Jason's voice boomed out over all the rest on the last few notes of the old English carol. The brides applauded him wildly. He rewarded their praise with a grand bow as Lottie emerged from the kitchen with a large pot of taffy.

     "Come on everyone, butter up your hands and dig in. I have enough taffy here to last us 'til that happy New Year."

     Biddie turned to her husband, "Oh Barnabus, pulling taffy can be so romantic."

      "Romantic?"

      "Oh my yes. I've pulled taffy alone for years." Her voice dropped to a sultry tone. "I've always dreamed of the day when I would pull with a strong, handsome fellow of my own."

      Barnabus smiled back at her. "Lead on Mrs. Webster and we'll pull 'til the sun shines."

      "Where's Josh?" Jeremy asked his brother over the noise of the chattering children. "Clancey's given out all the presents and according to Lottie's schedule, it's time for our song."

      "He'll be back." Jason assured him. "He's probably coaxing Katie away from that printing press."

      As if on cue, Jeremy saw the front door open and Joshua step back so Kate could enter first. Annie saw them too, and once again, announced the price of admission to the party.

     "One kiss or you can't join in!"

      The adults in the room stopped what they were doing to add their encouragement to the two.

     "Hey, Bolt, give her a good one." Corky called.

     Big Swede agreed. "Come on, Josh. It's Christmas."

      Clancey called to them from the recesses of his special Santa chair by the stove.

     "All right the two of yez. Santa's been watching y' spend more days scrappin' than he cares to count this year. Let's see one kiss to clear the slate." He shook a gloved finger it their direction. "If yez are thinkin' of turnin' down Saint Nick, there'll be nuthin' but coal in yer stockin's Christmas morning."

     The children turned horrified gazes at the two. Would they dare risk that?

     Kate tried to laugh off the challenge and slip into the room anyway.

     "Oh, but Santa, kissing in public is very dangerous. It could start an epidemic."

     "No kiss, no party, boss." Ann teased as she gently pushed her back toward Joshua who stood at the door grinning like a Cheshire cat.

     "Come on, Josh, kiss her and get over here!" Jeremy called to him from the bar.

     "We have a song to sing, remember?"

      Kate realized that there was no escape and turned her face up toward Josh expecting a brotherly buss. Joshua leaned down and kissed her as tenderly as he had when they were alone. The crowd grew quiet at this affectionate display and then the low "ooo's" began, softly at first, then rising in pitch and intensity. Kate stepped away as the group applauded.

     "Oh, Josh, why?" the crimson faced girl asked.

     Over at the bar, Candy could barely contain her excitement.

     "I knew it. I knew it. I knew it," was all the redhead could say as Joshua quietly led Kate to a corner table.

     Katie's heart beat furiously as she noticed every woman in the place looking at her with knowing smiles or raised eyebrows. Joshua Bolt's feelings for her were no longer a secret. How was this going to affect the success of the paper? She was barely holding on to her authority among her staff. Had Joshua taken that away by loving her so much? But she loved him too and would never deny it if someone asked her.

     Dear Lord, please tell me what I should do, she prayed.

     Jeremy handed Josh his guitar when he joined him at the bar.

     "That was some kiss, Josh. You've got everyone's attention now."

     "You certainly do," Candy echoed with a happy smile.

     Joshua tuned his guitar in silence. The song they were about to sing was one he'd written for Katie as a Christmas present. If anyone had any doubts that he was in love with her they wouldn't once they heard his lyrics.

     He sneaked a glance at Kate who sat in the darkened corner of the room with her head down. A sudden pang of guilt prodded at him. Why had he kissed her that way in front of everyone? Sure they'd all been encouraging him and, sure, she looked like an angel in her crimson cloak and her golden hair shining in the lamplight. But with that one kiss he'd broken her trust in him. He wondered now how he'd ever be able to get it back.

     "Jeremy," Joshua whispered when Candy had left them to confer with Lottie. "Go along with whatever I say, all right?"

     "Sure, Josh."

