The afternoon had turned lazy for several of the children. Following Asia's assignment of daily chores, they had finished them quickly in order to allow for some free time. Dan had taken to catching up on some reading, as difficult as it was to believe to many; he had missed doing so while out on the road. Nan and Bess decided to go walk down by the river and see if they could catch anything for dinner. Nat was practicing his violin in the parlour while Tommy and Emil played checkers in the dining room.
Aside from the music swelling throughout the house, Plumfield was relatively quiet until a slight dispute arose between the checker players.
"Tommy, you can't do that," Emil complained. "You can't jump that way."
"But you did it last time!" Tommy replied, confused at the change of rules.
"That's because my pieces go in that direction and you kinged me, remember?"
"That's not fair! You never told me about that."
"Of course I did, Tommy. You just never listen."
Nat overheard the escalating argument and entered the room. "What's goin' on?"
"Emil's not playing fair," Tommy cried, hoping to find some support with Nat.
"Emil…" Nat began.
"Just stay out of this. This isn't your problem."
"But, if you were cheating…"
Emil grabbed Nat by the collar. "Look, stop stickin' your nose into other people's business."
Nat was just about to defend himself when a loud thud and the sound of breaking glass stopped everyone. "What was that?" Tommy asked.
"It sounded like it came from upstairs," Nat replied, pulling himself away from Emil and starting for the stairs. The others followed suit and as they neared the landing, they heard Dan's cries for help. Rounding the corner, smoke billowed from Jo's room and the young boys found Dan in the middle of the floor, kneeling beside an unconscious Jo, a circle of fire surrounding them.
"Oh my gosh, Dan!" Nat yelled, running into the room.
"Somebody go get Nick!" Dan cried, trying to extinguish the fire. Emil and Tommy jumped to it and raced from the room. Nat grabbed a blanket from a chair and started to pound at the bed, which was quickly being engulfed by flames. The boys were trying their best to put out the fire but the blaze was difficult to handle as the floor was covered with kerosene from a shattered lamp.
"It's not working!" Nat screamed over the noise of the flames.
"We need water!" Dan leaped up and over the fire, making his way out of the room, his mission to find something wet.
Nat realized the futility of the situation; the smoke was making it difficult to breathe. He crawled over to Jo. "C'mon, Mrs. Jo. Wake up. We gotta get out of here." As Nat shook her, Jo began to stir. "That's it. Wake up." Jo opened her eyes, blinking as the smoke stung them. "Nat?" she croaked.
Suddenly Nick came flying through the door with Dan close behind carrying water buckets. "Nat, get outta here!" Nick cried. The boy obeyed, scampering around the flames and towards the door. Nick dashed to Jo who was now sitting, confused. Scooping her up, he took her out into the hallway before heading back in to take care of the fire.
After several buckets of water and ruining numerous blankets, the fire was finally smothered out. Fortunately, the damage was contained to the area between the fireplace and Jo's bed, which had sustained much scorching to its left side. By this time many of the children had heard of the crisis and were standing out in the hall. Nick, still panting from the smoke, pushed his way out the door and found Nat stooped down beside Jo.
"Everybody okay?" Nick asked, kneeling beside them. Nat nodded and looked to Jo, whose eyes were closed but still agreed. "Yes, everyone is alright."
XXXXX
"I could have burned the house down," Jo whispered as she lay on the guestroom bed. Doctor Pierce had come and gone, prescribing some salve for the various burns that Jo, Nat and Dan had obtained and insisting they all get some serious rest. "The boys could have been hurt."
"It was an accident," Nick replied, sitting down beside her.
"Which should not have happened," she added, her jaw tightening with anger.
"Do you remember what happened?" Jo avoided his eyes and nodded. "Another nightmare?"
"Yes," she sighed. "I was struggling against something which I can only presume were the sheets and I can remember falling. I must have knocked over the lamp as well."
"And hit your head," Nick included, staring at the fresh bump on her head.
"This is so stupid," Jo chastised. "This has to stop."
"You're right about that," he agreed.
"But how?" She shook her head, frustrated.
"I think you know how." Nick looked her in the eyes. Her face paled as she agreed. Nick took her hand in his and squeezed. "Jo, tell me what happened. Everything."
