The next day was Sunday and most of the townspeople of Seattle attended church services. Jeremy and Candy had agreed to wait until today to tell everyone their news. They knew that Jason and Joshua and their closest friends would be together at Lottie's after services. Then they would tell Molly and Christopher. It had been particularly hard for Jeremy not to tell his brothers. He had been walking around all morning with a foolish grin on his face, which Jason and Joshua had both commented on several times. At least Candy had a room to herself at the dormitory, although Biddie had noticed that Candy was in an exceptionally happy mood this morning.
      As Candy and Jeremy entered Lottie's hand-in-hand, they both looked around the room. Just as they had hoped, Jason, Joshua, Biddie and Clancey were seated together at a table. Lottie was standing just behind Clancey, putting drinks down. Candy and Jeremy approached the table.
      "Well, there you are! We were wondering what happened to you after church. Take a walk, did you?" Jason said jovially. He and Joshua were certain of what was coming, and they were about to burst if Jeremy didn't tell them soon.
      "Yes, Jason, we wanted to get some air." Actually they had stayed after services and spoken to Reverend Brown about a wedding date. They'd settled on May 7th, five weeks from today.
      Jeremy stood holding Candy's hand, obviously wanting to say something, but not knowing quite how to say it. Candy nudged him with her elbow and a nod of her head.
      The waiting was almost too much for Jason to bear. "Do you two have something you want to tell us?" he said, hoping to move this along so they could get to the celebration.
      "Yes, well, we wanted you all to know... um... well, we wanted to tell you that we've set the date... we're getting married next month!"
      "Well, that's just wonderful!" Jason shouted, breaking into a grin from ear to ear.
      "It's about time, you two!" Joshua teased, with a smile as big as his older brothers.
      The brothers jumped up and threw their arms around Jeremy's shoulders and kissed his wife-to-be. They couldn't be happier. They both loved Candy and the children. And they knew how much Candy and Jeremy loved each other.
      Lottie came around the table on one side as Biddie tried to get past Joshua and Jason on the other. After congratulations, hugs and kisses were exchanged, little screams of delight came from all three women as Candy removed her glove and showed them her ring.
      Jason's hearty voice rang throughout the saloon. "Attention, everyone! Jeremy and Candy are getting married next month! The Bolt brothers are celebrating and the drinks are on me!"
      As people came over to offer congratulations, along with some good natured razzing about what had taken them so long, Lottie noticed that Clancey had not reacted to the news.
      "Fishface, what's wrong with you? Come over here and congratulate these two!"
      Clancey looked up from his glass of whiskey. Lottie then noticed that he'd had his handkerchief out and had been wiping his eyes. She smiled at the tough-skinned sea captain with the soft heart.
      "I was just waiting for the crowd to die down, is all." Clancey said indignantly. He stood and approached the happy couple.
      "Set the date, have ye? Well, young Bolt, tis about time, it is. Yes, oh my! Congrats to ye both!" He patted Jeremy on the back and gave Candy a kiss on the cheek. "Good for you, Lass! Tis the right thing you're doing, you know, for all of you, ëspecially those two young ones."
      "Thank you, Captain." Candy answered with affection.
      While the women talked of wedding plans, the men talked of building a new home for the soon-to-be Bolt family. Drinks flowed, music played and everyone danced. The usual Sunday afternoon socializing had become a full-blown celebration and went late into the night. The whole town had watched the romance of Candy and Jeremy blossom. They'd seen them through good times and bad, through many arguments and makeups. And everyone knew why they had waited so long to set a date. This day was a long time coming and by golly, they were going to enjoy it! And they just couldn't wait until the wedding! What a celebration that was going to be!