     The two brothers jumped up on the bar and called for everyone's attention. Joshua smiled at the crowd.

     "Folks, we're going to sing a song that was written by a Bolt some years back. I hope you enjoy it."

     Jason had been talking with Aaron when he heard Joshua's introduction. This old Bolt melody was news to him. He set his glass down on the table and listened carefully.

     As the brothers began, soft chords filled the air, Joshua's gentle voice floated out over his audience.

     Not one sound was uttered as the last sweet chord faded away. Joshua's song had cast a spell over every person in the room. Gradually, heartfelt applause filled the air and the brides flocked around the brothers to praise this Christmas ballad.

     Joshua thanked them all while making his way to Katie's table. When he finally inched his way back to the corner he found that the girl had gone.

*************

     A confused Kate hurried out through Lottie's kitchen as soon as the crowd gathered around Joshua. She knew Joshua had written that song for her and she longed to throw her arms around him to thank him for it the way any girl would for such a wonderful present. But if she did that she'd be declaring her love for him to the entire town. What would her staff think? How could she be the editor of the best paper in the Northwest Territory if she did that? Married women just didn't run newspapers. Joshua had promised her he'd wait til the paper was on its feet before he told anyone about their romance. Why did he have to kiss her like that in front of everyone and why did she let him? Never before has she ever wished so desperately that she could be two people: Joshua's girl and Seattle's editor.
Kate was headed back to the deserted dormitory to sort out her troubled thoughts when she noticed the amber glow of a lantern illuminating the windows of the church. The sight seemed to call to her to find sanctuary there. Katie paused. She'd never gone to Reverend Adams for advice before, but then she'd never been in such a quandary before. Perhaps he could tell her something that could help her straighten out her anxious thoughts. Katie climbed the six creaky steps and opened the door.

     Reverend Adams was inside preparing the sanctuary for the service the next day. He looked up from his sweeping to greet her.

     "Hello, Katie, is the party over already?"

     "It is for me, " she smiled.

     "No rest for a busy editor, eh?"

     "I suppose not," Kate sat at the end of a pew beside a stack of hymnals.

     After thirty years in the ministry, Walter Adams knew how to read the members of his little flock. Kate Macready, like many of the women in the Northwest, possessed a strong independent spirit. This spirit allowed them to meet the challenges of the harsh life they encountered in this part of the territory. Unfortunately, it also caused these women to puzzle over what they should do with the part of their natures that longed to be cared for and protected. As the minister watched Kate frowning over the hymnals he guessed that some great trouble such as this had brought her here to seek solace in this place.

     The kind-hearted gentleman set down his broom and settled himself in the pew in front of her.

     "You know, I was hoping someone would wander in here this evening. Would you mind giving me a hand? The pages in these hymnals have been folded back so often I'm afraid they're going to tear soon."

     Kate removed a small black book from the stack, grateful for a task to complete to ease the awkwardness of the moment. The two worked silently for a while then Kate began the conversation.

     "Reverend?"

     "Yes?"

     "If you'd made a promise to God and something came along that might keep you from seeing your promise through, what would you do?"

     "Well, if it were me, I'd keep my promise."

     "I want to very much but this other...situation...I think it might be from God too. Could that be possible?"

     "Anything is possible."

     "I feel like He's led me to a crossroad and left me there to make a choice on my own. Have you ever felt that way?"

     The minister smiled, "Oh, quite a few times."

     "What do you do when you're not sure you know which way to turn?"

     "When faced with a situation like that, I've found it best to align myself with God's priorities and then my choices more often than not work themselves out."

     Kate looked to him with a hunger in her eyes. " What are His priorities?"

     The reverend set his hymnal down. Moments like these, when a heart was open and ready to listen, came so seldom in this rough wilderness.

     "His highest priority is always love, Katie. It's the only thing in His whole creation that will last forever. Which road of yours shows the most love?"

     Kate thought carefully, "One road shows love for...for someone...and the other will help all of Seattle."

     "Perhaps," he smiled, "there are not really two roads at all. Isn't there room enough in your life for both choices?"

