her brain, leaving her with a sure sense of comfort. It had been a good dream, she concluded, but the more she concentrated on it, the harder it was to remember. Soon, her curiosity about exactly who was cooking drew her out of her dozing. She crawled out of bed, wrapping herself in the colorful quilt that the brides had made for Candy and Jeremy upon their wedding. She tiptoed out into the front room where she saw Jeremy at the stove.
“Jeremy?” she called tentatively.
He whirled around, “Good morning sister dear. You’re just in time for breakfast.” He plopped down a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon at the table, gallantly pulled her chair out, and poured her a steaming hot cup of coffee.
Well, she figured, this must mean good news, but she remained quiet, listening to him hum.
“Jeremy?” she said between bites, “Is everything ok?”
He sat down across from her, smile beaming. “Yes...yes, I think so.” he took a bite of his breakfast, tilting his head toward the cradle, “Isn’t my daughter the most beautiful baby you’ve ever seen?”
Jenny returned his broad smile. “Oh, yes she is, Jeremy. Yes she certainly is.”
After breakfast, Jenny was discharged to fetch Dr. Wright, to check on Candy, who had awakened again. Molly remained to help with baby care. After watching Jeremy struggle with Annie’s diaper, sticking himself no less than three times, Molly & Jenny decided one of them needed to stay around.
Jenny was almost skipping down the path to town when she saw Dr. Wright striding toward her. After Jenny gave her a quick overview of last night’s events, the doctor hurried off to the cabin, while Jenny was set to enjoy a few hours of freedom. There was something she had to do, before she could truly enjoy the day, though. She was headed toward the small but immaculate chapel when Aaron appeared on the path next to her.
“Hello Miss Bolt.” he said, smiling. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?”
Jenny’s heart skipped a beat. The sight of Aaron, black hair gleaming in the sun gave her pause. She was filled with that comfortable feeling she had experienced in the morning, and realized that Aaron must have been in her dream. She had been thinking of him often in the last couple of days, and anxiously awaited his visits. They were very perfunctory, though, and she had not had a good conversation with him since she had last appeared at work.
“Hello Mr. Stempel.” she gave him her finest polite greeting. “Actually, I’m off to church, to say a prayer.” she then filled him in on the good news of Candy’s awakening.
He offered his arm, “Well, that is good news. May I escort you?” As she took his arm, and without missing a beat, he continued, “So, I guess this means you’ll be back at the office soon.” As much as he hated to admit it to himself, and it was a lot, he missed her terribly.
“Uuummmm, I guess so.” she smiled and took his arm. She felt the small charge as she touched him, she wondered if he felt it too. He did seem awfully anxious to have her back to work.
“...because you know, the books are already a mess without your guiding hand...”
Oh, she thought, the BOOKS are a mess. Oh well, being appreciated for her bookkeeping talents was something, she guessed. It would be nicer to be appreciated for something else, though.
He stopped at the church steps. “Well, here you are.”
“Yes, thank you for the escort , Aa.... Mr. Stempel. I hope to be back to work tomorrow.” she smiled gamely.
“Great! See you then.”
“Good-bye then.” she managed a small head bow.
“Yes, “ grin. “Good-bye Miss Bolt.”
She turned and went into the chapel, not looking back. Aaron rolled his eyes and balled his hands into fists. He obviously felt something for the girl, why couldn’t he say so. The books! The books were the last thing on his mind. Actually, he was a bit discomfited by what WAS the first thing on his mind, which had nothing to do with the books, and plenty to do with more earthly pursuits. God, Aaron, get a hold of yourself, she’s 16 years old! A child!
Again he cursed the fact that the only woman that had given him any cause for desire, is one that he shouldn’t, no, couldn’t have. Shaking his head, he walked into MaryBeth’s, letting the door slam behind him.
The Seattle chapel was the second oldest building in town, built on the heels of Lottie’s Saloon. The smallish clapboard church boasted two stained glass windows, imported from England, proudly paid for and dedicated to George Stempel, Aaron’s father. The pews were fashioned from the finest Seattle timber under the watchful eye of Julia Bolt, the mother of three rambunctious boys she felt needed good religious values to help them survive in the wilderness that was the Washington Territory.
Attended by two reverends since its inception, attendance had definitely been up since the Brides arrived in Seattle. Single loggers and sawmill workers were not often called to come to church, especially after a raucous Saturday night at Lottie’s. But with the expansion of Seattle’s families, the little church was quite busy with weddings, baptisms, and two Sunday services.
Jenny walked into the empty chapel, shoes clacking softly on the knotted pine floor. She entered the front pew and knelt down, ‘closest to God that way’, her mother used to say. Bowing her head, she fervently thanked God for his mercy in bringing Candy back to Jeremy and Annie. Dr. Wright was of the opinion that it was a miracle. She stayed a while longer, asking forgiveness for her own sins, and recounting her blessings.
After realizing her knees were numb, she quickly finished her prayers, and opened her eyes to see an almost familiar face looking down at her.
“Oh!” she said, sitting back on the pew with a thump.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. Miss....um, Bolt, isn’t it?” The young man trained his soft brown eyes directly at her blue ones, wide with surprise.
“Mr...Rowan?” Jenny remembered the soggy traveler who stopped by the cabin looking for directions to town. Then she noticed the collar around his neck. She caught herself staring.
He smiled and tugged at the collar playfully. “Actually, “ he said sheepishly, “It’s Reverend Rowan. But, you probably guessed that.”
She lowered her eyes quickly. “Oh... yes... Reverend.” Oh gosh, a man of the cloth, and she could only think about how handsome he was.
“I hope I didn’t disturb you.” He continued wiping down the pews, the job he had been doing unnoticed by Jenny.
“Oh, a…a, no. I was finished, Reverend.” Jenny tried to keep a suitable tone of reverence in her voice.
He looked up and smiled again, “Please, call me Gabe.” She sputtered in protest. “Really. It’s ok.”
“Well then, my name is Jenny.”
“I remember.” he whistled softly as he rubbed last Sunday’s child prints from the beautifully stained wood. In fact, he remembered quite well. He had hoped he would see her again after their short interchange on her doorstep.
“Well, “ she couldn’t help but notice his shy smile and mop of curly hair. “I’ve got to go now. It was nice to meet you, Rev...I mean Gabe.” A preacher that goes by his first name? That was not something she was accustomed to.
“I hope to see you again soon.” he waved and their eyes met again.
“Yes..” Cheeks burning, she turned and hurried down the aisle and out the door. “Good bye.”
“Good-bye, Jenny.” he went back to his whistling and wiping, happier than he had been in days.
In the small instant when Jeremy first picked up his daughter, the Bolt cabin changed from a soundless place of sadness to one filled with the happy clatter of a family. Word of Candy’s condition spread rapidly through the town, and it seemed to Jenny that each and every citizen took their turns visiting Candy and the new baby. Within a few days, Candy was able to get out of bed and receive her visitors in the front room; Biddie her constant companion, fussing around Annie like a bee to a flower. Jason and Joshua were becoming fixtures at the house; Jason so enamored of his niece that Candy had to fight him for rocking rights. There was something so adorable about the huge logger snuggling and reciting poetry to the tiny baby that although Jenny avoided speaking directly to Jason, she could not take her eyes off him. One afternoon, with Candy resting, Jason rocking, and Biddie fussing, Jenny realized that she had finally found what she had been missing; in a small cabin in the woods of Seattle.
Jeremy arrived at the camp feeling as if he hadn’t been there in weeks, rather than days. His arrival was heralded by Corky clanging the dinner bell, and immediately he was surrounded by what seemed to be the entire camp, laughing and clapping him on the back.
Jason strode through the throng, “Ok, ok men, after all, HE didn’t actually give birth! Let’s get back to work!” he motioned for Jeremy to join him in their tent, where Joshua was already seated, flipping through the books.
“So, what’s up, Jason? I thought I might actually get some work done today...” Jeremy took his seat on the unoccupied cot.
Jason pulled up a chair and sat down backwards, arms folded over the back, legs splayed. “Jeremy, we need to have a family meeting.”
Jeremy shrugged. “Ok, well we’re here.”
“I found out some things when I was in Tacoma.” Jason continued, keeping his usually booming voice low.
Joshua looked up from the desk and waved a letter in the air. “Yes, and this arrived yesterday.”
“Yes, so what’s the mystery?” Jeremy shrugged again. His brothers had a flair for the dramatic, and sometimes it just got on his nerves.
“Well, it seems that Jenny has been telling the truth.” Jason’s voice took on a self-important tone.
“Jason, I knew that.” Jeremy glanced out the tent flap. The sun was getting to its peak, and Jeremy was hoping to actually cut some trees down. He looked at Josh, and snatched the letter from him. “And I suppose this is her birth certificate. “ He opened it and looked. His blood ran cold, just for a moment, when he actually saw the names on the paper. Hannah Flanagan and Jonathan Bolt. He looked up at Jason.
“....So, I thought we should make her an official member of our family.” Jason continued.
“She’s already a part of MY family, if I might remind you.”
“Jeremy, “ Josh interrupted. “Jason means officially.”
“I think we should make her part owner of the mountain.” There, Jason thought, I said it. There was no going back now. His trip to Tacoma caused a profound shift in his thinking. He could not believe his father would have left this woman and his child with nothing. It went against everything Jason thought he knew about his father, and he could barely reconcile it to himself. But, his sense of fairness overrode his confusion over Jenny’s situation, and he planned to make it up to her.
Jeremy looked from Jason to Joshua. “Josh? What do you think?”
Josh looked down at the books. “Well, she is our blood kin, Jeremy.” he said less than enthusiastically. “She’s Father’s daughter, I guess that entitles her.”
“Well, I think it’s a good idea. Set things right for her, once and for all.” Jeremy was emphatic.
“Then we are in agreement?” Jason and Jeremy looked at Josh, while putting their hands together in the traditional Bolt handshake.
Sighing, Josh’s hand joined his brothers’ in the center of the circle.
Aaron Stempel checked his reflection in the looking glass. He smoothed his hair, straightened his tie and smiled broadly, checking his teeth. Appearances were very important to Aaron, especially his own. He knew it was important for a man in his position not to walk around Seattle looking askew. If his father taught him nothing else, he had taught him that.
George Stempel was a man who had made and lost fortunes in Arizona and California, but always pulled himself up by his bootstraps. Finally, upon moving to a wild settlement called Seattle, he opened a small sawmill. Soon, due to his own diligent efforts, plus a little help from his chief lumber supplier, Jonathan Bolt, his little operation was turning a tidy profit. He instilled in Aaron the values of hard work and leadership, and also the importance of always looking prosperous.
“After all boy,” he said to Aaron on more than one occasion, “First impressions are of the utmost importance, and people can tell a lot about a man just by looking at him. “ he winked at his staring son, “And there’s a lot they CAN’T tell by looking, so you might as well look good.” Then he would clap Aaron on the back and straighten his tie.
