Chapter Three
The entrance to the cave was completely sealed by a slide as Gale had suspected. She called out for Molly several times, hoping against hope that the girl was still alive. Gale had beaten everyone there and had a few minutes to listen before the girl's cries were swallowed up by the hysterical crowd. So, she climbed boulders and called out again. After the fifth time she heard a faint reply. She wanted to cry. The girl was alive.
The town turned out to see Gale climbing off the rocks with the practiced ease of a mountain goat. She ran to Jason.
"She's alive, but trapped," Gale panted. "The boulders are too heavy to move. It will take you too long to try and realize you can't. So you have to listen to what I would propose."
By now the whole town knew who she was and some of the men were insulted by the inference that they couldn't move the rocks. But Jason came to her defense.
"No, she's right," he turned back to Gale. "Go on."
"There's a small passage at the top of that mess. I can see her through it..."
"Is it big enough to get her through?"
"I know what you're thinking and it's no good. It's very small and even if we lowered a rope, she's hurt and we can't take the chance of injuring her."
"What do you suggest?"
"Lower me down with a lantern," she offered. "I can squeeze through that opening and then when I get to her, I can see how bad she is. I can at least splint her leg and try to get her into a position to raise her up. If not, then I can move her back into the cave and you can blast your way in."
"It's too dangerous," Jason shook his head and Gale grabbed him squarely by the shoulders.
"This is your only chance to get her out alive. I'm afraid I'm not asking your permission, I am simply telling you what I'm going to do. There is no time to argue I'm the only one small enough to fit and I know that cave, like no one else. Caves don't change with time, Jason. Please tell me that you have."
"All right," he reluctantly agreed. "What do you need?"
Fifteen minutes later, Gale was being tied with a rope around her waist by Jason, who was making every effort to secure her. She was going to be lowered a good twenty feet into the cavern and he was not about to risk her falling. He took off his gloves and silently slipped them on her hands to protect them from the rocks and rope. Gale was touched by the gesture and warmed by the heat in the gloves where his hands had been.
"Did they grease the passage?" she asked, wanting to break the tension between them.
"Yes," he led her over to it, the people assembled below watching in silent support, some praying audibly. Jason and his brothers took their position, holding the end of her rope. Gale sat herself at the ledge of the hole and slipped her feet through. She looked up at Jason and his brother's who held her life in his hands. Gale made a shaky smile and then took a deep breath.
"You be careful," Jason said, those three words telling her a bit more than she wanted to know right now. He had said them with such gravity, and concern, there were a thousand messages behind them.
"I'll be all right. I'll get her back for you."
He nodded and she slid slowly down the passage and into the darkness.
Gale was lowered down into the cavern, getting scraped and bumped along the way. She doubted that they were going to be able to take her up the same way. They were going to have to blow out a passage. There was no other way.
When at last her feet touched the rocky ground, she quickly untied the rope and tugged for them to pull it up, then to lower the lantern and the supplies she had asked for. Gale felt in the darkness for Molly. She found her curled up in a fetal position.
"Molly," Gale gently touched the crying girl. "Tell me where it hurts."
"My leg..." the girl whimpered.
"I'm just going to check, all right? It might hurt a bit, so you're going to have to be brave."
Gale gently felt the girl's leg, trying to cause her as little pain as possible. She was relieved feeling no break in the skin, and her practiced hands detected the break of one bone just blow the shin. Thank God her father made her study so hard. At least she knew what to do and the supplies that were being lowered would not be useless.
Jason cleared everyone from the area as they were preparing to blast. He had gotten the word from Gale that the splint was in place, and she had moved Molly into the back of the cave. After he lowered the canvas she requested to offer some protection from the blast, he said a silent prayer that they would get them out alive and not bury them further.
Gale huddled under the canvas cover. Bending over Molly, to protect the girl who was in so much pain. She only wished that there were some white willow bark available to help ease her pain. Gale heard the fuse hissing in the darkness and cupped her hands over the little girl's ears.
The explosion was deafening. Rock and debris blew outward, spraying in a forty- yard radius. And only when the smoke and dust began to settle, did everyone venture up slowly to see if the job had been done. Jason was the first to run toward the gaping hole, which was blown open into the rock. Gale came out carrying Molly carefully. The cheers that met their appearance were nearly as deafening as the explosion preceding them. Jeremy took the girl from Gale and with Candy following, they ran to where Dr. Wright stood waiting. Jason wasted no time and took Gale into his arms, hugging her hard. She cried out in pain and he saw she was hurt. There was blood coming from both ears.
