Beside him, Candy dropped into a curtsey. Mirimanto. Joshua tried to keep the anger out of his voice, but after spending two days immersed in her life he couldnt let her be slighted. What are you men doing? he bellowed. You know Ill just worry until Im sure youre all right.. B-b-but its g-g-gonna take some g-g-g-getting used to.. Having made his declaration of intent, Joshua seemed to have made progress on accepting Aaron. Lottie, it had to be Lottie. Mostly he just growls like a sore-pawed bear., I think Jasons letting him stew for awhile. So hed sought refuge in the one place he knew he still had control. Joshua exited the cabin just in time to catch Jasons words as Jason headed toward Stempels. Candy stood on the dormitory porch, dressed in her Sunday best. You're the richest man in town. Pushing himself up, he paused as surge of lightheadedness hit him. Joshua snatched at the glass of whiskey beside him. What I call myself is my business, not yours. Facing the soldier squarely, Aarons dark eyes smoldered. I hate the idea too, but, Oh, but it did, a gentle baritone voice intruded. Nothing we said would make him change his disastrous course. Duncan looked at each of them in turn, his expression faintly shamed. If I read those books Im just inviting Bolt to kick me in the teeth again. Lets go for a walk.. He sank down in his chair with a groan. May you have many happy years together., Jeremy rose, extending his hand. And Uncle Duncan confirmed it., Yeah. The story had been no surprise to Stempel, Jeremy belatedly realized. Do you know anything about Aarons mother?, Her eyes widened. Not a whimper when three guys are beating on them but let a woman try to clean them up and they start to fuss. Jason moved before it could develop into more than a staring contest. With a elaborately innocent smile, Lottie replied, Well, this is a saloon, you know. You know, in spite of everything, Ive always respected Aaron Stempel. This is your day. Neither Joshua nor Jeremy has ever gotten along with Aaron. Like hed lost something very precious to him. Well take care of this. You should read it, Uncle. Josh had the feeling he was looking inside himself for an answer, possibly for the first time. He shrugged. Is that clear enough for you?. I mean about you and Jonathan., Why dont you ask Bolt? Pleasantly intoxicated himself, Jason grinned with contentment. We wont want you two to not find the place and wandering off somewhere alone.. Jason, I still dont get it. Josh complained. With a dark glare, he flung his defiance across the room. He skidded to a halt just in time to avoid walking into Aaron Stempel. Some days Id give anything to hear his voice again. Youre cool its about not knowing, Joan Blondell says. About the wedding?, No! he rushed to assure her. Josh Closing the book, Jason reached out an imploring hand. The confession of what theyd done had been one of the most awful moments of Jeremys life. Seems I remember you carrying on about how Mary Kate was the girl for you. "Why did you stop?" she murmured. Sure you dont want to talk more? Jeremy offered. A harsh chuckle rumbled in his chest as he recalled the foolish fantasies hed harbored as a boy. He gave a reluctant snort of laughter. Letter? Jason tried to put himself in Miris position. He hoped the contents of the decanter of brandy in front of Aaron and Lotties nonjudgmental presence would help Aaron open up. ***. Not now, not ever. Vaguely aware of the Bolts protests, Aaron opened his eyes to meet Thompsons triumphant gaze squarely. Josh, how can you say that? Jeremy grabbed his arm to prevent his escape. I know now and I cant make believe I dont. The sky is bluer than David Souls eyes. Candy continued in a tiny voice, isnt it? Would you want them to know about you?, Pensively, she tapped her fingernail against the table. Nothing is going to stop us from being married, she affirmed. Not now. No matter what she might have been feeling inside, she held her head high.. My wife! Alone, hed made his mill a success. He felt it in his own gut as Aarons eyes widened, face losing color beneath the dark tint of his skin. In the dark. Remember Im the one who has to approve your contract with the government. No one here speaks my tongue or knows the rites of my people. Jeezus, says another bride. A roof over my head, thats all I got. How do you Stempel, what Questions tumbled over each other, too quickly to be answered. Ive faced far worse than you. Jason had been hard-pressed, but hed somehow managed to heed Lotties advice and not push Aaron. Trust you, Jason, to take something that could be answered in one sentence and turn it into a speech. With a chuckle, Lottie got up to refill their cups. The last few days you have seemed rathermelancholy.. Wearing one of his big-city suits, Stempel might be freshly shaved and neatly groomed but he didnt look much improved over the way he had right after the beating. But he remembered Jasons frustration and worry over Wainwrights refusal to pay his bill and his stunned joy when the man had unexpectedly coughed up the money. Well, ladiesand gentleman, Lottie started shooing motions. He wasnt going to read them. Chapter 1 - Revelations. Now the fact that they were truly brothers threatened to rend the friendship apart. Everything bad in his life could be traced back to a Bolt. Ive never liked him, he