"Hey Dan", Nan looked back over each shoulder to be sure no one else could
hear, "You seen Nick today?"
"Yeah, this morning, why?"
"He looks cleaned up!"
"Cleaned up?", Dan chuckled, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"He's been working on the porch railing all morning and I don't even think
there's anything wrong with it! I think he's waiting to talk to Mrs. Jo."
"Yeah, so? He talks to Mrs. Jo everyday Nan", Dan shook his head.
"You never noticed the way they look at each other? Boy, you're worse than I
thought!", and she walked away.
"What's that supposed to mean?", Dan shouted, and then he waved his hand and
headed for the barn.

Nan went up to the porch, "Hey Nick, what are ya doin'?"
"Thought I'd tighten up a few of these loose railings", Nick smiled softly at
her and used his hammer to point to the railing, although he thought she
didn't believe him, "Do you need me to do something?"
"No, not at all. Have you seen Mrs. Jo?"
"Just earlier. Think she's inside though", he looked away, "if you need
her......."

Nan laughed and ran into the house. She found Mrs. Jo writing at her desk,
"Mrs Jo?", she said as she stayed in the doorway.
Jo looked up from her writing, "Nan, what can I do for you?"
"It's just a nice day, don't you want to go sit on the porch?", Nan smiled
brightly.
"Maybe later, I've got some work to do", Jo went back to her work.
"Can't you do that work later?", Nan raised her eyebrows.
Jo sighed and put down her pen, "I suppose I could Nan. I shouldn't waste
this beautiful day, should I?"

Nan smiled and nodded and ran out to the porch. She was glad to see Nick
still hammering. He looked at her and continued his work, with a small
chuckle. He stopped when Jo came out the door, "Hi Jo", he said softly.
"Hello Nick", she looked at the railing and then out toward the yard, "Nice
day, isn't it?"
"Yup, one of the prettiest", he smiled and stood up, leaning on a column.
They both glanced at each other and smiled slightly. Jo sat in a chair, "I
should bring work out here, I mean you're busy at work and I shouldn't just
sit here.."
"Actually, I'm about done here. Would you like to take a walk?", Nick asked
nervously, switching the hammer from hand to hand.
Jo licked her lips, rubbed her palms on her thighs and stood up, "Yes....that
would be lovely."
Nick put the hammer on the railing and motioned for Jo to lead the way down
the porch steps. She did and he followed and they walked through the yard.

Nan was watching from the barn, "Yes! I just knew it!"
"Knew what?", asked Nat, who came walking through the barn.
"Look! Ms Jo and Nick, they're taking a walk!"
Nat raised an eyebrow to Nan, "Ah huh, and what does that mean?"
Nan sighed deeply, "Don't you get it? I think they're crazy about each
other!"
Nat replied, "You're the crazy one! They're not crazy about each other."
Nan looked at him and shook her head.

"So Nick", said Jo her hands clenched behind her back, "Are you thinking of
going back on a sea adventure?"
Nick stopped and looked at her, "Why? Aren't you happy with the work I've
been doing at the school?"
"Oh, of course......I just...I thought you might be missing your adventures!"
Nick relaxed a bit, "I figure I'm having new adventures right here at
Plumfield."
"Yes", she smiled, "aren't we all?"
"You know, feel free to give me more to do, I mean don't ever feel like you
can't ask me anything.....", he looked at her.
"I will", she laughed softly, "speaking of asking you to do something, how's
Dan doing? I mean with helping you out?"
"Dan's a great kid, he's doing fine. They're all great", he replied, "Are you
worried about something with Dan?"
"No not really, but he is maturing and....."
"And what", the corners of his mouth turned up.
"I'm glad you're here to be with him, you know, help him...maybe answer
questions he may have", she looked over at him without moving her head, "you'd
do that wouldn't you?"
Nick laughed in his throat and tilted his head, "Don't know what I could tell
him, but if he asks, I'll talk to him."
"Thank you", she smiled.
"Your welcome. Getting breezy, let's head back", he said as he touched her
elbow and turned. She looked down at his hand on her arm and stopped.
"Something wrong?", he asked.
She just looked at him, smiled softly and shook her head.