Satisfied by his appearance, Aaron opened the front door. The incessant rain of the last few days had cleared for a bit, the air was fresh, and the sun peeked through the trees, glinting off the dew drops. Aaron took a deep breath, the air was moist and it felt good inside of him. As he did every day, he wondered if Jenny would return to work today. He almost imperceptibly quickened his steps down the path to his office. He looked for the tell-tale coffee pot brewing on the stove as he came around the last bend. He smiled when he saw it there, perking away.
Continuing the last few steps to the office, he stopped abruptly a few feet away. He had been wrestling with his feelings for Jenny for some days now. He enjoyed her happy demeanor, and the way she listened intently to him. But she also was not afraid to challenge him if she didn’t like what he was saying. But, no matter how he tried to make the pieces fit, it still came down to the fact that she was only 16. How would it look, he asked himself yet again.
“For God’s sake, get a grip on yourself...’ he thought as he took another slug of air and walked into the office.
Jenny’s head was bent over her desk, her hair softly falling around her shoulders. Aaron resisted the impulse to stroke it and instead seated himself noisily at his desk.
“Good morning, Miss Bolt.”
She looked up at hearing his chair scrape the floor. “Good morning Mr. Stempel. I trust you still want me to work, I know I’ve been gone for awhile.”
Aaron waved his hands dismissively, “Oh, of course. I know you’ve had a tough time with Candy and the new baby and all.” He cringed inwardly thinking of how lonely the office had been with her gone.
“Good.” She paused for a beat. “So, did you miss me?” she asked flippantly. Oh my God, Jenny, she thought, how could you have said such a thing? She could hear her mother scold her for her forwardness. But sometimes things just popped out of her mouth....She waited anxiously for a response.
Aaron was every bit as flustered. “I...well....aaa....well,” he took another deep breath as he attempted to cover his nervousness.
Was that a blush? Jenny wondered, lips twitching in a smile.
“Of course, it was a bit quiet here without your talking and interrupting my work.” Oh, great answer, Stempel. He looked down at his desk with serious intent.
“Oh, yes, of course, Mr. Stempel.” Jenny did allow herself a small grin. Maybe she would get through that tough-as-nails veneer yet...
They settled into their pattern of patter as the day progressed. Jenny, mostly quiet, working on the books with her neat scrawl, pausing now and then to ask a business question of her boss. Aaron meanwhile, found himself reading page 2, paragraph 3 of his latest contract with the Bolt brothers over and over again, at no time comprehending what he was reading. Pulling out his pocketwatch for what seemed like the 20th time that hour, he finally looked over at Jenny.
“You know Jenny, it is about lunch time.”
“Oh, I hadn’t noticed. I rather thought I’d work through lunch today.” Jenny did not raise her head so her flushing cheeks would not be evident.
“Well, I’m a bit hungry, would you be so kind as to join me for lunch at Mary Beth’s?” Aaron held his breath awaiting her answer. After what seemed like an eternity, she responded.
“That would be very nice, thank you Mr. Stempel.” She looked right into his eyes and smiled.
He stood and offered her his arm. Why he felt like a nervous kid, he could not say. But he smiled as he covered her small hand with his, and they walked out the door, both reflexively inhaling deeply.
Candy and Jeremy were beaming as they sat with Annie in their arms at their kitchen table. The new reverend had come by to arrange for Annie’s baptism, and her parents were proudly showing her off. Rev. Rowan was suitably impressed with her auburn peach-fuzz hair and blue eyes.
“I’m so glad to see you are on the mend, Mrs. Bolt.” Gabe smiled, brown eyes twinkling. Candy and Jeremy were not much older than he was, and he admired their courage and commitment to each other.
“Oh yes, we had quite a scare.” Jeremy jumped in. He put his arm around Candy’s shoulders and pulled her to him. Sometimes Jeremy still woke in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, lost in the nightmare of losing Candy. It was only when he held her warm hand and watched her chest rise and fall in peaceful sleep that he could relax enough to join her in slumber.
Gabe glanced at his pocketwatch, a gift from his father when he graduated from seminary. “Well, I think I’ve kept you long enough.” he stood, pulling himself up to his full 6’2” height. “So, we’ll have the baptism in three weeks then, right?”
Candy and Jeremy nodded in unison. “We’ll have the godparents sorted out by then, also.” Jeremy laughed. With so many beloved friends and family in town, choosing just two godparents would be quite a chore.
Jeremy walked Gabe out. When they were on the porch, Gabe turned to Jeremy. “Mr. Bolt?”
“Please, call me Jeremy.”
“Yes...Jeremy. Jenny Bolt is your sister, am I correct?”
“Why, yes she is.” Jeremy cocked his head a bit to one side. “Why do you ask?”
Gabe looked down at his boots shyly, “Well, I was wondering if she was spoken for?”
Jeremy paused for effect. “Not that I know......” he stopped speaking abruptly upon seeing Jenny and Aaron arm-in-arm laughing gaily up the path to Aaron’s office. “..of.” He cocked his head further at the odd sight.
Gabe noticed his hesitation and turned around to see what he was looking at. He was a bit surprised also.
Jeremy continued quickly. He shook his head at the unbelievable thoughts flying through his mind. Aaron Stempel??? “Oh...they work together. Jenny does Aaron’s bookkeeping.” This young reverend would be a much better choice for Jenny than…Aaron Stempel???
“Oh.” Gabe stared at the two figures. They did not appear to be talking about bookkeeping. “I see.” This might be a little harder than he expected. “Well then, I would like to ask if I could come calling for her.”
“a..a...sh...sure, Reverend. I’m sure she’d like that.” Jeremy’s stutter again found the most inopportune time to reappear. He stuck out his hand. “Again, thanks for coming by.”
Gabe clasped it warmly. “Yes, glad to meet you, Jeremy.” He tugged at his collar nervously. “I’ll see you in church.” he smiled and plopped his hat on top of his curls.
“Yes, see you then.” Jeremy waved distractedly. What in the world was going on here?
“But Candy,” Jeremy said, dipping his fingertip into the night’s supper, “Aaron Stempel doesn’t laugh!” Loudly he smacked his lips, “Unless he’s getting the better of some Bolt.”
She smacked his hand playfully. “Jeremy!” Checking her stew for possible breaches of flavor, she stirred it lovingly. “Well, is there a law saying you shouldn’t get along with your boss?”
“Yeah, but Candy, getting along is one thing, but this....” his voice trailed off as he sat down next to Annie’s cradle and rocked it gently. Jeremy was relaying to Candy the fact that Jenny’s lunch date with Aaron Stempel had turned into three. Now every time he passed the mill office, he could hear Aaron’s laughter pealing out into the grove.
“Well, I’ve always thought it best to not stand in the way of true love.” Candy said facetiously. Jeremy and his brothers were always most prickly when the subject was Aaron Stempel. She thought he might be overreacting just a little bit.
He winced at those words. “You know, the new reverend asked me if he could come calling for Jenny.”
Candy’s eyes widened. “He did? Well, my my.” She sat down next to him, interest momentarily diverted from her cooking. “He’s certainly is good looking.”
Jeremy narrowed his eyes, “If you say so.”
“...and he’s young.”
“Yes....” Jeremy could see the plot hatching directly behind Candy’s eyes.
“Well,” she scooped up the dishes from the sideboard and plopped them down in front of her husband. “I could ask him over for Sunday supper.”
“Good idea.” Jeremy smiled to himself as he placed the dishes around the table. He knew Candy could not resist a good match-making scheme. And if it kept Jenny away from Aaron, more’s the better.
The Jeremy Bolt family arrived at church on Sunday at exactly one minute to nine, scrubbed, combed and pressed. Jeremy looked behind him and as usual, was shocked to see the amount of people following him, depending on him. Candy and Annie, on their first church outing, followed by Christopher, who at twelve was eating him out of house and home, and then Molly and Jenny, nearly look-alikes with their white-blond hair in ringlets bobbing on their shoulders. As much as he disliked Jenny working for Aaron, he had to admit, the small income she shared with them came in handy. Well, if Candy could get her plan in motion, Aaron would no longer be an issue. He and Christopher ushered the women down the aisle and they settled noisily into a pew.
Jeremy had not been much of a church-goer growing up, with only faint memories of attending with his family as a very young boy. He did remember snuggling on his mother’s lap, comforted by her arms around him. She always smelled sweetly of lilacs. One of Julia Bolt’s only luxuries upon arriving in the wilds of Seattle was her lilac toilet water, presented to her every Christmas by her husband and sons. After his mother’s death, the boys saw little reason to worship a God that would take such a precious life. They lost what little religious training they had, even the ability to say grace. All that changed when the pious, upright girls from New Bedford arrived. Church became an outing. If not a date, then certainly a chance to get together with the opposite sex; something the men of Seattle never missed a chance to do. Jeremy looked over at Candy cradling Annie, and smiled, his opinion of God changing. He hoped they would be there for their daughter for a long time.
Jenny craned her head around, looking for Aaron. She startled when Essie Gustafson began her organ prelude and the Reverends Whitfield and Rowan appeared on the altar. Quickly, she turned back around and bowed her head. The two reverends, tall and small, young and old, took turns leading the service. It was Gabe’s turn to give the sermon. He spoke quietly but passionately about grace, and love, and Jenny could see all the female eyes in the chapel upon him. Then he did something most unexpected. After bringing his talk to an end, he pulled up a stool, and grabbed his guitar, hidden behind the pulpit. He then sat down and began to sing. His soulful tenor rang throughout the silent room. Jenny was quite sure she had never seen anything quite like this. A singing reverend. At the end of his song, he bowed his head humbly, but Jenny could see the dimples carved in his cheeks.
Suddenly, Miss Essie snapped to life, and the sounds of the wheezing pump organ broke the trance. All voices rose together, and, stealing a glance at Gabe, Jenny saw him smiling at her.
“Lovely service Reverend Whitfield, very nice.” one by one the congregation filed out, shaking the hands of their pastors. The older pastor clapping the younger on the back more than once. “Yes, we certainly are proud of this boy!” Gabe looked down shyly, but perked up when he saw Candy and Jeremy approaching.
“Oh, Mrs. Bolt, it’s good to see you here today!” Gabe exclaimed as he gently placed his hand on Candy’s shoulder.
“Why thank you Reverend Rowan. Your sermon was quite moving.” she said, as the exiting congregation forced her down the steps. “Would you like to come to Sunday supper today?” she called, from the last step.
Gabe smiled widely, “Yes, I’d like that very much.”
“Three o’clock then.” Candy looked back over her shoulder.
“Three o’clock it is.” Looking back, he realized he was about to shake Jenny’s hand. “I’ll see you then.”
