The trail stretched out ahead of the two horses; Dan's laden with their supplies as to allow Nick's to carry two people. Jo pressed her cheek against Nick's back, her hands tightening around his waist as the path took a steep dip. She had been covered with three heavy blankets and her clothing, now dry, felt warmer than it had in days. Nick had insisted on giving her his socks as her feet were near frostbite and her boots, completely tattered, should have been left behind.
The slow, methodic trot of the horses had begun to work its magic and was gradually lulling Jo to sleep. She wanted to remain alert; listening to Nick and Dan talk was music to her ears. But exhaustion and the feeling of security had taken over and it wasn't long before her eyes closed and Nick felt her body relax against him.
He looked over to Dan riding beside him and smiled. "She asleep?"
Dan peered around and nodded, "Yeah. She was real tired before we left."
Nick took in the boy's worried expression. "She's gonna be for a while. The cold has a way of doin' that to a body. But she'll be back to her old self in no time."
Dan smiled. "Yeah, she will be." He looked around the woods. "When do you think we'll get back?"
Nick thought for a moment. "I'd say at least another two days. Probably stop a lot in order to rest."
"Everybody must be worried sick."
"I'm sure most of the other search parties have already turned back, if not at home already," Nick said, agreeing with Dan.
"I'm sure that they know you wouldn't stop until you found Mrs. Jo."
Nick grinned. "They'd be right."
XXXXX
Plumfield, a normally rambunctious and busy home, was now somber and melancholy. Four days had past and the impact of the missing teacher had taken its toll. Chores had been left undone, beds unmade and the kitchen table, although rarely used now, still supported several teacups and saucers. Asia had done her job, making sure that the home and school was in order, yet the usual care and attention was not there. No one was feeling up to doing much of anything and so the children had taken to their rooms while Laurie, Amy, Meg and Asia spent most of their time in the parlour.
"Sheriff said that they found no trace of her, not even tracks," Laurie mumbled as he took a seat on the sofa beside his wife. "Everyone else has returned. They said the same thing."
"One would think that with so many people, going in so many directions, someone would find something," Amy sighed, taking a sip of her tea.
"They will find somethin'. Still haven't heard back from New York." Asia stood and made her way into the kitchen.
"Poor Nick," Meg began. "He must be going mad out there. And Dan… I hope they get back soon."
Laurie nodded. "They should be home any day now."
"Nick will not leave without finding her. You know that Laurie," Amy chastised.
"He wouldn't risk it with Dan along. He knows Jo would never forgive him if he did."
At the mention of her name, the room became quiet; the sound of clinking cups filling the space. Suddenly, horse hooves were heard coming up the way and stopping in front of the house. Asia came from the kitchen to answer the door.
"Sheriff," she said hopefully, "what are you doing here?"
"A telegram came for Mr. Laurence. I figured you would want to read it right away." The sheriff made his way into the parlour and handed Laurie the paper.
Slowly Laurie opened the paper, his fingers shaking. "Dear Mr. Laurence," he began, "Early this afternoon my deputy apprehended two suspects that fit the description of the men who had abducted Mrs. Bhaer. Along with them, he found a dark horse with a saddle stamped "Bhaer"." Smiles appeared on everyone's face before Laurie continued.
His own smile disappeared as he read the next few lines. "Unfortunately, Mrs. Bhaer was not with them and the suspects refuse to answer any questions concerning the matter. I will keep you posted." Laurie folded the paper. "Sincerely, Mr. A Simons."
Amy let out a small cry as Laurie grabbed her hand. "What does this mean?"
Meg breathed deeply and tried to reassure her sister. "There is still hope Amy. There is always hope."
XXXXX
"I wonder if Mr. Gerson ever got back all of that feed?" Dan asked as he took a bite of the sandwich Nick had prepared. The trio had stopped for the night; Nick and Dan were sitting by the fire enjoying the last of the original food supply while Jo was huddled asleep nearby. She had slept most of the day's journey using Nick's back as a pillow and while Nick wanted her to eat, the only thing she could imagine doing was getting back to sleep.
"He probably picked up what we had at Plumfield but it's doubtful that he'll ever get the rest of it."
Dan laughed knowing that Nick was right. "We'll have to make sure we buy some before it's all gone."
"I'll go into town after we get home." Nick packed up the remaining food and stretched out alongside the fire. "I hope it doesn't get too cold tonight."
"There is plenty of wood around," Dan suggested. "We can keep the fire goin' all night."
A small sound came from beside them; Dan and Nick turned to find it coming from Jo.
"No," she mumbled softly.
"No?" Dan asked. He looked at Nick. "What do ya mean, Mrs. Jo?"
"Please… no…" she said again.
Nick shook his head. "I don't think she's awake. Jo?" Nick stood and made his way over to her side. He found her quivering slightly, her hands clutched into fists. "Jo?" he whispered again.
"Please don't shoot!" Jo exclaimed. Nick knelt beside her and shook her gently, trying to wake her. "NO!" she screamed, sitting straight up.
Nick was taken aback and grabbing her arms, forced her awake. "Jo, it's okay. You're dreaming."
Jo's eyes were round and after focusing on the figure in front of her, she threw her arms around Nick's neck and began to sob. "Shhh," Nick murmured. "It was just a dream."
He sat down on the ground and pulled her into his lap, wrapping the blankets that had fallen, around her. She continued to cry and Nick believed she wasn't quite awake until she lifted her head from his shoulder and through choked sobs spoke, "Don't leave me."
