Fay - By Tanya L. Chang

Spring was late to arrive in the northern world this year and Mother Nature played her tricks, blanketing the earth in a fresh coat of pure white. Still asleep under the glimmering moonlight, the town of Concord, Massachusetts was quiet except for the occasional cracking of branches and the soft footfalls of the wolves on the newly fallen layer, deep within the forest. A hush awaited the arrival of a new morning, still an hour away. The wolves sniffed the air and turned to stare curiously at a passerby, uninterested in the potential prey after having filled their bellies from a good night's hunt.

The ragged breath of the woman in the green cloak froze on the air, leaving wisps to vanish on the wind. The expression on her face betrayed the feelings which knotted her stomach, making each step more difficult than the last as she carried her burden, physical and emotional, toward her destination: a safe haven for the life she had brought into the world and nurtured as long as she could, a place where warmth and love could be found.

As she approached the quiet yellow house, she found the note that she had written tucked deep inside her pocket and placed it in the basket. Her heart ached as she set it down by the door, but she knew this was the only choice she had. With a final kiss and a prayer to God, she said her farewell and turned away, disappearing into the night just as the moon vanished behind a cloud.

Something woke Josephine Bhaer just before the crack of dawn. Perhaps it was a dream, or just an expectation that today would be a new adventure. At any rate, she hardly felt the need to return to bed since the sun would soon begin to touch the sky with its golden rays. The dawn promised to be spectacular this morning so Jo dressed quickly, deciding to take advantage of the time before the children awoke to seek out comfort in the morning light. She would make a pot of coffee for Asia, Nick and herself (for it was one creation of hers in the kitchen that they didn't mind), and sit outside to wait for the household to open its eyes to the sun.

As Jo was pouring herself a cup of coffee from the freshly brewed pot and the smell wafted through the house, Nick walked in the back door, his crystal blue eyes bright in spite of the early hour. Nick Riley was the caretaker at Plumfield, but in recent months, he and Jo had begun courting after having had denied their feelings for each other for over a year prior to that. Jo smiled as she remembered when Nick had first arrived at the Plumfield. Nick, a merchant marine, had come across the school and offered his services to do repairs around the premises. After Fritz had died, Jo had needed a caretaker and so, despite Nick's criminal past, she had given him the job. It wasn't long afterwards that he had ended up in the sheriff's custody after having assaulted Captain Hoffman, the uncle of one of her students. Although, at the time, Jo had told Nick that she sincerely doubted that they would ever even become friends, she still bailed him out of jail. There had been something she found intriguing about him even then, despite the fact that they didn't seem to agree on a lot of things. They still argued even now, but Jo treasured the time she had alone with Nick because now there was no man with whom she'd rather be spending her life.

"You're up early," Jo commented as she poured a second cup of coffee for Nick and handed it to him.

"I got a lot to do today," Nick replied as they headed to the front door. "Just thought I'd enjoy a cup o' coffee before the kids got up."

"My sentiments exactly," Jo said, smiling broadly as Nick opened the front door for her. Peace and quiet were a rare thing at Plumfield with a dozen energetic young men and women to care for, none any more than fifteen years of age. Only in the very early morning and later in the evening, or on the occasional trip into Concord, did Jo ever get a break, but that was how she had always preferred it. When she and her late husband Fritz had first moved into Plumfield after Great Aunt March had passed away, they had dreamed of having children running through the halls and out in the yard. Fritz had founded the Plumfield School for Boys, and they had had a son. But soon afterwards, Fritz had been taken from her and Jo had had to struggle to keep the school open. The children had given her a reason to go on after Fritz's death.

Jo stepped out onto the front porch and was the first to notice that not everything was as it should be. Just at the edge of the top stop, there was a basket. She knew that it had not been there the night before and kneeled down to see what might be in it.

"What is it?" Nick asked as Jo folded back the blankets. Without taking her eyes from the bundle, Jo put down her coffee and picked up the basket. Nick saw instantly why she was so concerned and he followed her back in the house where the tiny baby would be out of the cold. The baby's eyes were closed and the poor thing shivered from the exposure to the early morning air. How long had it been out there? "I'll go get Dr. Pierce," Nick volunteered as he saw Asia come into the parlour. Asia would be of more help here than he could be, and the child needed a doctor now.

Jo's niece Bess was, as usual, the first of the children to wake up and make her way down to the dining room to complete her chores. She was looking forward to today's lessons in the classroom since Aunt Jo had finally consented to reading William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Not all the students were ready for such a difficult play, but Aunt Jo had suggested that the children perform parts of the play to give everyone a better understanding and appreciation for the great playwright's work. As she came down the stairs and passed the parlour, Bess noticed that Aunt Jo and Asia were huddled over a basket. Then, as she approached, she saw why they were seemingly oblivious to everything else around them, for there in the basket was a tiny child whose little hand held tightly to Aunt Jo's baby finger.

"Good morning," Bess whispered as she approached, a smile threatening to make its way across her face regardless of the solemn expressions that Asia and her aunt had on theirs.

Jo looked up in surprise. "Bess." The children would be up soon and doubtless full of questions once they saw Plumfield's unexpected visitor. "Are the other children awake yet?" she asked.

"They're just getting dressed," Bess replied as she peered at the tiny little face. The baby shivered and the colour still had not returned to her face.

"Could you please ask everyone to be quiet when they come down? I'll try to explain everything as best I can."

"Yes, Aunt Jo."

Jo watched her niece ascend the stairs and wondered how anyone could abandon their child if they just once gave a thought to the beautiful young adult that child would one day become. Whose child could this be?

"What's going on?" Dan had come down the back stairs and had heard Bess and Mrs. Jo talking in the parlour. Now he stood still and stared at the little bundle before him. "Where'd the baby come from?"

Jo shook her head. "We don't know, Dan. Nick's gone to get Dr. Pierce and then maybe we'll get some answers." Dan was one of Jo's students who had been orphaned at an early age, abandoned just as this little baby had been. She wondered how all the children would react since many of them had lost at least one, if not both parents, at such young ages.

Soon the children were all gathered closely about Mrs. Jo, Asia and the little baby girl who was now sucking weakly on a bottle of warm milk that Asia had prepared and put into one of Rob's old baby bottles. The baby seemed half-asleep even as she drank, but Jo felt it was a good sign that she was hungry at all. Rob sat next to Jo, peering protectively over his mother's arm to ensure that Plumfield's little guest was okay. There was a certain pride in Rob's eyes as a result of the realization that, at least for the moment, he was no longer the youngest resident at the school. Was the baby here to stay?

"Where did he come from?" Tommy asked, keeping a respectful distance in case his usual clumsiness knew no bounds and might cause harm to the baby.

"It's a little girl, Tommy. She was left on our doorstep sometime this morning," Jo replied, carefully watching the child in her arms out of the corner of her eye even as she looked back at her students. "Nick and I found her out front, but goodness only knows how long she might have been there."

"Who would leave a baby out in the cold like that?" Nat demanded quietly. "It's not right."

Nan kneeled close by, wanting to examine the baby for injuries, but she realized that Dr. Pierce would be much better qualified to determine if the child was well. "She might have died of hypothermia out there," Nan observed.

"What's hypothermia?" asked Rob as he snuggled closer to his mother. Jo put her arm around her little son and let him hold the baby's bottle. How lucky she was to have never known what it must be like to have to sacrifice your own child.

"Well, it looks like this baby is one lucky little girl," Asia said.

Just then, the sound of horses broke the silence outside and then heavy footsteps came in from the front hall. Nick let Dr. Pierce lead the way past the children, and Jo noticed that Sheriff Berkely had also accompanied them.

"Come on, children," said Asia, heading towards the kitchen. "It's time for breakfast."

"And you've still got chores to do," Jo added not unkindly.

The children scattered to their morning chores, reluctantly leaving the baby in the care of the adults. Dr. Pierce looked gravely at the child as he examined her, and the sheriff peered even more somberly at Jo. "Do you mind if I ask you some questions, Mrs. Bhaer?"

"Not at all."

"Mr. Riley here said you found this baby..."

"That's right. We had just decided to step out onto the porch for a cup of coffee, and the basket was there on the doorstep. When I looked inside, the baby was there, blue from the cold. We brought her inside right away, and Nick went to get Dr. Pierce."

"Well," interrupted the doctor, "this baby was lucky you found her when you did. She's a tough little one. There's no telling how long she was out there, but she's warmed up nicely."

Jo smiled at the little baby and brushed her hand against the tiny cheek that now showed sign of some colour.

"I'm sure the milk did her some good, too," said Dr. Pierce. "She's dehydrated and will need lots of liquids, so try to get her to drink some water between feedings."

"Why are her eyes yellow?" Nick asked as he looked at the baby from a respectful distance.

"She also has a touch of jaundice," explained the doctor, "but that's not uncommon and should clear on its own."

"Is there anything else we should do?" Jo asked.

The sheriff stepped forward, towering so close to Jo and the baby that Nick instinctively moved toward him, ready to protect woman and child if necessary. "I'm afraid I'll have to take the child with me," said the sheriff.

"I beg your pardon, Sheriff," interrupted Dr. Pierce, "but until you find the child's mother, I suggest you leave her in Mrs. Bhaer's care."