Gale's ears were ringing horribly. She hurt all over, but was so happy to be with Jason again, and he hugged her! And even though it hurt like hell, his arms holding her tight let her know he cared. That was reward enough for saving the girl's life. But, her mind was a bit muddled. Jason was yelling at her and she couldn't hear him over the ringing. She looked at everyone else and saw that they seemed to hear one another, with nod of heads and wordless understanding. Jason's face was before hers and he was saying something to her. Gale studied the movement of his lips and saw that very slowly he was asking her if she could hear him. As the reality of her situation began to register, tears came to her eyes. She shook her head no. She couldn't hear him.
Jason put an arm around her and helped her to walk a few steps, but when she grunted with the exertions, he gently lifted her in his arms and carried her to where Dr. Wright was examining Molly on the grass. The movement made her dizzy, and Gale mercifully lost consciousness before Dr. Wright made her preliminary diagnosis.
Gale awakened in a strange room she didn't recognize. It took many minutes to gather her thoughts and to try to understand the deafening quiet. And then it all came back to her. She slowly held a hand before her face and though it caused her ribs to scream in protest, Gale snapped her fingers. There was nothing, no sound at all. She raised her other hands and clapped hard once, then several times, again nothing but the painful reminder of her injuries. The door opened and Jason hurriedly came in, followed by Candy.
She saw them talking to her again, or trying to and she shook her head. Gale moved her lips and only hoped she was saying something because she couldn't hear but felt the muffled vibration in her throat.
"I can't hear you," she cried to Jason. "I can't hear you!"
Gale struggled to sit up in panic, but Jason gently eased her back down. He held a finger up to indicate a moment, and grabbed for an ink well on the bed stand and hurriedly dipped a pen into it scribbling something fast on paper. When the paper was blotted he showed it to her.
"You were hurt in the explosion. Dr. Wright said your hearing should come back. Right now it is important for you to rest and get well."
Gale swallowed hard and tried to calm herself. She saw Candy looking hard at Jason, not understanding why she was mad at him. Then looking back at Jason, she saw the worry and concern for her in that handsome face. He looked like he hadn't slept in days, and his chin was covered in stubble. She reached up and ran her knuckles over the rough bristles.
"You look like hell," Gale thought she said and guessed correctly when she saw him laugh in reaction. He took her hand and kissed it quickly, then rose to leave. He turned to look back at her and made the motion for her to sleep, with his hands folded under his head. She nodded and smiled. Candy smiled at her too, then glared at Jason as they left.
"Jason Bolt," Candy fumed. "How could you lie like that to her?"
"I didn't lie," he sighed. "I simply told her what Dr. Wright said."
"I was there and Dr. Wright said it was doubtful that with as much damage as she sustained to her ears that she would ever hear again."
"Candy," Jason rounded on his sister-in-law. "Don't you think it a kindness that she learn of it gradually as she gets used to the idea?"
"No Jason, I don't," she felt so bad about everything. After all, Gale lost her hearing while saving her sister's life. "I think the sooner she knows about it, the better. Then she can mourn the loss and get on with her life. Not going on day after day, waiting in vain for it to come back, when it won't."
"I just don't know what to do? I feel so helpless."
"Only because you love her. We often want the best for those we love, but have to be prepared for their sakes to face the worst with them."
"Is it that obvious?" He sagged into his chair by the fire, miserably.
"As obvious as a Hurricane," Candy smiled gently. "If it were any more obvious Jason Bolt, you'll be arrested for indecency."
He looked up feigning shock at her remark, which made her laugh. Then Jason ran a hand nervously through his thick mane.
"I don't think I ever felt more frightened in my life," he sighed tiredly. "I was so scared Candy. I could have lost her."
"But you didn't Jason," she assured. "Why don't you tell her you love her? That would soften the blow of her injuries, I'm sure. You know I would like nothing more than to see you finally settled."
"I don't know if I can ever marry."
"Why on earth not?" Candy busied herself with folding the bandages she had washed from Gale's use, the cut on the back of her head having been particularly bloody.
"I loved my parents and I lost them. I don't want to feel that kind of pain again."
