But I am my mothers son and I can not truly regret than her last days were free of the distress your existence would have caused her., Why did he have to make that choice? Aaron appealed, hands spread wide. I know it goes against your nature, but take things slow. Jonathan Bolt had chosen not to acknowledge him as a son and that could never change. A harsh chuckle rumbled in his chest as he recalled the foolish fantasies hed harbored as a boy. Wherere Josh and Jeremy? he asked as he lifted the lid from the pot simmering on the stove. It belonged to Aarons mother. Ever since the party began, Aaron had been acting most peculiar. But hed never been able to cross the line. Unfortunately, Jeremy ended up at the bottom of the pile, grunting as an elbow dug into his ribs. That games over. He shot Jason a slightly out of focus glare. Took me completely by surprise to find him. A chuff of laughter escaped him. Aaron Stempel stood at the center of the skirmish, blood from his nose and torn lip dripping down onto his once pristine white shirt. But the way he touched her, spoke to her and of her. But I should have been more of the loving brother and less of the future Laird., But if you had, what would have become of us? He remembered days on the voyage around the Horn back from New Bedford that had seemed endless. Stempel, Candy nodded her head in wary greeting. Damn him! How could a man like that have a drop of Bolt blood in his veins? Nearly as tall as Jason, Thompson cut a striking figure with the blue uniform stretched across his broad shoulders and sparkling gold buttons emphasizing the breadth of his chest. Dowries?, Okay, fine, Earnest said. You dont want to claim me as a brother., It doesnt really matter if I want to or not. Taking the journal from the table, Jason took a step closer. Taking a deep breath, Jason throw open the door. Josh might have reacted much the same if hed stood in Stempels shoes. He was beginning to wonder if a person could die of frustration. She truly did love your father and wanted what was best for him., We offered to raise the bairn as a proper Bolt. He reacted as if he anticipated my denial. He threw down his pen in disgust. It had nothing to do with all of us being family now., Certainly not. Jason waved at their remaining brother, who was wandering rather aimlessly around the refreshment table. Joshua erupted from his chair. But how is it fair to save my family shame at the expense of this boy? You know what this could mean to us, dont you, Aaron?, Of course, I know. Aaron rolled his eyes. Jason found he didnt much care how insulted the man felt. But youve managed to build a working relationship with him. There was almost a plea in Jasons voice. He ducked his head away, uncomfortable with the closeness. Cmon, Red, Stempel snarled. Im sorry that men who worked for me tried to beat you up because of something they overheard my brothers talking about. A little surprised that Jason would notice when he worked, he reluctantly acknowledged that, of everyone in town, the logger knew him best. How do I know what to believe? He hated the hint of pleading he heard in his own voice. For everything they had that would never be his. Do you know what a bride is? Miss Clark asked Earnest. He never called me son. Aaron pushed himself forward, locking eyes with Jason. He laid his own hand on top of hers. This diary, Uncle Duncan, even his fathers own words pointed to only one thing. How could he deny it now? B ridget is best known for her starring role as Candy Pruitt on the ABC series Here Come The Brides. She threw a pointed glance at the far table. Rules which you bent on occasion, Jason interjected. Lottie broke the silence first. Our father would never have made a baby with another woman when he was engaged to our mother! None of this is going to change that. Well, I once told Aaron I wouldnt sell him controlling interest in one pine cone off our mountain. Jason tried to explain, now fighting off his own giggles. I never Stempel faltered, staring down at his shoes. But I feel I must. And what could the Bolt family gain by continuing to keep Aaron on the outside? Your father wanted to break the contract with your mother and marry this girl. No, Joshua wagged his head slowly back and forth. Im only talking about a meal here, Aaron.. He stared into the dark eyes reflected in the mirror, trying to read the answers. Jake and Lucas cringed. Bound in well-kept deerskin, the book was obviously old and well read. I wouldnt be buyin now either., In a way you are. She started to steer him across the room. As much as I hate to admit it, Stempels mill is the best in the area. He denied something he damn well knew was the truth!, He blushed when he saw Candys eyes widen at his unusual use of profanity. Even though we have been joined by the ceremony of my people, Jon says we must go back to the land of his birth to be joined before his Gods. Seems I remember you carrying on about how Mary Kate was the girl for you. Though it made me feel like I was being unfaithful to Maddie, I couldnt refrain from asking about her. Hes done nothing to deserve my lies. Shucked down to his long-underwear bottoms, Jason stretched out on his bed. Were they really standing behind him or only reacting to Thompsons bigotry? How could Bolt claim to be proud of something hed had nothing to do with? "Why did you stop?" she murmured. He knew it would make no difference but he was still compelled to defend his lifes work. But three men ganged up against one was more than he could bear, no matter what the reasons. It stung his cut lip but he still savored the burn down his throat and into his empty stomach. He recalled how tenderly Father had cared for their mother in her final weeks. But Jomyour father didnt have any family in America when he married my mother. Itll all work out for the best, Aaron, youll see.. That is, how he should daily demonstrate how grateful he was by instant obedience to everything she wanted of him and how he should be properly humble and prove that he knew his place in the scheme of things by groveling before anyone who was his better. Keep your hands off me, Bolt. Yet he craved the knowledge. Calm down., L-l-look at me, Jeremy spread out his hands, grinning self-consciously. What do I care about that? Nae, older, Duncan answered before Jason could open his mouth. Somehow he managed the correct responses though the reverends words were only a distant droning. Hed never been afraid of death. What the hells this, Bolt?, Jason didnt think he could find the words to explain the revelation hed discovered in his fathers journal. Just try to keep him out of the way when Thompsons here., Slapping his friend on the