"I can't do that."

Nick stepped forward. "Come on, Sheriff. What would you and your deputies do with a baby? Throw it in jail?"

"Mrs. Bhaer is perfectly able to care for the child," Dr. Pierce said. Then he turned to Jo. "If it's all right with you, it's what I would recommend."

The sheriff paused to consider the situation and then nodded when it was apparent that Jo didn't mind the temporary responsibility if it meant the child was in a warm home.

"Was there anything more in the basket?" Sheriff Berkely asked at last.

Jo looked at Nick who brought forth the basket, blankets and all. Neither of them had thought to look for more in it, but now they discovered a note buried in the folds of the blanket. Nick handed to paper to Jo, knowing that she would be able to read it for everyone. Jo's hand shook, as did her voice, as she read the words: "Please, take care of my little fay." She handed the note to the sheriff.

Nick looked at the sleeping baby in Jo's arms, marveling at the maternal gentleness he saw in her, and he repeated her last word: "Fay."

"I guess the little girl's at least got a name," said the doctor.

Jo looked up at him, her eyes still gazing far off, her expression one of confusion and sorrow. "The word isn't capitalized in the note. It's an old English term for fairy," she said.

"Well, for want of some identity for the child, perhaps we could just call her Fay... for now."

"One thing's for sure," said the sheriff, "fairies didn't leave her here. I'll make some inquiries in town and we'll make sure we track down the mother. She can't have gone too far."

Dr. Pierce gathered his bags and took one last look at the child, trusting that she was in the best of hands. "Bring the wee one by my clinic tomorrow, Mrs. Bhaer. I'd like to make sure she's still doing all right."

Jo simply nodded and then turned her attention back to the newest arrival at Plumfield. She was amazed at how much sorrow could surround a child. Babies were supposed to bring joy, but the circumstances surrounding this little girl were too sad for words. Jo couldn't even begin to imaging what might have caused a mother to give up her own child, especially to leave her out in the cold to die if no one found her.

"Are you okay?"

Nick had seen Dr. Pierce and Sheriff Berkely to the door, but he was still concerned not only for the baby but also for Jo. She already had so many things to think about without having to take care of a baby. She had a son of her own, she had to teach the children their lessons, and she was in charge of all of Plumfield, not to mention that she spent much of her spare time writing stories.

"I'll be okay. I'm just trying to understand this."

Nick kneeled in front of Jo and the baby and ran his hand over the baby's head. He had never touched a baby before and wondered at the softness and fragility of the life before him. "The sheriff'll find her mother," Nick said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. He had known a lot of children who had been abandoned, never to know who their mother or father were.

"What if he doesn't?" Jo asked.

Nick saw the tears in Jo's eyes and wished there was more he could do to wipe them away, but he knew how big her heart was and she would worry until she knew for certain what would become of the little Fay. "You can't think that way, Jo. "We'll find out who the mother is... I promise." It was a promise he intended to keep because, one way or another, he knew that Jo couldn't take every little orphan into her home, no matter how much she wanted to.

Jo smiled, silently thanking Nick for his concern. "Rob's old crib is up in the attic. Would you mind bringing it down? I'll have to get Asia to look after Fay while I'm teaching."

"Sure."

Lessons that day were done distractedly by both students and teacher as everyone thought of the baby back at the house. Nick was good at keeping the children busy and away from the house while Jo checked back with Asia at lunchtime and then at the end of the day. By coincidence, Bess's father had arrived that morning with a gift for the school: two Dexter bicycles, direct from Poughkeepsie, New York. The bicycles were among the first to be built, and in his constant zeal to try out the newest patents, Laurie had gone out of his way to make the donation to the school. True, the weather was not quite warm enough to allow for extended trips on the bicycles, but warmer spring weather couldn't be too far off.

"Laurie, you really shouldn't have," Jo had said. Already, she could tell by the children's excitement that it would be difficult to maintain any rules about the bicycles, but Laurie suggested that the children draw straws to see who would be allowed to ride the bike on the first day. After that, every child would have their turn in rotation and they would be allowed to trade bicycle privileges with other students if they needed the transportation for any particular purpose like riding into town on an errand.

So, straws were drawn and Bess and Nat became the lucky two to ride the bicycles on the first day. Even the baby was forgotten temporarily as they discussed where they would go, but the other children frowned and turned to their chores.

"Why don't you come with us?" Bess asked Dan as he admired one of the bicycles.

"And Nan, you can come, too," Nat added. The four friends were often inseparable, particularly in pairs, and both Bess and Nat wanted to share their good fortune. It would be more fun for all four of them.

"We could go out to Waldon's pond and practice our scenes from the play," Bess suggested. She was to play Helena to Dan's Demetrius, and Nan and Nat were to play Fairy and Puck. Bess and Nat were particularly looking forward to playing their scenes in front of the class, but Dan and Nan approached the assignment with trepidation, one preferring to help Nick with repairs around Plumfield and the other wanting only to bury herself in more of Mr. Bhaer's medical library. But none of them wanted to miss the opportunity to use the bicycles.

"What are we waiting for?" asked Nan as she ran alongside Nat who had quickly found his balance. Poor Bess lingered behind though as Dan tried to help her stay upright on the strange contraption. Bess had seen people ride bicycles in Boston and Paris before, but she had never tried it before herself and found it an awkward and most unladylike challenge. Thankfully, with Dan's help, she was soon on her way, and she cried out in delight as she pedaled her way towards the forest path that would lead to the pond.

"Don't be too long!" Nick cried out from behind them, shaking his head. He chuckled at the thought that he would ever be so protective of a bunch of kids. He'd come a long way from his merchant marine days. Nick turned back towards the barn and just caught sight of Jo as she smiled at him from the house. Knowing her as he did, Nick had no doubt that she envied the children their fun. Maybe they might be able to find some time alone to enjoy a bicycle ride together soon, too.

Jo turned away from the window and watched her son as he dangled one of his old stuffed bears in front of the baby, making her smile. Fay seemed to have found a protector in Rob, and the young boy took on the task of keeping the little girl occupied with all the love of an older brother. Fay, in turn, appeared to be enjoying all the attention even though there seemed a certain sadness in her eyes, a sadness that should never be seen in any child.

"Mama, is Fay going to stay?" Rob asked.

"I don't think so, Sweetheart. We just have to find her mother and then she'll have to go home."

The front door flew open just then, admitting Jo's sister Amy followed closely by Meg who peeked into the parlour with a curious look on her face. Amy, on the other hand, was sporting a wide grin and seemed to be bursting to say something. "We heard that you and Nick found a baby this morning," she said open-endedly.

Meg ushered her own children, Demi and Daisy, to follow Rob up to his room so that the three women could talk and then she sat beside her sisters.

"Someone left her on the doorstep this morning," Jo explained.

"Have you heard anything from the sheriff's office," Meg asked.

"Not a word."

Jo handed the baby to Meg, who looked adoringly at the silent child. "She's got beautiful eyes," Meg commented. "Does she have a name?"

"We don't know," Jo replied, "but there was a note in her basket asking us to care for the 'little fay', so we're just calling her Fay for lack of another name."

"Fay. It means faith, doesn't it?" Meg asked.

"Or fairy. This child seems to have come here on a dream," said Jo.

Meg held the little one closely and watched the little hand wrap itself around her finger. It had been a long time since there had been a baby around Plumfield. Demi and Daisy were both growing so quickly, as was Rob, and Bess was now a young woman.

"How long do you have her?" asked Amy.

"Only until the sheriff can find her mother. She can't be too far from Concord."

"Well, if you need any help caring for her, you know you can count on us," Amy said, meaning both herself and Meg.

Meg nodded her agreement. "We could even come during the day, if you like, or on weekends. I could bring Daisy and Demi. I know they would love to spend more time with Rob."

"That would be lovely," replied Jo, "but let's not make too many plans before we find out what's going on."

"I could decorate a room for her," Amy mused, not listening to her sister as she became lost in her own thoughts.

"Amy!" Jo looked at her young sister in shock. "Fay's mother will surely be found. Nick put Rob's old crib in my room, and that will have to do for now."

Amy brushed off her sister's comment with a cheerful smile and went out to the hall to bring back a small suitcase. "Regardless, Fay needs some clothes in the meantime, so I brought some of Bess's baby clothes, and Meg brought some of Daisy's. If you need anything else, I'm sure we can find everything we need in our attics."

"Perhaps I can use this as a learning experience for the girls," Jo suggested.

"It wouldn't do any harm for the boys either," added Meg. "John was hopeless around the twins until they were old enough to walk."

"Yes, Jo." Amy's blue eyes sparkled brightly and Jo only hoped she wasn't up to any mischief. "Nick could help out, too. Who knows? One day you may have another baby to care for and this would be good practice."

"Amy!" This time it was Meg who looked appalled at their young sister. "Just because Jo and Nick are courting -"

"It's all right," Jo interrupted with a sly little smile of her own. "It might be interesting to see how he reacts to having a baby around."

As if summoned, Nick walked through the front door, his arms laden with firewood for the parlour. "G'day, ladies," he said with a tip of his hat. "How's Fay?" he asked as he placed the wood by the fire and removed his gloves.

