The huge man hid behind the dormitory, waiting for the town to sleep. Too many people here would recognize if they saw him. He couldn't take that risk. He checked his sack to make sure he had his pick and shovel, then settled back to wait for the right time. He saw a man leave Lottie's Saloon, across the street. He recognized him as Jason Bolt, the head of the logging camp. He moved back out of view as Jason crossed the square and walked to the dormitory, and knocked on the door. A young woman answered the door and motioned Jason inside. The thought that he might have a long wait.

Dr. Karen Harris sat across from Jason at the table in the dormitory. She tried hard not to show him how happy she was to see him. This had become a ritual for them. Most nights, they would meet and talk about their days.

"Karen, when does the next school session start?" He asked.

"The girls went back to San Francisco last week, and they come back the first part of January."

"And how do you plan on keeping yourself busy, my lady?"

"Well, the clinic stays busy, and then, I am waiting to deliver the newest member of the Bolt clan." She said as she smiled at him.

"Any idea when that might be?"

"It will be soon by all the signs I've seen. I know Candy will be glad when it's over."

"Jeremy will be too. It's all I can do to get him to focus on his work."

"Well, it won't be much longer... then you'll have to worry about the baby keeping him awake at night!" She laughed.

"And Dr. Harris, what keeps you up at night? Lottie says your lights burn way into the morning."

She wanted to say, "You do, Jason Bolt," but she was too shy to admit her feelings.

"Oh, paperwork, lesson plans, patients, the usual things." She stated as she recovered her thoughts quickly.

"Well, I just wanted to make sure you were all right. I must be going, I have turkeys to roast tonight. I shall see you tomorrow." He kissed her hand and bowed gallantly.

"Tomorrow..." Karen murmured to herself quietly.

He watched Jason leave, and then waited for the lights to go out in the dormitory. He dozed off for a while, he wasn't sure for how long. When he awakened, the town was dark and quiet. The lights were off all over Seattle. He silently moved to the totem pole. If his memory served him, the money was buried under it. He started digging as quietly as he could. Suddenly a light went on upstairs in the dormitory. He put the tools in the sack and raced up the hill toward the cabin. He would try again tomorrow.

Karen got out her clothes for the next day. Everything was packed and ready for when Candy went into labor. It wouldn't take her long to get there. She looked at her hand where Jason has kissed it. Was it glowing around the spot his lips had touched? She knew they were getting closer to each other, but she was unsure of the direction it was taking. In her heart, she knew the direction she wanted it to go. Every time he came near her , her heart pounded with excitement. She hope it wasn't visible to him, that would embarrass both of them.

The pain in Candy's back grew worse as the night wore on. Finally, she nudged Jeremy hard.

"Jeremy, wake up. I need you to go get Karen."

"Huh, what? He said as he started awake.

"Jeremy, go get Karen, I think it's time."

"It's t-t-t-time? N-n-n-n-now?"

"Jeremy stop stuttering and get dressed!"

"R-r-r-right!" He put on his clothes, ran down the stairs and out the door. He jumped onto his horse without bothering to saddle it. He rode down the mountain into town, not noticing man hiding beside the trail. At the dorm, Jeremy dismounted and knocked on the door, calling Karen's name.

Candy went downstairs and put the kettle on for tea. She walked around the house, straightening up as she went along. She had been warned about the urge to nest, but this was ridiculous! After the water boiled, she made herself a cup of tea and took it back upstairs. She got out the blankets and things she had made for the baby, and put them in the cradle. She removed the good quilt from the bed, and put the old one her mother had made on it. She removed the extra pillows from the closet and propped them on the bed. She placed a clean nightgown on the chair. Everything was in place, all she had to do now was wait for the others to get back.

As he continued up the trail, Hank Miller was suddenly overcome with pain. He hoped it would pass, he had no morphine with him. It had run out long ago. The pain increased until he could barely see. It felt as if his head would explode. He heard the sound of horses coming up the trail. He recognized Jason Bolt's younger brother riding with the young woman from town. She must be a doctor, she had a doctor's bag on her saddle! She would have morphine.

Candy woke up Christopher and sent him to get Jason. What was keeping Jeremy and Karen? They should have been here by now. The pains were coming faster and harder. She lay down on the bed and covered up while she waited.

Christopher burst into Jason's cabin.

"Jason! Jason! Candy's having the baby!"

Jason came out of his bedroom, and held Christopher by his shoulders and looked him straight in the eye. "Christopher, calm down, and tell me what's going on."

"Candy's having the baby. Jeremy left a long time ago to get Dr. Harris, and they haven't come back yet!"

"Well, everything will be fine. Dr. Harris may have had another patient. Now, why don't you get yourself some cookies while I dress. Then we'll stop and get Biddie and Mary on the way back to your house." Christopher nodded and went over to the kitchen area. He took two oatmeal cookies from the jar and sat down to wait.

Jason and his small entourage arrived at Jeremy and Candy's cabin about thirty minutes later. The women hurried upstairs to help Candy. Jason filled the teakettle and put it on to boil. Then he filled the soup pot and placed it on the fire. Joshua came into the kitchen carrying Jacob.

