*** Warning – This story contains sensitive themes that although not highly descriptive, some still might find difficult to read. So, please read at your own discretion. ***
*** Disclaimer - These characters are not my own – but they are wonderfully useful to tell a story. This not a continuation of any of my previous stories but a stand alone and would take place sometime after the series end. Also – I have never been a lawyer nor claim to have any real specific knowledge of the laws in the 1870s so please disregard any major errors with my legalese. ***
Nick Riley grabbed his tool box from off the barn's work bench and began sorting through it, taking stock to make sure he had everything he needed to fix Plumfield's front gate. With a late thaw arriving in Concord, the usual spring repairs were starting to pile up. The gate had just been added to the list when one of the school's students had decided to try climbing it in a game of hide and seek.
"Where did that wrench get to?" he mumbled as he searched the table. He shook his head, his frustration mounting with the missing tool. He overheard the barn door open as he got on his hands and knees to check the floor. "Dan? Have you boys been borrowin' my tools again? My wrench is missin'," he called out, expecting one of Plumfield's younger residents.
Instead, he looked up to find Jo Bhaer, the school's owner standing over him. She smiled sweetly, his heart beating faster as his eyes met hers. Nick and Jo had been courting for the last several months and while their relationship had developed significantly during that time, he still got nervous in her presence. He grinned as she looked at him curiously, reaching over to the table. "Is this it?" she asked, producing the wrench.
Nick stood, his cheeks flushing a bit with embarrassment and he shook his head. "It must've been staring me right in the face," he replied, running a hand through his hair. "Thank ya." He took the tool and stuck it into the box sitting on the table before turning to Jo. "Do ya need somethin'?"
"I just came to get the fishing poles," she said, moving past Nick and towards the back wall. "I'm finally taking Rob to the river. We haven't had a chance to go on our annual outing yet." She grabbed two of the poles from off the hooks and the tackle box from the floor. "He's been waiting all winter for this," she said and then fumbled with the load in her hands, one of the poles escaping her grasp.
Nick rushed to catch it and handed it back to Jo, who smiled in appreciation. "Where are you two headed?" he asked as they made their way to the door.
"Well, we were going to try the usual spot, but I think it might still be too muddy," she replied as they left the barn. "We'll probably end up closer to Walden Pond." She stopped in front of Nick, a look of expectation on her face. "You could come along, if you'd like."
"Nah…. Rob probably just wants to spend some time with his Ma. You don't need me hangin' around," Nick said tentatively, his meaning contradictory.
"That's silly - Rob adores you," Jo reassured, a slight blush colouring her cheeks. "And so do I…" She looked up at him, her eyes hopeful. "Neither of us would mind."
Nick grinned, considering her words. He lowered his face towards Jo. "Well, ya see… there is all this work to do," he said, his lips just grazing hers. "And I've got this boss who can be pretty strict about things…" He trailed off, gently kissing her.
The couple savored the connection for a few extended moments before Jo pulled away. "I should have a talk with this tyrant," she said suggestively. "Maybe I can get her to lighten up a bit."
"See what you can do," Nick added, kissing her on the cheek. He straightened up and looked out towards the road. "Tell ya what - I'll get the gate fixed and then meet you out there. Hopefully it shouldn't take me too long."
"That sounds wonderful," Jo smiled, stepping around Nick and towards the house. Rob was standing on the porch, waving anxiously urging his mother. "Well, I should go before he leaves without me." She turned back towards Nick. "We'll see you later," she said, pausing a few moments, Nick getting lost in her eyes. Then she turned around and raced off to the house.
Nick watched her go, sighing contently and trying to clear his thoughts. Any time Jo was around, everything else seemed to disappear including his focus. As they continued their courtship, his concentration was harder and harder to come by, but he was okay with that. She meant the world to him and was worth the forgetfulness. He looked down at his hands, trying to recall what he was supposed to be doing. He rolled his eyes as he remembered. "Now where did I put that tool box?"
XXXXX
"Nothing seems to be biting today," Jo sighed as she pulled in her line from the water. "I guess we won't be bringing dinner home." She looked over at her son as he continued to hold his pole, his eyes fixated on the pond as they sat along the edge. He seemed so much more grown up now, having shot up two inches over the winter, his face no longer round but much more defined as it would when young boys become little men.
"That's all right," he replied, still staring out across the water. "I like the fishin' part best anyways." He smiled at her and then looked around. "I thought Nick was coming."
Jo nodded thoughtfully. "I thought so too. He must have gotten held up with something." She started packing up the picnic lunch that they had brought with them. "Oh well... maybe he can come next time." She looked up at the sky, the sun just beginning to sink behind the trees, spreading shadows across the pond. "We should start back pretty soon - Asia will need some help getting dinner ready."
A look of disappointment fell across the boy's face for just a moment before he nodded. "Okay," he responded quickly, pulling his fishing line back in and standing. "Can we come back next Saturday? Maybe more fish will be biting then."
"Of course," Jo responded, pleased with her son's new maturity. "Maybe we can come out a bit earlier and check to see if any strawberries have started growing." Jo stood and began to gather up the blanket they were sitting on. "We might get lucky and have some for our lunch."
Once they had finished packing away their supplies, Jo handed Rob the two poles. She carried the basket and tackle box and they started back through the woods towards Plumfield. The late day breeze was chilly, the spring air crisp and Jo pulled her shawl around her a little tighter. The dirt beneath their feet was soft at first but as they passed through the dim, dense forest, it became hard with the last of the frost.
