Jeremy and Candy shared every dance on Bridal Veil Mountain that memorable September evening. When the musicians took a break, the couple found a secluded spot to enjoy a little quiet conversation.

     Jeremy held his sweetheart in his arms. "Having a good time?"

     "A very good time," she sighed.

     "Candy, we’ve made a lot of money on this job and..."

     The girl beamed, "And you deserve every penny of it. You three kept things together in spite of all the trouble the men put you through."

     He placed a finger gently over her lips, "The point is, everything is looking up for us. There’s only one thing missing in my life that would make it perfect."

     Jeremy withdrew a small box from his coat pocket. "Candy Pruitt will you marry me this spring?"

     The New Bedford maiden drew in a quick breath. So it was to be this hour, on this beautiful night that her dreams of a future with the man she loved would finally be fulfilled. She answered him softly, "Yes, Jeremy, oh yes."

     Jeremy Bolt slipped the small diamond encrusted band onto Candy’s ring finger and sealed their promise with a loving kiss.

     Over by the makeshift bar, Jason, Lottie, Judge Cody and Joshua stood watching the jubilant crowd.

     "I wish Katie could be here," Lottie sighed looking toward the Bolts. "She’d love it."

     "Yes, she would." Jason agreed. He’d just been telling the Judge about the newest of Seattle’s residents.

     Lottie’s comment was all the prodding Josh needed to take action. He took a last swallow of his beer then set the mug down with a determined gleam in his eye. "I’m going to bring her up here before this party is over."

     "Be nice about it, huh?" Lottie encouraged.

     "I’ll be very nice," Josh smiled "but, I will get her up here." He sprang onto his horse and galloped off. Candy and Jeremy walked over to the bar as he rode away.

     "Where’s Josh going?" Jeremy asked.

     "To bring Katie to the party." Jason answered.

     Lottie guessed the reason for the disappointed glance that passed between the couple. One look at the little rainbow of light gleaming from the third finger of Candy’s left hand sent Lottie rushing around the bar. She threw her arms about them both, almost knocking them over. "I’m so happy for you. Don’t you worry, Josh will be back with Katie in a flash and you can tell everyone all at once."

     "Tell everyone what?" Jason asked confused.

     Candy put her left hand on his arm and patted it in an exaggerated manner. "Oh, nothing much, brother dear."

     Jason caught her hand in his, grinning broadly. "Well it’s about time." He turned to the crowd and started to demand their attention, but Candy and Jeremy quieted him.

     "Not yet, Jason! Wait ‘til the whole family is here." Jeremy laughed.

     Sharp ocean breezes whirled through the night and stirred Josh’s blood as he galloped down the mountain on the moon lit trail. He was excited at the prospect of meeting Katie alone in town. There were things he wanted to tell her and a few things he wanted to ask. He wondered if she had ever anticipated a meeting with him with the same sense of excitement. The thought made him smile. Katie’s passions seemed to be reserved for her paper and very little else and yet, the young man couldn’t deny that something new and exciting had passed between them that afternoon as they spun their dreams of Kilmaron.

     As Josh drew nearer to Seattle he rode right into the acrid scent of burning wood. He pulled up on the reins to determine its origin when Kate’s frantic cries pierced the silence of the forest. He spurred his horse on toward town.

     Never in his life would Joshua Bolt forget the sight that met his eyes as he broke through the trees and into the square. Bright orange flames spewed out of every window of the news office. More flames shot up against the night sky from gashes burned through the roof. Glowing sparks spread out like wild sparklers on the wind. They flew through the open dormitory windows catching the dainty curtains up in an instant.

     Emily Perkins stood before the General Store flinging buckets, pails, washtubs and blankets out into the road. Ben Perkins raced back and forth from the Sound, tossing as much water as he could against the walls of the burning building. He worked like a man possessed but it was just too big a job for one person.