Nan was looking out the window, "Where are they?"
"Who?", asked Asia, mixing greens in a bowl.
"Mrs. Jo and Nick..."
"Don't tell me you're spying on them Nan! You know better than that!", Asia
walked to the window, put her face close to Nan's, "Do you see them
anywhere?", she giggled and looked out the window.
"Are you looking for something?", asked Jo as she walked into the kitchen and
picked up a carrot. Asia and Nan spun around, nearly banging into each other.
"No, nothing at all Mrs. Jo just...."Nan looked up at Asia, who offered no
help, "....ah..wondering about the changing weather, looks bad......" Nan
elbowed Asia and they both nodded swiftly, eyes big on Mrs. Jo.

"Jo, the weather's changing pretty fast", said Nick from the doorway, "you
might want to get the laundry in, and I'll get the boys to help me in the
yard."
Jo looked at Nan and Asia, who each picked up a basket and headed out the back
door. Jo followed Nick out to the barn where they secured the horses and
checked the doors and the chicken coop. "Here comes the rain", said Nick as
it started to pour. Jo sat on a bench and sighed, "It's early in the season
for a storm like this." Dan, Nat, and Emil ran to Nick, "All set Nick:, said Dan.
"Good job boys, wait out here with us, rake up those stalls."
The wind picked up, a flash of lightning lit up the darkening sky and Nick
decided to close the door. As he walked toward the other side of the barn,
thunder boomed in the sky and a flash of lightning caused an errie glow in the
barn. Jo pulled her shawl a little tighter around her shoulders, and the boys
looked to each other, each wearing a brave face. More thunder and lightning
followed and Nick looked at Jo and simply raised his eyebrows and shrugged his
shoulders.

"Nick!! Look!!", yelled Emil as he pointed to the far corner of the barn.
Nick yelled, "Get buckets and water, hurry!"
Flames flew up the side of the barn and Jo ran towards it, "Jo! Get out of
there, don't go near the flames!", yelled Nick as he ran and grabbed her arm.
"Nick, we've got to stop it!", she yelled.
"We will, go back over there, I don't want you to get hurt!", he screamed.
The boys ran with buckets of water and Nick grabbed a blanket and ran to get
more water. She could hear the flames cracking the beams overhead and she ran
with the bucket of water, fiery beams crashed to the floor.
"Nick!", she yelled as suddenly she could no longer see him, "Boys! Nick is
trapped!", she yelled.

The boys dropped buckets and ran to Nick, Dan kicked the hot timbers aside to
get Nick. Jo helped Dan drag Nick to the middle of the barn floor. The
others distinguished the fire.
"Quick, go the house, get Asia, get some towels.....", said Jo, brushing the
hair from Nick's face and wiping burning embers from his shirt. "Nick! Nick,
can you hear me?", she started breathing rapidly and shaking his shoulders, he
didn't respond.

"What happened?", yelled Asia as she reached them, "Oh Nick.....", she knelt
beside him and looked up at Jo, "Is he alive?", she quickly undid his shirt,
"Oh my! Quick get the doctor!! There isn't a lot of time!"