They had been walking in silence for a few minutes, their pathway enclosed with thick brush and trees. The sunlight did its best to trickle through the branches, making a patchwork on the ground but illuminating only the outermost forest. Suddenly, in the gloom, leaves began rustling from nearby and Jo first sensed that they were not alone before she actually heard the voice behind her; it made the hairs on the back of her neck stand.
"Well, what do we have here?" a gruff voice spoke, slightly slurred. Jo turned warily to see two men emerging from the trees. They were oddly rough looking, their clothes well made but dirty from the forest mud and their faces somewhat weather worn. The one who had spoken was shorter than the other, almost the same height as Jo but both men were bulky and round from what seemed to be years of drinking.
Jo urged Rob forward, walking faster and refusing to acknowledge their presence. "Where are you goin' so fast?" the shorter man asked, jogging towards them. "We just want to have a little chat."
Dread started to come over Jo as she felt the men get closer. She moved Rob in front of her, trying to keep herself in between the boy and the possible threat behind them. The smell of alcohol burned the inside of her nose and she shuddered as the short man suddenly grabbed her arm and yanked Jo to a stop. "I asked you where you were going," he said angrily as the second man caught up.
Jo turned to him, her jaw tight. "We were minding our own business," she spat, jerking her arm from his grasp. "And I would appreciate it if you'd do the same." She turned her back and pushed Rob ahead to continue on their way.
The short man forcefully grabbed her shoulder again, spinning her around. He stared at her, a sinister grin appearing on his face. "I'm afraid we can't do that," he said, squeezing her arm harder. "You see, we've fallen on some tough times… you know, bad investments… damn Croft," the man muttered to himself and then chuckled to Jo, "and we were hoping you could help out two poor bankers."
Jo shook her head, her anxiety turning to anger. "I have no money," she said, her teeth gritted. "And even if I did, I wouldn't be giving it to you. Now if you'll excuse us."
"Well, then," the short man laughed. "I guess you'll just have to help us out some other way."
Jo turned and looked at Rob, the fear apparent in the boy's eyes. She caught his gaze, trying to communicate her intent and thankfully, he slightly nodded in understanding. With the short man's grip still on Jo's shoulder, she suddenly threw her weight into him, hoping to catch him off guard. It was enough to knock him off balance and into the taller man, who was tossed to the ground. "Run!" she screamed to Rob; the boy dropped the poles and took off into the forest.
Unfortunately, the short man quickly regained his senses and snatched Jo's wrist as she tried to flee. Twisting her hand awkwardly, Jo felt a pop and pain shot through her body. He raised his other arm and backhanded her across the face, throwing her into the dirt. She lay there dazed, the blow stinging like thousands of little pin pricks along her cheek.
The short man crouched down beside her, his face so close, the smell and the situation making her nauseous. "Now, you're really gonna pay."
XXXXX
Nick sighed as he started into the woods, noting the quickly setting sun. Time had gotten away from him that afternoon and although he had finished the gate, it had taken much longer than he had originally thought. "Those kids," Nick muttered, shaking his head. He shifted the pack on his arm, redistributing the weight of the blanket and jars he was carrying. Even though he knew that Jo and Rob were probably done fishing, he was expecting to meet them somewhere along the path and hoped that Jo wouldn't mind a short picnic before supper.
The air had turned chilly as it blew down the path; despite the lengthy winter, the weather was finally improving so any type of warmth was appreciated. Nick adjusted the hat on his head, pulling it down to avoid losing it as another gust of wind rustled through the trees. He enjoyed spring but was more partial to the autumn season in Massachusetts. After years at sea, staring across vacant water, he rather liked watching the leaves transform their colors and experience the warm days move to a winter's chill. And following his time working in the intense heat of the Sahara, autumn was something comforting and calming. Although, the summer weather would mean more picnics with Jo, so he couldn't completely complain.
As he moved farther into the forest, the trees becoming denser, he could hear a rustling noise off to his left; the cracking of branches and swoosh of the new leaves got his attention. He stopped to listen, the sound didn't seem to be coming from any animal. It was rushed and heavy, like someone running and as it got closer, Nick could make out an outline of a small figure making its way toward him.
Suddenly, Rob shot out from the trees, nearly colliding with Nick, his breath ragged from the run. His eyes looked wild for a moment and then relief poured over his face when he realized who was in front of him. Nick smiled. "Are you winnin' the race?" he said, looking further down the path, expecting Jo to appear at any moment.
Rob shook his head, still trying to catch his breath. "N-no," he stammered, taking big gulps of air. "The men… they're hurting her."
Nick's smile disappeared, and he crouched in front of the boy. "What do ya mean? Who's hurtin' her?"
"There were two men when we were walking home," he panted. "They wanted money and Mother told me to run. The one man hit her, and I just kept running." Tears began falling down Rob's face. "I just kept running..."
Nick swallowed hard, a fearful anger beginning to build. He forced a smile and patted Rob on the shoulder. "You did good, Rob." He looked past the boy. "Where were they?"
Rob pointed into the distance. "Way down the road, not far from the pond. Where the trees made it really dark."
Nick nodded and stood, readjusting his pack once more. "All right then," he sighed, trying to remain calm. "You run on home - tell Asia your Ma and I are gonna be a little late for supper."
Rob smiled through his tears and took off again along the path. Nick watched him for a few moments before starting towards the pond. He tried to keep his focus on his footsteps, urging his legs to move faster. He just hoped he wasn't too late.