In the town square, men were setting up tables for the festivities after the wedding. The tables were bare at the moment, but within hours they would be groaning from the weight of all the food being prepared by the women of the town.
      Several girls were at the church, placing garlands of flowers and pine and streamers along the aisle, and baskets of wild flowers all along the altar and on top of every possible surface. They did everything they could to make the plain room look as pretty as possible. They all cared a great deal for Candy and knew how long she had waited for this day. They wanted it to be perfect for her.
      In Lottie's, several old friends had returned to town for the wedding and were catching up while waiting for the wedding to start. Sully sat with Corky and Sam. Rachel had gone over to the dormitory to see if any of the girls needed help. Miss Essie and Big Swede had also returned to town with their six-month-old son. They were visiting with Ben and Emily Perkins until it was time to go to church. Miss Essie was to play the music at the wedding. Candy and Jeremy would have liked for Uncle Duncan Bolt and Grandpa Pruitt to be able to attend, but that would have meant postponing the wedding to allow them both time to travel to Seattle. Both had sent telegrams of blessings and congratulations and promised to visit soon.
      Back at the dormitory, the warm smell of apples and cinnamon filled the air. Pies were in the oven while others were cooling on racks. Most of the girls were upstairs getting dressed. Some were primping in front of mirrors, some still in their petticoats. There was always such excitement in the dormitory on a wedding day!
      Candy and Biddie were in Candy's room. Molly and Christopher were ready and waiting outside. Biddie looked almost pretty, with her hair swept up in front and falling in curls around her neck and shoulders, with baby's breath framing her face. Her dress was a deep purple, trimmed with white lace around the neckline and sleeves. The color suited her.
      There was a knock at the door. "Who is it?" Biddie called.
"It's Lottie, Biddie. May I come in?"
      Biddie opened the door and Lottie entered the room the way only Lottie could, with a flourish. She was dressed in her finest today, right down to her beautiful hat, a copy of a Paris original that Candy and Biddie knew had cost her a fortune.
      "Well, girls? Are we almost ready?"
      "Yes, Lottie. Biddie and the children are ready. I just need a few more minutes." Candy replied.
      "Biddie, would you excuse Candy and I for a minute?" Lottie asked.
      "Why, certainly. I'll just go make sure that Christopher hasn't gone outside and gotten himself all dirty."
      "Thank you, Biddie." Candy said.
      Biddie left the room and Candy and Lottie were alone. "Are you nervous, sweetie?" Lottie asked.
"Yes, a little bit. But that's only natural, right?" Candy answered with a slight quiver in her voice.
      "Of course it is. I'd be worried if you said you weren't nervous!" Candy was trying to put her veil on. "Here, let me help you with that." Lottie said.
      She stood behind Candy and positioned the crown of flowers just right and started putting pins in place to hold it secure. hey were silent for a minute or two. Then Lottie looked in the mirror and saw that Candy's eyes were full of tears.
      Lottie hesitated for just a moment before speaking. "Oh, honey, I know you miss her, especially today. But do you remember what you told Molly and Christopher? Just close your eyes and your mother will be with you. And she'd be so proud of you today."
      Candy smiled through the tears that had started to spill onto her cheeks and closed her eyes. "Lottie, how do you always know just the right thing to say?"
      "Well, most of the time it's just blind luck, but sometimes it's because I've felt what you're feeling."
"Like when you lost your mother, Lottie?"
      "Well, yes, but I was thinking of someone else I loved very much, someone that you remind me of." Candy wanted to ask who, but knew she shouldn't pry. She had a feeling she knew anyway, so remained silent.
      "Just remember that the people you love are always with you, as long as they are in your heart."
      Candy wiped the tears from her face and smiled. "Thank you, Lottie. I know you're right, as usual."
      "Now, I have something for you." Lottie reached into her purse and brought out a black velvet box. "I had hoped to give these to a daughter of my own on her wedding day, but that wasn't meant to be. I would very much like for you to have them." She held the box out to Candy.
      Candy took it from her and opened it. Inside was a beautiful, single strand of pearls. "Oh, Lottie. They're gorgeous! But I couldn't take them from you."
      "Candy, please. I've known Jeremy most of his life. In a lot of ways, he's like a son to me. And you, well, you know I've become very fond of you. I couldn't give them to a daughter of my own. So, I want you to have them. It would mean a lot to me."
      "Oh, Lottie. Thank you. I'll treasure them always. Would you help me put them on, please?"
      Just then Biddie came into the room. "Candy, it's getting late. We have to finish getting you dressed!" And the women set about putting the finishing touches on Candy's hair and veil.

      As the Bolt brothers walked into town, dressed in their finest suits, they were quite a handsome trio. Jason walked between his younger brothers with his huge arms around their shoulders, practically dwarfing Jeremy. This was a familiar sight to everyone in Seattle, but today it brought a smile to everyone's face. Townspeople called to them and waved, wishing Jeremy luck.
      They had a little extra time, so they were headed to Lottie's for just one beer before the wedding. They saw Captain Clancey crossing the town square, combed and shaved, dressed in his finest Captain's regalia.
      "Captain Clancey! Well, just look at you!" Jason exclaimed.
       "Ay, Bucko, and what is wrong with the way me looks, now?"
       "Nothing, Clancey, nothing at all. You look just fine!"
      "That's right, I do, don't I?!" He said with a proud smile. The men laughed together.
      "And where mightcha's be heading?" Clancey asked mischievously.
      "Why, to Lottie's, Captain, but just for one. My brother Jeremy has an important appointment to keep! Care to join us?"
      "Well, I don't mind if I do. But just for one. You see, I have an appointment of me own to keep!"
      The four men continued across the square toward Lottie's. Jeremy fell behind slightly as they passed the dormitory, looking for a glimpse of Candy. Joshua took him by the arm and steered him away, laughing "You're not supposed to see her until the wedding. Now cut it out!"