He was so honest and so forthright expressing this sudden venerability that she couldn't censure him for such a childlike fear. Candy could see that his fear was very real and falling in love with Gale Murphy scared him to death for worry of ever losing her if he did have her.
"Jason," Candy reached out and took his callused hand in her own. "If you spend your whole life terrified that someone you love is going to die, you're never going to live. And you'll waste precious time that you could be spending happy with Gale, and making a family to fill up this house."
"You're getting ahead of yourself," he smiled, squeezing her hand. "I just never realized how I felt about her until yesterday when I almost lost her."
"I have to get home and see to Molly. Think about telling her Jason, will you? Perhaps if she knows you love her, she can deal with the rest." Candy leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "Biddie will come by at 8:00 to stay the night with Gale."
"I don't need a chaperone," he grumbled as Candy went to the door.
"Oh I know that. But with the fact that people still remember you being found in that cave with Gale once upon a time, we just thought it best not to take any chances with either of your reputations."
"Ha ha," he tossed a pillow at her as she ducked out the door.
Jason stood and quietly opened the door to his room, where Gale now slept. Since his cabin was closest to the lake, he insisted upon bringing her here, so Gale wouldn't have to be carried all the way to town. With her concussion, it could have been detrimental to her health to have her jostled like a sack of potatoes all the way to Lottie's. And there she lay in his bed, hair unbound and spread across the pillow. Doctor Wright insisted that it would be better because braiding those heavy tresses would put pressure on the five small stitches sewn at the crown of her head. It might be helping Gale to be more comfortable, but her languid beauty, was achieving a much different effect on Jason. He was falling irretrievably and irrevocably in love with her.
"How can I love you?" he whispered. "But how can I not?"
Gale sighed in her sleep, obviously dreaming because her lips were moving in a low whisper. He leaned forward to hear what she said in her sleep.
"Da," she spoke so low he had to strain to hear. "I'm sorry Da... I'm sorry I wasn't the son you wanted."
With instant insight, Jason stepped back in amazement. With two simple declarations, he now understood more about Gale, than ever before. She wanted to excel in a man's world on a man's terms, to be the son her father wanted. His heart broke with the realization that everything she did was in effort to gain her Father's love. Love that she had already had, but somehow, Connor had made her feel as if she were responsible for him not having a son.
Groaning in frustration, Jason looked upon his past treatment of her with profound regret having realized the truth behind what drove her. She wanted to work at the camp to gain her Father's approval, not his own. How could he have been so stupid not to see it before? He felt truly humbled by his own arrogance and wished there was something he could to take back every moment of hurt he caused her and the years of separation his actions had caused to take her away from the father she obviously loved so much. How could he ever make up for that?
Gale was dressed and propped up in what she was embarrassed to learn was Jason's bed, busily writing. Lottie sent all of the things over in order to make her more comfortable, and along with those things was her manuscript. The lamp burned low and steady, giving her little light to work by, but work she did. She blackened her fingers with quick dips into the inkwell on the bedside as she wrote on top of a large atlas balanced on her lap. Gale couldn't sleep and decided to continue to work upon her unfinished book. She cleverly thought to use her experiences with the cave to her advantage. It would be a great story for Jake Bedford to live through. She would just add a Grizzly bear and that would add the right amount of danger and sensationalism for her readers.
A muffled snore rose up from the sheets next to her and even though Gale couldn't hear it, she felt the vibration on the mattress and smiled to herself. Even without her hearing, a snoring bed partner could be cause for complaint. She looked over briefly to see Biddie, lying upon her back, open-mouthed and sawing several logs in the process of sleep. Trying to resume writing, Gale found the exercise futile, as the vibration of Biddie's snoring grew deeper and more pronounced. She realized there would be no peace for her unless she could find a quite place to work. So she lifted the blankets and silently slipped out of bed.
Jason looked up from his makeshift bed on the floor to see Gale leaving his room. He put the book he was reading on the floor and moved to sit up. She saw him and apologetically motioned for him to lay back down, but nearly dropped her inkwell and paper. Jason hurried out of his bed to help her.
Gale swallowed hard at the sight of his attire as he took the materials from her hands. Jason was still clad only his usual work attire of buckskins. He was completely comfortable with his masculine appearance and seemed almost unaware of the effect it had upon her. He just stood there looking at her expectantly, waiting for an explanation.