She let her hand linger a moment. “Good day, Reverend,” Hurriedly, she rejoined her family in front of Lottie’s.
It didn’t take long for Jenny to realize exactly why Candy had invited Gabe over. Both Candy and Molly bustled around the kitchen, absolving her of kitchen duties, encouraging her to “take her time” getting ready for the meal. Finally, when she could take no more of their fussing, she went out front to get some fresh air. Her thoughts turned back to the morning service. The guitar must have been what was in the large pack on Gabe’s back when he first got to town. She had to admit he had a lovely voice, and was very handsome. If this was a fix-up, it wouldn’t be so bad, except for Aaron. Their lunch dates had been full of laughter and stories. She felt that he was beginning to open up to her a bit. The more time they spent together, the more she felt she was chipping away the wall he had built around himself. She figured her brothers would not approve, since their rivalry ran so deep, but Jenny could not worry about their feelings. She only knew how she felt. And she felt that Aaron needed her. She wasn’t sure exactly for what, but she was going to find out, Candy’s meddling aside. She looked up to see Gabe sauntering down the path. He removed his hat with a flourish.
“Good Day, Miss Bolt.”
“Please, call me Jenny, and I believe you said I could call you Gabe, right?” she shielded her eyes from the sun as she looked up at him.
He shifted his position, allowing her the shade, “Oh, yes, thanks. Reverend Rowan is such a mouthful.” He paused. “It was nice of your sister-in-law to invite me for supper.”
“Yes, well, she enjoys this sort of thing.” Jenny replied cryptically. “Why don’t we go on back to the house.” she motioned for him to join her.
“Great.” he took a giant step to catch up with her and they headed back to the white archway.
Aaron strode into Lottie’s, thumbs jauntily stabbed into his vest pockets. Lottie and her crew had done her usual Sunday sprucing up; the inevitable muddy floors were clean, the fresh flowers on the tables bloomed invitingly, and the bar, sticky after a busy Saturday night, was scrubbed down to the finish.
The proprietress met him at the bar. “Well, hello Aaron. You’re looking chipper today.” Without waiting for his order, she poured him a whiskey, neat.
“Thank you Lottie, and you yourself are a vision.” Aaron saluted her with his glass and sipped from it. He and Lottie had known each other since he was a young teen. She had joined George Stempel and Jonathan Bolt as pioneers in this wilderness. For a time, she even taught school to the Bolt boys and himself. Aaron knew she was partial to the Bolts, especially to Josh and Jeremy, whose memories of their mother were dim. Memories of his own mother were almost non-existent, as she died when he was no more than a babe. His father remarried when Aaron was almost grown, and that union produced his sister, Julie. George’s second wife was partial to San Francisco, so as soon as Aaron could take over the mill operation, George moved his new family out of Seattle and back to “civilization”. Both George and his wife perished in a fire soon after, and sister Julie was placed in boarding school.
Lottie had been his sounding board through all this. Even if he did not consider her a “mother figure”, he knew he could count on her support and friendship.
“So Aaron,” she said casually, “Does your recent good humor have anything to do with that pretty young thing you’ve been seeing?”
His eyebrows went up in warning, “Lottie, now, a couple of lunches doesn’t mean I’m seeing anyone...” he stammered. He was not ready to have the whole town discussing his personal affairs. Of course, they already were.
She wiped up a water ring, “well, I just think it looks good on you, Aaron.” She knew, as Jason had, that Aaron was lonely. She also knew that he was good at drowning himself in work. He and Jason were more alike than either of them cared to admit. Single-mindedly building their businesses, love and marriage had taken a back seat for them both. But Jason had his brothers, and Aaron was just alone. She smiled at the thought of Aaron and the much-younger Jenny together. But then, she reasoned, maybe Aaron needed someone like Jenny to draw the humor out in him. And Jenny was nothing if not full of life. However, Aaron was right, she admonished herself, a couple of lunches didn’t mean anything, did they?
“Lottie, me darlin’, hows about a whiskey for a poor, dry, old friend...” Clancy bellied up to the bar next to Aaron.
“..And put it on my tab.” Aaron clapped Clancy on the back, “Hello Clancy.”
Clancy’s eyes grew wide, “Aye, hello and thank you very much Mr. Stempel. Lottie, if’n it’s on his tab, make it a double!”
Aaron snorted. The old sea captain could never turn down the opportunity to turn a free drink into two. “Fine, fine.” Still smiling, Aaron wandered over to a table and sat down.
“What’s with him?” Clancy turned around in wonderment, his whiskers twitching with surprise. Drinks bought by Aaron Stempel were about as common as an Irishman wearing a kilt.
Lottie winked. “I don’t know, fishface, but don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”
He drained his drink , licking every drop off of his lips, “You are right about that, bucko.” He looked over his shoulder at Aaron conversing convivially with some of his workers at the table. Shrugging, he turned to Lottie for a refill.
Candy’s Sunday roast was like manna from heaven to Jason’s palate. Left to their own devices, he and Joshua could scarcely get a proper stew together, let alone Sunday dinner. Of course, Josh spent three or four nights a week in town, being wined and dined by many of the lovely single ladies who resided there. Jason was not inclined to that behavior. Women were a luxury, something to occupy his spare time, something he did not often have. He felt sure that all the family he would ever know were currently sitting around the table. His relationship with Jenny had improved to civil, but he had not really had the opportunity to talk with her at length about what he had learned in Tacoma. He and Josh and Jeremy had not yet told her about sharing Bridal Veil Mountain either. He watched her curiously. He strained to see the resemblance to himself that everyone else saw. Maybe he saw it in the slant of her eyes, or the set of her chin. He watched her interact with the young reverend at her side. He could tell the lad was smitten; even to his dense male eyes, it was apparent. Well, he figured Jeremy and Candy had the right idea. The sooner that they found her a suitable husband, the sooner she would be out of their house, and the sooner she could quit that job she had with Stempel.
“Candy, if this isn’t the best meal I’ve had in months, then I’ll...I’ll”
“You’ll what, Jason?” Joshua looked sideways at him, preferring to cut off the insult on his cooking before it came. The ensuing laughter closed off that avenue of conversation, steering it to many other compliments on Candy’s cooking.
Jenny poured the last of the coffee and took her seat back at the table. Her sides ached from laughing. Between her brothers’ bantering, Candy’s wry observations, and Gabe’s charming asides, she couldn’t remember when she had enjoyed a meal more.
Gabe pushed his chair back from the table. “Mrs. Bolt....Candy,” he said sheepishly, “Thank you so much for the delicious meal, “ he shot a glance at Jenny, “..and for the delightful company.”
Jenny lowered her eyes modestly.
“So....why don’t you two young people take a walk. There’s still a fair amount of sunlight left.” Jeremy suggested, eyes twinkling.
“Oh, yes, Molly and I will handle the washing up.” Candy felt Jeremy’s knee bash into hers under the table.
“Candy, you will do no such thing.” Jason boomed. “Joshua, get after those dishes.” Jason’s eyes were also twinkling. The famous Bolt twinkle.
“After you, brother dear.” Joshua was not so easily had. All three Bolts arose and began clearing the table.
Gabe looked over at Jenny. “I’d be honored if you joined me for a walk.”
Jenny smiled wanly. “Well, that would be just fine, Gabe.” She took his outstretched arm. “Let’s go.”
The clouds created a panorama of shapes dancing in the late afternoon sky. Seattle was rarely without clouds, or some form of rain, but Jenny found it comforting, as it reminded her of home. Gabe was a good storyteller, and kept them both in stitches as they walked.
“So,” he said as they cleared a place to sit, near the lake. “You are so lucky to have grown up here, amidst all this.”
“Oh, I didn’t grow up here.” she sat down on the jacket he so gallantly placed before her. The leaves under her were soft, but damp, and she was glad to have the extra layer.
He sat down next to her and removed his hat. As always, she was amazed by the light brown curls that resided underneath. He ran his hand through them, tousling them even more. “No?”
“No. I grew up in Tacoma, a ways south of here.” Upon seeing his quizzical look she continued quickly, “It’s a long story. How about you?”
“I’m from St. Louis, Missouri.” He picked a blade of grass and stuck it in his mouth. “It’s kind of tough down there right now, so I’m glad I’m here.”
“What do you mean?”
He looked out at an imaginary spot on the lake. “Well, I lost two brothers in the war, one fighting for the North, and one for the South. I’m the youngest, and my daddy made sure I went to seminary so I wouldn’t go to war.” He looked over at her, “He was a preacher too.”
Jenny was speechless. The War had not touched Washington territory in the same way it had the rest of the country. “How terrible for you to lose your brothers....” she stammered.
“Yes, it was......My mother never recovered. She died last year, probably from a broken heart.” He paused. “But, soon after I graduated, I got a call to come here, so here I am.” He ran his hand through his hair again. “But, let’s not talk about that....that’s the past. I’m here to begin my future.”
Jenny nodded in agreement, understanding his attitude completely, “Yes, me too.”
They sat awhile in silence, listening to the sounds of the woods.
“I.....was glad that we were going to have the chance to get to know one another better, Jenny. Ever since that day I met you on your doorstep, I had hoped that we would.”
Uh oh, she thought, here it comes. “Me too, Gabe.”
“But, there’s someone else, isn’t there.”
Her head whipped around in surprise. “Uh....well....I...I”
“It’s none of my business, really.” His brown eyes were downcast. He could not get the image of Jenny and Aaron Stempel out of his mind.
She put her hand over his. She did like him, he was sweet, funny, handsome...
“Well, I can’t lie to you, Gabe. There is someone....but...I..just don’t know...” she just did not know how to categorize her relationship with Aaron. Was it more than a friendly work relationship? Did he feel for her what she did for him?
He straightened his back slightly. “It’s OK, Jenny. I understand. I don’t want to push you....But, if it doesn’t work out….I’ll be here.”
She squeezed his hand in response. Neither made a move to get up.
Joshua was ready to leave as soon as the last dishes were done. For certain he had a pretty girl waiting for him in town. Jason, however, was busy reciting Shakespeare to Annie and would not budge from Candy’s rocker. In between stanzas, the brothers did agree that they would speak to Jenny about Bridal Veil Mountain next week. Finally, Candy shooed them out, and she and Jeremy relaxed at the table while Annie snoozed in her cradle. The front window was open and the cool breeze refreshed them after an afternoon at the stove.
“Well, they’re not back yet.” Candy observed.
“Nope they’re not.” Jeremy replied.
She took his hands and rubbed them gently, feeling every callous and line. “I guess that’s a good sign.”
“Yes, I guess so.” he closed his eyes and smiled. “mmmm..that feels good.”
“They seemed to get along well.”
“Well, Candy, you’re the expert in these matters, not me.” He opened his eyes and grinned at his wife. She was always matchmaking for the brides. Half of them would not be married right now if Candy had not intervened. She did not take no for an answer, his Candy.
