Everyone had gathered in the parlour, the underlying thoughts taking hold of the children. It was the sixth day. There had been no contact with Nick or Dan and the two men in New York would not speak. Nat and Nan had taken to playing round after round of checkers, their minds so far away that the board would remain untouched for long periods of time. Bess was huddled in a wingback chair with her sketchbook, drawing the room around her and wishing that the picture would be a happier one. Emil sat with Rob in a corner and read the same storybook three times, each time using different voices to bring a smile to the sad boy's face.
The adults were in no better condition. Tea was constantly on the stove and the four consumed cup after cup. Tensions were high and the few words spoken were mere 'Excuse me' and 'Thank you' phrases. Laurie had missed so many appointments throughout the week that he had opened up office at Plumfield and his papers were strung along the dining room table, trying to maintain a level of consistency in his life. Meg and Amy had moved into the guest room keeping vigil with several of the children who were finding the nights at Plumfield particularly difficult to deal with.
Tommy was the first to hear the horse hooves nearing the front of the house. Not entirely sure of the origin, he got to his feet and wandered over to the window. His eyes seemed to be deceiving him as he caught sight of Dan jumping from his horse and running towards the door.
"It's Dan!" Tommy cried as the front door opened. The shock of the statement caused many to rise to their feet as the young man ran through the hallway and stopped at the parlour door. He was out of breath, his clothes dirty from the nights in the mud and rain but seemed to be unscathed. Asia stepped forward to give him a hug.
"It's good to see you're alright," she said, preventing the boy from speaking.
"Yes it certainly is. When the two of you didn't return, we began to worry," Meg added, leading him into the room and sitting him in a chair. He was instantly bombarded with greetings and worried pats on the back such that the situation got away from Dan and although he enjoyed the embraces he received from his family, his objective was not accomplished.
"Where is Nick?" Laurie finally asked.
A smile appeared on his lips. "He'll be here shortly," Dan began. "With Mrs. Jo, he wanted to go a little slower."
Meg gasped while Amy placed her hand over her mouth and closed her eyes. Asia stepped through the crowd of people gathered around Dan and sighed. "You found her."
Dan nodded. "About two days ago. Nick found her in the woods." He stood, remembering his mission. "We have to get Dr. Pierce." He made his way towards the door intending to do it himself.
Laurie stepped in front of him. "I'll get Dr. Pierce. You've had enough excitement for quite awhile." He gathered his coat and left, finally being able to do something about the situation.
Rob pulled on Dan's dirty jacket and looked up at him with a smile. "Mama's okay?"
"Of course she is, Rob. Your Ma is just fine."
XXXXX
As Nick neared the house, he noticed four figures standing on the porch. Asia, Jo's sisters and Dan came into view, each smiling with relief. The windows were filled with children's heads intent on seeing their teacher once again.
"How is she?" Asia asked as she came down the steps to meet the horse.
"Fever is getting bad. We've got to get her into a bath, get her warm again," Nick answered. Dan steadied Jo on the horse while Nick jumped down and pulling her into his arms, charged up the steps and into the house.
Jo was barely conscious, unaware as Nick carried her upstairs into her bedroom. Laying her on the bed, the women took over, having their first look at the bruising and scrapes that covered her while Nick stood back, still wanting to be near her but completely exhausted.
Asia brought in a bowl of water and some clean clothes while Meg and Amy prepared to remove the tattered ones. "Did they hurt her?" Asia whispered to Nick as she passed by. He shook his head, not taking his eyes off the bed.
She set the bowl on the bedside table and turned to him. "Why don't you go and get cleaned up? We'll take care of her and get her into a bath." Nick looked at her doubtfully. "It's okay, Nick. We'll call ya when the doctor gets here." Nick nodded finally, realizing that it was not appropriate for him to be present. Slipping from the room, worry still plagued his mind. He climbed down the back stairs, trying to avoid a barrage of children, questions and attention. He needed to be alone, needed to find time to deal with what had just occurred over the past several days. Nick had tried to be strong, forcing himself to push back any of the emotions that had surfaced during that time. But now that he could be alone and there was, in reality, nothing else he could do, something had to give.
Nick found his way outside and into his barn room. The belongings he had packed for Boston were still on the floor where he had thrown them in their rush to leave. He wandered over to his bed, sitting down and picked up a bag nearby. Inside he found a small velvet pouch and swallowed hard. It took every fiber of his being to keep sitting there and not run up to the house and watch Jo's reaction to the gift. Nick placed it under his pillow and his head followed suit. Tears running down his cheeks, Nick curled himself into a ball, exhaustion overtaking him. After six days, Nick finally fell asleep.
XXXXX
The crickets were chirping when Nick Riley awoke. At first, the past week seemed like a dream; the events were just bad memories. However, once Nick caught sight of the clothes he was wearing, he knew that it was reality. He leaped up and after quickly changing his shirt, dashed over to the house, worried that through his sleep, something may have happened.