"Biddie's snoring," Gale said, pulling the quilt she took from the bed tightly over her nightgown. "I couldn't write because the bed was shaking."
She watched as he nodded in understanding and agreement, then put her papers and ink on the little dining table. Biddie must have also been the reason for his insomnia She went and sat in the chair he held out. Jason lit a lamp and pushed it toward her.
"Thank you kindly," she whispered in exaggeration and took her pen to dip it in the ink but he took it from her hands and performed the same task. Then, Jason scribbled on a blank piece of parchment.
"I can't sleep either." He wrote. "Biddie snores worse than big Swede. Are you working on your new book?"
She nodded and then took the stack of written pages she had been working on before and after her convalescence, and held them out to him. He looked at her in question, but Gale insisted, pushing the unfinished manuscript toward him.
"Go on," she urged. "Would you like to read it? Mind it's not nearly finished, but I think you'll like it, just the same."
He smiled and gently took the pages from her, feeling like a child on his birthday. She was giving him a wonderful and unexpected gift. So, he went to his chair and began to read.
It was hours later when he had finished reading all she had written, placing the last page next to him with satisfaction. Even though it wasn't finished, it was still a good read and he looked forward to its finish. Jason stood and stretched, momentarily forgetting himself. He turned to see Gale fast asleep with her head cradled in her arms on the table. How long had she been like that? Concerned, he lightly touched her shoulder and she opened her eyes.
Gale smiled sleepily and yawned. Jason was busy writing again. She sat up and massaged her sore neck.
"You should get back into bed. It's almost dawn and you need to sleep." He wrote.
"All right," she stood slowly, working out the stiffness in her shoulders. "Did you like what I wrote?"
His smile was answer enough and she nodded.
"Good."
And that was all she said as she shuffled off to what was once his bedroom. Jason vowed that one-day she would share it with someone other than Biddie.
Gale hated being an invalid. For a week, she had to endure being waited on and spoon-fed and treated like she was a baby. She was feeling much better and wanted to get out and walk a bit. But Jason and the long stream of brides who held her captive in the Bolt Family Cabin refused to let her up and about. Even pleading her case to Aaron was futile. He wrote that she had to stay in bed per the Doctor's orders, though he wasn't happy with her accommodations and nearly came to blows with Jason over them.
Bother the Doctor! What did she know anyway? Gale knew what she needed better than anyone and it was fresh air and freedom from these four walls. So on the morning of her Twelfth Day in captivity, Gale deftly escaped the cabin through the bedroom window.
The early morning air felt refreshing and clean against her skin. She nimbly walked barefoot into the woods, trying hard to be quiet yet finding the task difficult without being able to hear. And she wished she had something a bit more practical than her nightgown and a quilt wrapped around her, but she was refused all her clothes to ensure a perfect convalescence.
Gale waited until she was far enough from the cabin before slowing her pace. She felt a bit light-headed, but it passed and she guessed it was because of all the inactivity. And she had to do something about working out the stiffness and soreness in her body. Gale stopped in a clearing when she saw a bird fly overhead and strained hard to hear its morning song. She couldn't hear a thing and sighed in frustration. Patience was never a virtue for her and it was beyond Gale why her hearing hadn't returned. All she could hear was a dull rushing sound that wasn't unlike the ocean in her head. It wasn't as unpleasant as the ringing had been, but she would give anything to hear something.
She felt a hand on her shoulder turning her roughly around in the clearing. It was Jason. He was furious, and briefly Gale was glad she couldn't hear him shouting at her.
"I wanted to walk," she screamed back. "I was going starkers in that room!"
She watched him struggle to communicate, and then he let her go, only to crook a finger that she should follow him. Jason led her to the lake a few yards beyond where there was a dirt bank. He motioned for her to sit near by on a rock. Jason grabbed a stick from the ground and wrote in the dirt.
"You scared me to death!" she read.
"I didn't mean to," Gale sighed. "I needed air and to walk..."
Jason was busy scribbling again.
"Next time and I'll take you."
"I needed to be alone, Jason! I felt like I was in a zoo with everyone watching me like that."
"You could have been hurt."
"If I couldn't be blown up," she joked. "I doubt a walk in the woods will kill me. Just let me be."
"I can't!" he jabbed into the dirt.
"Why the hell not? I should imagine that I'm nothing but trouble to you ever since I signed on to come here seven years ago. I was the thirteenth Bride, remember? Unlucky 13, that's me."