Jeremy did not see the figure rapidly approaching the house.
“I was surprised to hear that you were planning on giving Jenny a share of the mountain. I’m having a hard time imagining Jason parting with it.” If there was one thing Candy was sure of, it was of Jason’s attachment to his birthright, Bridal Veil Mountain.
“Well, Jason came back from Tacoma a changed man, that’s for sure.” Jeremy did not see that the figure had stopped in front of the house, outside the open window.
“All I know is, “ Jeremy continued, “Jason will never give Jenny a piece of the mountain if he thinks she’s involved with Aaron Stempel. I don’t think he could stand it if he thought Aaron could finally get his hands on it that way.”
Candy rolled her eyes. She would never understand the relationship between her husband and his brothers and Aaron Stempel. One day they work together as friends, the next, bitter enemies.
They did not notice the blue blur outside the window as Aaron turned on his heels and quickly walked away.
Jenny and Gabe stood at the archway in front of the house. He took both of her hands in his.
“Thanks for the walk.” He looked down at her tenderly.
She smiled up at him. “It was my pleasure, Gabe.” And it was her pleasure. She enjoyed his company very much.
He kissed her hands gently. “Never say never.” As he turned and walked back toward Seattle, he left her with a bittersweet smile, whistling softly as he went.
She sighed deeply and watched him as he disappeared into the dusk. She wondered for the 10th time that day if she had done the right thing. Gabe was a wonderful man, and if it wasn’t for her feelings for Aaron.... The question she kept asking herself was what were Aaron’s feelings for her.... Sighing again, she steeled herself for the barrage of questions she knew Candy would shower her with, and went inside the house.
Lottie was observing the Sunday night poker game that Jason’s loggers hosted every week. The players were fewer and fewer as more and more of them married and spent Sundays observing the Sabbath and keeping it holy with their new wives. There were still enough single men for a raucous game, though, and their shouts echoed into the quiet main street.
“See you and raise you 5”
“I’ll see your five and raise you 10...”
The first logger tossed his cards down. “Two pair, Jacks high”
The next man replied in turn. “Read ‘em and weep, Jack, full house.” He reached for the pot, only to be stopped by Jack’s large arms. Strong as tree stumps, Jason always said.
“Wait a minute, you win again?? ..You cheat!” Jack shouted. He grabbed for his companion’s arm, and both men stood up, expecting a tussle. The bigger of the two crashed into Aaron Stempel as he hurried into the saloon.
He shook them off angrily. “Get off of me you stupid oaf.” He continued, a bit unsteadily, to the back of the bar and grabbed two bottles of Lottie’s liquor.
“Aaron?” she called, quickly meeting him at the bar. “What are you doing?”
“Put it on my tab, Lottie.” His eyes were red and a bit wild.
“Aaron, are you ok?”
“What do you care? I’m good for it.” He began to walk toward the door.
She grabbed his elbow. “Of course I care, Aaron. What happened? You seemed so happy earlier.”
He snatched it from her grasp and shook his sleeve down. “Happy?? I’m not allowed to be happy, Lottie. Only Bolts are allowed to be happy.” He was slurring his words a bit, but the hate with which he spit out the last sentence was clear to all. He straightened himself and walked out, a bottle in each hand.
“Aaron, can I buy you a drink?” Jason Bolt said to Aaron’s glaring visage, upon narrowly missing running into him in Lottie’s doorway.
Aaron growled his response and bullied his way around Jason. Jason continued in and looked back over his shoulder at the swinging door.
“What’s with him, Lottie?” he wondered what could have upset Aaron enough for him to be walking through town with bottles of whiskey under his arms.
Lottie shrugged. “I don’t know, Jason. Have you seen him today?”
Jason shook his head and drained his glass. “No, we were at Candy and Jeremy’s most of the day for supper. I haven’t seen him at all today.”
“Well, he’s got a bee in his bonnet for your family. He was in here cursing you all before he left with those bottles.”
“I can’t imagine what I could have done today. Do you think I should go after him?” Jason was never really sure how to handle Aaron when he was indiscriminately angry with Bolts.
“Might make it worse, Jason. He’s pretty upset right now. Funny thing, he was so happy earlier today when he was in. He even bought Fishface a couple of drinks.” she shook her head, her bangle earrings swaying with the movement.
Jason rubbed his forehead. “I swear, Lottie, I have no idea what could have set him off like this.”
“Well, I guess we’d best let him drink it out of his system.” Lottie and Jason both knew that the last thing Aaron probably would want was a visit from one of the Bolt Brothers.
Jenny bounded into the saloon looking for all the world like Little Red Riding Hood. Her red cloak and hood wound around her against the chill, and her basket was filled with Candy’s special herb rolls. She confidently strode past the card playing men ogling her and up to the bar.
“Hello Jenny. What brings you here at this time of night.” Lottie smiled at the young girl. She was glad to hear that Jason was ready to accept her into the family, Lottie was certain she was his sister, she had such the look of both Jonathan and Jason about her.
“I brought you these rolls, left over from supper. Candy said you were fond of them.” Jenny spied Jason sitting at a table near the card game. He spied her also. Pushing his chair back, he strode the two steps to meet her at the bar.
“Hello Jenny.” he put his hand on her shoulder.
“Jason.” she offered him the basket. “Roll?”
He shook his head and motioned for Lottie to bring a drink. “Um, no thanks. Would you join me for a moment?”
“Alright.” she sat across from him, as far from the poker game as she could. “It was nice to see you at supper.”
“Yes.” he paused, not wanting to make small talk. “You know, Jenny, I haven’t been able to talk with you about my trip to Tacoma.”
She looked at him with her practiced steely blue gaze, but said nothing.
“Anyway. ... I talked to your uncle.”
“Lucky??” she dropped her defenses for a moment.
“Yes. He told me about your mother and my father. Everything.”
“So, did you feel better hearing it from him?” She knew Jason was a man’s man, and she figured that he would place much more store by a man’s explanation of her situation than of her own.
“I don’t really feel better about anything.” He swirled the brown liquid around in his glass, watching it slowly color the sides. “But, it seems that my father has not done right by you, his daughter, “ he almost stumbled over the word. “And I’d...we’d like to make it up to you, somehow.”
She looked down at her intertwined fingers. “It’s not your place, Jason. You are not your father. I did not come her to ‘get’ something from you.”
“Just the same....”
“No.” she stated flatly. “I came here to know my family, my brothers, that’s all.” She was sure of the truthfulness of her statement.
Jason stood up. “Well then, welcome, sister.” He held out his arms to her. Slowly she stood up. His arms went around her, his barrel chest engulfing her. He smelled of soap and shaving lotion, pine and mist. She tried to keep her tears from falling, but she was powerless against her emotions. Jason’s approval meant everything to her. He was the head of the family, after all. Her oldest brother. The one that looked most like her father, the father she knew only from a picture.
“Thank you, Jason.”
He kept his arm around her. “Can I walk you home?”
She nodded, but was interrupted by Lottie. “Jenny, have you seen Aaron Stempel today?”
Jenny shook her head. “No. He wasn’t at church, and Candy had a big Sunday supper for us.” She neglected to mention the presence of Gabe.
“Well, he was awfully upset about something when he left here awhile ago. Are you sure you didn’t see him?” Jenny thought Lottie was trying to tell her something, the look in her eyes was grim. What would Aaron be so upset about?? Immediately she thought of Gabe. Maybe Aaron heard about their walk, or maybe he saw them....
“Um...no. I hope he’s alright.” Jenny stared at Lottie, trying to read her face.
“Yes, me too. “ Lottie thought that perhaps Aaron’s foul mood had something to do with Jenny. She had seen the affection between the two of them, and she was certain Jenny was at the root of Aaron’s gregariousness earlier in the day, so maybe something had happened to change that. Jenny looked very surprised upon hearing of his bad mood, though, and she was too guileless to be that good of an actress. Lottie knew that Jason would never let Jenny venture out to a drunken Aaron Stempel’s alone. And she knew Jenny would never let Jason accompany her there.
“Yes,” Jenny continued. “Well…I best be going now.” She broke from Jason’s embrace and started for the door.
“Wait Jenny, let me walk you home…” Jason took a step toward her but Lottie grabbed his arm.
“Now Jason, I’ve got some boxes I could use a big ox like yourself to help me move.” As Lottie maneuvered the sputtering logger into the back of the saloon, Jenny scooted out the door.
Lottie’s bottles were coming in handy, Aaron thought as he poured them down his gullet, one after another hoping he could burn the pain away.
“Alone again.” he muttered, roughly loosening his tie and shirt. “Damn that mountain anyway. Does nothing but cause trouble.” Sitting down, he put his head down on his arms on the table.
Jenny peered through the window at the dimly lit living room. She saw Aaron slumped at the table and her heart sank. She gathered up her courage and knocked furiously on the door.
A rumpled, red-eyed man slowly opened the door. His well-lubricated heart began to pound. “Go home.” He announced to his guest.
Jenny stood her ground, her cloak not able to stop her shivering. “Hello Aaron, is everything alright?” She tried to keep her voice as even as possible.
He stood there, wavering a bit. “Please go.” But still he stood there, looking at her.
“Aaron please, I’m...I’m cold. Can I come in?”
Even through his bleary eyes, he could see that she was shivering. “Oh, ok. But you can’t stay.” He slammed the door behind her. “Can I get you a drink, Miss Bolt.” Again, he spat the name. He walked over to the table where he was conducting his evening’s business.
“No thank you.” she perched on the seat next to him and watched him drain another glass. She put her hand on his as he lowered it to the table. “Please tell me what’s wrong.”
He shook her hand off and stumbled to the settee. “I can’t....Jenny, I can’t...”
“Can’t what?” she trained him in her gaze.
He paused for a moment, then continued angrily. “Go to your young reverend. Jenny, I’m an old man... He’ll look after you better than I ever could...” Aaron gazed through her.
“Old? For heaven’s sake, Aaron, what are you talking about?” Jenny was still shaking. So, he must have seen she and Gabe today.
“I can’t take everything from you, Jenny. It isn’t fair. “ Aaron’s legs and arms were akimbo and a lock of hair had fallen down on his forehead. It was all Jenny could do not to reach out and sweep it back.
Jenny remained quiet, as she tired of repeating everything Aaron was saying, while trying to figure out what he was talking about.
He looked her, eyes wide, “Your son-of-a-bitch father left you with nothing, and now that his high and mighty sons want to cut you in on what’s rightfully yours, I can’t get in the way.”
“Aaron, you are not making any sense. What are you talking about???” Jenny was beginning to get frightened. She had never seen anyone so angry.
He shook his fist in the air, “The mountain, Jenny. The bloody mountain.”