She nodded, knowing she could no longer evade reliving the incident. So, she told him, starting with the break in and events that led up to their getaway. Her voice hardly wavered until speaking about the second night and how she had attained the bruise on her cheek. "That is when I got really scared," she spoke softly. Nick only held her hands tighter, urging her to continue.
The third day was much of a blur to her; the blow to her head had made the memories fuzzy. That night, however, she spoke of with great clarity. She told Nick of being awoken in the night and how Ricky had untied the ropes, insisting that she leave.
"Only two or three minutes had passed when I heard the shot. At first I thought it was meant for me but that was foolish. I knew that they were after Ricky. And I know they killed him…" Jo paused, a large knot forming in the back of her throat. "All because of me."
"Jo, don't be silly. This wasn't your fault."
"But it was. If he hadn't let me go, Ricky would not be dead."
"But you would be. And that ain't right, Jo." Nick looked at her intently.
"I know, I know. I keep telling myself that. But I can't help feeling guilty."
"Well, the way I see it, the only thing I think you're guilty of is redeemin' a man."
She shook her head. "I don't understand."
"Jo, this man, Ricky, he died knowin' he did his best to keep you from dyin' and from tearin' apart another family. That's kind of honourable, don't you think?"
A small smile appeared on Jo's face. "Yes, I guess it is."
A few short moments of silence past between them before the hall clock rang ten. "It's getting late," Nick murmured, realizing they had been talking the entire evening. "Are you feelin' better?"
"Yes, thank you." Jo nervously played with the lace on her nightgown. "Will you stay with me tonight?"
"Of course I will. 'Sides, you took my bed." Nick smiled, as he took off his boots, ready to settle in to a nearby chair. Instead, Jo scooted over to the right side of the bed and looked at Nick imploringly.
"Are you sure?" he asked, knowing that although nothing was going to happen, it was viewed as improper. Jo nodded. Nick stood, unbuttoning his dress shirt, and crawled in beside her. It was awkward at first; each trying to get comfortable but Jo finally rested her head on Nick's chest, her cheek rubbing against his undershirt. Nick wrapped his arms around her. "This okay?"
"Of course," Jo replied, yawning. "Besides, you told me you would keep the monsters away, didn't you?"
XXXXX
The carriage was sitting outside of Plumfield as Jo steadily walked down the steps. It had been almost a week since her homecoming and in that time she had recovered quite quickly. Weariness still plagued her at times but she was able to begin teaching again and things were getting back to normal.
Except for one event. Laurie had contacted Mr. Simons, informing him of their plans to come to New York and Jo's agreement to assist in convicting the two men. It was to be a short trip, a coach to Boston and then the train to New York. The entire affair only taking five days but that was time away from her family and Jo was considerably nervous. Meg was to stay at the school and while Amy would have jumped at the chance to see New York again, Laurie had convinced her to remain with Meg. The children had been through enough disruption and were in great need of more than two adults in the house. However, he had insisted that Nick join them, for Jo's sake more than anything else.
Therefore the day of departure had arrived and as the men loaded the carriage with the luggage, Jo, who was dressed in her best, was having difficulty saying goodbye.
"We'll be fine, Jo," Meg assured as she joined her sister. "There is nothing for you to worry about. The sheriff even offered to stop by once in a while to make sure everything was fine."
"And it will only be five days," Amy piped in. "I am sure we can handle that."
"I suppose," Jo said hesitantly. "Just make sure that the children are in bed on time. It has been such a problem waking them lately."
"Jo, we've done this before," Amy reminded.
Nick interrupted them. "We're all set. Ready to go?"
Jo nodded and gave both of her sisters a hug. "Have a good time," Meg said.
"That won't be easy to do, Meg."
"Well, at least try," Amy replied, giving Jo's hands a last squeeze.
Jo stooped down and gave Rob a hug. "You be good," she reminded.
"I will, Mama," he answered, receiving a kiss on the cheek.
Jo stood and with one last sigh, was helped into the carriage, followed by the two men. With a flick of the reins, they were off. Jo watched intently out the window as her family and the house got smaller.
"They will be fine, Jo," Nick comforted from beside her.
She smiled at him and nodded. "Yes, I know. I just hope I will be."