"I can't leave you alone!" he underlined it.
"Why on earth not?" Gail threw up her hands. "You've no responsibility to me! And if you're worried about the past still don't be. I forgive you and I know you forgive me. So we're even! There is no debt! So why the hell do you need to be feeling like you have to act the Mother Hen to me!"
"Because I love you and I want to marry you!"
Gale stared at what he wrote, shaking her head for a moment, thinking that the knock to her noggin had wrecked havoc with her senses.
"Glory be to all the Saints," she whispered. "And what might you make of that?"
Jason stood and dropped the stick. He shrugged helplessly and then watched in confusion as she made a low groan in frustration and then stormed away in anger. Hurrying after her, Jason gripped her arm and spun her around. She glared up at him with tears in her eyes shaking in anger, the tension between them so strong that it was almost audible. That's when Gale slapped his cheek with a loud crack. She saw him hold it, then mouth the words, "What was that for?"
"That was for not telling me you loved me before I couldn't hear you say the words! You Bas..."
Gale never got to finish as his mouth covered hers quickly to silence all protests.
"Well my..." Biddie giggled, watching the newly pledged pair lost in a kiss. She was wrapped up in a blanket over her cotton lawn gown, having followed behind Jason as he went looking for Gale. And find her, he did! Biddie couldn't wait to tell Candy! She waited just a few moments more, giving Jason and Gale just a bit more time before coming between them.
"Now," she cleared her throat, putting herself in the middle of the two, breaking them apart. "Exactly what kind of chaperone would I be Jason Bolt, if I let you kiss the bride before the wedding? Candy would never forgive me. So, I think we should all go back to the cabin and let me cook breakfast and forget this ever happened because I don't want Candy mad at me."
"No you're right Biddie," Jason smiled sighing, linking his arm through hers. "Let's go back and have breakfast. Suddenly, I'm starving."
"Yes well, I would imagine so... It looked like you were working up quite an appetite."
"Among other things," he thought to himself looking at Gale, who was grinning at him unabashedly, blushing all the while. Jason Bolt felt the lightness of the world settled in the center of his chest. For once in his life he was profoundly happy. He leaned down and kissed the top of Biddie's head. Gale, not to be out done, linked her arm through Biddies and also kissed the top of the little woman's head too.
"Thank you Biddie for being such a good chaperone," Gale winked, laughing at Jason's reply even though she couldn't hear it. But he gave her a look, which spoke volumes. She would be in trouble later with him, of that she was certain. Yet, it was the kind of trouble she wanted to be in.
"Gale," Candy had Biddie scribble on the chalk slate that Molly used in school. "Hold still."
"I can't!" She laughed as Candy fitted her own wedding dress to her soon to be sister-in-law's slender frame. "I have so much to do."
"Well," Biddie giggled. "It's not our fault you have to get married so fast."
Gale could swear that she had heard what Biddie was saying, even though she wrote it down. No, she shook her head. She was just imagining things.
"Ouch," she yelped as Candy accidentally stuck her.
"Sorry," she apologized. "It would be easier if you didn't move."
"I can't help it, Candy. Time is running out and I've got to send word to my sister and Grace that the wedding is in a week and..."
Candy stopped what she was doing and looked up at Gale in shock.
"What, did I bleed all over your dress?" Gale wondered what could have caused her to go all white like that.
" No..."
"Well, what? Candy, I won't do with having you look at me so strangely. You're giving me the frights."
"Gale," Candy took the pins from her mouth. "Can you hear me?"
"Don't be daft, of course I can hear you."
And then it dawned upon her that she could indeed hear again from her right ear. She let out a yelp of surprise and grabbed both girls, barely able to contain her excitement.
"I have to find Jason," she shouted, never again would she take the sound of her voice for granted. Gale ran out the door and toward town before Candy could stop her.
She tracked Jason down at Aaron's office, and even though she was yards away, she could hear the sound of an argument ensuing. She didn't care what they were yelling about for the moment, just thrilled to be able to hear the sounds of Jason's voice again. That is, until she was a few feet from the office door.
"What do you want me to say, Aaron?" Jason yelled at his adversary, more furious than he had ever been at the man. "That I am going to marry her for her money? For her shares in the mill?"