He gulped noisily from his glass. “You’ll never see it if I’m around.” His face was filled with sorrow as he looked at her. “I can’t take that from you. So, go to that young reverend. I’ve seen him look at you.” His voice took on a sarcastic tone. He’s a man of God, he’ll take good care of you...”
She changed her perch to the settee next to Aaron. “What about the mountain?” Slowly she was beginning to understand what his alcohol-fueled ramblings were about. She remembered her short conversation with Jason, and how he had something about ‘making it up to her’. Could he have been referring to the mountain?
“The only way Jason Bolt would let me have a speck of dust from that mountain is over his dead body.”
Jenny was beginning to think she was drunk also. Questions were swimming around in her head. Was he saying that if they had a future together, Jason would not give her a piece of the mountain? So as to keep it out of Aaron’s hands? Was Aaron talking about a future for them??? She did not know where to begin to get to the heart of this. She did not know where to begin to get to Aaron’s heart either.
Once more, she put her hand on his arm. This time he did not shrug it off. “I don’t care about the mountain.”
“Maybe not today. But you will later. Jenny, it’s your birthright, I couldn’t live with myself if I thought I kept you from it.” His eyes were liquid.
She got goose bumps every time he said her name. “And I couldn’t live with myself if I thought I’d lose you over a piece of dirt.” The words were out before she realized it. She put her hand on his forearm, it was burning up.
Aaron was still unbelieving, but their eyes were locked. “You know I’m old enough to be...”
“Old enough.” She moved in closer, and brushed the lock of hair out of his eyes.
He allowed himself to touch a wisp of her hair. His voice was husky with whiskey and emotion. “You’re so pretty, Jenny. You...you make me so happy.” But his gaze turned hard. “It’s not right, though. This is not right.”
She thought he was still talking about their ages. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “If you are such an old man, then why do I have to force myself to not touch you whenever I’m near you.” She put her hand on his heart and felt it pumping wildly.
He looked at the beautiful young face in front of him. Pleading and imploring him, her blue eyes were wet with tears. Roughly he pulled her to him, feeling her heart beating through her clothes. Could this girl, this woman, feel anything for him?
After spending many troubled nights thinking about her, he had decided that he would tell Jenny how he felt. He would finally allow himself to enjoy the feelings she created in him, instead of stuffing them down, as was his habit. He had been on his way to declare his intentions when he overheard Jeremy and Candy talking through their window. Their words were like steel through his heart. His honor would not let him deny her what was rightfully hers, damn those Bolts. But now, here she was, in his arms.
He kissed her, long and hard and she returned it with fire. She could taste the bitter whiskey on his breath. They broke apart and Aaron tried to focus his eyes on her. Thinking better of it, he pulled her to him and kissed her again. His chest was tight with the desire of her. His hands found their way under her cloak, to the cotton dress she wore. They brushed her breasts and a shock of electricity went through him. It had been so long since he had loved a woman.
“Aaron...” a small whisper disturbed his thoughts. “My love.”
He couldn’t keep his eyes open for another moment. They were heavy with drink and fatigue. He nodded slowly, never letting Jenny up from his chest. “My love.....” He repeated, closing his eyes. Finally giving in to his drunkenness, he slept with a small smile on his face and his arms wrapped tightly around Jenny.
Jenny’s eyes popped open to the sound of a small knock at the door. She slowly disengaged herself from Aaron’s arms and peeked out the window. It was dark, and she had no idea how much time had passed. Seeing a friendly form, she went to the door.
“Lottie, what are you doing here?” she said softly, opening the door.
“I thought I’d come by to see if you were ok. It’s nearly 9 o’clock, dear.” Lottie glanced around the room and her eyes rested on Aaron’s sleeping form. “C’mon, we’d better get going.”
“OK. “ Jenny nodded and dashed off into the bedroom, coming back with an afghan which she gently placed over Aaron. She bent shyly and kissed him on the cheek. “Goodbye for now.” she whispered.
Lottie took her arm and hurried her along. “Is everything alright?”
Jenny nodded. “I think so…I think he loves me.” she whispered.
“Well, that’s nice dear…“ Lottie smiled at the young girl. “However, the last thing we all need is for your brothers to come out guns blazing to defend your honor.” Jenny’s eyes widened in fright. “It’s just an expression, but let’s not give them any ammunition, shall we?”
Jenny nodded emphatically as they walked quickly toward her cabin.
Aaron awoke to a small shaft of light piercing his left eye. He put his hands to his temples and emitted a groggy groan. What happened? He looked around and saw the empty bottles and glasses on the table. Hindsight reminded him exactly why he did not usually drink to excess. He could not move. However, a familiar scent surrounded him. Jenny. She had been here...or was it a dream? Aaron took another breath. No, it was her sweet fragrance on his shirt. Small bits of their conversation floated through his mind. Something about the mountain. Slowly he stood up, testing his balance. Why did she come here?
He walked over to the basin and splashed the icy cold water on his face. The shock brought him back to reality, and the events of the previous night continued to filter through the fog in his head. Something about him and mountain. Stopping a moment, he could still feel the warmth of her hand on his chest, the silkiness of her hair as he ran his fingers through it. What had he said to her? He loved her and wanted to be with her. Did he tell her that? He couldn’t remember.
“Damn!” he exclaimed. He could not believe she could see him in such a disreputable state and still want him. Did she still want him? He could taste her sweet mouth on his. They had kissed, then. He closed his eyes and savored the feeling she kindled in him.
What time was it? He fumbled around for his pocket watch, seeing that he was very late getting to the office. The office. It was a work day, and Jenny would be at the office working. Aaron was not sure he was ready to face her. He wondered how would they find their way in this relationship, neither being exactly experienced at love. Somehow he got the feeling that she would probably be a lot better at making this relationship work than he. Looking at the clock again, he realized there was no more time to reflect, he was just going to have to face her.
Jason sat on the cot in the tent, his breath coming out in puffs of steam, examining the papers in his hand. The deed to Bridal Veil Mountain. His father’s legacy to his sons. To his children, Jason corrected himself. His mind drifted back to a day long ago when he was young.
Jonathan swept into the cabin with the wind, scooping little Joshua into his arms while simultaneously bussing his beloved Julia, heavily pregnant. Jason looked up from his reading, grinning at his father’s arrival.
“Julia! It’s here! It’s arrived!” Jonathan cried, his Scottish brogue thickening with his excitement.
Jason and Julia crowded around the small rough-hewn table as Jonathan put a large envelope down with a flourish.
Julia looked up at her husband, eyes shining with tears. “The deed? From Olympia?”
“Yes, my love! The deed to Bridal Veil Mountain. Signed by the territorial governor and legally filed in Olympia.” He put his arm tightly around Jason, nearly his height, but skinny as a rail.
“Jason my boy, this will be yours someday. Yours, and Joshua’s and...” gently he rubbed Julia’s distended abdomen, “...this one’s too! This is something we never could have had in Scotland, my darling.” he turned to his wife. She smiled wordlessly.
“It’s ours, really??” Jason’s eyes widened as he took the papers out of the envelope. He perused them, not understanding any of the legalese, but trying to look like he did.
“Yes, thanks to the United States Government. Julia darling, I think this calls for a celebration!”
Julia smiled broadly, “Yes Jonathan. Take your boys over next to the fire while I finish our supper.” She bustled around the kitchen, humming to herself, while Jonathan told his sons stories by the hearth.
Jason remembered it well. The mountain was something he never took for granted, nor did he let his brothers do so. He knew, better than anyone, how much this meant to his parents. They had left their lives in Scotland, as son and daughter of wealthy clansmen, to come to America to find freedom. Bridal Veil Mountain was that freedom. And Jonathan had left it to his sons, leaving out the daughter he knew he had. Jason couldn’t begin to understand how his father, whom he idolized, could do such a thing as slight his own child, but Jason felt it was up to him to make it right.
Again, he looked through the papers, understanding the legalese a little better now than 25 years ago. He came to the new pages at the end, the ones giving Jenny Bolt one-quarter interest in Bridal Veil Mountain. Even though she refused him in Lottie’s yesterday, Jason was determined to make this happen. As much for himself as for her.
The next morning burned brightly for the would-be lovers. Groggy, Jenny drew herself up out of bed with a sinking feeling. Her self-confidence and abandon from the previous night had eroded completely. Aaron was very drunk last night, and very upset, she reasoned. Maybe it was the drink talking. Maybe he just made up all that stuff about Jason and the mountain. Maybe he wouldn’t even be able to face her today, let alone be ready to proclaim their love from the treetops. She choked down a roll and some coffee, and headed out the door, ignoring Candy’s concerned stare.
She shuffled the papers in front of her yet again. She realized she was reading the same paragraphs over and over. Tapping her fingers nervously on her desk, she waited for Aaron to come to work. If he came to work.
Aaron, usually heartened by the sight of the coffee pot on the stove, was today filled with dread. “Damn it!” he exclaimed yet again. He was always so sure of himself; he would not have gotten where he was today if he wasn’t. He wondered if she would even speak to him again after his drunken performance last night. He checked his watch and smoothed his jacket, trying to calm his nerves. What was it about this girl that turned him into a stammering youth?
“…you finally have something to lose.” The thought flashed through his mind before he realized he had articulated it.
“Good morning, Jenny.” he closed the door behind him with purpose, and strode to his desk. “How are you today?” There, he had started them off normally.
She looked at him, blue eyes intent on his, “I think the better question would be how are you?”
He could not break her gaze, “I’m fine, thank you.”
Her worst fears were coming true, he was going to ignore what had happened between them last night. She wasn’t going to let that happen.
She was about to say something when suddenly his mouth was on hers. Wrapping his arms around her, he lifted her out of her chair and held her tightly to him.
“I’m so sorry about last night.” he murmured.
She stroked his hair, “Sorry about what?” Jenny’s take on the evening was that it was nearly perfect.
He set her back down gently, still holding her to his chest. “That I was so drunk. I...I wanted to tell you how I felt ...but I was so angry...”
“Aaron, you did tell me how you felt.” she ran her hands down his arms, feeling the muscles even under his jacket. “I’ve never been so happy!”
He was vaguely uncomfortable that she remembered things he did not. Continuing to hold her hands tightly in his, he led her back to her chair. “Yes, but that doesn’t change the fact that your brothers will never accept me into your family. Especially where that mountain is concerned.”
“And I think I told you last night that I don’t care about the mountain.” Her eyes again bored into his soul. “In fact, Aaron, yesterday Jason offered me a share of the mountain, and I turned him down.” she squeezed his hand for emphasis. “The mountain is theirs. I didn’t come here for that.” she shrugged. “I only wanted to know my family. That was the reason and you know it.”
“But Jenny, I couldn’t live with myself knowing that I denied you your birthright.”
“It wouldn’t be you who would deny me, but me.” She stood up and smacked her hand against her chest. “Me, Aaron. I turned it down.”