shoulder, Jason grinned. To cover, he stomped to the coffeepot warming on the stove. Even if it caused the loss of the contract for Seattle, some people just deserved a fat lip. Ive been ready for two years, Jeremy grinned. Each for reasons Jason couldnt really fathom, Aaron and Joshua were dead-set against fetching Aaron into the Bolt fold. Well take care of this. Of course, Jason had won but not quite as easily as hed assumed he would. Are you going to try to find this person? My time is getting close. The man had already seen him, his white shirt standing out like a beacon in the dark. Upset, Jeremy shrugged. All right. She circled the railing, never relinquishing her grip on his hand. With a wink at Uncle Duncan and a solemn nod to Aaron, Jason continued on his journey. But you tell her its not her fault. Theres no way anyone could have faked it., Could you have misinterpreted what he wrote? she asked hopefully. He glanced over at Jason, who was watching him with intensity. Oh, its not for you, Biddie tittered. I dont want to believe it, but its true. We compete. Just close the damned thing, he told himself. Should I have told them?, It is too late to ask that question, is it nae, lad? Duncan laughed humorlessly. He made me look like a fool in front of the whole town.. The morning sun added a golden halo to her hair and gilded her fair skin. Lord. Insulting the man because he was an arrogant jerk Jeremy could accept, even enjoy. Tell me whats wrong, she demanded gently. Finding none, he simply took it with him in pursuit. Before he could escape the hold, Shorty pinned his other arm to the wall. A when-I-read-about-his-widowed bride. Oh, Lottie - she had a special place in his heart, although he didnt think hed ever find it in himself to tell her so. Please, Jason. Silent for a long period, Jason stared at his beer, knowing he would find no answers there. The last of his fury swept away in the wave of her sincere affection. Had his fight for respectability been all for nothing? I know what we should do. Thumping his brother on the back, Jason began throwing breakfast on the table, a new bounce in his step. Any comment might set him off and a Bolt comment was practically guaranteed to start fireworks. Why had he said nothing in all the years as they worked their way to a fragile friendship? The trees are up on the mountain. But this isnt over between us., I know that, Aaron. Jason took a step back, allowing Aaron some breathing room. I dont know what youre talkin about., Jason leaned against the wall, including both Josh and Stempel in his gaze. Shipped to the bluest skies youve ever seen are in Seattle from New Bedford, Massachusetts, the brides are in the post-Civil War Pacific Northwest to keep the lumberjacks happy, as one of the guys on the show puts it. How little of his origins did he really know? A day to celebrate your love and the beginning of your lives together. He closed his eyes at the feelings those fingers induced, the deep craving they elicited. Hardly a day goes by that I dont think of my lost son. Hell, he might do it anyway. Pulling up the collar of his jacket against the misting rain, Joshua tried to appear attentive as Jason laid out the plans for the day to Colonel Thompson. Spit it out. The hesitancy wasnt like Bolt at all. Bruises, thats all., Now let me see your hands. She rolled her eyes at his scowl. Your father denied I even existed.. Still ignoring him, Jason opened the book to the first page and started reading. He denied it! A hint of pain showed through Aarons fury. No.. Jason was appalled but not for the reason Aaron thought. Concentrating on each movement helped to keep all the disturbing feelings at bay. And only because I care.. Almost like I was peeping in a window., Duncan reached out to tap his hand. Whatever direction he was going to take, he had to take the first step today. But why do you care what Stempel feels? Well, all Fancy Suit had to do was crook his finger and your girl left you laying in the dust., Never carried on about her, George grumbled. You did it for strictly business reasons., His frustration level rising, he took a deep breath to try to quell it. If. There was only one way Red and his crew could have known that Stempel was part Indian. Lottie He let his words die. They had heard some of this before. I totally understand and take no offence at your difficulty with the concept. Miri loved Father very much. He wondered what kind of scene he would find there. Too early for those seeking dinner, the saloon was nearly empty. For a moment, Jason thought Aaron was going to launch himself over the desk at him. Well, ladiesand gentleman, Lottie started shooing motions. There might be a way to come close., I know your father kept a journal. Maybe I can calm him down a little.. After church and a good meal at Lotties, Sunday was reserved for the small household chores he didnt feel comfortable asking his housekeeper to do. Aaron countered as best he could with the extensive knowledge hed worked years to obtain. No one could be close to them and not see it. Scared to go against me without your pack of coyotes.. Its not like youve never eaten a meal with us before., He slammed the cup back down on the stove. Of course, hed never mentioned a relationship other than the one to their mother. Do yea still have them?, Yes, theyre packed in the cedar chest., Tilting his head, Jason played with his fork. I cant believe you two. And of the girlI dont know. Frantically, he sought an empty space to deposit the pitcher. Aaron carefully scraped the razor down the line of his jaw. Could they have jumped to conclusions? He skidded to a halt just in time to avoid walking into Aaron Stempel. There was a lot of noise at the saloon, with the enjoyment of a free drink at the end of a hard work day. I think you should read this, Jason held a book out to him. Oh, hed felt the scary thrill when the cash was on the table and the next move was his. Evening, Aaron, he shouted as he approached the man. The curtain try pulling it back, says the runaway bride, lifting her veil as she checks her Ubers ETA. Fashioned from sturdy oak, the box itself had been solidly made, the corners flush and square. Well, maybe not forget but it would become less and less important as the days passed. He ran with the futile hope of leaving all the fear and anger raging inside him behind. Maybe you can build a family relationship too., Hands on his hips, Jeremys eyes wandered up to the ceiling. She used our fathers name in her diary. Aaron wondered why he tried. Jason hid his chuckle behind his hand while Lottie did nothing to disguise her laughter. 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