"That is the truth, isn't it!" Aaron slammed his hand on the table. "You've always wanted to control the mill and me, and now with her percentage in your pocket, you will forever be over my shoulder insisting on consulting upon every decision I make! But you can't marry her for that reason! I won't let you!"
"And exactly how are you going to stop me?"
"I'll tell her that you planned this all along."
"You would have to prove that," Jason seethed. "And you couldn't. And it's not true. I had no idea that she owned the shares until you told me."
"You don't expect me to believe that, do you?" Aaron couldn't believe the man's audacity. "Listen Bolt, I was there to help her escape to San Francisco when you took advantage of her. I cared for her and looked after her finances. I went to see her every year and I took care of her Father's arrangements. You are not going to ruin her!"
"I see now," it finally came to Jason. "You love her, don't you? You don't give a damn about the shares in the mill, and it wouldn't matter if I had them or not because you hold the majority of the shares. No, you don't want me to have her because you want her... Well, you can't have her because she's mine! And there's nothing you can do about it!"
Aaron was so furious, he threw the first punch. He hated Jason Bolt in that moment with every fiber of his being and wanted to hurt him as bad as he was hurting at the thought of Gale marrying him. Yet, Jason retaliated with a fist to Aaron's Jaw.
Gale heard the sound of furniture being broken and fist smacking flesh. Then, she saw the two men come flying out of the office and tangled up in a great show of arms and legs creating a cloud of dust in their wake as they hit the ground. Gale marched into Aaron's office and grabbed his gun from his desk drawer. She calmly came out and shot the thing off into the air several times until both men stared at her stupidly from the dirt.
"Now that I have your attention," she glared at them. "I have something to say and the first man to interrupt gets to know what it is to be gelded. Now, as for you Aaron Stemple, although I am flattered that you have feelings for me, we both know that I am too much for you to handle. So, aside from loving you like the dear Uncle you've become, I'll thank you to not entertain such thoughts again. It would never have happened and well you know!"
"And as for you Mr. Bolt," she continued so angry she could barely speak. "No man who wants to live a long and happy life ever claims me like he would a piece of property! I belong to no man. So you get that thought right out of your head. I will not be owned! And as for the pair of you, this behavior disgusts me and has been the bane of Seattle for much too long. Frankly it's boring and you're too old to be acting like school- boys. Right now, I am so mad at the both of you, that I've a mind to pack up all my things and go home to San Francisco."
"Like hell you will," Jason stood and came over to her. " I let you go once and I'm not making the same mistake twice."
Suddenly, it occurred to him that she could hear. His dour mood left him and he broke into a great big grin, despite the agonies his jaw felt at the movement, from an earlier punch landed just so.
"Gale, when did your hearing come back?" he asked in awe.
"I got it back in one ear, just in time to hear the likes of you two going at it!" she wanted to smack that silly smile from his face. "If' you're going to stand there like the great oaf you are, I am going to find it impossible to be mad at you, and right now, I need to be mad and not entertain thoughts no unmarried woman should be having..."
"Oh spare me that," Aaron groaned in frustration.
"Shut up!" Jason and Gale said in unison to the fallen man, rubbing his own jaw.
"Now, where was I?" she tucked the gun into the waistband of Candy's skirt.
"You were entertaining thoughts," Jason leaned against the porch rail, still smiling, highly amused and charmed by her appearance in Candy's wedding dress and hair falling loose again from its moorings.
"I was trying not to, thank you very much. At least until we've been properly wed. Now the fight was about the shares I hold in the mill. Jason, to make peace with Aaron once and for all, what would you say to giving him the shares as a wedding present? No, don't interrupt me yet, I'm not finished. And Aaron, in exchange for my generosity, what would you say to signing a legal agreement? You are to never bar, inhibit, play tricks on or bet against Jason or any member of the Bolt Family, or Employee thereof from using your mill to conduct business in a normal fashion, during normal business hours?"
Gale saw both men hesitate. She was offering them the chance to end this juvenile feuding once and for all, and with the wisdom of Solomon. But they both balked and made noises about refusing to do anything of the kind.
"Fine then," Gale took the gun from her belt and shot at Jason and Aaron's feet, causing both men jump and yelp. Then she threw the gun on the ground. "I'm leaving on Clancey's ship this afternoon! I'll not be the consolation prize in your little tug of war!"
With that, she marched off in fury and toward town.
Aaron and Jason looked at one another somewhat guiltily then Aaron sighed in relief.