"She seems to have a healthy appetite at the very least," replied Jo. "We may have to pick up a few things in town tomorrow when we see Dr. Pierce."

Amy looked at Meg and raised a questioning eyebrow. Meg sighed, knowing exactly what her youngest sibling was up to. "Would you like to hold her?" Meg finally asked Nick.

Nick grinned shyly. "Uh, no. That's okay."

Giving Nick a little nudge from behind, Amy was an obstacle to his escape. "Nick, it's just a baby."

Jo saw the look of uncertainty on Nick's face and pitied him for his discomfort. It was obvious that Meg and Amy were putting him in a very awkward position. "Amy, Meg, if Nick doesn't want to hold the baby, don't force him."

"Well, all right," conceded Amy, "but one day he'll have to get used to the idea."

Jo gave Nick a sympathetic look before he turned to leave. Then she glared at Amy, but the youngest March sister merely smiled sweetly, feigning innocence as Jo knew she would.

That night, Jo hardly slept for fear that something might happen to Fay in the dead of night. She wondered if this child was just a dream, and that in the morning she would find the child missing. The crib would be back in the attic and the piles of baby clothes that Amy and Meg had brought would be back in their attics until their own children grew and married and had children of their own.

The baby started to cry, and Jo sat by her all night. In the morning, Jo and Nick took Fay into Concord to see Dr. Pierce, but although the baby passed with a clean bill of health, there was still no word of the mother.

"Mr. Gershin said he's got that feed we ordered up at the store," Nick told Jo as they left the doctor's office. "Do ya mind headin' over there before we head home?"

"That's fine," Jo said. "I'm going to need to buy some cloth for diapers if this little one's going to be staying with us much longer."

Mr. Gershin was outside sweeping the porch in front of his store and greeted Nick and Jo in his usual cordial manner. Mr. Gershin had been grateful when Nick had helped him mend his shelves over a year before, and he liked Mrs. Bhaer, always thinking in the back of his mind that it was a pity her husband had died while she was so young. "The feed's round back of the store, Mr. Riley. I haven't had time to bring it out front yet."

"'S'awright, Mr. Gershin. I can help you bring the load inside if you want," he offered, quickly checking with Jo if she could wait. Jo nodded and then went inside.

The store, although not the centre of activity in Concord, always seemed to have one or two shoppers looking for their daily grocery needs, but today the store was practically empty except for the woman who looked up now from the table where she was sorting and pricing bolts of fabric.

"Mrs. Bhaer, what a pleasure to see you again."

Jo smiled back at Charlotte Gershin knowing that the greeting was much less than sincere. The last time the women had spoken to each other more than a year before, Charlotte had been much less than kind as she had seen Jo as a rival for Nick's affections. In the end, Jo was glad that Charlotte had come along because she might not otherwise have ever admitted to Nick about her own feelings towards him, but she regretted that Charlotte could not bring herself to letting down her defenses and becoming friends.

"Good afternoon, Charlotte."

"Is there something I can help you with?" the store owner's niece asked, her eyes cold despite the smile on her face. "Yes, actually. I need cloth for diapers," Jo replied simply.

"What a beautiful baby," Charlotte observed. "I must say, she looks remarkably like Nick with those blue eyes. She doesn't look anything like you though. I hadn't heard that you had married."

Jo smiled. Had it been anyone else making that last comment, Jo might have understood their confusion after not having been in Concord for over a year, and she might have blushed. But Jo caught the implication to be hurtful in Charlotte's comments and she merely replied, "We're not married, Charlotte. Fay is a foundling, left at Plumfield just yesterday. I'm surprised word hasn't spread more quickly around town."

"Well," Charlotte replied smugly, handing the cut cloth to Jo in return for payment, "you know I'm not one to listen to my customers' private conversations."

Jo gathered the cloth in her free hand, and turned towards the door. Before she left, she couldn't help, though, but to say, "No, but you do tend to presume what they mean. Good day, Miss Gershin."

Jo knew she should have just let well enough alone, but Charlotte had a way of getting under her skin. If the other women chose to make their relationship adversarial, there was no way Jo would take the verbal lashings quietly.

Outside the store, Nick was just loading the last of the feed on the cart when Harrison Bridger, the local newspaper editor, approached.

"Mrs. Bhaer... Jo, I was meaning to come out to Plumfield today."

"I'm sure you were, Mr. Bridger," Jo replied, knowing that the editor couldn't keep his nose out of a good story. Truthfully, she didn't relish the thought of having her name appear in the paper again after the first article Harrison Bridger had written about her and her school. He had nearly cost her everything she had loved and worked so hard for when he had perpetuated the lies that she had been negligent in her care of the students at Plumfield. Although she liked to think that she and Harrison had crossed that bridge and could be friends, she still wondered what other damage he was capable of inflicting with his impetuous and half-researched news stories.

"This must be the foundling," Harrison said, pointing out the obvious, but avoiding touching the child as if it were an infectious disease. If Jo had thought that Nick seemed ill at ease around children, it was quite apparent that Harrison was even moreso.

"I'd rather not say anything, Mr. Bridger. You know how I feel about having my name in your paper."

"Jo, you know that I'll get the story one way or another, and wouldn't it be better if you told me what you know first so that I don't end up printing anything that will offend you?"

"The sheriff knows everything that I know. The baby is healthy," replied Jo. "There's nothing that we can do but wait for the mother to be found."

"Ah!" said Harrison, marking his exclamation with a gesture of his pen. "That is where you are wrong. The newspaper business can be your biggest ally in the search for missing persons. I'll telegraph the presses in New York and Boston, and soon we'll have an army of people searching for this little one's mother."

Just then, a man approached from the direction of the newspaper office. He was dark and brooding, and looked oddly like Harrison. "You mean that this charming little child doesn't belong to this beautiful woman?" The voice was deep and reminded Jo of descriptions of velvety black nights. She looked back at the man, her curiosity piqued.

"Jo, this is my brother, Nathan," said Harrison, stepping aside as his brother stepped forward never once taking his eyes from Jo. She, in turn, felt like a child again, her stomach turning somersaults with the strange sensation of something mysterious just around the corner. "Nathan, this is Mrs. Josephine Bhaer, owner of the Plumfield School."

Nathan lifted Jo's gloved hand in his, and, not breaking eye contact, he bent down slightly and gently placed his lips on her fingers. "The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Bhaer."

Oblivious to the unusual tension hanging between Jo and his brother, Harrison continued on with comments about the child, speaking out loud more for his own sake as an enthused reporter than for anyone else's.

"Jo?" Nick's voice broke through Jo's reverie, and she let her hand drop from Nathan Bridger's. What possibly could have possessed her in that moment that she had thought of nothing else but this man? Blushing, she turned to Nick who stopped by the edge of the wagon. "Are you ready to go?"

"Um, yes." Jo said haltingly. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Bridger. Perhaps you and your brother would like to join us for dinner at Plumfield tomorrow night?"

Jo saw Harrison's attention suddenly turn to her, hopeful at the invitation.

"We would be delighted, I'm sure," his brother responded for them.

"Seven o'clock?"

"Seven it is."

When Jo and Nick arrived home, all bedlam had broken loose it seemed. Several chickens and one of the pigs had escaped their pens and the children and Asia were desperately trying to capture them before they might run off and never be seen again.

"What happened?" Jo asked as Asia looked up at her, ready to scream.

"Tommy crashed one of the bicycles into the chicken coop and broke the fence. The next thing we knew, not only were there birds all helter-skelter about the place, but Rob got distracted from his chores and forgot to close the gate to the pig pen! I'm at my wit's end!"

Nick dove for the pig and managed to grab hold of it, but not before diving straight into damp spot of earth and covering himself in dirt.

"Asia, we'll take care of this," Jo volunteered. "Take the baby inside with you and we'll be in soon."

Just then, Bess came storming out of the forest, followed closely by Nat, both of whom seemed in a terrible rush, and red in the face due to some recent incident. Jo then heard Dan's voice: "Bess, I'm sorry!"

"I'm not!" yelled Nan, who was the last of the quartet. "I'd rather be collectin' bugs than readin' this dumb stuff," she said, stomping past Nat and slamming her copy of A Midsummer Night's Dream against Nat's chest. Nat stopped indignantly and took the book.

"You have no appreciation of fine literature," Nat said angrily back at Nan.

Nan threw up her arms and rolled up her eyes. "Who cares? You can do the scene with Bess, for all I care."

Bess spun around and glared at Dan. "It would certainly be a sight better than working with him!"

As Emil grabbed the last chicken, all the children stopped to watch the altercation between the four students at Plumfield who had always seem the most companionable.

"What are you all looking at?" Nan asked of the other students, and the children turned away, eager to be anywhere but in the line of fire.

Stunned, Jo watched with her mouth agape. "Wait, you four!" she said as Nat, Nan, Dan and Bess began to march away in their separate directions. The usual friends stopped and turned. "What is the meaning of this?"

None of them said a word.

Finally, Bess said, "Aunt Jo, would it be possible to switch partners for our assignment?"

"For what reason?" Jo demanded, not wanting to get cross but finding her patience was being tested from the moment she arrived home.

Bess looked at Dan out of the corner of her eye and set her jaw angrily. "My partner is being less than cooperative... and I'm concerned about my grade."

"So am I," Nat added in support.