      "Reverend, I don't know that I am strong enough to be the best editor in the Northwest and ...and...take the other road as well."

      Walt Adams sat back against the worn wood of the pew and appraised the girl carefully before he spoke again.

      "Katie, do you think God wants you to be the best editor in the Northwest?"

      "Yes. Don't you think so?"

      The reverend's voice was gentle as he explained. "I think He wants you to do your best at whatever you want to do."

      "I'm not sure I understand the difference."

      "The ultimate success or failure of our plans is in God's hands. You've lived long enough to see this is true. How many hardworking farmers, logger, millers, housewives, and reporters have you seen throw themselves completely into their work only to have their efforts fall far short of their goals? They were good at what they did but at the end of their lives only a few of them could be considered the best."

     "I have seen this. It happened to my papa. It's why he moved us away from Bridal Veil. He always wanted more out of life for himself and for me."

      The minister leaned in toward Kate. "One of the heartaches of my job, Katie, is when I see people convinced they are failures because they fall short of their own high expectations for themselves. The saddest ones are those who are surrounded by people that love and admire them but they're blinded to that fact because they can't ignore the nagging feeling inside of them that they are not quite good enough."

     "Do you think that's true of me, Reverend?"

     "It's possible. Katie, I hope I can convince you that God isn't the least impressed by how we rate one another. He has His own scales that have nothing to do with our definition of success."

     "I do believe you." The young editor tried to fit the puzzle pieces of her future together. "So if I shouldn't try to be the best editor in the Northwest, I should...take the other road?"

     Walt chuckled, "Katie, Joshua came in to talk with me a few days ago. Is he your 'other road'?"

     She smiled. "Yes, he is."

     "These choices are yours alone to make, my dear. All I can do is try to help you see them as clearly as possible. Do you believe Joshua loves you?"

     "More than I deserve to be loved," she admitted.

     "Oh, none of us deserve to be loved, Katie. Love is a gift or it isn't love. Now, do you love him? Love him the way a wife should love her husband?"

     "What way is that?"

     "Do you know in your heart that nothing but death could ever separate the two of you? That Joshua and his welfare will be your first consideration before you decide to do anything that will affect the two of you."

     Kate was overwhelmed by the thought. This kind of commitment went far beyond the warm feelings she had for Joshua when she was in his arms.

     Walt Adams cut right to the heart of the matter. "Can you put his well being above your commitment to the paper?"

      She sat quietly for a very long time. Joshua had asked her to consider marriage to him, but he had not actually proposed to her yet and she was very glad. Up until now she hadn't really realized how her life would change if she were to be Mrs. Bolt. The independence she cherished would be altered for as long as they both lived.

     "Reverend, I can't answer you right now."

     "That's fine. It's a big question and you really don't have to tell me anything...It's just that I've watched Joshua give his heart to some very fine women in the past only to have these women sail out of Seattle and never return. I'd hate to see either of you hurt by entering into a commitment you might both regret."

      Walt offered her his hand. Kate took it and pressed it warmly as she stood to leave.

     "Thank-you Reverend Adams. You've given me plenty to think about."

     "It's my job," he chuckled. "My door is always open to you...and to Joshua if ever you need me."

      "Good-night."

*************************

     Katie stepped out of the warmth of the church into the biting cold of the winter's night. The sounds of the party poured out from behind the saloon door. The music had stopped and chairs were being pushed across the floor. The celebration was almost over.

     As Kate pondered the Reverend's wise words, she felt as though a great weight had been lifted from her heart. She had never realized how determined she had been to be the best reporter in Chicago, to have the best articles on the Tribune and, finally, to have the best newspaper in Washington Territory. If the minister was right, then she could find happiness in simply doing her work well at the paper. If others considered their paper to be finer than any other paper than so be it. If not, then she lost nothing and Seattle still had a fine paper.

     Kate caught sight of Joshua's moonlit silhouette over by the Seamus. He was looking for her. The girl suddenly felt guilty for ever asking him to hide his love for her until the Inquirer was a success. How he must love her to agree to such a thing.