PART 2

"Mrs Jo? The doctor is here", said Nan. He walked into the room and put his
medical bag on the night table.
"I'm Dr Whittier", he glanced up at Jo and Asia, "I'm helping Dr Pierce out
for a bit..."
"Please help him, there was a fire....", Jo tried nervously to explain.
He held his hand up as he placed a stethescope on Nick's chest, "I know, I
know...", he listened and shook his head softly.
"What is it?", asked Jo.
"Labored breathing, was there much smoke?"
"No, it all happened so fast. We got him out of there as quickly as we
could..", Jo replied.
The doctor was palpating Nick's chest and shoulders, then he looked closely at
the burns. "The burns should heal without any significant problems, but I
fear his shoulder is broken. I'd like to immobilize it." Asia left the room
to secure sheeting.
"What should I do? I mean, does he need medicine", asked Jo.
"I'll see that he has what he needs, I'll be by at least once a day to see
that his lungs are recovering. Open the window and let him have fresh air."
Nat and Dan quickly opened windows, Nan was still at the foot of the bed,
watching everything the doctor was doing. He took out a small bottle and
needle, drew the liquid into the needle and injected Nick's arm. "Just for
the pain..", the doctor said.
He put his things back in his bag, "Is there a place where I can wash?" Jo
looked at Nan and she ushered the doctor out of the room.
Jo pulled the sheet up Nick's chest, "Boys, stay here, I want to speak with
the doctor", and Jo left the room.
Dr Whittier was downstairs drying his hands when Jo arrived, he wrote a few
instructions on a paper and handed it to Jo.
"Lexington?", she asked, reading the heading on his stationary.
"Yes, I'm from Lexington, like I said I came here to help Dr. Pierce", he
looked at Jo, "You do know he's in Boston for a while?"
"No, I wasn't aware of that", Jo put the paper on the table, "Thank you for
coming out, you will return tomorrow?"
"Yes, in the morning I'd say, if he has a bad night, send someone for me first
thing. Good night", he picked up his bag and went out the door.
Jo looked at Asia, "He seems nice", was all Asia could say, the worry on her
face said so much more.
Jo went back to Nick's room, she stopped in the hallway as she heard the
children talking to Nick.
"Come on Nick, you gotta wake up, we need your help to fix up the barn", said
Nat.
"Truth is Nick, we need you around here", he looked at everyone, "All of us
need you". Jo came into the room and the children looked up at her. "Nick is
fortunate to have you all worried about him."
"Aren't you worried about him?", asked Nan.
"Of course I am", she walked to the bed, "We'll all take care of Nick and see
that he gets better." They took turns that first night, sitting at Nick's
bedside, hoping for the best.

Early in the morning, Jo went downstairs to have coffee. There was a knock on
the door and Dr. Whittier walked in. "Hope I'm not too early", he smiled at
Jo and Asia, "I am concerned that those burns don't become infected and that
his lungs clear up. May I?", he asked pointing to the stairs.
"Yes of course", said Jo as she put her coffee cup down on the table. She
quickly followed up the stairs.
Dr. Whittier cleaned and dressed the burns, "Your husband is fortunate, I've
seen people debilitated by burns.."
"He isn't my husband, and yes he is fortunate, all the children are helping
care for him."
"Oh, is this a school or an orphanage?"
"A school. Plumfield, it's a private school and Nick here is......our
...groundskeeper, well he is more than that....he takes care of the house, the
land, the animals", she looked down at her twitching fingers, "he takes care
of all of us", she smiled nervously at the doctor.
"I see", he said seeing the wedding ring on Jo's hand, "That's a help to your
husband I'm sure."
"My husband died a while back...", she said softly fidgeting the wedding ring,
"so I run the school with Nick's help and Asia's."
"Did I hear my name?", Asia came into the room, "Jo, I've made coffee if you
and the doctor would care to have some. Here I brought fresh water up", she
looked at the doctor, "the children are in school. I told Franz that there
wasn't anything they could do for now, they'll have to take care of chores
after school."
Jo nodded, "Yes, thank you Asia."

Jo and the doctor went into the kitchen, had coffee and talked about the
healing of burns. He was concerned that Nick would have pain, he opened his
bag and pulled out medications. Asia picked up the coffee cups and noticed
all the medicine in the doctor's bag.
"I'd really prefer that you give him the medicine Dr Whittier", Jo said, "I
don't think I could do it.......I mean give an injection........"
"Fine. I'll be back later in the afternoon, after I close the office in town
and I have some dinner at the restaurant. Would that be all right?"
"Yes, but you could join us for dinner", she looked at Asia, who nodded, "you
have to come out here anyway."
"Thank you, that's very kind, I'm not much of a cook", he laughed softly,
"I'll see you later today then" and he closed his bag and left.
"Something different about him", said Asia, a frown on her face.
"What? He's different than Dr. Pierce, but he's also younger", said Jo as she
headed for the study.
Outside, Dr. Whittier climbed into his surry, looked around, and laughed out
loud.