Jo looked at the four angry friends. None of them appeared to want to be anywhere near the others at the moment, and Jo could only guess what might have brought them to this point. Finally, she looked back at Bess. "You're request is denied."

Bess looked at her aunt in utter shock. "What?"

"You heard what I said. You will complete your assignments as assigned, or you will all find yourselves with failing grades."

Dan looked at his teacher in disbelief, his face turned up charmingly in that half-crooked way he had. "But Mrs. Jo - "

"If something has happened between the four of you, I expect you to work it out. Now, Dan, I want you to go and help Nick mend the chicken coop. Nat, can you please bring some more firewood into Asia? Nan, go check that the pigs are all back in their pen, and Bess, go change the baby for her nap."

Sullenly, the children departed for their assigned tasks leaving Jo to shake her head in wonder.

As midnight descended upon Plumfield, Jo found the wee hours of the night to be alternately sleepless and full of dreams. Images of a foundling being brought to her by fairies convinced her that the play she had chosen for the class and the reality of the situation at hand had influenced her thoughts. She also woke once from a dream of a handsome man who, although she could not see his face, reminded her of Nathan Bridger just by the way her heart beat fast. Nowhere was Nick in her dream, although she wished that more than any other strange imaginings this night.

Through a haze, Nathan approached her and gazed intently into her eyes until she had to look away. She felt his fingertips caress her face and then he whispered something in her ear. A shiver went through her and the blood in her veins seemed to course faster as he slid his hand down her arm until their fingers touched. Then, completely under his spell, Jo followed Nathan past the edge of the forest into the thick of trees. There was a magic about the night that entranced Jo, and try as she might, she was helpless to escape. She tried to look around and saw that behind her there was a radiant ray of light that tried desperately to break through the darkness, but the light wasn't strong enough. A shadow descended before it, and in a sudden panic, Jo awoke.

The next day passed slowly as Jo tried to understand the animosity that had reared its ugly head between four of her favourite pupils, but soon dinnertime was upon them and her concern turned to more adult affairs. Fay was particularly fussy and cried incessantly, even as Jo handed her to Nat so that she might be able to greet Nathan and Harrison Bridger when they arrived for dinner.

Again, Nathan was a perfect gentleman as he bowed to kiss Jo's hand. Then, hearing the poor little baby, he approached Nat. "May I?" he asked.

Nat looked from the older Mr. Bridger to Mrs. Jo, and then handed the baby to the man once it was clear that Mrs. Jo was comfortable with the idea. Nat had never known any man to be comfortable around babies (he certainly wasn't), but this one seemed to know exactly what he was doing. Within just a few seconds, Fay was hiccoughing softly, no longer upset by whatever might upset a little baby.

"Wow," Nat exclaimed softly. "How did you do that?"

Nathan winked secretly to Nat. "It's not magic, my boy. You'll learn one day."

"I'm not so sure..."

"And what's your name?"

"Nat, sir."

"Well, Nat, you take after me by name, so maybe you might take after me in caring for children too."

Nat smiled. "We'll see."

Just then, Nick peeked into the parlour. "Jo, I'll be headin' to town for a few hours," he said, having already told Jo of his plans to see a few friends. He didn't feel comfortable sitting at the table when there were formal guests at Plumfield, and Jo was understanding. She also realized that even though they were courting, Nick still needed time to socialize at the tavern. She had said that she didn't want to stand in the way of his dreams, and she knew that she needed to let him be himself.

Jo nodded and smiled as Nick departed.

"Nick Riley is the caretaker here at Plumfield," Harrison explained briefly to his brother.

"Has he been here long?" Nathan asked.

"Do you mean, 'is he staying long?'" the newspaper man teased. "I think so," he said at last, trying not to let his disappointment show. Harrison had already tried unsuccessfully to woo Jo, but it had quickly become apparent that her heart was already taken as scandalous as it might have seemed so soon after her husband's death. But Jo had mourned her husband respectfully, and her involvement with Nick was carefully guarded so that no one might find fuel for substantiated gossip.

"So, Mr. Bridger -"

"Please, call me Nathan. It will help avoid confusion with my brother," Nathan interjected politely.

Jo smiled. Nathan's voice was so melodious that she was curious how he could possibly be related to Harrison whom she had always found to be just a little too forward for her liking. She supposed Harrison's aggressive approach to certain things might be an asset for a news writer, but it was refreshing to know that his brother was not the same in that respect. "Nathan, may I ask what you do for a living?"

"Nathan's an actor," Harrison interrupted just as his brother opened his mouth to reply. Nathan seemed unfazed by his brother's urge to answer in his place, and added, "I think of myself more as a playwright, Mrs. Bhaer."

"Call me Jo. It's short for Josephine," Jo explained as the diminutive form of her name caused Nathan to raise an eyebrow in interest.

"Josephine seems a much more suitable name for such a lovely woman as yourself," Nathan responded.

"Jo's also a writer," Harrison offered. "Between the three of us, that's a lot of writing," he added, fully aware of how lame his comment was.

"And how long will you be staying in Concord?" Jo asked her fellow writer.

"Just a few weeks. Then I'll be back in New York to produce one of my plays."

"It sounds fascinating. My students are studying A Midsummer Night's Dream at the moment. Perhaps I could impose upon you to come to one of their lessons and speak to them of your profession."

"I would be delighted."

The children were soon all gathered at the table, and the Bridger brothers and Mrs. Jo joined them just as Asia brought out the last of the sumptuous feast. As with any other meal over the past couple of days, the conversation quickly turned back to the fate of Fay, and Jo looked apologetically at Nathan all the while hoping that the children wouldn't say anything that might turn up in Harrison's newspaper.

"The sheriff says they may get a lead into the mother's identity from the police in Boston," Harrison offered. "That little girl may get to go home before you know it."

Nan's eyes were full of concern at the thought of another little girl's fate. Nan was a rough-and-tumble tomboy as Jo had been when she was that age, but she was also caring and generous. "Are you really gonna let them take Fay?" asked Nan.

Jo sighed. She knew the children had had the question on their mind all day. The distracted whispers in the classroom could hardly conceal their concern and frustration. "She doesn't belong to us, Nan."

"But her mom didn't want her," Tommy said just as he stuffed a forkful of peas into his mouth, managing to spill half the load back on his plate.

"Even if her mother isn't found, I don't see how we can keep her," Jo told the children.

"But she doesn't belong in an orphanage either," countered Dan.

"Yeah," piped in Nat. "Who would love her there? We can give her a home here."

"If anyone knows what it's like to be an orphan, it's Nat and Dan," agreed Bess. "At least we'd love her here."

Jo smiled at Bess and tried to use the opportunity to change the subject. "So, Bess, since you and the others are in agreement, does that mean you've settled your differences?"

Bess looked across the table and tried to glare at Dan, but it was useless. They were still friends despite the silly argument they had had the previous day. Now that their anger had passed, they couldn't even remember what had caused their disagreement. It was as if they had been caught in a nightmare, and little Fay had brought them back to a point where friendship would flourish again.

"I don't even remember what we were arguing about," Nat confessed.

"I do," Nan countered. Nat, Bess and Dan all turned on Nan who backed off and shrugged. "But it was stupid. I think what's more important now is what happens to Fay."

"The kids are right," said Harrison as he cleaned off his plate, thankful for the wonderful home cooked meal that Asia had provided.

Nathan's deep voice resonated gently through the dining room. "I believe the decision is not so simple. I trust Mrs. Bhaer will make the proper decision based on her concern for the child's well-being."

"An orphan home ain't no place for any kid," Dan said. "If Fay don't get adopted quick, her life'll be miserable. Trust me."

"And what if her mother comes back?" added Nan. "She won't ever know where to find Fay."

Jo looked around the table at the faces of Asia and her students. Among them, Nat, Dan and Emil had all lost both their parents at such a young age, as had Nick. Nan had lost her mother, and even her own young son had lost his father. How could she possibly ignore what they had to say when they knew better than she what it was like to be alone in the world.

"I'll think about it," Jo said finally. "Just don't get your hopes up, all right?" Some of the faces at the table fell as they sensed that maybe Jo didn't want what the rest of them did, but deep down, Jo was already growing fond of their little Fay and she knew the longer they had her, the more difficult it would be to give her up. But adoptions weren't usually granted to single parents. If only Fritz were still alive, no judge would deny them at least temporary custody of this little girl while the search for her mother continued.

Nick rode into town and approached the tavern. It was still light out, and the shopkeepers were just closing up for the day when he dismounted and tied up his horse. Out of the corner of his eye, Nick saw a familiar woman approach him, swaying her hips as she walked and holding him in a stare that might have mesmerized any other man.

"Evenin', Charlotte," Nick said, hoping she wasn't looking for a long conversation.

"Nick Riley. My, don't you look as handsome as ever," Charlotte commented as she walked right up to him, placing her hand on his arm to hold him where he stood.

"What brings you to town?"

"I'm visiting my uncle again. It's been over a year since my last visit and I wanted to see how he was doing," the young woman replied.

Nick had a feeling that Charlotte couldn't care less for her uncle's health and welfare, but that instead she was here to check up on him. After a year, Nick would have expected a charming and aggressive woman like Charlotte would have found other men to try and conquer, but obviously that wasn't the case.