He turned and dismissed her with his hand. “Oh, Bolt never takes no for an answer. Jenny, I’ve known him almost all my life. If he means to do something, he will do it.”
“Do what?” the booming voice of Jason Bolt rang into the office, startling the occupants. “Hello Aaron, Jenny.”
Jenny quickly looked down at her desk. “Hello Jason.”
“Bolt.” Aaron gave him his usual curt greeting.
Jason looked around. “Am I interrupting something?” Jenny and Aaron both cast their eyes downward.
“No Bolt. What do you want?” Aaron glanced at Jenny, who took her seat and began working quietly.
Monday lunch, and Mary Anne’s cafe’s business was booming. The new professionals of Seattle and their wives were lunching on fresh stew and hot coffee. Jeremy was in town to pick up supplies for the camp, and could not resist the homey aroma emanating from the cafe. As he wolfed down his bowl of stew, he noticed Reverend Gabe at the end of the counter, also savoring his lunch. Jeremy was a bit curious about how well Jenny & Gabe had gotten along. Jenny’s disappearance into the evening gave him no clue, and he was up and out before she was awake today. Mopping up his last bite, he took the seat next to Gabe.
“Hello, Reverend.” Gabe looked up and raised his eyebrows. “I..I mean Gabe.”
“Hello Jeremy.” Wiping his mouth, Gabe swallowed mightily. “So.. pick godparents for that pretty baby yet?”
“Yeah, I think we’re close to nailing that down.” The baptism was in two weeks and Jeremy & Candy were still debating that very subject.
“Thanks again for supper yesterday, Candy’s a wonderful cook.”
“Oh, yes, yes she is.” Jeremy paused, but his curiosity got the better of him. “So, did you and Jenny have a good time walking?” he said, offhandedly.
Gabe smiled wistfully. “Yes, she’s a fine girl.” He sipped his coffee.
“Well,” Jeremy prodded, “You should come by again, sometime.”
“Oh, I’d like that. But...I don’t think Jenny would.” Gabe had hardly finished licked his wounds, and here was Jeremy opening them up again. Jeremy looked quizzically at him. “Jeremy, she’s got someone else in mind. I think you and I know that.” He remembered the day that they both saw Jenny & Aaron walking home from lunch.
Jeremy’s heart sank. So, it was true. “Did she say that?”
“She didn’t have to. She couldn’t deny it though.” Gabe swirled his fork around the remains of his lunch.
Jeremy almost lost his. “Oh...well...I..I didn’t know.” He patted Gabe on the back. “I’m sorry.”
Gabe feigned a smile, “It’s alright, Jeremy. Maybe she’ll change her mind.” he shrugged again. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Jeremy nodded his farewell. It was worse than he thought. This thing with Aaron, she must think it is serious! Why, he was more than twice her age. What could she see in him? He mounted his horse to ride back to camp when he saw Aaron and Jenny walking into town towards Mary Anne’s.
“Hi Jeremy!” Jenny called happily.
“Hello Jenny, Stempel.” Jeremy glared at Aaron.
Aaron smiled cheerily. “Good day, Jeremy.” he then guided Jenny into the cafe, as Jeremy stared at them, teeth gritted. It was time to discuss this with his brothers. He called to the horse and they galloped off, leaving only mud in their wake.
Aaron walked Jenny to her door, but stopped short by twenty feet. The air was crisp, the rain had blown through for the time being. Still, they could see their breath as they talked.
“You know, this thing with your brothers is going to blow up soon.” Aaron admonished his companion.
“Blow up?”
“Jenny,” Once again, Aaron turned her to him and lifted her chin so he could look her in the eye. The 12 inches of height difference between them could be troublesome at times. “How can I make you understand? Your brothers don’t like me. We are rivals for the soul of this town, and I’ve been trying to get my hands on that mountain for as long as you’ve been alive. Do you think they are just going to forget all that and welcome me into the family?”
Jenny could barely concentrate on his words, she was so enamored with his ruddy cheeks and sonorous voice. He keeps mentioning how he was going to be part of their family, she thought. Did he mean to propose?
“Well? Jenny?” he looked at her quizzically.
She slightly shook her head. “Aaron, don’t worry. Everything will be alright.” Glancing into the cabin window, she saw Molly and Christopher at the table, heads bent over their homework. “I guess I should get inside and help Candy with dinner. She’ll be tired from looking after Annie all day.”
“Good night then. “Aaron kissed her hands gently. “See you soon.” He turned and strode down the path to his home. She watched him for a bit, then hurried inside the warm cabin.
Jeremy walked with his head down, hands jammed in his pockets against the cold, deeply in thought. He could barely control his temper when Aaron all but sneered at him in town today. What was Jenny thinking? Why was Aaron taking advantage of her like this? She was an innocent girl, not part of his war with the Bolts. Jenny was so young, what did she know about life, and relationships. Especially with a slippery character like Aaron Stempel. Why, she was no match for him. Jeremy knew he would wine her and dine her all in an effort to get to Bridal Veil Mountain. Stempel had tried so many times in the past to get his mitts on their mountain, starting way before the bet on the brides...Each time the brothers had managed to foil him, but this...this was different. And Jason was not taking him seriously, again.
“Jeremy, she told me she was not interested in the mountain.” Jason dismissed him and looked down at the papers Josh had just handed him. “If that’s what Aaron’s after, he’s going the long way round to get there.”
“But Jason, you said you were going to give it to her anyway.” Jeremy clenched his hands in anger, “Maybe he’s counting on that? I mean, what kind of life will that be for her if he just wants her for the mountain. Where will she end up after he gets it??”
Josh looked up casually, “What makes you think it’s that serious? I mean, a couple of lunch dates?” Joshua was an expert on not making a couple of lunch dates into a serious relationship.
Jeremy rolled his eyes. “It might not mean much to you, Josh, but how often do you see Aaron with any girl, let alone the same one more than once?”
Jason stroked his chin, a sure sign he was thinking about something, although Jeremy could not tell what, “Oh Jeremy,” he said finally, “She’s just a girl. How could she be serious herself? What could she see in Aaron? Especially with that young preacher hanging around.”
“Well, as a matter of fact, that very preacher told me today that she was not interested in him because she had someone else in mind.” Gabe had all but told him it was Aaron who(m) Jenny had in mind.
“Jeremy, I can’t believe we are discussing the love life of Aaron Stempel and a 16 year old girl. Can we just get on with business???” Joshua said impatiently. He had his own girl on his mind, and he was determined not to waste any more time with Jeremy’s complaining.
“Sure, Josh. While we still have one.” Jeremy reluctantly sat down with his brothers, knowing the subject of his concern was closed.
The walk home was long and cold. Jeremy wondered if he was overreacting. He was concerned for Jenny, after all, he was the one who was looking after her. He knew Stempel was a weasel, and did not want to see her hurt. He knew he had to talk to her, as soon as possible. After stewing the entire walk home, Jeremy really had his shackles up. He closed the door a little stronger than he should have, grabbing the attention of all of the front room’s occupants.
“Hello, Jeremy.” Candy said, smiling warmly.
He absently kissed her on the cheek. “Hello.” He pulled Jenny aside immediately. “Can I talk to you?” He led her into her room and closed the door behind him.
“Sure, Jeremy.” she took a deep breath, knowing that Aaron’s prediction was about to come true.
No sooner did he had his coat off when he began his speech.
“Jenny, what’s going on with you and Stempel?” he said in a not-so-kindly way.
She remained silent. What was she going to tell him? He did not look happy, at any rate.
“Jenny, answer my question.” His blue eyes were blazing.
“Why do you want to know?” was all she could sputter out.
“You’re my sister, I want to make sure you’re all right.”
“Well, I am, Jeremy. Thank you for your concern.” She was rooted to her spot, as was he.
“Are you seeing him?”
“Yes... I guess so.” She figured that she would need to be somewhat honest. But, she wanted to see where Jeremy was going before volunteering too much information.
Jeremy hung his head for a moment. “Jenny, you’re making a big mistake. I know Aaron Stempel, and he...he..”
“He couldn’t possibly be interested in me?” She replied, defiance in her stance.
“He’s m..manipulative, Jenny. He only wants what he can get from you.”
“Like the mountain?”
“Y...yes, the mountain.” he stared at her. “Besides, he’s old enough to be your father! What could you see in him??”
“Well, Jeremy, that’s between me and him, I’d say.” How dare he! “I think there’s a lot you don’t know about Aaron Stempel.”
Jeremy’s voice was getting louder, “I’ve known him nearly all my life. I expect that makes me a lot more knowledgeable than you.”
She put her hands on her hips, her voice rising also. “So you say. Listen Jeremy, I love him and he loves me and I don’t think there’s anything you can do about that...” Oops, too much information.
Jeremy’s eyes widened dangerously. “Love?? Love?? Jenny, you’ve known the man for what, a month? What do you know about love??”
“And how long did you know Candy before you fell in love with her?”
He shook his head, “That’s different. We...we were on a boat together for six months..”
“Oh, and how is that different? I work closely with Aaron three days a week. Not to mention that he was kind to me when I first arrived here, not like my own brothers.” she said bitterly.
“Kind?? Jenny, don’t you see, he is just trying to get at our mountain....you are just his latest plan to do that.” Jeremy was yelling now.
She pushed her way past him. “Damn you and your mountain! I’m sick and tired of hearing about it.” Rushing into the front room, she grabbed her cloak off the chair and went out the front door, letting it slam behind her.
Jeremy, still wide-eyed, went to follow her. Candy reached out and put her hand on his arm. “Better let her go now Jeremy.”
He shook it off, “It’s...dark...” he mumbled.
“I’m sure she just needs a short walk. Please Jeremy, you both need to calm down.”
Jeremy sulked back to his chair at the kitchen table, and put his head in his hands. This was not what he had expected. She too possessed the Bolt temper, and could match him step for step. He had made a complete mess of the situation. He would have to try a different tactic when she came back.
Jeremy sulked back to his chair at the kitchen table, and put his head in his hands. This was not at all what he had expected. Why didn’t he remember that she too possessed the Bolt temper, and could match him step for step. He made a complete mess of the situation. They ate their dinner in silence.
Soon after, a sturdy knock came at the door.
“Hello Jeremy.” Jason took in a big lungful of air, “Just thought I’d stop by to say hello.”
Candy smiled and hurriedly put a plate on the table. “Have a seat, Jason, I’ll get you some supper.” Inwardly, she was glad for Jason’s presence. Perhaps he could help with Jenny.
“Don’t mind if I do. “ Jason answered congenially. He looked at Jeremy who hadn’t yet said a word. “Jeremy? How are you doing today? I didn’t see much of you at camp.”
Jeremy looked at Jason, wondering what he could say. “Well, a...a.. Jason..a..can I ask you something?”