PART 3

Dr Whittier finished his duties in town, closed up the office, and headed out
to Plumfield. He checked his patient and entered the dining room to join the
others for dinner.
"This is wonderful, having so many people to enjoy your meal with", he said as
he smiled at everyone.
"Yeah, sometimes it's too much! You don't want to have to clean up after all
these people everyday!", said Dan.
Dr Whittier laughed, "So, Mrs. Bhaer, how are you getting along without Nick
to do the chores and things he does around here?"
"The boys are handling everything very well. Nick will be proud of them", she
smiled at the boys.
Dr Whittier nodded and looked around the table another time. After the meal,
the doctor went back upstairs to check on Nick one more time. Nan and Bess
were in the doorway.
"What does he keep giving him them shots for?", asked Bess as she scrunched
her face.
"Supposed to be for pain", replied Nan, her eye on the doctor, "seems to me
it's keeping him from waking up."
"Well, good evening girls", Dr Whittier passed them and went downstairs.
Nan and Bess went to Nick's side, "Nick? You gotta wake up now!", Nan shook
his shoulder gently.
"Don't shake him! He's got a broken shoulder remember?", said Bess.
"Yeah, at least that's what he said".
"Why don't you like the doctor?", asked Bess.
"I like him enough, but I think Nick should be awake by now", Nan tapped his
cheek, "Come on Nick".
"Nan!", cried Jo as she entered the room, "What on earth are you doing?"
"Nothin' Ms Jo, just checking Nick", said Nan as she backed away and placed
her hands behind her back. She nudged Bess and both girls left the room.
Nan knocked on the boys room door, "Hey, we gotta do some detective work", she
said as Nat opened the door.
Nat rolled his eyes, "Now what?", he sighed.
She gave him a soft punch in the arm, "We gotta figure a way to make Nick
better, the doctor can't seem to do it."
"You don't know what injuries Nick has, you can't play doctor Nan, this is
serious", replied Nat as the others looked on and nodded in agreement with
Nat.
Nan sighed, turned on her heel and left the room.

Jo squeezed the wet cloth and gently patted over Nick's shoulder. To her
delight he moaned softly and slightly moved his head. "Nick?", she said
softly, "Nick, can you hear me?"
He opened his eyes, and a raspy sound came from his throat.
"Don't try to talk, your throat is probably very irritated", said Jo, "The
fire Nick, you were hurt, but your better now......."
He looked down at his body and looked up at Jo, he lifted his right hand to
touch his left shoulder, "What......am I burned?", he asked softly.
"Yes, but it's not serious and it will heal, it just will take some time."
He nodded and looked up at her again, "The kids......"
"They're fine, everyone is fine. The boys took care of the barn, in fact
they're doing a great job around here", she smiled at him and tried to swallow
the thump in her throat.
He smiled slightly and nodded, then lifted his hand to his face. "Oh.......I
need a shave........."
"I can get your razor.....", Jo jumped up and left the room.
Nick wanted to tell her that he didn't mean right now, but he couldn't speak
anymore. As he stared up at the ceiling, he was grateful to her for taking
care of him, then he shook his head as if to clear thoughts from his mind.
Jo returned with a pitcher, a towel and a razor, "Here we are", she poured the
warm water into a bowl, lathered her hands and touched his face. His eyes
flew open and she stopped with her hands cupping his face. He stared at her
for a moment and quickly looked away. She suddenly realized she was doing
something very personal and she blushed and removed her hands. "Ah......I
hope I can do this...", she picked up the razor.
"I'll help ya.....", Nick said, barely above a whisper.
She drew the blade across his cheek and he clasped her hand, "Easy.....", when
he didn't remove his hand right away, Jo became nervous, "Maybe I should
get.........Franz! I can get Franz!"
"No, you'll do fine.......", he patted her hand and she continued.
Nick watched her face as she closely drew the blade around his face, he liked
the way her eyes were so focused and the way she kept licking her lips. The
way her eyelashes fluttered when she blinked and the way she smiled softly at
him each time she rinsed the blade. He sighed deeply and decided he better
close his eyes, looking at this close was distracting.
Jo rinsed the blade, "Look up, let me do your neck", she took a deep breath,
glad to have his eyes away for a moment. She felt him staring at her and she
felt so nervous she was frightened she would cut him. She liked the sound the
razor made as it glided across his handsome face. She smiled, she didn't know
of any man who would allow a woman to give him a shave.
"There, done. You can do a better job in a day or two", she smiled. He
touched her arm, "thanks", he said.

