It was beyond any doubt the finest celebration Seattle had ever seen. Drinks flowed, the food was marvelous and plentiful. Turkeys, hams, roasts, every kind of vegetable imaginable, nine different types of potatoes. And the pies! There seemed to be hundreds of them! The music played on and on. People danced for hours. Everyone was full and happy. Even Aaron Stempel was smiling. He had even danced several times! And he had been one of several to make a lovely toast to Candy and Jeremy. Sunset came and went, and still people danced on. They just didn't want to let this day end.
But Jeremy and Candy did. They had been dancing and he managed to lead her away from their guests to the edge of the woods, as he had done many times before.
"Well, Jeremy, seems like we've wandered off again." Candy said with a twinkle in her eye as she bounced back and forth on her toes.
"Now, Candy, you should know by now that it's no accident, us winding up over here."
"It's not? Why Jeremy Bolt! Do you mean you have some ulterior motive?"
"Yes, Mrs. Bolt, I certainly do." He put his arms around her waist and kissed her. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. It was a warm, gentle kiss that held a promise of much more.
"I think it's time to go home, don't you?" Candy said to her new husband in a husky voice.
Jeremy kissed her gently on the lips once more. "I think that's the best idea I've heard all day, Mrs. Bolt."
As they walked back toward their guests, Jeremy signaled to Jason, who came back a few minutes later with the buggy hitched and ready to go. The Brides hadn't forgotten this detail, either. The buggy was laden with beautiful flowers and ribbons. They had even tied ribbons in the mane of the horse. It looked beautiful!
Christopher, Molly, Clancey, Lottie, Biddie, Jason and Joshua gathered around the happy couple. Hugs and kisses were exchanged.
"Now, Christopher and Molly, you both behave and listen to Biddie, alright?"
"Yes, Candy. We promise." She kissed them both on the top of their heads.
Jeremy helped her up into the buggy, then climbed up and took the reins. The rest of the guests gathered around and waved as they moved off toward the edge of town. As the buggy faded from sight, everyone went back to the party.
Jason and Joshua stood watching as their little brother and his new wife disappeared around the totem pole. They looked at each other, smiled, nodded and threw their arms over each other's shoulders as they walked back toward the center of the festivities.
As they drew closer, Lottie was waiting for them. Jason stopped as Joshua continued on to find the pretty blond he'd been dancing with all evening. Lottie put her arm through Jason's.
"Happy day, Jason. Such a wonderful, happy day! And Candy is going to be so surprised!"
"Right you are, Lottie! Right you are, on both counts! Dance with me, Lottie!" And he took her in his arms and they swirled into the mist of dancers.
The party continued well into the wee hours of the morning.
Candy snuggled close to Jeremy as they rode toward the brother's cabin. She had never been happier. She rested her head on her husband's shoulder and closed her eyes, content to be silent and reflect on the day. She suddenly realized they had passed the cabin.
"Jeremy, where are we going?"
"Home," he said softly.
"Home? You mean...? But I thought..."
"Well, it's not quite finished. And it may not be as comfortable as we'd hoped, at least not just yet. But Jason, Josh and I got some of the men and went up last night and finished enough that it's livable. And Biddie and Lottie helped us pick a few pieces of furniture to bring up, too. Like I said, it may not be real comfort... " Candy stopped his words with a kiss.
"Jeremy Bolt, I love you. And I know it's going to be just fine, as long as we're together. How did you ever do it? You must have worked all night."
"Well, almost all night. I just didn't want to start our marriage off with you being disappointed."
"Oh, Jeremy." There were those darn tears again!
Their new home came into site. The windows glowed with the light from the fire, giving the cabin a warm, cozy appearance. "How did you get the fire started?" Candy asked her new husband.
"Oh, Josh came up and took care of it a little while ago."
"So you had this all planned, didn't you?"
"Well, yea. I wanted to surprise you." He stopped the buggy, got down and reached up to help his new wife down. He'd tend to the horse later.
"Well, you certainly did," she whispered.
He put his hands around her waist and lifted her down. Then he put his arms around her and kissed her, softly, gently.
"I love you, Mrs. Bolt," he whispered, using that soft voice that she loved so much.
"And I love you, Mr. Bolt," she answered, her heart full.
They started to walk toward the house. She stopped as she saw the stained glass window atop the front door, so much like the ones back in New Bedford.
"Oh, Jeremy, it's beautiful." The look on her face made everything worthwhile for Jeremy.
They looked into each other's eyes again, each thinking similar thoughts. Thinking of that first day on Clancey's ship and all they'd been through since. About how much they loved each other and how long they'd waited for this day, this moment. Any shyness or nervousness they had disappeared as they kissed again, more passionately than before.
Without a word, Jeremy picked his bride up in his arms and carried her up the steps, across the porch and through the front door. As the door closed behind them, Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Bolt began their new life together.
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