stated baldly. Feeling Jasons gaze upon him, Aaron braced erect. And Aaron was giving it in accordance to tradition. You lost someone you cared about, then our father hurt you again; is that what started this vendetta you have against us?. Aaron, as far as Im concerned, the war ends here. Synopsis. How much longer can you keep fighting alone, Aaron? You act like it was all a game. Three years, until he died himself, he never said a word., Maybe he was. But you know that, dont you? Yet he craved the knowledge. Oh, no, Jeremy groaned. He threw down his pen in disgust. Refresh the page, check Medium 's site status, or find something interesting to read. Jeremy came in and went up to the bar. Entering the tent, he slumped down in his chair. Now he wondered if hed ever really known him at all. Was that the reason why Jason, despite all the battles theyd fought against each other, had befriended Stempel? Who will care for him? Jason quickly headed toward the refreshment table, which just happened to be where Aaron had been hovering. Josh could detect no hint of I told you so in Jeremys tone. Yes, I miss him. Having seemingly regained his composure, Aaron engaged Ben in a casual conversation. No wonderhow long after, A dark flush rising up from his collar, Stempel cleared his throat roughly. Jeremy, Candy startled when she saw him. What she knows. But because he loved the struggle so much? In the photograph, the bride looks happy. A candle joined the debris. They shared the blood of Jonathan Bolt. I thought I was prepared for that answer. And of Miri. Jeremy shuffled his feet but nothing could have stopped the wide grin from spreading across his face. Abruptly Candy stumbled around the corner. Here, Uncle Duncan answered from the alcove. Very late the second night, Aaron picked up the journal of Jonathan Bolt. I didnt think Id ever say this, but I feel awful for Aaron. I tried, he acknowledged with a crooked grin. Jasons sympathy went out to Aaron although a part of him was vastly amused at bemusing the man. Do you know what a bride is? Miss Clark asked Earnest. You know what this could mean to us, dont you, Aaron?, Of course, I know. Aaron rolled his eyes. He could have been hatched on a hot rock for all hes ever told anyone. Ayell try., I know how much Father loved Momma. Yeah, was the only thing he could think to say. Jason, what is it that youre really trying to accomplish?, Whats the goal? No, you went right to Stempel., You did, Jason, Jeremy took up the argument. Ill see you in the morning.. Aaron tried to swallow around the rock in his throat. Just try to keep him out of the way when Thompsons here., Slapping his friend on the shoulder, Jason grinned. Ive been ready for two years, Jeremy grinned. Aarons thoughts raced feverishly. Stomping his foot into his boot, he stood up to face the day. The youngest is scuffing around with his bride-to-be, looking like a kicked puppy. If hed been a little less drunk suspicion might have won, but alcohol and the pervasion joy of the day tipped the scale. After a long sleepless night, Jason stormed into Aaron Stempels office without knocking. He never showed the slightest interest in the fate of my mother or what my life might have been like. Without being asked, Duncan held out a plate with sliced bread. Oh, Jeremy, she giggled. A little bruised but fine., Thank goodness. She plopped a quick kiss on his cheek. Jonathan Bolt was my father, he said, his voice hoarse and strained. You are my brother. I know you never meant for this to happen, but some of the responsibility falls on Bolt shoulders.. All day long hed tussled with his dilemma. A hurt built in Aarons throat. My wife, lord, lord. Aaron felt a surge of irritation at the way they lounged against his desk but he didnt have the energy to sustain it. I have heard tales of some very unfriendly dealings Mr. Stempel has had with the Bolt brothers., Hes also risked his life to protect the Bolt brothers. He clasped Candys hand in his and together they joined the other congregation members strolling toward church. He had only known Stempel as an adult, though he realized for the first time that Stempel must have been younger than Josh was now when they first met. Now the Bolt brothers included the one man he most wanted to beat. Joshua, come over and join us. We also got to see Jeremy grow into the roll of being a parent instead of staying the stereotypical younger brother. Just came in to warm up., Josh checked the surge of irritation. The lessons about honesty and fair-play their father taught simply by his own actions Stempel had never seen. He wouldnt allow himself to care. He grunted in response. Keep working like this and youre gonna drop like that tree., George, another of Reds few friends, carried over a pail of fresh water. Shed already been quite sick by the time hed arrived in Seattle. Im gonna go see Candy.. Here Come The Brides Trivia Quizzes. Thats the one thing I really cant understand. What a man became wasnt just determined by the blood in his veins, but by his experiences and the way he was raised. Half brother to the Bolts? I know its hard to change the way youve always thought about things - and people - but if you let yourself you could find Aaron Stempel isnt your enemy., Joshs sigh shook him down to his boot soles. 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