"Looks as if he is recovering very nicely", Dr Whittier said to Jo, Nick and
Asia. Nick looked at the doctor, "Thank you", he said and extended his right
hand.
The doctor shook his hand, "Rest that throat, and you should thank these
lovely women, they have taken excellent care of you!"
Nick smiled and looked at Jo and Asia.
"Doctor, let me show you out", Jo said. Dr Whittier walked to Jo and placed
his hand on her back, a move noticed by Nick and Asia.

In the kitchen, Jo went to a cupboard, "I must pay you......", she pulled some
bills from an envelope and handed them to Dr. Whittier.
"Thank you, you're most kind", he said. "Do you get into town often?"
"Several times a week, why?"
"I'd like to ask you to join me for dinner.....on an evening that you may be
in town..", he said.
Jo was surprised, "Ah....well..dinner would be.....I'm usually in town in the
mornings....but perhaps we could arrange something..."
"That would be lovely, I'd enjoy that."
They walked outside and he gave some instructions for Nick's care as he
climbed into his surrey. "Leave the bandages off the burns, they need air
about now, I'll see you tomorrow", he nodded and was off.

Asia was watching Jo and Dr Whittier out the window. "What's going on?",
asked Nick.
Asia shook her head, "I'm not sure, but I think the good doctor has a little
potion he wants to try on Ms Jo".
"Huh?", said Nick.

PART 4

"Well Nick, let's just say the good doctor comes here to see more than just
you."
Nick raised his eyebrows and stared off. He had never thought of someone being
interested in Jo, not that it couldn't happen, Jo was a very attractive woman.
Why did it seem to bother him? He thought back to the shave she gave him, he
rubbed his chin and smiled softly.
"He is not her type", Asia said as she gathered laundry.
"What's her type?", asked Nick.
Asia put her hands on her waist, "I think, and this is just my opinion, Jo's
type is a quiet strong man who isn't bothered when she speaks up for herself or
these children", she started to pace, "A man who isn't threatened by a strong
woman."
"You know any men like that?", he asked.
She looked at him out of the corner of her eye, "Mr. Laurie for one...", she
chuckled, "and I'm pretty sure there are a few more around."
Nick nodded to her as she swopped up the laundry basket and left the room.

"Nick you look so much better", Jo said as she walked to the bed.
"Thanks, I feel pretty good. Thank you again", he watched her walk to the
window, "You looking for someone?"
"Ah.....no, not really. I better go see if Asia needs any help. Give us a yell
if you need anything", she smiled and left.
Nick shook his head thinking she was acting odd, almost nervous.

"Lordy, he's back again?", sighed Asia as she looked out the window.
"Who?", asked Nan as she was inspecting the various pots cooking on the stove.
"The doctor......."
"Hello everyone. How is our patient?", asked Dr Whittier.
Nan and Asia just looked at each other and then Jo came into the kitchen. "Hello
Jo, how are you?", he smiled at her.
"I'm well Dr Whittier and you?", she smiled at him, causing Nan and Asia to
again exchange glances.
Upstairs they stayed just outside Nick's room, "Have you considered my
invitation to dinner Jo?"
"Well......I'm flattered, but things are keeping me so busy here, I don't know
if I can.....", Jo nervously replied. He smiled at her and touched her arm.
Nick could hear them and looked closely at him when he came into his room.
"Hello Dr Whittier, just what brings you here today?", Nick gave him a sarcastic
smile.
The doctor cleared his throat, "I see you're better.......", he opened his bag
and prepared an injection.
"I'm not having any pain, I don't need a shot", Nick shook his head, but before
he could say more, the doctor turned and quickly stuck the needle into Nick's
arm.
"Are you sure I need this?", Nick said sternly as he rubbed his arm.
"Can't get an infection....", Dr Whittier smiled brightly and left the room.
Nick began feeling warm and agitated. He threw the blankets off the bed and
swung his legs over the side. His lungs felt tight and his shoulder throbbed,
but he pushed himself to stand up. On his feet for only a few seconds, Nick
rubbed his forehead and fell to the floor.
Nan came to the doorway, "Nick!", she ran to him and he thrashed his arm out at
her, causing her to fall back. She scurried out of the room, "Mrs. Jo!!", she
ran down the stairs.