"Listen, Charlotte, I got things to do..."

Charlotte moved aside, as if to let Nick get on his way, but as he turned to leave, she said, "I've heard rumours in town about Mrs. Bhaer and the baby."

Nick turned back. "I don't care for no rumours, Charlotte. You know that."

"Some of the women in town have said that Mrs. Bhaer intends to keep the baby at Plumfield, even if the mother is found." Charlotte's eyes sparkled mischievously, and Nick knew that he shouldn't be listening to her, but something in what she said held him fast. "What kind of mother would desert her own baby?" Charlotte continued. "It would be the right thing for Mrs. Bhaer to do, considering she's taken in so many orphans already. Of course, with this one, she'll be trying to find a husband."

"Jo and I are courtin', Charlotte. She ain't never mentioned wantin' to be married yet," Nick said, trying to put things straight.

"You just wait, Nick. She'll rope you in. And if not you, that Nathan Bridger has his eye on her. He's got a reputation as a lady-killer. He can have any woman he wants."

Nick looked at Charlotte and shook his head. What on earth was she trying to prove? He pitied her for being so vindictive towards Jo, when Jo had never done anything to warrant these attacks. Ever since Nick had rebuffed Charlotte's advances, she had never once said a kind word to Jo. It was probably a good thing that she didn't live in Concord year-round.

"I gotta go," said Nick as he pushed past Charlotte. He had been looking forward to a few hours with some friends at the tavern, but suddenly all his thoughts kept turning back to Jo and her dinner guests. If it was true that Nathan Bridger was already sweet on Jo, Nick wanted to be there to make sure he didn't do anything inappropriate. Still, he trusted Jo's love for him and knew she wouldn't fall for any "lady-killer" as Charlotte had called this man. Even so, the evening's entertainment was ruined for him, and after a just a few hours, Nick headed home.

"Jo?"

Jo lifted her eyes from her journal in which she had been busily writing about the past day, and turned to face Nick. The conversation about Fay's future was heavy on her mind even as she and the rest of the family were growing fonder of the child by the hour. Although barely a few weeks old, there was an intelligence and curiosity in Fay's eyes that indicated a promising future if only she were given a chance. Perhaps Nick might be able to offer a different perspective on the entire issue. Maybe he had heard something while he was in town.

"Nick, you're home early."

The caretaker nodded his head at the clock. "It's near midnight, Jo. I think ya been workin' too hard."

Jo smiled, admitting to herself that she was indeed tired, but she felt more sorry for Nick than for herself. Since Fay had arrived, he had seemed completely out of his element around her, not to mention that their own courtship had been temporarily put on hold as Jo's spare time was consumed by the baby. Asia did as much as she could to help, but both women were becoming over-extended and exhausted by the constant care required. At night, Fay was not a quiet child, but at least she was sleeping now. The children, too, were asleep in bed. Maybe Nick and Jo might take advantage of this time and enjoy each other's company even for just a few minutes.

"It's been a while since I've had so much on my plate," Jo said, trying to dismiss Nick's concern but grateful for it.

"How was dinner?"

"Not bad. Harrison Bridger's brother is much more of a gentleman than he is. Certainly a very charming man. How was your evening?"

"Could've been better," Nick said with a shrug, not wanting to ask questions and seem overly curious about Nathan Bridger. "I bumped into Charlotte."

Jo grinned. "Yes, I saw her earlier."

Nick pulled up a chair and sat next to Jo, taking her hands in his. "I been thinkin' about what all has been goin' on 'round here, Jo, and I'm sorry I haven't been 'round more to help ya out."

Jo smiled. "Nick, don't worry about it. Fay's mother is bound to be located soon, and then the child will be where she belongs. Besides, your turn to be father may come one day," she said slyly.

Nick stiffened slightly at the remark but brushed it off as coincidence that Jo might hint at fatherhood after what Charlotte had said to him. "Maybe," he replied evenly as he gently stroked Jo's hands in his, "but I ain't too good with babies."

"The children think I should try to adopt Fay," Jo said as she looked at the way her hands intertwined with Nick's.

Nick pulled his hands from Jo's and sat back in his chair. "What did you tell 'em?"

"That I'd think about it."

"It ain't right puttin' notions of adoptin' Fay into the kids' heads, Jo. They're already getting' too attached to the baby. The sheriff could be by any day now to take her away."

Nick's easy dismissal of the children's comments caught Jo by surprise. She had thought that he would have sided with them since he, too, was an orphan. But how could she possibly be angry with him for what he thought, even if he seemed to be leaving to no room for argument? She loved him and cared a great deal about what he thought and how he felt about things. If Fritz had been alive, the thought of adopting a child to give her love and a chance for a better life would not have been so unthinkable. Only, Fritz was gone and Nick was here. Even if they were married, would he want children? Jo put that thought from her mind immediately.

"But if she should stay..." Jo ventured.

"It's a big responsibility," Nick replied. "You already have a dozen kids to care for, and Rob's still young enough that he needs his mother."

Jo lifted her eyes to meet Nick's and it seemed that so much was said in that moment. Nick wanted more time with Jo while he could, without concerns about dependent children. At least Rob was looked after by the other kids, but a baby needed more attention. At the same moment, Jo asked herself if maybe one day Nick might be able to make that lifetime commitment to her and feel comfortable enough to raise a family of their own. But Nick had said before that the sea might one day call him back. How could she possibly make any decisions with him when one day he might not be around anymore?

A cry from upstairs interrupted both their thoughts and Nick moved to leave. Jo held him back, smiling gently.

"Why don't you come up and see the baby, Nick?"

Nick hesitated. He didn't know the first thing about babies, and Jo knew he didn't want to get close, just as he had once feared being a father figure to the students at the school. Jo looked at him with complete understanding, but realizing that this was important to her, Nick took Jo's hand in his, gently squeezing her fingers, and followed her up the stairs to her room. The children were no doubt covering their heads with their pillows hoping that Mrs. Jo or Asia might soon come to their rescue, but except for the wailing baby, everything was quiet and in order.

"What's wrong with her?" asked Nick as Jo took the baby out of her cradle.

"She's been having nightmares," replied Jo. "She doesn't seem hungry or wet, but she won't sleep for more than an hour at a time. I only wish I knew how to comfort her."

"Well, she seems to be calmin' down some already," Nick commented as he stood back, watching with a touch of admiration at Jo's ability to soothe the frightened child.

"She's okay if someone holds her," Jo said, "but I can't hold her twenty-four hours a day. Would you like to?"

"What? Hold her?" The question caught Nick off guard and he stammered, "Uh, I don't think -"

"It's okay, Nick." Jo held Fay out to Nick before he could protest any further and he held out his arms awkwardly so as not to drop the little girl. With a bit of coaxing, and a bit more screaming from Fay who seemed to know Nick was uncomfortable, the man was soon sitting in Jo's rocking chair with the infant softly hiccoughing in his arms.

"Maybe this ain't so bad," Nick whispered, "but don't start getting' any ideas that I'm changin' my mind."

Jo smiled. "There's a lot more to caring for her than this," Jo replied softly, "but it's a start."

Nick swallowed hard at what Jo was implying, and in his mind he tried hard not to equate Charlotte's words with Jo's behaviour.

Nan woke in the darkness to the sound of Fay's cries. How long could a baby wail, she wondered to herself as she tried in vain to cover her ears with her pillow? Across the room, Bess slept as soundly as ever. She was an early riser, but she was not a light sleeper and the sound from Mrs. Jo's room didn't faze her one bit.

Staring up at the ceiling, Nan frowned. If this is what it was like to have a baby around, she could certainly do without the aggravation. Sure, the rest of the kids all seemed to think it would be fun to have Fay in the family, but who would get to take care of her when Asia and Mrs. Jo were busy? It certainly wouldn't be the boys. Bess probably wouldn't mind babysitting since having babies was something she was sure to want one day. Bess would chalk up her time with Fay to invaluable experience in child rearing. She'd probably dress Fay in ribbons and pink dresses, and then there would be two spoiled little rich girls around Plumfield in stead of just one. Yes, Bess was Nan's friend, and Nan considered their relationship to be something akin to friendship, but what would happen if Fay stayed.

And, of course, Bess wouldn't always be the one tasked with babysitting. The one job that Nan would probably end up with, as the only other girl at the school, would be diaper duty. Ew! Nan wondered how long it took babies to be potty-trained. Fay wasn't more than a few weeks old, and she still couldn't even crawl. Did she really want to be changing diapers for the next two years? Uh-uh! No way!

Nan looked at the shadows dancing on the walls from the moonlight as it passed through the lace curtains in the girls' room. She heard not one, but two, pairs of footsteps on the stairs and shortly afterwards the baby stopped crying.

Finally! she thought gratefully. Within minutes, she was fast asleep again, knowing that the best thing for Plumfield would be if Fay was taken away as soon as possible.

The next morning, Jo missed Nick at breakfast and headed out to the barn before the day's lessons began. She found him just as he had finished saddling his horse, and she approached him curiously.

"Mornin', Jo," Nick said as he combed his fingers through his hair.

"Are you going somewhere?" Jo asked, never one to beat around he bush when she felt something wasn't quite right.