“Sure Jeremy, anything.” Jason began to dig into his supper.
Jeremy quickly relayed his argument with Jenny, and how she had stormed out. “I just don’t know w...what to say to her, Jason.”
Jason twirled his fork around in his potatoes. “This has gone farther than I expected, little brother, I guess you were right. Let me think about this for awhile.”
Jenny sat on the rock, teeth chattering, too stubborn to walk back home. Every time she thought she was ready to go back, Jeremy’s face appeared in her mind, and her anger swelled all over again. It was getting late though, and her bravado was melting like early snow. She hugged her knees to her chest. Jeremy couldn’t be right, could he?? No, it couldn’t be. Aaron knew she had no interest in the mountain, she couldn’t believe that he was stringing her along. Gazing out into the black night, she wondered what she had gotten herself into. It seemed a lifetime ago she was in Tacoma, working in her uncle’s saloon, just getting by, with no real chance at a good life. Now she was here, in Seattle, with her brothers, like she had always dreamed, and it was so complicated. In Tacoma, she had no hopes that a decent man would be interested in her. Here, she had Aaron, one of the founders of the town! He looked past her “lowly” beginnings, and saw only who she was inside. And she, in turn, could see past his crusty exterior to the loving man he seemed to want to be. But now it was all wrong. She hugged her legs tighter.
Aaron was sipping a brandy in his parlor when a knock on his door startled him. He was worried about Jenny and trying to keep his mind occupied to keep from running back to Jeremy’s cabin to fetch her. The brandy was warming, but it was artificial and Aaron was tired of keeping company with a brandy snifter. He longed for real human warmth. He longed for Jenny to be sitting next to him. Again, the knock, more insistent this time.
“Jason? What brings you here?”
Jason wrung his hands, a sure sign of nerves. “Well, Aaron...I’d like to talk to you.”
Aaron took a deep breath. “Come in.” They walked back into the parlor and Jason perched himself on the small sofa, his large frame dwarfing the delicate scrolled arms and legs.
“Well?” Aaron sipped his brandy again, wondering how Jason was going to approach the subject they both knew he was there to talk about. “Can I get you a drink?”
“No, no thank you.” Jason sighed. “Aaron, we’ve known each other for a long time now, haven’t we.”
“Yes Bolt, I suppose so.” Aaron thought back to their teen years, fraught with territory battles between the two strong-willed boys.
“And...well...even with everything that has passed between us, I consider us...well.. friends.”
“...of a sort, I guess.” Aaron was not ready to concede anything yet. He wanted to see what Jason had up his sleeve. He sipped his brandy again, enjoying the sharp taste as he steeled his gaze on Jason.
“And...well.. Aaron, “ Inwardly, Jason grimaced. He was not making this any easier. “I wish you happiness....as long as it doesn’t cost me my mountain.” There, he’d said it.
Aaron nodded his head slowly. “Oh, I see. This must be about Jenny.” He thought he’d lead Jason around for a bit...just for fun. He knew good and well that this was about Jenny.
“Yes. It is.” Jason stood up and put his hand on Aaron’s shoulder. “Aaron, do you love her?”
Aaron was taken aback. Jason was direct, but not usually about things so personal. For a moment he thought he’d deny it -- keep the walls up -- but the look in Jason’s eyes was surprisingly kind, and he found himself not wanting to lie anymore.
“Yes, I do.” Aaron watched the brown liquid swirl around in his glass. “I can’t really explain it, Bolt. She just makes me feel.....”
“Happy?” Jason finished for him.
Aaron nodded. “Yes. I haven’t felt like this since I was with my Ellen before Tucson.” Aaron had lost his great love to Indian raiders in Arizona many years before.
Jason had heard that story a time or two. He knew that ever since then, Aaron kept his heart locked up tight. Jason was frankly surprised at the depth of feeling that his friend seemed to have for Jenny.
“But Jason,” Aaron continued with a touch of anger, “I will not jeopardize Jenny’s right to the mountain. If you are thinking of cutting her out of her birthright, forget it.”
Jason stepped back in surprise. “She said she doesn’t want the mountain. She wants you.”
“Well, I expect that you will convince her to do what is right.” His anger was turning to bitterness.
Jason thought for a moment, “Aaron, I can’t in good conscience cut Jenny out of her share of the mountain.....” he took another deep breath, “...or keep you from the woman you love.” And that was the fact of it. Jason could not keep his friend living in loneliness, he would never be able to live with himself...he could not be that greedy.
Aaron looked at him, stroking his chin. “I really do care about her Jason. I want to marry her.”
Jason allowed a smile to creep to the corners of his mouth. Never could he resist getting Aaron’s goat, just a little. “Well congratulations Aaron! That’s wonderful news. Have you asked formally for her hand?”
“I thought I just did.” Aaron replied dryly.
Jason shook his head, just a little. “Well Aaron, Jeremy’s really been her guardian, by rights you need to ask him.”
Aaron’s eyes widened. “Jeremy?! You want me to ask Jeremy for her hand??”
Jason looked serious, “Well yes, Aaron. I think if you want to make it a proper proposal, you need to ask Jeremy for her hand in marriage.”
Aaron rolled his eyes and set down his drink. “Bolt....”
Jason put his arm around Aaron and guided him to the front door. “Now Aaron, there’s no time like the present.”
“Right now??”
Amid Aaron’s vigorous protests, Jason led him out the door and down the path to Jeremy’s cabin.
After depositing a sputtering Aaron on Jeremy’s doorstep, Jason waved cheerily and continued down the path. Jeremy had mentioned earlier that Jenny might be at the flat rock, one of Seattle’s favorite places for contemplation. It was high time for her to come home, Jason reasoned, shaking his head. She was a gutsy girl alright. Imagine her falling for Aaron. And Aaron falling for her! Jason couldn’t count the number of lovely marriageable women in Seattle, and Aaron falls in love with this little slip of a girl raised in a saloon. Again Jason marveled at the affairs of the heart. He never felt the loneliness he often saw in Aaron’s eyes. His mountain and his brothers and the occasional female companion suited him just fine.
A small figure on the rock ahead let him know Jeremy had been right about her whereabouts.
“Hello Jenny.” he said, walking up to her.
“Hello Jason.” Obviously cold, her knees were drawn up against her chest, and she rested her chin on top, allowing only the smallest amount of her skin exposed to the increasingly cool breezes.
“May I sit down?” he motioned to the empty space next to her.
She shrugged.
“Aren’t you cold?” he asked. She shrugged again and he put his coat around her shoulders anyway.
They sat a moment in silence.
Jenny spoke first, her words measured and quiet. “You know Jason, the only reason I came here was to be a part of a family. I thought it was my only chance. But...you didn’t want me here, Joshua ignores me and now Jeremy’s mad at me. I think I messed it up somehow.” She did not look at him.
“Now Jenny, “ Jason adopted his best fatherly tone. “I don’t think Jeremy’s mad at you...and even if he is, it’s only because he wants what’s best for you.” He turned her head toward him, “...and that’s what family is all about.”
He could not imagine growing up as she had, with no father, sisters or brothers. He knew that families fight, Lord knows he and his brothers go at it on a daily basis. But he also knew that it didn’t change the love they had for one another.
She continued, “But I love Aaron, and he loves me. What is so wrong with that?” her eyes implored him.
“Jenny, you don’t know the history of our relationship with Aaron. It has not always been based on the truth. Jeremy was just trying to protect you from someone who we know can be manipulative, and well...he is a great deal older than you...”
“I’m sure that my father was a lot older than my mother, and it didn’t seem to affect how they felt about one another.” She knew for a fact that twenty years separated her parents and she never heard her mother mention it.
Jason nodded slowly. “Yes, I guess it is not unheard of for a young girl like yourself to get involved with an older man like Aaron.” He looked deeply into her eyes, “But the fact remains, Jeremy was just treating you like part of the family. If you want to be a part of a family, you’ve got to take the good with the bad, I suppose.”
Jenny sighed. Deep down she knew Jason was right. She could tell that Jeremy was acting out of love, not anger, but her temper would not let her sit back and take his orders. No one, including her uncle Lucky, had ever been able to tell her what to do.
“And Jenny, I’m sorry for how I treated you. Your whole situation came as a shock to me, for reasons you may not understand....But....well, I’m just sorry.” Now it was Jason’s turn to sigh. She would never know the bond between Jonathan Bolt and his oldest son, and how her story had caused it to tear. But, he realized, it was not her fault.
Jenny felt the warmth of the big man beside her. She knew it had taken a lot for him to apologize. Impulsively, she kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you Jason.”
He smiled. “Why don’t I walk you home?” He offered his arm.
“Alright.” She took it, quietly glad to be leaving the cold night air. The fire in Jeremy’s house would be very warm.
Jeremy looked quizzically at Aaron, struggling to compose himself on the doorstep. “What can I do for you, Aaron.” Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Jason hurrying down the path.
Aaron smoothed down his hair. “May I come in, Jeremy?”
Jeremy motioned him in and Candy pulled out a chair.
“Good evening, Mr. Stempel. “ she said, putting the kettle back on the stove.
Jeremy took a seat across from Aaron. “So...what brings you out this evening?”
“Well....aaa...” Aaron cursed Jason under his breath. Speaking about his feelings for Jenny to Jason was one thing...but spilling his guts to little Jeremy, now that was quite another. He had to say something, though.
“Ummm, well, Jeremy, I wanted to talk to you.” Aaron nervously drummed his fingers on his thigh.
“All right, what do you want to talk about, Aaron?” Jeremy’s blue eyes, so like Jenny’s, bored into his brain.
Aaron took a deep breath. “It’s....it’s about Jenny.”
Aaah, Jeremy thought, now I can have some fun. “Yes?”
“I....well…as you know she’s been working for me for some time now.” That seemed a safe place to start.
“Yes, I knew that. ...And I trust that her work has been satisfactory?” Jeremy could see the little game beginning to commence.
Aaron shook his head dismissively, “Oh yes, of course. That’s not what I came here to talk about.”
Candy sat down next to Jeremy, amazed at the scene. What would Aaron possibly have to talk to Jeremy about?
‘Over time...we’ve become....shall we say, close?” Aaron’s beating around the bush wasn’t really making this any easier on himself.
“Yes, I’ve heard as much.” Jeremy laced his fingers together and put his hands on the table, tapping his thumbs together for effect. Could Aaron be heading where Jeremy thought he was heading?
“and....” Aaron decided to concede defeat. “We’d like to be married. I...I...I’d like your....” permission was the word that came to him, but he could not bear to use it. “..your blessing.”
Candy startled both men with a sharp intake of breath. “Married??”
After shooting his wife a stern look, Jeremy continued to tap his thumbs thoughtfully. “I guess you’ve considered this thoroughly, Aaron?”