"Have they come back yet?" he asked his older brother.

"No sign of them. Why don't you take Jacob up to Molly, and we'll go look for them."

In the clinic, Jeremy and Karen sat at the table, cautiously watching their captor. Hank Miller held them at bay with a large knife.

"What do you want from us? We need to go, my wife is having a baby!" Jeremy exclaimed.

"Well now, ain't that nice, congratulations, Mr. Bolt."

"How do you know my name?"

"Don't you worry about that, I just do. Now, Doc, open that cabinet there and give me some morphine. Lots of it."

"Why do you want morphine?" Karen had to ask.

"About six months ago, I was told I had a tumor in my head. It's getting worse all the time. I ran out of morphine. I need some more."

"Why don't you just get some more from your own doctor?"

"He don't practice no more. Let's just say he retired... permanently."

Karen gasped and put her hand over her mouth.

"If we give you the morphine will you let us go? My wife is home alone and she needs us."

"Well, maybe you'll get there soon enough, first I want my morphine. Then, you Bolt, are going to help me with some digging."

"Digging? What for? It's the middle of the night!"

"Best time to dig."

Sweat poured from Candy's brow, Biddie wiped it gently with a cold compress.

"I wish they would hurry! We really need Karen," Biddie whispered to Mary.

"I know. Something has to be wrong! But, Jason and Joshua will find them."

"Soon I hope."

"What are you two whispering about over there? I'm having a baby, you know, I'm not deaf!"

"We were just wondering what you were going to name the baby," Biddie said as she changed the subject.

"Oh, well, we haven't actually decided."

"You're kidding?" Mary asked.

"No, we can't make up our minds. I guess we wanted to see whether it was a boy or a girl first."

Molly stood in the doorway holding Jacob.

"Mary, Jacob is wet, can you please help me change him?"

"Sure, Molly. Biddie, I'll be right back." She took her son from Molly and then went down the hall. Biddie looked out the window. She couldn't imagine what had happened to everyone, but she wished they would hurry back.

Jeremy stood in the town square digging with a shovel near the totem pole.

"What are we looking for?"

"Don't you worry about that, just keep digging," Miller said as he waved his knife. He held Karen by one arm as they stood watching Jeremy dig.

"H-h-how will I know I found it?"

"Look Bolt, if you want to see your wife and baby, dig!"

Jeremy gritted his teeth and started digging again. He couldn't see Jason, Joshua and Zachary hiding beside the dormitory observing the scene in the square.

"Jason isn't that Hank Miller with the knife?" Joshua whispered.

"Yes, I haven't seen him for years. Not since the robbery. I wonder why he came back?"

Jason said as he rubbed his chin.

"Jason, what are we going to do? Should we rush them?"

"No, I'm afraid if we do that he may hurt Karen. Give me a minute to think."

Biddie began to pace up and down.... The time was getting closer for the baby to be born, and no doctor or father in sight. Mary tapped her on her shoulder

"Biddie, I am going to send Christopher to town for Lottie, we may need some help."

"I think that would be a good idea." Biddie agreed.

"Mary, Biddie?" Candy called from the other room. "Where is everyone?"

"We're here, Candy," Biddie called as she went back to the bedroom. Mary went downstairs to send Christopher on his errand.

Jeremy couldn't think straight. He was so worried about Candy that he hit his own foot with the shovel. There were now five men hiding beside the dormitory. Aaron and Ben were crouched listening to Jason's rescue plan.

"Josh, you take the left, Zachary, the right. Aaron and Ben, you follow me. On my signal, we'll jump him."

"But Jason, what about the knife?" Aaron asked.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of the knife."

"Josh and Zachary went around the buildings to their positions. The other three men started walking across the square toward the totem pole. Jason signaled for Aaron and Ben to hold back and he continued on his way. He stopped at the edge of the porch. Miller didn't see him, so he kept going toward the group. Suddenly, Miller turned toward him, with the knife pointed at Karen's throat.

"Stay back, Bolt, or your lady friend will be needing a doctor herself!"

"Now, Hank, can't we talk?"

"Nothing to talk about, Jason, I want my money."

"Your money? Don't you mean Aaron's and my money?"

"No, I mean my money! It became mine after when I buried it."

"After you stole it from us."

"Look, we're wasting time. Time's the one thing I can't afford to waste. Now keep digging!" he said to Jeremy as he held Karen's neck tighter."

"Jason, how's Candy?" Jeremy asked as he jabbed the ground again with the shovel.

"She's fine, Jeremy, Biddie and Mary are with her."

"I said keep digging!"

"My wife is having a baby! Let us go! Dig your own hole!"

"If you don't keep digging, you'll need a hole...six feet deep."

"Why I..." Jeremy said as he lunged at Miller.

"I think it might be easier for your wife if you don't try anything, young Bolt." Hank said as he put the knife in the same hand he was holding Karen with, then he drew a pistol from his belt.