"I was meanin' to ask ya if you'd mind if I left for a couple o' days."

Jo seemed momentarily taken aback, but then she shook her head. "Um, no."

Nick smiled apologetically as he closed the latch on his saddlebag, making sure it was secure. "With all the excitement last night, it completely slipped my mind. I saw the sheriff in town last night and he said he'd be needin' help searchin' for the baby's mother. He wants to check around some of the smaller places 'tween here an' Boston. We may even end up searchin' as far out as New York."

"Oh." Nick noticed that Jo had begun playing with her hands. He knew it was a sign that there was something on her mind that she was contemplating asking or telling him, but he didn't want to pursue it.

"I'll be back in a few days," Nick said.

"Well," Jo replied abruptly, "we'll see you in a couple of days then." And then she turned to leave. Nick grabbed her arm and pulled her back to him.

"Don't be mad, Jo," he said softly. "I just want to do what's best for the baby."

Jo looked deep into Nick's eyes and saw the sincerity there. He really did care, but why did she get the feeling that she had done something to prompt his sudden departure?

"I'll be back soon," Nick said again. He gently kissed Jo on the lips and then turned back to his horse. As he headed up the path to the main gate, Nick passed an oncoming carriage and noted that Nathan Bridger was back. Tipping his hat, Nick tried not to think about the reasons that might have brought Nathan back so soon after the dinner just the previous day. Maybe he had just forgotten something and was returning to get it. At any rate, Nick would be back soon, and he was sure Nathan couldn't be as dangerous as Charlotte had tried to indicate.

Jo was waiting for Nathan in front of the house, flanked by several of her students, as he pulled the buggy to a stop. "Good morning, Mrs. Bhaer."

"Good morning," she replied as she shielded her eyes from the morning sun, just behind her guest. "The children are looking forward to your visit."

"As am I."

Jo turned to the students. "All right, everyone, off to class. Mr. Bridger and I are right behind you. Dan, would you mind unhitching the buggy and putting Mr. Bridger's horse in the barn? He'll be with us for a few hours, I think."

"No problem, Mrs. Jo." Dan took the reigns from the older man and headed off as the other children raced before him.

Nathan was curious that they were heading away from the house. "Where do you teach their classes?"

Jo smiled. Many people had asked her the same question in the past, and she always replied proudly, "We have our schoolroom above the barn. Fritz and I thought it would be nicer for the children to get out of the house. Actually, we often have classes outside, when the weather and the lesson plans permit."

"Perhaps, then," said Nathan, "we might be able to take the children out on an excursion. I find there is no healthier way to spend an afternoon than to find inspiration in nature."

"And will you bring your little Fay?"

Jo raised an eyebrow and looked at Nathan in pleasant surprise. Fay had been in Asia's care during the day, and the thought of including the baby on any field trips hadn't even crossed her mind, but maybe the fresh air would do her some good. On second thought, Jo was sure it would be too much of a distraction. "I think it best if the children concentrate on their lessons, Mr. Bridger. Your thought is appreciated though. You seem to be quite fond of children."

"I've always thought of myself as a family man," Nathan agreed. "Unfortunately, I have no family of my own."

"I can't see why," Jo replied. "You're a very interesting and charming man." Jo blushed at her own frankness, but Nathan took the compliment in stride.

"Perhaps after the lessons, I might be able to spend time with you and the baby. Then we can talk more about writing."

"I'd like that very much."

Several days passed and the weather warmed as winter said its last good-byes and the snow disappeared quickly from the earth. No word had come back from town about how the search for Fay's mother was going, and Jo discovered that the Sheriff had never formed any type of search party. If that were the case, had Nick simply lied to her about the Sheriff's involvement and gone searching on his own, or had he left for good? Jo didn't want to believe the latter situation, but as the days wore on, she couldn't help but think of what he had said before they had started courting. The sea called to him, and he knew that one day he might go back there. Jo had said that she wouldn't hold him back, nor could she be expected to wait for him if that was the path he chose to take.

Meg and Amy had come to Plumfield for a visit on this bright, sunny day, and they observed that Nathan Bridger's wagon was out by the barn.

"Mr. Bridger has kindly offered to teach the children in the afternoons while he's in Concord," Jo explained as the sisters worked together on a new quilt for the baby's crib. Meg and Amy had been convinced that Jo should simply resign herself to the fact that Fay was going to be at Plumfield for a while yet, and if that day came when she was to leave, they wanted to give her a gift by which she could know that she passed through Concord and was loved by a unique family at Plumfield.

"He seems like a very kind man," Meg said, watching her dark-eyed sister carefully. She knew that Jo was certainly upset at Nick's prolonged absence, but she was also quite aware of her sister's temperament and realized that bringing up her suitor's name would only cause her to become defensive.

Amy, on the other hand, was never blunt about matters of the heart. "What did Nick have to say?"

Meg glared at Amy, but Amy merely shrugged back. She knew Meg was as curious to know as she was.

"Mr. Bridger offered his services after Nick left. I don't see why he would mind anyway," Jo added as she continued to sew. "If he hadn't gone, we might have had more time to spend together. I guess that's not going to happen now."

"Nick hasn't sent any word at all?" Meg asked, concerned for Jo's happiness. Jo simply shook her head.

"Well, if he doesn't come back, he's a selfish brute," Amy scolded.

"Amy!" Meg was appalled at her sister's comment, and wasn't about to stay silent. "Jo, I'm sure Nick is doing just as he said: looking for Fay's kin. He'll be back."

"In the meantime, though," said Amy, "you'd better watch that Mr. Bridger. He's got quite a reputation for sweeping women off their feet, and Charlotte Gerson's flapping tongue is starting rumours in town."

Jo finally looked up, her tears successfully held at bay. "What kinds of things is she saying?"

"Well, Lucinda Barks, said Charlotte said Nick left in a fit of jealousy over your attention to Mr. Bridger."

"What?! I just met him a couple of days ago. And everyone knows how I feel about his brother so why would they suspect I would like his brother any better?"

"I don't know, but Charlotte's saying things that are not putting you in a very good light. Of course, many of the people in town know you, and your devotion to Nick, so they don't believe a word of it, but there are people who have never held you in high regard -"

Meg looked shocked. "Amy!"

"Well, it's true. A young woman running a school for boys isn't the most respectable way to spend your life, even if you have been widowed. Anyway, those other people are apt to believe anything negative said about you, and right now they're talking about all of Nathan Bridger's frequent trips out here."

"Maybe you should decline Mr. Bridger's offer to teach anymore," Meg suggested, wanting only what was best for her sister.

"I don't care what people in town are saying," said Jo. "Mr. Bridger has been kind enough to give me a reprieve from teaching, and he loves working with the children. He even comes in advance of the afternoon lessons to take care of Fay while Asia does some of her chores and prepares for lunch. How could I possibly turn him away?"

"The perfect gentleman," Amy whispered under her breath, but Jo heard her clearly.

"Pardon me?"

"He's vying for your affections, Jo. Can't you see that? And how could you possibly not grow to love a man like that? He's talented, intelligent, he loves children... What more could you want in a husband and potential father? He's doing everything just right."

"The only thing," Jo pointed out, "is that I'm in love with someone else."

When Nick had left Plumfield, his intentions to find Fay's mother were completely honorable. If he had told Jo the truth that he was searching for her of his own initiative, she might have been angry with him. Of course, by now she had probably discovered that he had lied about the Sheriff's request for assistance and then he'd have to face her anger when he got back. Nick had felt overwhelmed and needed time to himself, so he hadn't thought of the consequences of his actions and now he regretted them, particularly since he had intended to return within twenty-four hours, and now it was almost a week later. Jo would surely think he had jumped on a ship and left for good.

Nick slammed his fist against the wall of the hotel room he was in. If he had just had the courage to talk to Jo about his fears, he would probably never have had any reason to leave. She was an understanding woman, and much better than he ever deserved. What could she possibly see in a man who had spent half his life among men who avoided human interaction and found comfort in the rocking of a ship at sea?

But, as lonely and painful as his days away from Plumfield had been, they had opened his eyes, and he had also been making progress in his search. Assuming that Fay's mother was an outcast of some type, or someone with no means to support herself or her child, Nick roamed the streets at night, asking questions of the women who propositioned him in the darkened alleys and prompting whispers behind his back at the taverns. Occasionally, he would bump into an old friend who would try and convince him to join them on the next journey out to sea, but they soon realized that Nick was a changed man. They shook their heads as if to pity his decision to remain land-locked, but in their hearts they envied him and agreed to get word back to him if they uncovered anything.

Sitting now on the creaking bed in one of the seedier hotels in Boston, Nick was resigned to the fact that his search would prove fruitless. He had checked back with the Boston sheriff twice daily, but word there and in Concord indicated that the trail was getting cold and chances were that Fay was now an orphan.

There was a knock at the door and Nick asked who it was. Sheriff Maine announced himself and Nick let him in.

"Good news, Mr. Riley."

"Ya found her?" Nick asked in disbelief.

The sheriff nodded. "She's in bad shape, but she's alive. I'll be sending a telegraph to Concord in the morning. We'll have Sheriff Berkely bring the child here as soon as possible."