"She was right," he said smiling. "I couldn't handle her. You think you can?"
"Aaron," Jason reached out a hand to help him up. "I don't think any man can handle her, and I'm not certain I would want her any other way. She is unlike any woman I have known and I feel I could spend a lifetime learning about her. But, to take away her freedom and her spirit, it would change what I love most about her, impossible though she may be."
"You really do love her, don't you."
"Worse than that, I like her."
"Well, come on and let's get you married." Aaron brushed off his clothes and started walking toward town. "You two deserve each other."
Gale sat on Captain Clancey's bunk in his stateroom, miserably. She still wore Candy's wedding dress and vowed to have her cousin Grace's dressmaker repair any damage done to it. She just couldn't face anyone right now. Her heart was breaking. She was leaving Jason again. He didn't love her. Maybe Aaron was right. He only loved her for her shares in the mill. He was a good friend of her father's and of course her Da would have told him about it. How could she be such a fool?
She was sweltering in the tiny cabin, wanting to open the window, but Clancey was right when she tried. He came running into the cabin and slammed it shut.
"Do ya's want the whole town to know where you are?" he cautioned. "We'll be leaving as soon as I can ready the ship. In the meantime Lass, why don't ya just rest yourself and keep out of sight. Jason Bolt will never forgive me for this."
"Thank you Clancey."
"Aye Lass, anything to help matters along."
For the next few hours or so, she heard a great clamor of noise and banging overhead. Then mercifully, the Shamus O'Flynn began to move and head for open seas. Gale let out a sigh and felt herself relax just a bit. Yet then she thought the boat was taking her further away from the man she loved most in the world. It brought a fresh torrent of tears. The door to the cabin opened, letting in a fresh breeze of sea air. Clancey stood in the doorway with a bouquet of fresh flowers in hand.
"Oy thought ya might like these Dearie," he smiled kindly. "And as we're out ta sea now and you're safe, I thought you might like ta go for a walk on deck ta get some air."
Gale nodded. She would take one last look at Seattle as the land and people she loved so receded in the distance. She would make her good-byes forever to Jason and then get on with her life. Gale stood and smoothed the wedding dress. She pulled all her hair over to one shoulder, so she could get some cool air on her neck and then took the bouquet from Clancey. She lightly kissed his cheek, thanked him for rescuing her and then went out the door to brave her future alone.
The first thing Gale saw while leaving the cabin was Biddie who led the crowded ship into cheers of surprise. She couldn't believe it! It seemed that every resident of Seattle was crowded upon the ship, dressed in his or her finery and waiting for her reaction. The crowd parted and Jason stood at the bow with Aaron and his Brothers at his side.
"There's no escape this time, Gale," he shouted. "We love you and we aren't going to let you go."
"We?" she questioned tearfully. "What about you, Jason? Do you love me enough to let me give Aaron the Mill back?"
Jason held up a slip of paper.
"This is the agreement you specified. Both Aaron and I signed it and Lottie will hold it for safekeeping. Does that answer your question?"
"And will you stop calling me yours like I was a prized cow?" She was beginning to smile, still crying but now for entirely different reasons.
"I will," he smiled back.
"And will you let me work at the camp by your side?"
"Now Gale..."
"Just checking," she laughed. "I know Jason that Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither were you. I can live with that."
"Can you live with me?"
"If we're married I can."
"I see," He looked heavenward. "Gangway Lord, here comes my bride."
"And if I say no, Jason Bolt, what then?" Gale said. "Will you throw me overboard?"
"No," he came to her. "I would just have to follow you to the ends of the earth until you said yes. You saved me once from freezing to death. Say you'll save my life now and marry me."
"I will and gladly, Mr. Bolt."
Jason reached for her and kissed her, practically crushing her to him as the town cheered. Then he jumped and howled out in pain. Gale was still full of the straight pins that Candy had used when altering the dress to fit. Biddie tapped Jason on the shoulder
"Jason Bolt," she said primly. "Serves you right. You aren't supposed to kiss Gale until Captain Clancey has married you!"
"I know, but how can I resist?" He turned back to look at the woman in his arms. "Shall we?"
"I can think of nothing else I would rather do."
"Well then," Captain Clancey removed his hat and smoothed his hair. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered under somewhat unusual circumstances to join this man and this woman, God help us all, into holy matrimony..."