"Nick", Jo said as she ran to his side, he continued thrashing and rolling side
to side, "Leave me alone!", he yelled. Some of the boys had come to the
doorway, "Dan, Nat, help me get him back into bed!", asked Jo as she continued
trying to grasp Nick's arm. After a struggle, Nick was laying on the bed,
breathing heavily and sweating profusely. Jo shook her head, she ran down the
stairs and discussed his condition with Asia. Both women didn't know what to do
for Nick, except wait for the doctor's next visit.

PART 5

"Mrs Jo, what do you think is wrong with Nick?", asked Dan.
"He was burned in a fire", Bess rolled her eyes, "have you forgotten already?"
"I know that! I mean why was he yelling", asked Dan.
"I'm not sure Dan", replied Jo, "hopefully the doctor will be able to tell us
something once he arrives."
"Hey Dan, can I talk to you?", asked Nan from the doorway.

In the hall, Nan pulled Dan towards the front door, "Something's fishy about
this doctor, we have to keep him out of here."
"Out of here? What are we supposed to do about Nick?"
"Nick doesn't need a doctor anymore, that doctor is coming here to try to
court Mrs Jo", Nan looked at the confused look on Dan's face, "....or
something like that. You'll see, he's so nicey-nice to her, it'll make you
sick!"
"Does Nick know this?", asked Dan, now taking her seriously.
"Maybe that's why he was upset!" They both looked up when Mrs.Jo came into
the hall.
"Everything all right?", she asked. The two children nodded and went out the
front door.

Nan, Bess, Nat and Dan were in the yard when Dr. Whittier arrived. He didn't
pay any attention to them, even though they watched him closely. He went into
the house by the kitchen door. Nan followed and tried to look into a window.
"What are you watching him for?", asked Nat.
"Shhhh!", she said, her finger to her lips, "Quiet, I wanna see what he's
gonna do, I told you!" She reached on her tiptoes to see into the kitchen,
she saw a cabinet opening, "Dan! Can you see what he's doing?"
Dan stretched to see into the kitchen, "No, he has his back to the window."
"I'll go see", said Bess and she started for the kitchen door.

"Jo!", Nick yelled from his bed, he was tossing and turning and the blankets
were on the floor.
"Nick, what is it, what's wrong?", asked Jo as she came into the room and saw
the disarray.
"I don't know, I feel horrible", NIck strained, "My head is pounding, my
shoulder hurts more than it did yesterday."
"Do you want to get out of bed?"
"I can't, my legs don't want to carry me."
"What can I do?", Jo sat on the edge of the bed and touched his arm.
"Jo, is everything all right around here? I mean....the children,
Asia...you?", he asked softly.
"Yes", she was confused by his question, "I told you, the boys are doing most
of your work and everything seems to be okay..."
Nick looked away. Jo sensed something troubling him, but didn't want to ask,
she knew he didn't feel well.
"The doctor should be here soon, maybe he can give you something to help you",
she patted his arm and started to stand.
"No! I don't want any medicine!", he pulled her arm, "Please......don't let
him give me anymore medicine. It's making me weak and dizzy...."
"Nick, you should tell him that", Jo was worried.
"Yeah, I will", replied Nick, although he didn't intend to.

Dr. Whittier came into Nick's room and put his medical bag down, opened it,
and pulled out a small vial of medicine.
"I don't want any medicine", Nick said sternly.
"You need something", the doctor looked at Nick closely, "You need to relax."
"No, I don't need to relax. What is that medicine anyway?"
"It'll make you feel better", the doctor walked to Nick and injected him
quickly, before Nick could stop him.
"Now, just relax. I'll be downstairs", the doctor quickly left the room.
Bess, who had been in the upstairs hall, heard the exchange between the doctor
and Nick. She hurried down the stairs and watched the doctor, he was busy in
his medical bag.
"Hello young lady", he looked up when he noticed Bess in the kitchen, "could
you tell me where I might find Mrs. Jo?"
Bess's lips turned up at the corners, "Yes, she's in the front parlor."
The doctor nodded and proceeded to the parlor.
"Are you busy working?", he asked Jo.
"Yes, looking over some papers, and some bills", she turned and smiled
slightly.
"Too much work, you need to enjoy yourself a little", he looked back at the
doorway, "Won't you come into town with me? We could have dinner, maybe take
a walk...", he put his hand on her shoulder.
"Ah...", she looked at his hand, "not today, not right now. I really have to
do this work", she turned back to the desk.
He wasn't willing to accept her answer, he gently tugged her sleeve, "Surely
you have to take time for dinner..."
Jo became nervous at his insistence, "Yes, yes I do, but I'll have something
here", she pulled her arm away and turned her face.
"Dinner in town would be a nice change for you Jo, get away, have a nice
time..", he repeated his tugging on her sleeve.
"No, thank you", she stood up and walked to the door, "I can't have dinner
with you." She stared at the door and then looked at the doctor.
He walked towards her, she refused to look at him, he went out the front door.