Early the next morning, much to her disapproval, Asia found Nathan Bridger sitting opposite Jo at the kitchen table with Fay in his arms and a baby bottle in his hand. Rob sat close by, staring untrustingly at Mr. Bridger, ready to pounce the moment there was any indication that his little Fay might be in trouble. Mr. Bridger had been coming by earlier each day and staying later, and Asia knew his reasons could not be entirely honourable. Even Rob didn't take to Mr. Bridger, and Asia couldn't blame the little boy from being so cold towards Jo's guest. But since Fritz Bhaer's death, Rob had only known one other father figure, and that was Nick Riley. Now it seemed that Nathan Bridger was trying to remove Nick from that position without allowing Nick to defend himself.

The bottle had just been emptied and Jo retrieved the child from Nathan to burp her when there was a knock at the door and Asia let in the sheriff.

"Good morning, folks."

"Any news, sheriff?" Jo asked.

"The sheriff in Boston telegraphed this morning," Sheriff Berkely said. "They've found the mother."

Jo wanted to ask if the Boston sheriff had mentioned Nick, but then she thought better of the question since they would hardly have wasted time mentioning anything other than the important news. Jo, Nathan and Asia all exchanged glances, and then Asia asked the question that was foremost on their minds: "So, what happens now?"

"Well, it appears that the mother is in ill health. I'll need to take the child to Boston as soon as is convenient."

Nathan could see that this didn't quite sit well with Jo. Fay had been at Plumfield for nearly two weeks, and everyone had started to grow attached to her. Maybe it would be easier if they went to Boston themselves. At least then Jo wouldn't have to be so concerned about Fay's comfort on the long drive, and it would give Nathan a chance to speak frankly with Jo about the feelings he was now having. The sheriff listened to the suggestion that Nathan accompany Mrs. Bhaer and the baby and then, after a moment's consideration, he agreed. At least with Mrs. Bhaer on the trip, his men wouldn't be faced with the awkward task of taking care of a baby.

"They'll be expecting you this afternoon, then," he said at last.

"So soon?"

"The sooner the better, Mrs. Bhaer. The doctor in Boston said there ain't much time."

"Very well, then, Sheriff. Rob, can you please get Nat?" She would need the children to be responsible for their own lessons, and she trusted Nat to take care of things for the few hours required in the afternoon. He had proved that he was responsible enough for the task when Jo had become paralyzed after a fall from a ladder, and she was grateful to all the children for being so cooperative when he was asked to substitute for her.

The sheriff tipped his hat as he started to leave. "I'll need you to sign a few papers in town before you leave, Mrs. Bhaer."

Jo nodded. "I'll be there as soon as I can."

By the time they arrived in town, news had already spread that Mrs. Bhaer and Nathan Bridger would be riding to Boston together to deliver the baby, and Charlotte was quick to take the opportunity to fuel her own rumours.

"You're very brave for tolerating all this talk behind your back," Nathan observed as a couple of ladies walked quickly by them, whispering to themselves as if Nathan and Jo had not already known what was being said about them.

"I've become accustomed to the way the grapevine in Concord grows. The truth eventually speaks louder than all the nasty rumours combined."

"Miss Gershin seems intent on doing you harm."

"One day she'll stop," Jo said kindly. "She's young and she didn't get what she wanted."

"And what's that?"

"She had her eye on someone once," Jo said simply. She felt awkward speaking of such things and was grateful when Nathan seemed to understand and let the subject go. "I've heard that Charlotte is quite a pleasant young woman, and very talented," Jo added. "If she could only see that I'm not her enemy, I'm sure we could be friends."

"You are quite forgiving, Jo. It's something I have come to appreciate very much in your nature."

Once they had left Concord, Jo found that she enjoyed Nathan's company on the trip. He spoke to her of the plays that he had performed in and written, and of all the wonderful places he had been while in a touring company that he had formed himself. He had been more than happy to spend time with the children as they studied one of Shakespeare's comedies since he held the Bard in such high esteem.

"What brought you to Concord?" Jo asked as they settled down midway in their trip for a bite to eat.

"I woke up one night, hoping to find a place where I might be able to settle down. I've traveled since the age of twenty, pretending to be someone else, and I finally came to the conclusion that maybe I just wanted to be myself for a while."

"I envy you all your journeys," Jo said as she sat on the picnic blanket holding Fay in her arms. "I used to dream of traveling to Europe and Asia when I was younger, but I never made it any further than New York."

"You could still have that, you know," Nathan said, reaching his hand out to hold hers. Jo felt an instant of breathlessness as she looked back at Nathan. Was she wrong, or was he hinting at something she shouldn't be contemplating. "I came to Concord hoping to settle down," Nathan continued, "but when I met you, I knew I had met someone with whom I could share my journeys. We could write plays together and tour the world."

Jo pulled her hand from Nathan's. "In another place and time, the offer might have been tempting, Nathan, but I have a son... and a school full of children. Even if I weren't in love with someone else, they would be enough for me to stay where I am."

"Then I'll stay with you," Nathan replied, moving closer. "You know I love children, and I would be happy teaching them."

"Nathan, we only just met, and you speak as though you've thought out our entire future."

"I have."

Jo shook her head and headed back to the carriage. "I think we should get to Boston," she said simply. "Nick's waiting for us there."

Nathan absorbed what Jo had just said and then gathered the picnic blanket together, loading it back into the carriage. "I'm sorry," he said.

"There's nothing to be sorry about," replied Jo. "You're a wonderful man, Nathan. You remind me so much of my husband Fritz that I might have fallen for you had there not been someone else, but right now my future is with Nick, and my concern is with this little baby."

"Shall we at least be friends?"

Jo smiled. "Of course. If I can be friends with your brother, there's no reason why I can't forgive you and be friends with you as well. Besides," she said slyly, "maybe there is someone for you in Concord after all. I know a certain young woman at the General Store who seems desperate to find her own happiness. Maybe it won't have to cost me mine."

Nathan smiled, and as they drove on, he thought that maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing to try and woo Miss Gershin.

After class had been dismissed for the day, over an hour earlier than usual since Nat had been in as much of a rush to get out and enjoy the sun as the rest of the students, Nan had the use of one of the bicycles, so she decided that she would go into town to show off her riding skills. Unlike Tommy, who had never touched a bicycle before in his life, Nan had been lucky to have had one of her own when she was a little girl. Of course, that one had been made of wood and she'd quickly destroyed the frame in her quest for speed. These new metal-framed bicycles were much stronger, though.

After sorting out their rather bizarre turn against each other, Dan also gave Nat his bicycle privileges, preferring to take one of the horses out for a walk. He had discovered not long before that Bess actually knew how to ride quite well, having been given ample opportunity by her parents as part of her upbringing to become a lady of society.

"I'll meet ya down by the General Store," Nan called out as she eagerly sped ahead of her friends. "I gotta get more jars from Mr. Gershin before he closes up for the day."

When she got to the store, Mr. Gershin appeared busy with a customer, so Nan hung around the front of the shop, waiting for Dan, Nat and Bess. Something must have happened to the other bicycle on the way into town, but Nan had to get her jars first before she went back to check. Without realizing it at first, Nan began to listen to the conversations around her and the mention of Mrs. Jo's name caught her attention.

"I hear that Mrs. Bhaer fired Nick Riley in a fit of rage after he refused to marry her," one woman said.

"Nick Riley's a good for nothing marine," said her husband. "He was bound to jump ship, what with all those kids looking up to him. There's no way he was going to stay."

"And the baby," said another. "I heard that Mrs. Bhaer was going to take the mother to court for deserting her and then apply for adoption herself."

"And...," said Charlotte Gershin, "I've heard that Mrs. Bhaer and Nathan Bridger are already courting. Have you seen how much time he spent at Plumfield lately? They barely know each other!"

"It's positively scandalous!"

By now, Nan's face was red and her jaw hurt from having clenched her teeth and bitten her tongue for as long as she did while listening to all the lies. "Stop it!" she yelled, causing all heads to turn.

"Excuse me?" Charlotte said, looking down on the tomboy.

"Mrs. Jo is the nicest lady I know, and you shouldn't be saying such things about her!"

"You must be one of the children from Plumfield," noted Charlotte. "Are these your friends?" she asked as Dan, Bess and Nat came into the store.

"We are," said Dan, realizing already what had happened by the anger in Nan's expression and the smug look on Charlotte's face.

"You're the one who's been spreading rumours about, Mrs. Jo," Nat said harshly.

Charlotte looked taken aback, but wasn't sure what to say.

"You know my aunt is anything like what you've been saying," said Bess without raising her voice.

"Do you deny, then, that Mr. Bridger has been visiting her on a daily basis and that Nick Riley has left?"

Dan stepped forward defensively, but Bess's hand on his arm reminded him to keep his temper. "Mr. Bridger's been comin' down to Plumfield to help us study. He's been givin' Mrs. Jo a break from teachin' for a bit 'cause of the baby."

"If Mr. Bridger isn't courting Mrs. Bhaer, then why did Mr. Riley leave so quickly," asked the first woman. Nan couldn't remember her name, but she really had never thought before that she might be the kind of busybody who couldn't keep her nose out of other's people's business, or keep her facts straight. Adults could be really stupid sometimes.

"Nick went to find the baby's mother," Nat replied. "We want the baby to have a good home."