     The girl hurried over to him, anxious to tell him everything she was thinking.

     "Josh!"

     He turned toward her voice and hurried to her. They met in front of the dormitory.

     "Katie, I'm sorry about what happened at the party. I guess I let the cat out of the bag in spite of all my fancy promises to wait."

     Kate touched the side of his face and smiled. "Cats aren't meant to be kept in a bag any more than love is meant to be kept secret."

     The young man was puzzled. Was she about to end their relationship?

     "What do you mean, Katie?"

     "I love you, Joshua Bolt, and I think it's about time that everyone knew it."

     He looked down at her in surprise. "But what about your staff and the paper and the traveling?"

     She took a deep breath and proceeded down her chosen road.

     "You hold first place in my life, Josh, and I'm going to do my absolute best to be what you need me to be. Seattle will get my best efforts on the paper and, according to Reverend Adams, God will take it from there."

     "I'm first? You're sure?"

    Katie nodded, "Any reporter worth his salt could run this newspaper and I'll have to hand it over to someone else someday. But there's only one you and one me, Mr. Bolt. I don't want anyone else taking my place in your life, or vice versa."

     Joshua marveled at what she was saying. This was exactly the type of love he'd been waiting for from Katie, the marrying kind of love. He'd figured he'd have to wait a long while before it grew in her heart and he was more than willing to do just that, but now here she was, declaring her undying love for him just when he expected her to punch him in the nose.

     "You are the most unpredictable woman I have ever known," he said wrapping his arms around her.

     "But I love you, you can always count on that," she assured him.

      He kissed her and asked; "Want to go back to the party?"

    "What time is it?"

     Joshua removed Andrew's pocket watch from his breast pocket. Kate smiled at the silver gleam in her love's hand. She could almost feel her father's blessing over her decision to commit herself to Joshua.

      "It's nine forty."

      "If we go back now we'll be explaining everything until the sun comes up."

      "Keeping our secret one more night won't kill us." He placed his arm around her as they walked to the dormitory porch.

      "You can always back out before anyone knows," she teased as they stepped up to the door.

      "Hmm, there may be days when I'll regret saying this, but I'm not in the least bit interested in backing out."

      Kate reached up to kiss him once again before disappearing behind the door.

      Joshua Bolt would always remember the events that took place that December night, not only because Kate had offered him her love, but because of what happened next.

      Joshua was half way between the dormitory and the totem pole when he heard an ominous sound. A deep rumble resonated through the air when suddenly a sharp jolt brought him to his knees. The whole world seemed to drop out from beneath him. The rumble became a roar as everything in Seattle, the trees, boulders, buildings and even the Puget Sound itself, rose and fell, tumbled and swayed like drunken sailors.

     Seconds went by. Pottery, bottles and jars flew from the shelves at Ben's and smashed to the floor. Several horses tied up before Lottie's tossed their heads, neighing wildly as they stumbled about on useless legs. The iron bell in the church steeple clanged furiously adding to the cacophony.

     Twenty seconds. Frightened parents carried their children unsteadily into the square. Most tried to be calm but some pushed and shoved their way onto the porch. Joshua saw Jason holding the vibrating door open wide to keep it from slamming back on the exiting citizens. Joshua could make out Aaron's figure in the shadows carrying one of the children to safety while holding the hand of another. Emily Perkins followed right behind him clutching her terrified son to her as she called for her husband.

     Forty seconds. The shaking grew in intensity till Joshua felt the world would surely give way and explode out into the universe above him. He swung himself back toward the dormitory and scrambled to his feet while the world swayed wildly beneath him.

     "Katie!" It was futile to call but he did anyway. The logger pushed himself across the rocking land. He looked to the west. The Seamus was being battered and tossed against the dock. Joshua had never seen anything like it. Huge waves lifted the tiny vessel above the pier then plunged it low. If the quake continued much longer Clancey's pride and joy would be split clean in half and drowned in the tempestuous sea.