The kitchen was empty and as he entered the back door the grandfather clock struck twelve. Nick felt dread fill his body and he climbed up the stairs, unsure of the situation he would find. Turning towards Jo's bedroom, he found Asia sitting by her bedside. Asia smiled as he came towards her but noticed how concerned he was.
"We didn't want to wake you," she tried to explain. Nick looked at Jo, bundled in blankets and clean from the journey.
"How is she?" He sat down on the bed beside her. "What did the doctor say?"
Asia patted his arm. "She is going to be fine. Dr. Pierce said her fever is a complication from the exposure. But it's not too high and he said other than being real tired, she is all right."
Nick picked up Jo's hand and gently squeezed. "What about her wrists? Did he do anything about 'em?"
"He wrapped them again. Dan said that you cleaned 'em well and Dr. Pierce said they weren't infected." Asia stood knowing Nick needed time alone. "Don't stay up too late." She moved towards the door and gently closed it behind her.
Nick took Asia's place and still holding her hand spoke quietly to Jo. "You really scared me, Josephine Bhaer. You gotta promise me that you'll never to something like that again… And I know what you'd say. I've done my share of scarin' but what do you say? We're even now, okay?" Nick smiled and shifted in his seat. "You are the most important thing in my life, Jo. You and the kids, you're my family and that is something that I didn't have much of before. And I treasure that a lot. I hope that you know that. 'Cause I love you Jo." Nick paused for a few moments. "And I will my entire life."
Nick sat back in the chair and gently played with Jo's fingers. Closing his eyes, he tried to fix the feeling in his mind. There were many times he had touched Jo over the past several days but her hands were finally warm and despite what they had gone through, her skin was still as soft as it had always been. Sighing, Nick relaxed into the chair and began to fall asleep.
In half slumber, Nick was startled to find fingers playing along with his. As he moved his hand, the fingers intertwined and the thumb gently caressed his rough palm. Nick opened his eyes to find Jo's eyes wide open and a smile brightening up her pallor features.
"You should be sleeping," he whispered with a teasing tone.
"So should you," she replied, meant seriously.
"I missed you too much."
"That is no excuse." Jo sighed and squeezed his hand. "Nick, I'm all right. I promise."
"I just wanted to make sure. But if it's all the same, and if you don't mind, I think I'll just stay right here." Nick's eyes looked expectantly at her, hoping that he wasn't being too forward.
Jo shook her head. "That would be fine with me. More than fine."
"Then we both better get some sleep. We'll have breakfast in the morning." Nick watched her as she closed her eyes and shutting his own fell into a comfortable sleep, their hands never parting from the other's.
XXXXX
"Meg, please stop fussing." Jo was sitting up in bed although only a day had past. "I am feeling so much better." Her fever had dissipated enough and the days of sleep had relieved some of the exhaustion.
"I know you may think that, Josephine, but as your big sister, you are stuck with me," Meg said resolutely, pulling up on Jo's quilt. "You went through quite an ordeal. You need the time to rest and be taken care of."
"And I appreciate everything. But I am home now and I am sure you and the twins would like to return to your own home."
Meg sat on the edge of the bed. "Maybe later on today but for now I am staying put."
"We both are," Amy called from the doorway, carrying a tray of tea. "Besides, this could be fun. Just the three of us, spending the day together." She gave each of her sisters a cup before setting the tray aside and sitting on the other side of Jo. Jo just sighed and gave in to her persuasive siblings.
"Oh, you've missed so much gossip, Jo. Mrs. Harrisburg told Mrs. Ewen that she saw Mr. Nubauer…"
"Amy, please," Meg said incredulously. "I'm sure Jo doesn't want to hear about things like that."
"But it's so unbelievable. I had to have Mrs. Ewen repeat herself."
Jo giggled to herself and patted Amy's hand. "Maybe later, Amy dear."
The three girls sat sipping their tea in a few moments of silence, a slight uncomfortable feeling passing between them.
"Your cheek is looking a lot better," Amy said nervously, trying to make small talk.
Jo shyly touched the side of her face, embarrassed with the memories it brought. "The swelling must have gone down."
"Dr. Pierce said he wants to check it later to ensure that your sight wasn't damaged," Meg added.
The silence returned, each sister uncertain with the looming topic. They smiled a couple of times to each other and then stared back into the teacups in their hands. The quiet got the best of Amy and frustrated with the week's events whispered, "Were you scared Jo?"
The question startled her at first but as tears stung her eyes, Jo nodded. "Yes… yes I was, Amy." She took a shaky breath. "I was very scared. I thought I would never see my family again."
Meg gave her sister a sympathetic look and took her hand. "So were we. We were expecting the worst."
"But that didn't happen, now did it?" Amy smiled. "Things happened the way they were supposed to."
Tears ran down Jo's cheeks and with a determined laugh she said, "Everybody should know by now that nothing could keep the March girls apart. Nothing at all."