XXXXX
"It's been such a long time," Jo said as a carriage took them towards the office of Mr. Simons. She stared admirably around at the tall buildings and the memories of living there came flooding back. "The city has changed so much."
"It's always growing. New York has a larger population than most of the cities in the country combined," Laurie included, smiling at Jo's wonder.
"I think I'd probably get lost somewhere in here," Nick stated.
"Certainly not a traveler such as yourself," Jo teased. "New York must be pretty boring compared to some of the places you've been."
"Can't really say. Haven't been past the docks in this city."
"Well, we will have to change that won't we?" Jo smiled, patting Nick's hand.
"Here we are!" Laurie announced as the carriage came to a stop. The pit in Jo's stomach began to enlarge as they stepped off the coach and headed inside. The building was massive with marble floors and stone columns lining the hallway. As they approached the front desk, an older man stepped forward, a large grin on his face. "Mr. Laurence?" he asked, extending his hand.
Laurie nodded. "You must be Mr. Simons," he replied.
After returning the greeting, Mr. Simons smiled at the couple behind Laurie. "And you must be Mrs. Bhaer," he said moving towards her.
"Yes. I am grateful for all the work you have done Mr. Simons."
"It's been my pleasure. I am so happy that everything turned out well."
"And this is Nick Riley," Laurie included.
"Nice to meet ya." Nick shook his hand and stood behind Jo.
"Well, if you would all just follow me, we can get this done and over with," Mr. Simons said turning and walking towards a side door. Jo nodded and as they trailed behind, she took Nick's arm, squeezing tightly. "It's gonna be alright," Nick whispered.
They walked into a small room that contained a large desk and a few chairs. "At first I would like to ask Mrs. Bhaer a few questions," Mr. Simons said, indicating towards the one chair that sat before his desk.
Nick and Laurie nodded in recognition. "We'll just be outside," Laurie said.
Closing the door behind them, Nick took to pacing back and forth in front of the office. "She's real worried about this," he sighed.
"Yes I know," Laurie agreed, sitting in a chair beside the door. "But from all that she has told us, those two men are the ones who should be worried."
"She doesn't want to see them again." Nick took a seat next to Laurie still agitated.
"Hopefully it won't be for long."
"What about a trial? If these guys don't fess up to this…" Nick paused. "I don't want her goin' through somethin' like that."
"We will have to see what happens." Laurie began to smile. "And we'll just have to ensure that this trip is memorable for other reasons."
XXXXX
After what seemed like hours to the two men, the office door opened as Jo and Mr. Simons exited. "We will just take a quick trip down this way and then I can let you good people go."
Jo nodded and smiled weakly at her two escorts. "You okay?" Nick asked as he fell into step with her.
"I will be," she answered.
"They've been detained in one of our back houses," Mr. Simons began as they made their way down the hallway. "And I'm afraid the only way we can do this properly, is, well… they will be able to see you."
Jo swallowed hard. "I imagined it would be that way."
"But please don't worry. We will ensure there is no further contact with any of your family. Especially considering what these men have done, there is very little chance of release."
They reached the end of the hall and came to another doorway. "Ready?" Mr. Simons asked. Jo nodded.
"Can we come in?" Nick questioned, protectively hovering behind Jo.
"Of course." Mr. Simons opened the door and they walked into a long, dark room filled with cells. "Just down here." They followed quickly behind the man, Laurie and Nick on either side of Jo.
As they neared the cell, Jo's stomach began to do somersaults; fears of false accusations and the possibility that these men might still be out to find her filled her mind. Jo bit her bottom lip as the two men she had spent three horrifying days with, stood before her. They stared at her, at first, blankly and then with angry recognition. Jo was transfixed, her legs unable to move her for several moments until Nick's hand found hers.
"Is this them?" Mr. Simons asked, watching the men carefully.
"Yes," she whispered. She felt their eyes bore into her.
"Good. That's all I need."
Jo sighed with relief and they all turned to leave. "You were suppose to die, Girly," the leader's voice called from behind them. Nick turned back suddenly, his anger apparent. He was about to throw himself at them when he noticed Jo's arm atop his.
"But I didn't," she said bravely. She took Nick's hand and walked out of the room.