Jo couldn't sleep thinking of Dr Whittier and his insistence that she go into
town with him. She went downstairs and decided to have a snack. In the
cupboard, she noticed the money envelope in a different spot from ususal. She
picked it up and opened it. It was empty. She put it back into the cupboard
and made a mental note to discuss it with Asia, as she may have made some
purchases that Jo was unaware of.

The children came downstairs for breakfast one by sleepy one. Nan went to
check on Nick, "Good morning Nick, how are you feeling?", she asked.
"Hey Nan, I feel okay", he laughed softly, "can't wait to get out of this bed
that's for sure."
"I'll help you", she walked to him and took his arm. Nick threw his feet off
the bed and holding Nan's shoulder stood up. "Hey, this feels all right", he
smiled at Nan. Together they walked to the doorway. Dan and Nat walked to
Nick's door, "Nick, good to see you up", said Nat as he and Dan smiled at
Nick.
"Good to see you both", Nick said as he steadied himself on the door jam,
"come back and see me after school okay?" The boys nodded and ran down the
steps. "Come on Nick, I'll help you walk up and down the hall once, it'll be
good for you", said Nan as she grabbed Nick's arm. "All right, it won't
hurt", Nick said. As he slowly padded down the hall, he overheard Jo and Asia
talking downstairs, "I thought there was quite a bit of money and if you
didn't use it, then I don't know what happened to it", Jo had a worried tone
to her voice.
"I haven't bought anything in weeks, well the last time was when you and I
went into town and that was over two weeks ago", Asia said.
As Nick turned to head back to his room, he asked Nan, "The doctor, has Mrs.
Jo had to pay him? I mean do you know if he has asked her for money?"
"I didn't hear him, but I'm sure Mrs. Jo won't make you pay her back Nick",
Nan smiled at him. Nick smiled, but he was worried over the conversation.

Nick was back in bed when Jo came into the room, "Good morning, are you
hungry?"
"Sure, aren't I always?", he smiled at Jo as she put a tray before him. "This
looks real good. Jo? Can I ask you something?" She nodded, "What's the
doctor been charging you for my care? I insist you take it out of my pay."
"Nick, don't concern yourself about that, it's more important that you
recover."
"The doctor hasn't asked you for money?"
"Yes, I've paid him", she seemed uncomfortable.
"And.......what else. Is something wrong?", Nick looked up at her.
"I just wish Dr.Pierce was back, I'm used to dealing with him", she smiled
slightly and pushed her hair back.
"I don't need the doctor to come out here, I can go see him in town if I need
to. Besides, my shoulder feels good and the burns are fine now", Nick
demonstrated by moving his arm around. Jo laughed, "Yes I see your shoulder
is okay, I'm glad", she turned and left the room. Nick could sense that
something was wrong.

Dr Whittier arrived before lunch and went into the kitchen. Asia glared at
him as she stirred the pot of soup on the stove. He quickly went up the stairs
to Nick's room. "Hello how are you today?", he asked Nick.
"I'm perfectly fine, ready to get out of this bed and go back to work", Nick
was firm.
"No work yet I'm afraid. You're still weak".
"I'm weak cuz I been lying in this bed! I want to get out of here", Nick was
even more adament.
Dr Whittier came to Nick's side and before Nick could say another word, he got
an injection in the arm. "I don't want anymore shots!", Nick yelled.
"This will be the last one. I'll get the cook to come and bring you lunch",
he left the room.

Asia came into Nick's room with a tray. She placed it on the bed, "You're
gonna get up after lunch Nick".
They heard loud voices coming from downstairs.

