Mandie slept feverishly, clutching her baby to her.
Mandie dreamt about Joe.
"Joe!" Mandie sobbed, racing to her husband, who stood there.
Joe's face broke into a smile.
"Mandie!" He called, waving to her.
Mandie wrapped her arms about his neck, and clung to him tightly, tears running down her cheeks.
"I have to go now. I love you, and I'll come back." Joe said, his smile never fading.
"No! Joe, don't leave me! Don't leave me! They're going to kill you!" Mandie sobbed hysterically, clinging to him tighter.
"I love you! Goodbye!" Joe called, his smile still unfading, and despite Mandie's efforts, she could not run anymore, or move anything, and she stood there and sobbed.
Joe was waving as he got on a train, and waved until the train was out of sight, leaving Mandie sobbing.
A baby's thin wail broke through Mandie's dream.
Mandie sat up, a sob caught in her throat, and felt the other side of the bed, hoping against hope that Joe would somehow be there.
The bed was empty, and contained only herself.
Mandie picked up Ned from the crib, and rocked him, singing a faint lullaby, tears making her voice tremble.
'I have to escape, and find Joe-and fast!' Mandie resolved.
Uncle Ned walked along the train tracks, along with Dr. Woodard, and Mr. Shaw, and a few Cherokee braves, trying to find clues.
They had recently found Mandie and Joe's house empty, and a note saying that they left to go with Mr. and Mrs. Morton in Ireland, saying that the couple was in an accident.
However, Mr. and Mrs. Morton were with John Shaw! Mandie and Joe didn't know, because they were planning a surprise visit.
Uncle Ned was the first one to spot what seemed like a hat caught on a bush. Uncle Ned picked it up, and examined it, finding a paper on it.
"John. Look." Uncle Ned said, giving the note to John, who could read better.
"It reads as follows; Help. Amanda, Joe, and Ned Woodard are being kidnapped. Heading to Ireland on the 12:30 train on monday, october 10th. Alert Mr. John Shaw. Ringleader is called Sullivan. Two blonde and two red haired men. Adrian O'connor's cousins. Send help. -Joe Woodard."
John had a dazed look.
"I didn't know it would lead to this-" He muttered.
"What's that, John?" Dr. Woodard asked.
"Nothing. Nothing. We're going to Ireland." John said.
The rest of the men nodded in agreement, and they went back to the train station.
Joe opened his eyes. He sat up and looked around. He was in a quaint, tidy little room, with wooden walls. Moonlight poured through a window, displaying the beautiful Ireland scenery.
Joe's hands were tied.
Joe stood up, and looked around for something to untie his hands with. After five minutes of an unsuccessful search, Joe attempted to open the window. It was locked.
Joe thought about breaking it, but then figured that Sullivan or Sean might be near, and catch him. Joe tried opening the door, and to his surprise found it open.
Joe stepped out of the room, and into what seemed like the main room.
There was a fireplace, and a dining table. Towards the south end of the room, there was a small kitchen and pantry. By the fire, in two rocking chairs, sat Sullivan and Sean, snoring.
Joe wandered into the kitchen, looking for something to cut his ropes. Joe found a bread knife on the counter, and carefully picked it up. Joe slowly sawed away at the ropes, and soon was free. Joe nodded in satisfaction, and put the knife back, and put the remains of the rope in the trash bin. Joe ate some potatoes and ham he found in the pantry. Joe turned back to the fireplace, where Sullivan and Sean still slept.
Joe hopefully tiptoed past them, and tried turning the front door knob. It stubbornly refused to budge, making a noise. Joe winced, and looked back.
Sullivan and Sean still snored soundly.
Joe realized that the latch was on.
'Silly of me! That was close.' Joe thought, lifting the latch slowly.
The door opened with a squeak.
Joe stepped out into the open, closing the door behind him. He breathed in the fresh ireland air, and looked around. In the distance, about a hundred yards away, was the big o'connor mansion. Joe knew Mandie was held there. Looking around cautiously, Joe darted off to the mansion, under the bright moonlight.
Mandie lay awake, wondering, and planning out an escape in her mind. How would she escape without being caught. Fortunately, her room was on the first floor, so getting out the window shouldn't be a problem. But where would she go? Mandie sighed deeply, her heart aching.
"Oh, if only you were with me, Joe!" Mandie murmured, a tear coursing down her cheek.
Mandie got up, with a sudden urge to see Joe's face, and got out her wallet. The faces of her father, and Joe and little Ned smiled up at her.
"If only I knew that was the last time I'd see you!" Mandie whispered, her tears falling freely.
Mandie heard a noise. She looked up, and saw the room's window being opened, and a tall man climbed in.
Mandie gasped, choking back her tears, and stood in front of her baby.
"Please, don't hurt me!" Mandie said huskily, wiping her tears away.
The man looked up at her.
Mandie immediately recognized him. It was Joe!
"Mandie! Oh, thank God it's you," Joe said, closing the window behind him.
Mandie let out a sob of relief.
"Joe! Oh, thank God!" Mandie choked, and she ran into his waiting arms.
Joe hugged her fiercely, kissing her and resting his cheek on her hair.
Mandie embraced him tightly, making sure it wasn't a dream this time.
"Joe! They tricked me into coming here! They said Grandmother had an accident!-" Mandie began.
"Shh, dear, I already know. I know." Joe said, his eyes had that look that made her heart beat faster.
Mandie stifled her sobs, and sniffled as Joe made her sit down on the bed.
Joe sat on the bed next to her, and gave her his handkerchief, hugging her. They watched little Ned sleep peacefully.
"What are we going to do?" Mandie asked, looking up to him.
Joe sighed, and ran his fingers through his hair.
"I don't know. If we plan to escape, we need our rest. I suppose we could wait another day until we escape." Joe said.
"Nobody comes in here, so I think you could hide out in here. I could bring you some food after the meals. Oh, and I packed you clothes." Mandie said thoughtfully.
"I suppose that would work. But for now, you need your rest. Oh, I haven't taken off this coat in forever!" Said Joe, sighing as he let go of Mandie to take off his coat.
"More like a week," Mandie corrected.
"Oh, well a week, but it felt like forever. Let's not argue, Mandie, please?" Said Joe, hugging her again.
"I won't. I'm just glad you're back." Mandie said, with a smile.
Joe smiled and nodded.
"Well, we ought to get some rest, should we not?" said Joe.
"We should," Mandie agreed.
Joe stood up.
"You said you packed some clothes for me, did you happen to pack some sleepwear?" Joe asked, looking at the luggage.
"Oh, yes, your clothes are in the green carpet bag." Mandie said, pointing to it.
Joe nodded, and rummaged in it, and then went to the restroom to get dressed.
Mandie laid down in the bed and pulled the blanket over her.
Joe soon came out in fresh nightclothes, and got into bed beside her.
Mandie slept peacefully, feeling his warmth next to her and slept peacefully, thanking God that she and her family were together again, and would find a way out.