Nick's eyes stung with tears as he held Jo tightly. "I'm not gonna leave ya. Never again."
As the night wore on, Dan remained by the fire, feeding it when the flames became low. Nick stayed with Jo, holding her on his lap, trying to keep her demons away. After her cries had subsided, Jo fell right to sleep again, this time no dreams came.
XXXXX
It was mid-morning and the two horses had already inhabited the trail for several hours. The night had been long with Dan sleeping very little and Nick, not at all. They had left before dawn; Nick's desire was to make as much distance as possible. They still had over a day's worth of traveling to do but Nick wanted to get home. Jo was barely awake when they had begun and was now drifting in and out of consciousness.
Dan yawned and looked around. "I think I remember passing by this before. But there are so many trees, they all look the same."
"The stream is just over the ridge," Nick pointed out. "We camped out around here the second night."
Dan nodded and laid eyes on Jo. "Nick?" he questioned. The boy's face caught Nick's concern.
"What's wrong?"
"It's Mrs. Jo. She looks flushed."
Nick stopped his horse and tried to turn around to check on her. "C'mon Jo. Wake up."
Jo stirred slightly. Nick got her to sit up enough to dismount and lift her down. He set her down beneath a large oak while Dan dismounted as well. Nick ran his hand over her cheeks and kissed her forehead. "She's got a fever." Nick covered her shoulders with the blanket. "Dan, get me the canteen."
The boy ran to his horse, acquiring the bottle and handed it to Nick. "Is it bad?"
Nick opened the container and after pouring some onto his handkerchief, placed the water to Jo's lips. "C'mon Jo. Drink." She tiredly obeyed.
"Is it bad?" Dan repeated, kneeling down beside them.
Nick positioned the wet cloth on Jo's forehead. "No, not yet. But we've gotta get her home quick. We've got nothing to keep the fever down…" Nick became lost in his own thoughts. Dan waited anxiously while Nick sorted through the possibilities. He finally stood and grabbing his last blanket, wrapped Jo in it and carried her back to his horse. "We're gonna keep ridin'," he explained, arranging her on the animal. "We'll see how bad this gets and decide what to do from there." Nick climbed up in front of Jo and placed her hands around his waist to keep her from slipping away from him. Dan remained on the ground, staring questioningly at Nick. "There is nothing else we can do," Nick said defeated.
Dan nodded and sighed, walking back to his horse. They set off once again, hoping that Plumfield would appear much quicker than they knew it would.
XXXXX
"How is she?" Dan asked. It was late afternoon and Nick had decided to stop briefly at a nearby pool to rest.
"She's still pretty warm," he replied as he laid Jo against a tree. She stirred while he wiped her face with a cool cloth. "Hey there," Nick said when she opened her eyes.
It took a few moments for her to focus but Jo smiled after seeing Nick. "Where are we?" she whispered, having difficulties speaking.
"We just stopped for a little while. Needed to take a break," he explained, pouring more water onto the handkerchief.
"How are you feeling, Mrs. Jo?" Dan inquired and sat down beside them.
She smiled at the boy, trying to ease his mind. "I just want to go home," she answered.
"Well, we'll be there before ya know it." Nick stood and wandered down by the water. "Dan? I gotta ask you somethin'."
Dan followed and stood beside the caretaker. "She's real sick, isn't she?"
Nick shook his head. "The fever is from bein' out in the cold so much. But I'm afraid she's too tired to fight it off. So, I was wonderin' … we're more than a day away from bein' home… but if we could ride all night…"
Dan nodded. "We would be at Plumfield by tomorrow. It's a good idea, Nick."
"Look, if you're feelin' too tired, we could stay the night."
"No, we need to get home. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
Nick grinned. "Thanks Dan. We'll get packed up and get goin'."
XXXXX
The night had been clear; the moon high in the sky allowing for enough light to seep through the trees and the pathway to be seen. They had stopped several times both for Jo's sake and for Nick and Dan's. Lack of sleep took its toll on the two rescuers and although they refused to admit it, their own beds called out to them while their eyes drooped with each trot of the horse.
It was now well past noon and as they reached the edge of the Plumfield property, everyone seemed to relax. Dan smiled as they passed by trees he had climbed and trails he had run around in a foot race. "It feels good to be home," he said looking up at the sky.
Nick nodded. "I think we're gonna have a lot of happy people in about an hour." He patted Jo's hands that hugged his middle. "Someone is gonna need to fetch Dr. Pierce once we get back to Plumfield."
"I'll ride ahead and tell 'em we're alright. And then send for the doc." Nick grinned at Dan, thanking him for the offer and watched as the boy raced off towards the house.
He kept his steady pace, not wanting to jostle Jo. Her fever was still present; perspiration now covered her face and the moments of consciousness were few and far between. Nick hoped that once home her exhaustion as well as the fever would subside and she would soon be back to normal.
The trees began to thin out and at the edge of the field, a grin appeared on Nick's face. In the distance stood Plumfield and in all of his years at sea, the feeling of a return had never compared to the sensation he felt at that moment. He was home and he had with him the one thing that completed that emotion. Nick gently tapped Jo's fingers. "Jo," he whispered, trying to wake her. "Jo, look. We're home."
He felt her rouse, her head lifting from Nick's shoulder. He turned slightly in the saddle and saw her staring out across the pasture. "Home…" she said with feverish eyes. She beamed despite the fatigue that enveloped her.
"Yep. And everyone's waitin' for you." Nick turned back around and urged the horse to go a little faster. There was nothing standing in their way now.