Christopher Pruitt could see the people standing by the totem pole. He recognized his brother-in-law and Dr. Harris. The big man was holding Dr. Harris. He looked like the monster from Christopher's dream. The monster was real! He had tried to make Candy believe that, she had not wanted to listen. Now, the monster held Jeremy and Dr. Harris prisoner! Christopher knew he had to do something, Candy needed Jeremy and the doctor, and she needed them now. He saw Jason walk over to the monster, and he was talking to it! Was he crazy? Christopher entered the town square heading straight for the group at the totem pole. If Jason could talk to the monster, so could he! He would make him understand that Candy needed them. Joshua watched helplessly as Christopher walked right past him, but not close enough for Josh to grab him.

"Hey! Let them go!" Chris yelled as he walked up to Hank Miller.

"Go away, boy or I will have to hurt you," Hank warned.

"Chris..." Jeremy started to say.

"No!" Christopher interrupted. "My sister is waiting for them! Let them go!"

Then, without thinking, Christopher kicked Hank hard in the shin! The big man doubled over in pain, letting go of the knife and the gun. This was the opportunity that Jason had waited for. He jumped on Hank's back with Jeremy following close behind. Joshua and the other men raced across the street to help. Karen quickly picked up the gun and trained it on Miller. Jason held Miller hands behind him, while Zachary tied them with a belt. Jeremy scooped up Christopher and hugged him tightly.

"Christopher, you were wonderful!"

"I couldn't let the monster hurt you."

"Chris, this isn't a real monster, though he acted like one. He's a man. Do you see?"

"Yes, Jason," Christopher said as he nodded his head.Aaron and Ben took Hank to the Jail and locked him up to wait for the circuit court judge.

Jason towered over Karen as he hugged her. He looked into her eyes and said;

"Are you all right? For a minute there, I thought I was going to lose you."

"You're not going to lose me, Jason Bolt. He wouldn't have lasted much longer anyway."

"No, why?"

"I gave him a sedative instead of morphine. He took such a big swallow, he would have passed out in a few more minutes. He should have a nice long sleep in jail."

"Well, my lady, you have a Bolt to deliver, I suggest we get to it! Jeremy, you go on ahead with Christopher. We'll be right behind you, we're going to get Lottie." He extended his arm to Karen and the walked over to the saloon.

"Biddie! Bring up the hot water!" Mary called, "We're going to have to this ourselves!"

"What! Oh, my goodness! Mary! Shouldn't we wait for Karen? I don't think we know enough to do this..." Biddie replied hysterically.

"We know enough, and we can't wait any longer, the baby is coming now! Hurry with that kettle!"

Biddie took the tea kettle from the stove and headed up the stairs. She went into the bedroom, and poured the water into the washbowl. She glanced at Candy, who was in considerable pain. Biddie winced.... She wondered if it would be that much pain when she and Zachary had children. She couldn't stand the thought of it... she hated pain. Maybe there was another way to have children that didn't hurt as much. She would have to ask Karen about it later. She would know.

"Biddie! Hand me that blanket, quickly!"

Biddie walked around to the end of the bed and handed Mary the blanket. She stared wide-eyed at scene unfolding on the bed in front of her. First the baby's head appeared, and Mary helped turn it so the shoulders could pass through. The next instant, a slippery baby boy was lying on the blanket, squalling.

"Candy, it's a boy!" Biddie told her.

"Is he all right?"

"He's perfect," Mary said. "Now you rest while I get him cleaned up."

There was a commotion outside, Biddie ran to the window and looked out.

"They're back! Mary, Candy, they're finally back!" She ran down the stairs as fast as she could. She opened the door and ran out onto the porch.

"It's a boy! It's a boy! You missed it!" She cried excitedly.

"Is Candy all right?" Jeremy asked.

"She's just fine, so is the baby."

Jeremy ran into the house followed closely by Karen, he started to go into the bedroom, but Karen stopped him.

"Jeremy, let me go in and check things out first, then you can see her."

Jeremy paced back and forth, back and forth nervously. Joshua and Jason sat at the top of the stairs watching him with amusement. Lottie and Biddie had gone into the room several

minutes before. Jeremy was confused... if the baby was already born, and everything was fine, why couldn't he see Candy? What was going on in there. The door opened, and Lottie came out carrying a bundle.

"Jeremy, this is your son," she said as she handed him the baby. Jeremy looked down at the sleeping baby in his arms. He had a full head of reddish brown hair.

"He's so s-s-small."

"He'll grow, little brother, he'll grow." Jason said as he clapped him on the back. "Congratulations."

"Can I see Candy now, Lottie?"

"Not yet, Karen is still with her. You can see her soon. Why don't you get to know your son?"

"Is she all right?"

"She's fine, just busy for the moment." Lottie said as she went back in the bedroom.

"Jason, I'm worried. When Mary had Jacob, they let me go right in to see her," Joshua whispered to Jason.

"I remember Josh, but we need to his mind on the baby until we find out what is going on."

Inside the bedroom, Biddie and Mary fussed over Candy, plumping pillows and changing the bedclothes. Karen walked to the bed.

"Candy, the baby's doing well, and you did just fine. How do you feel?"

"Tired... and glad that you all got back okay."

"Well, get some rest. We'll tell you all about it later."

Candy's started to reply, but suddenly got a perplexed look on her face.

"Karen, something's not right..."