"What are you looking for?", Jo asked Dr. Whittier as he searched through the
cupboards.
"A towel......I need to wash my hands..........", he replied.
Jo sensed more than that and she grabbed a towel and handed it to him, "This
is a towel and we don't keep them in the cupboard Doctor." He smiled and
looked to the steps. "Oh don't worry, Nick won't come down here Dr Whittier,
you are making sure of that aren't you?", she had her hands on her hips, eyes
planted on the doctor's face.
"What nonsense do you mean?", he laughed.
"Nonsense? If you keep Nick upstairs, you can take money from the cupboard,
right?"
He threw the towel on the counter, "Jo, you really do need to get out of here,
I've told you I'll take you into town for a nice dinner, it will relax
you....", he walked to her. Jo backed up as he got closer, "I won't go
anywhere with you, what is it you're after? Is it just the money?"
"Well, I did hear you were living alone out here and I thought you'd
appreciate some male companionship, but you don't so......", he put his hands
on her shoulders.
"Don't touch me!", Jo yelled.

Nick threw the tray to the floor and Asia helped him out of bed, "Did you hear
that? Jo needs me...", he stopped at the doorway, catching his breath and
clinging to the doorknob, "I don't know if I can make it downstairs".
"I can", said Asia, as she scurried towards the stairs.
"No, I don't want anyone else down there with him", said Nick, as he grabbed
the stair railing and went down the steps. Asia was behind him, "No, go down
the other stairs, get one of the boys to go into town for the sheriff, hurry."
Asia scurried off .
"So you're accusing me of over medicating my patient, he is my patient you
know. Also taking money", he laughed, "surely you realize that as a doctor I
earn enough that I do not have to rely on petty theft for money!"
"I think you thought you'd find a lot of money here and when you didn't, you
thought you'd try a little harder", said Jo as she leaned in toward him. He
grabbed her arms, "You are delightful when you're angry Mrs.Jo, that fire in
your eyes......."
"Get your hands off her!", Nick yelled as he reached the ktichen, "What kind
of doctor are you?"
Dr. Whittier looked at Nick and looked back at Jo, still holding her arms,
"You like me don't you?"
Jo pulled away from him and hurried to Nick's side. Nick leaned on her
slightly, feeling dizzy, "Sit down doctor, the sheriff is on his way and I'm
sure he'll have some questions for you", he looked at Jo, "We all have
questions for you."
"I was just leaving. I don't appreciate being accused of these things. Good
day", he left.
Jo went to the door, "No Jo, let him leave, the sheriff will take care of him
in town later", Nick said as he sat in a chair, "Did he hurt you?"
Jo shook her head, "No, he hurt you the most Nick. Are you all right? I
should have known you didn't need those injections, I'm sorry."
"It ain't you're fault, as long as he didn't hurt you.....or Asia and the
kids."
Jo reached for Nick's hand and squeezed it gently. He looked down at their
joined hands and then up into her eyes. "Thank you Jo", he said softly.
She blushed and looked down, "Nick......really, everything will be all right
now."

Dan and Asia came bursting into the kitchen, "The sheriff took the doctor in
for questioning Mrs. Jo", said Dan, slightly out of breath from running from
the corral.
"Seems others had complaints about him too. He was all but banished from
practicing in Lexington, several ladies complained about his.........well",
she looked at Dan, "his bedside manner shall we say."
"Why would someone with a good education, a good career choose to ruin it by
acting so inappropriately? I don't understand", said Jo as she stood next to
Nick, who was still sitting at the table.
"Who knows, some people aren't happy when they seem to have everything", Nick
said.
"Nick, do you need help going back up to bed?", asked Dan.
"No! I am not going back up to bed", he said firmly, "No offense to the
accomodations, but I don't want to spend another day in bed. What I would
like Dan is to go outside".
Dan smiled and put Nick's arm over his shoulder and then both made it to the
door, Jo opened the door and went onto the porch with them. Dan helped Nick
onto the chaise, "I better get back to school, the kids will be glad to see
you outside Nick", he ran off. Jo sat next to Nick on the chaise. As she ran
her eyes up his arm to his eyes, he met her gaze with his own and then he
raised his hand and softly brushed her cheek with the back of his hand,
"Thanks again for taking such good care of me."
She softly smiled and tilted her face slightly into his hand, "Nick, from now
on I'll be your doctor."

The End

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