     Joshua vaulted from his horse and sped toward the news office. One look at the roof told him the whole building was seconds away from caving in. The door was wide open. He could see Kate through the billows of gray smoke. Joshua pulled his jacket over his head and raced in to get her. Heat seared his face and hands as he tried to draw the frantic girl toward the door. She was tugging at a heavy crate and refused to leave it behind. There was no way for him to communicate with her over the roar of the inferno nor was there time to try. He pried her hands from the wooden box before lifting her from the ground and carrying her out the door. Josh set her down on Lottie’s front porch and brushed the smoldering embers from her hair and clothes.

     "What were you doing in there? You could have been killed!"

     Kate’s gaze was fixed on the burning building. Before she could answer, the roof of the news office gave way with a crash. Seconds later a terrific explosion tore through the town. Josh shielded her with his body as the saloon windows burst from their sills.

     "What was that?" he asked fearfully.

     "The chemicals. There were three cases of them." Kate’s eyes filled. Josh took her by the hand and pulled her up with him.

     "No time for tears. Grab a bucket and let’s save the church. The dormitory is lost."

     It was true. The blast drove flaming planks through the windows of the dorm. Unless more hands showed up to help soon there was little chance of saving it.

     Aaron Stempel wove unsteadily around the corner of the jail holding the back of his head. One look at the conflagration before him caused Aaron to forget his injuries. He fell in line with the others, filling, hauling and dumping buckets onto the dorm.

     A scattering of citizens who hadn’t gone to the party poured out of their homes and into the square to help. Their efforts made the job easier but Josh and Aaron both knew there were still not enough people there to put out the flames. As Josh ran back and forth, he prayed that the sound of the explosion would call the others from off the mountain before the whole town had been sacrificed to the fire.

     Joshua’s prayer was answered. The blast echoed through the mountains. Candy, Jeremy and the others turned as one toward the origin of the sound. The dull orange glow was plainly seen rising up above the trees near the wharf. Without a command being spoken, every man, woman and child rushed for their horses, buggies and buckboards and sped down the mountain in the hope of saving their homes. It took forty minutes to travel from the lumber camp to town. In that half hour more than one resident hoped that somehow time might stand until they made it down the mountain.

     Emily Perkins’ heart lightened when she saw the first of the revelers arriving on horseback. Now Seattle had a fighting chance.

     "Buckets over here. There are more in Lottie’s." She yelled to them hoarsely.

     The loggers knew how to fight a fire and got right to work. The brides gathered before Lottie’s and stared in horror as everything they owned went up in flames. Most of the girls sobbed softly, while others stood in stony silence.

     Candy Pruitt sized up the situation then resigned herself to the inevitable loss. After moving Molly and Christopher to a safe place, she took Ann by the hand.

     "Come on ladies, find some blankets, get them wet and let’s keep this fire from spreading."

     The entire battle was over by four a.m. Thanks to Candy’s leadership and the efforts of the men, the only buildings the inferno could claim were the Inquirer office, the dormitory, and the jailhouse, along with every window in the square.

     As the sky began to brighten, Kate Macready watched with aching heart as the exhausted brides sifted through the rubble hoping to find a treasure spared by the blaze. Every so often a bride would call out that some momento had been discovered, but for the most part muffled sobs filled the air. Each cry pulled at Kate’s soul; each tear accused her as she remembered Jess Hobbs’ words. "You started this for us, Missy."

     Biddie approached Kate and showed her friend a small lump of clotted gold.

     "My grandmother’s wedding ring melted in the strangest way."

     Katie swallowed hard, "I’m so sorry, Biddie."

     The young lady nodded absently before wandering over to Lottie’s where several homeless brides had taken refuge from the frigid dawn.

     Jason, Aaron, Joshua and Judge Cody stood before the church discussing what action was to be taken next. The judge spotted Kate near the ruins of her news office. Everything had burned to the ground. The editor found the remains of her office door. The words "K. Macready, Ed" could still be read etched into the tarnished plaque.

     "You’ll need to talk to her, Jason." The judge said gravely. "Get your facts in order. The sooner the better."

     Joshua watched with compassion as Katie wandered forlornly through the smoldering mess that had been her dream. "Let’s bring her to our cabin and away from all this."

     "Good idea, brother," Jason agreed. "Aaron, would you bring Lottie over as soon as she has the brides settled? Katie might need her."