“Well...yes, of course I have.” Aaron gulped.
“Because,” Jeremy continued, “It’s up to me to look after Jenny’s best interests.” He was enjoying the game now. “And, I need to know a few things before I can give you my blessing.”
Aaron sighed deeply. ”Such as...”
“Such as...are you set to provide for her?” a smile twitched at the corner of Jeremy’s lips.
Aaron was about to lose his temper, but thought better of it. If he was going to be a part of this family, he was going to have to learn to accept their warped sense of humor. “Jeremy, I think you know that I own a very successful saw mill. Jenny will always be well provided for.”
“Ok.” tap tap tap, “Well, Aaron, there is the fact that you are, well, quite a bit older than Jenny.”
“Yes, there is that.” The bile was beginning to rise. “Is that really any of your business, Jeremy?”
“Of course. She will probably outlive you by a considerable amount...” Suddenly, Jeremy realized this was not a joke, this was for real. Aaron wanted to marry Jenny, and it really was his decision whether they would or not. He’d better make it a good one.
Aaron noticed the change in Jeremy’s demeanor. “Jeremy, I love her. I will spend the rest of my life - however short it might be -” he added sardonically, “working to make her as happy as she makes me.” It was getting a little easier to say each time.
“Well....I...I guess there is not much I can say to that, Aaron.” Jeremy looked over at Candy, who was holding her breath, nails to her teeth. “If Jenny will have you, you have my blessing.” he stood up and offered his hand to Aaron. “And let me be the first to welcome you to the family.”
Aaron’s eyes widened and he shook Jeremy’s hand firmly. “Thank you Jeremy.”
“A wedding! How wonderful!” Candy squealed and enveloped him in a bear hug.
Overwhelmed by her affection, Aaron’s words came out muffled. “By the way, where is Jenny?”
Jeremy shrugged nonchalantly. “Um…she went for a walk. Jason went to bring her back.”
“Oh, I’m sure they’ll be back soon, won’t you have some tea?” Candy bustled back to the stove, as Aaron sat back down at the table, relieved.
Epilogue
Jenny frowned as she brushed her blonde hair. Never thick and luxurious like in her dreams, she always had to struggle to make it mind. It became more difficult as the years passed, as she could no longer wear the girlish ringlets that worked so well. She plucked out a couple of gray hairs, barely perceptible in the blonde mix, and dropped them in the trash with a flourish. Pulling some back and securing it in the ivory barrette Aaron had given her as a wedding gift, she paused to study her reflection. A few lines here and there, and of course, her eyes were still puffy, but not bad after three children and 20 years of marriage. The last words caught in her throat.
She picked up her wedding picture from the dresser and looked closely at the faces contained within. She beamed from the arms of her groom who was in the prime of his years, all dark hair and gleaming smile. She still marveled at how she was able to marry the man of her dreams.
Her memories threatened to engulf her, especially today. She remembered Annie’s baptism party, where not only was she honored as godmother, but where Aaron proposed to her and gave her the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. It was still on her finger, diamonds and rubies gleaming.
They married a month later, with Jeremy walking her down the aisle and
--surprise-- Jason as best man. They had the biggest party Seattle had ever seen, Aaron had insisted on it. He said it was important to his standing in the community. She knew it was for her. Her dress was imported silk and lace, made in San Francisco. He said nothing was too good for her. She remembered feeling like a princess.
Her brothers gave her a share of Bridal Veil Mountain for a wedding gift, clambering around happily as she signed the deed, and then Aaron took her to San Francisco for a short honeymoon. She could still feel his gentle touch and reassuring words on their wedding night.
“Mama..” someone knocked on her bedroom door.
She snapped back to the call of one of her sons. Slipping the picture in her bag, she opened the door to see her boys lined up in the front room. Matthew 19, and the spitting image of his father; Ethan, 14 and gangly as a newborn colt; and John, the baby at 11 and a darker version of herself; stood nervously in their dark suits. They were the apple of Aaron’s eyes, his boys. He had told her so many times that he never imagined he would have such happiness as she and the boys had brought him. He delighted in showing them off in town and at the mill, and Matthew seemed to have a real head for the business, although Ethan seemed to prefer the rough and tumble activities of the logging camp when he visited with his Uncle Jason. Even that was ok with Aaron, mellowing as he had.
“Mama, it’s time to go.” Matthew said quietly and held out his arm to his mother. She took it and forced a smile, with John grabbing her free hand.
“Yes then, Jeremy and Candy will be expecting us.”
She closed the door behind her, and they started down the path.
As usual, the Bolt household was buzzing. Candy and Jeremy had agreed to host today, although their extended family was beginning to strain their resources. Annie Bolt, now 20 and enrolled in teacher’s college, was helping her mother set the table. A tall red-haired beauty, she was Candy and Jeremy’s only child. Jeremy continued to head up the contract division on Bolt Logging Company, although now he had 3 men reporting to him. At forty-five, he was a devoted family man; shy smile and sparkling blue eyes still intact. He doted on his wife and daughter and was certain the sun rose and set for them only. His beloved Candy was now the head of nursing volunteers at the medical clinic run by Dr. Wright; one of the first in the territory. She was proud of what they accomplished there, and he was proud of her.
Jeremy was also very proud of his daughter. Sadly, after the ordeal of Annie’s birth, Dr. Wright recommended Candy not have any more children. She would have been willing to risk it, but Jeremy was adamantly against it. He had come so close to losing her once, he wasn’t about to risk it again. So his bright, blue-eyed sweetheart was to be an only child. Candy consoled herself with the fact that Annie had many cousins to keep her company. Especially Jenny and Aaron’s boys. Love could work wonders, Candy thought, as she marveled at how Aaron Stempel, once scorned by the Bolt brothers, was welcomed as a part of the family after his marriage to Jenny. In fact, Aaron was the reason for the gathering today.
Soon, the entire Bolt clan was assembled. Jenny and Molly were talking in the corner when Jason walked in. He kissed Candy on the cheek in greeting.
“How’s she doing?” he whispered, with a small nod in Jenny’s direction.
Candy shrugged. “OK, I guess.”
Jason ambled slowly over to the table. He still cut an imposing figure, his hair still thick and curly, but more than kissed with gray. He still held himself tall and erect, although every year it was more of a struggle with the back injury he had sustained at the camp a few years before. Never married, Jason nevertheless had a long-time relationship with Dr. Wright that seemed to suit them both just fine.
“Well, let’s get started then.” Jason stood at the head of the table and waited for his family to join him. “Josh, Elizabeth, you can sit over here.” Joshua, the Bolt romeo, had finally settled down with a beautiful English rose named Elizabeth, and they were the parents of two small tow-headed children, Henry and Emma. Molly Pruitt Stanton and her husband Charles also had two children, Willie and Ben, ages 10 and 8. Molly and Charles had taken over running the general store after Ben and Emily Perkins retired back in ‘88. Christopher Pruitt was the only one missing from this gathering, being an attorney back in New England, he did not have many opportunities to come back to Seattle.
“I wanted to thank you all for coming today. We are here to .....” Jason was interrupted by a tap on his sleeve. He turned to see Jenny looking up at him. “Let me talk for once, Jason.” she said, taking his place at the head of the table. Slowly she drew the picture out of her bag.
She took a deep breath. “I asked you all to be here today to help me honor and remember my Aaron.” She placed the picture on the table. “You were his friends, indeed his family, for all the years he lived here in Seattle. She looked around the table at the many teary eyes looking back at her, especially her brothers’. She took another breath to compose herself.
“I came here an orphan, raised in a saloon... Jeremy,” she nodded at her brother, “You took me in and helped me to fit in here as your sister. I have always appreciated that, and often wondered if I could have done the same if I were in your shoes. Then I met Aaron.” She could feel her eyes filling. C’mon Jenny, she thought, Aaron deserves better than you blubbering all over everyone.
“...and he also took me in. He believed in me from the moment we met...and I loved him for it. He was a wonderful man, smart and funny and handsome. Of course, “ her mouth turned up a bit at the corners, “he was not without his faults... but I could see through that. Mostly he was the way he was because he was shy.” The group around the table snickered slightly. “Well, he was......Anyway, he really loved all of you and considered you his family.” She paused again. “...and he was a wonderful husband to me and a wonderful father to his sons, and we had 20 wonderful years together....” again her eyes welled up. “...and I’m not sure why the Lord saw fit to take him from me so soon...but, hopefully with the help of all of you, we’ll be ok.” Seeing his mother struggle with her composure, Matthew helped her to sit down, feeling the steel of her arms in her resolve to not dissolve into tears.
Aaron Stempel had died two weeks ago, probably of a heart attack, Doc Wright said. He was fifty-seven. Jenny was now a 36 year old widow.
All of Seattle had turned out for Aaron’s funeral, the crowd spilled out of the church where Reverend Gabe gave a beautiful sermon and Jason tearfully spoke in eulogy. They had already buried Lottie and Clancey, but no one would have suspected Aaron would be next. Jenny bit her lip as she remembered the thud of dirt on the coffin, and the stoic faces on her boys as they buried their father.
One by one, Aaron’s friends and relatives-by-marriage around Candy and Jeremy’s table spoke about the absent guest of honor. Each one had a favorite anecdote or story or remembrance of Aaron. Jason regaled them with tales of he and Aaron’s youths when Seattle was nothing more than Lottie’s, Bridal Veil Mountain and Stempel’s Mill, and confessed that Aaron had indeed been his best friend. Most talked about how Aaron had become so much happier and more relaxed upon meeting and marrying Jenny.
Jenny received the stories happily, and stored them away in a safe place in her heart. Her eyes shone with pride as her three boys talked about their father and how patient and loving he was. She remembered the baby lost after Matthew, a girl stillborn, and how she thought she’d never recover from the loss. Aaron never left her side, his lips were always whispering encouragement and loving words into her ear. When she emerged from that dark tunnel, he whisked her off to Europe where she even saw the Bolt ancestoral home, Kilmarron Castle. She never once had cause to doubt his love for her.
Back in her room that night, Jenny crawled into bed, exhausted again. Matthew and Annie were visiting in the front room, and Ethan and John were already asleep. Her bed was cold, but her heart was warmed. The memorial day had eased her mind a bit. She no longer had Aaron, her lover, friend and protector, but she did still have her family, her sons and her brothers. She knew, as she always had, that within that protective cocoon she would be all right.
................
................
In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.
To fulfill the demand for quickly locating and searching documents.
It is intelligent file search solution for home and business.
Related download
- key medical resources first aid training
- emergency care and transportation of the sick and injured
- treating asthma with homeopathy
- essential hygiene actions
- state of oregon project gutenberg
- the elegant man sipped his tea and surveyed his
- free safety materials for safety professionals
- los angeles county ems agency
- dr teddie joe snodgrass dnp bc