She opened her eyes and found herself standing in the hallway of the hospital in Concord, Massachusetts.

Was it all just a dream, then? For how long was I away?

She took a few steps and rounded a corner. A middle-aged man was sitting in a row of seats, checking his smart phone.

So he was back.

"Fritz! Where have you been?"

He looked up and blinked, surprised.

"Why, I was just sitting here, waiting for you to get back from the restroom. Is everything all right?"

"I - I guess so." Shaken, she sat beside him. He gave her a quick hug.

"I know you are very concerned about your mother, Josephine, but try not to worry too much. I am sure she will be fine."

I'm back at the exact moment I was at before I left. Mom fell and hurt her ankle. I drove her to the hospital, leaving Beth at home. But - where did Fritz come from?

First he was there, and then he wasn't. And now he's back...

What an experience! She'd rescued Dieter, married him, bore his children, traveled with him, and in the end had been rushed to the hospital, near death.

What did happen to Martina? Did she die? Where are Dieter? Paul? Freddy?

I want my family back!

Suddenly she was sobbing, tears streaming from her eyes, her lungs shuddering in great gulps of air.

She heard the alarm in Fritz's voice as he tried his best to comfort her.

"Please do not cry, Josephine! I promise you, it will be all right; truly, it will be!"

Jo felt herself collapse into his comforting arms, going limp under the overwhelming emotions she was feeling.

Was Fritz the key to the whole situation? Did he have something to do with her being pulled back in time, into Martina's life, and then being thrust forward, back into her own life - the life she'd thought was lost to her forever? Could he, in fact, be the third son of Dieter and Martina, born as a result of the crisis she'd experienced?

Of course not - he was far too young, and besides, he had a different last name.

Still - could he have changed his last name at some point?

That still wouldn't solve the problem of the age gap.

"Are you all right, Jo?" Her mother's voice broke into her reverie. She saw that she was holding crutches, and that her ankle was bandaged. She had to resist the urge to jump to her feet and hold her tight in her arms.

"I believe Josephine was overwhelmed with concern for you," said Fritz. "I am sure she is still anxious about Beth as well."

"We both are," said Mrs. March. "I'm lucky; the ankle isn't broken, only sprained. I'm to stay off it for a couple of weeks and then return to my regular doctor if I'm still having trouble."

"I'm awfully glad you're all right!" said Jo.

"As am I," added Fritz. "I assume we're ready to leave, then?"

"I just need to run by the pharmacy real quick to get my pain meds filled," Mrs. March replied.

"That will not be a problem at all," said Fritz.

They walked back out to the parking lot, where Jo saw, not her mother's car, but Fritz's dark blue BMW.

Wait a minute; I was the one who drove us here...

Knowing better than to question things by this time, Jo silently got into the back seat, while Fritz helped Mrs. March into the front passenger seat.

They arrived at the March home to find Beth resting comfortably on the sofa. She jumped up as they entered the house.

"Mom! Are you OK?"

"I'm fine," Mrs. March told her youngest daughter. "Please don't worry about me."

"But your foot!"

"She just has to stay off it for a few days," said Jo. "But that doesn't mean extra work for you. I'll do all the extra work."

"And I, of course, will help in every way possible," Fritz added.

"You're such a darling," Mrs. March told him, patting his arm. "How did you ever find a jewel like this in New York City, Jo?'

Fritz flushed bright red. Jo felt bad for him. She knew how modest he was.

"Oh, look at the time!" said Mrs. March. "I need to get dinner ready - if I can."

"Oh no, no, madam. You will do nothing of the sort." Fritz had his arm around her, supporting her, leading her to the sofa. "I shall take care of everything while you sit here and rest."

Something about his manner seemed to echo that of Dieter - or maybe it was all in Jo's imagination.

"Jo, fetch a twenty out of my purse," said Mrs. March.

Jo did so, and handed it to Fritz, who left right away.

Less than five minutes after he'd left, Beth's phone chirped.

"Jonas!" she cried with delight when she saw who it was.

Watching her younger sister's animated conversation, Jo recalled that, right before her mother's accident, she'd been about to google Dieter's name. Now was her chance.

Fear of what she might learn froze her in her tracks. What if it turned out Martina had died - or the baby? What if something had later happened to Dieter, or to one of the boys?

She couldn't bear to find out. For her, it would have to remain a mystery.

Fritz returned with buckets of fried chicken, biscuits, mashed potatoes, and coleslaw for everyone.

"Did the twenty cover everything?" asked Mrs. March.

"Almost," Fritz told her.

"How much do I owe you?"

"Why, nothing at all! It was my pleasure."

So like Dieter.

Jo had to swallow a lump in her throat.

She was pulled from her warm, safe home, into a world that was noisy and cold. She opened her mouth in a thin wail of protest, air filling her lungs. Her arms and legs flailed in uncoordinated, jerky movements.

A soft, wet cloth caressed her skin, and then she was wrapped in a warm blanket, snug and tight, as she'd been before. She opened her eyes, squinting as they were flooded with color, different shades and hues blending together in an overwhelming kaleidoscope.

Someone held her close, speaking to her in low, soothing tones. She'd heard the voice before, but it had never sounded this crisp and clear. Drowsy and calm, she drifted to sleep.