"Well, Mrs. Bhaer obviously thinks that it's up to her to save all of the children," said another woman.

"That's not true," said Nan. "We discussed it together, and she was the only one who didn't want to talk about adoptin' right away. I thought about it afterwards and she was right. A baby'd be too much trouble."

Nat looked at Nan, wondering what had changed her mind, but then Nan added, "But if her mother doesn't want her, there's no better place on earth for her than at Plumfield, 'cause we'd all take care of her."

"That's right," said Bess. "Mrs. Jo loves us all."

"And so does Nick," Dan added. "So whatever lies you been spreadin', you better get your facts straight."

Mr. Gershin had been listening intently to the altercation in his store, and began to piece together what was happening. "Charlotte, may I have a word with you?"

"But, uncle -"

"Now," he insisted sharply. "Nan, would you and your friends mind the store for a minute. I won't be long."

Charlotte followed her uncle to the back of the store, knowing that her harsh tongue had finally landed her in trouble. Maybe then her parents would stop sending her to Concord when she didn't want to be here. There were much more exciting places to be, like London, or Paris, or New York.

"When Mrs. Bhaer, Mr. Riley and Mr. Bridger return from Boston, I want you to apologize to all three of them."

"Yes, uncle," Charlotte said resignedly.

"And I want you to set all those wagging tongues straight as they walk back into my store. Mrs. Bhaer's been through a lot in this town, and she doesn't deserve any of it. She's a fine, upstanding woman, and she is my friend. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Good. Now get back to work."

Charlotte looked back at the customers and the children and saw how quickly the children had seemed to forgive these towns people whom they had known for years. Mrs. Bhaer was a lucky woman to have such staunch defenders, and she was quite a teacher and mother to have raised them to be so understanding of people's faults. Perhaps, they might give her another chance to make amends if she showed she was sincerely sorry for what she had done. At any rate, life would be much easier without keeping up all the lies just to spite someone for no reason.

Gathering her courage, Charlotte approached the children who looked at her grimly. "We didn't want to cause you any trouble, Miss Gershin," Nat said at last, "but we won't stand by and let you say bad things about our family."

Charlotte nodded. "I am truly sorry if I caused you any pain," she said. "Can you ever forgive me?"

Dan shook his head, pitying this pretty woman. "We're not the ones you should be apologizin' to."

When Nathan and Jo arrived in Boston, the sun had already begun to set, but Jo recognized instantly the man who waited for them in front of Dr. Claremont's medical clinic. Her heart beat fast even as she realized that she should be furious with Nick for going away and not sending word for so many days. Nick helped Jo out of the wagon, as Nathan stepped out the other side with the baby in his arms.

"Jo..."

Jo's eyes filled with tears, and she wrapped her arms around Nick's neck before he could say another word. "Don't you ever do that to me again," she whispered into his ear.

"I won't," he promised. "And I'll explain everythin' later. Right now we've got other things to worry 'bout, though."

Sheriff Maine and Dr. Claremont waited by the door of the clinic and led Jo and Nathan to one of the rooms on the second floor. The young woman they suspected to be Fay's mother lay still in her bed, her face as white as a sheet except for a nasty bruise on the side of her head which fairly screamed out in its darkened red and purple shades.

"What's happened to her?"

"We found her lying in an alley," the sheriff explained. "She might have died there without anyone knowing."

"She has an infection in her kidneys," Dr. Claremont added, "and there's internal bleeding. The blow to her head was relatively minor compared to the damage to her body. I'm afraid she doesn't have very much longer, Mrs. Bhaer, but she's been delusional since she was found."

"What makes you think this is Fay's mother?"

"She spoke of a child and a yellow house. Mr. Riley had come by a couple of days ago asking if I had seen anyone who might possibly be the woman you're looking for. When the sheriff brought her here, I knew we'd found the mother."

"But this woman is obviously in no condition to care for her child, if she is the mother," said Nathan. "Why did you ask us to come all this way?"

Dr. Claremont shook his head. "She'll never be able to take her child back, but if she sees the little girl, maybe we'll know for sure if this is her child. From there, we can determine the next course of action."

"That's right," said the sheriff. "Right now she's only suspected to be the mother."

The woman on the bed stirred and her eyes fluttered open as Jo sat on the edge of the bed, wanting to ask so many questions. Had this woman known that she was dying? Didn't she have family to whom she could have turned? What was the child's name, and why had she left her at Plumfield when her life had so obviously been centred on the streets of Boston.

Through dry eyes, the woman saw faces as if in a dream, but the one she saw before her made her smile weakly. She knew now that her time was near, and God had surely sent an angel to ease her passing. She had not been a good mother. She had not even been a good person, selling herself for the pleasure of men only to dull the pain of living after an abusive childhood. But now there was an angel sitting by her side, and God forgave her.

"Have you come to take me home?" the woman asked softly through cracked lips.

"No," replied Jo sadly. "We've brought your daughter to you." Nathan handed Fay to Jo who lifted the child so that the woman could see, and tears filled her eyes.

"My little fay," the woman whispered. She lifted a frail hand and touched the baby's cheek, but the exertion was too much and her hand dropped again to her side.

"What is her name?" Jo asked quietly. More importantly, "What is your name?" she added.

The woman's eyes blinked shut, and for a moment Jo thought the woman had fallen into unconsciousness. "Grace," came the soft reply, as gentle as a whisper on the wind. "We have no family."

Jo looked up at Nick. The woman's answer clearly indicated Fay's... Grace's illegitimacy. They could only imagine the hardship this woman had gone through in choosing to bear and raise the child for those first few weeks of her life. Grace would have to live with the stigma of being born illegitimate for the rest of her life, a status to which most folks did not take kindly once they knew. Even more disgraceful was the fact that her mother was a prostitute, but Jo knew that a higher power would forgive the woman her sins, and the child could not be judged upon them.

"What is your name?" Jo continued.

The men looked on quietly, none having been able to get any information from the woman before Jo's arrival except what she had mumbled in semi-consciousness. But seeing Jo and Grace seemed to bring her a strength they did not know she still possessed.

"Catherine," she said haltingly. "Catherine... Sullivan."

The sheriff took note of the name and told the others that he would investigate the woman's past. "Let me know if she gives you anything else," he concluded.

At the revelation of her own name, Catherine's eyes filled with moisture anew as she closed them again. Salty tears slipped down her cheek, but she hadn't the strength to wipe them away.

Jo reached out and dried the ashen cheeks with the corner of a handkerchief. "Everything's going to be okay, Catherine," she said gently. "We'll find your family... for Grace's sake."

"No family," Catherine whispered hoarsely and then she closed her eyes, her once pretty face marred by its very thinness and her pain, but finding some peace in knowing that Grace was in good hands.

"We'll have to let her sleep now," said Dr. Claremont. "Perhaps she'll be able to answer more questions in the morning."

At the hotel where they stayed that night, Nick, Jo and Nathan had breakfast the next morning in the restaurant on the main floor. Jo didn't feel much like eating, but Nick insisted as Nathan excused himself.

"You don't have to leave," Jo insisted gently.

"That's all right," Nathan replied. "You two need some time alone, and I have things I can do in Boston. Maybe I'll track down some of my fellow thespians and find I have someplace to go again."

"Thank you for everything," Jo said as she remembered Nathan's kindness of the past week. "I hope that someday you'll come to Concord to perform for us."

"You can be certain of that, Mrs. Bhaer. You and your students shall have the best seats in the house."

Jo watched Nathan Bridger leave and then turned back to Nick, whom she found was watching her in turn.

"Jo, I didn't mean to leave without sendin' word back," Nick started.

"Then why did you?"

"I dunno," Nick shrugged. "I guess I got scared. When I bumped into Charlotte in town, she filled my head with all her words, and the next thing I knew, everythin' ya did seemed to get me scared that you wanted to tie me down and take care of babies all day."

"Nick Riley, I thought you knew me better than that," Jo replied. "I don't ever want you to feel that I'm holding you back. As much as I love you, I know there's a part of you that will always long to be free to go wherever and whenever you please."

Nick shook his head. "But it shouldn't be like that, Jo. You deserve better'n that, an' I gotta decide what I want."

Jo looked down at her barely touched meal and rearranged her eggs with her fork, still not able to bring the food to her mouth. She was too upset now, for her own sake and for Catherine's and for Grace's. "And what do you want?" she asked almost too softly for him to hear.

"I want you," Nick said, taking Jo's hands in his own. Then he looked over at the baby lying in the basket next to them and he smiled. "An' if it means takin' care of babies, I want that too, only I don't wanna make it official yet 'cause I gotta get used to the idea. I ain't never thought about marryin' while I was at sea with a ship full o' sailors, but I'm thinkin' 'bout it now."

Jo ran her thumb over the top of Nick's hand and then leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "You don't have to say this for my sake, Nick."

Nick reached out and touched Jo's cheek, making her look deep into his crystal blue eyes. "I ain't sayin' it just to say it, Jo. I mean it. It's been a long time since I had a home, and I've found one with you and all the kids that come with ya. I don't want to lose that. Now," he said, sitting back again and becoming all business, "it ain't gonna help nothin' if you don't eat."

A sense of guilt ran through Jo as her thoughts turned back to the child who would soon become motherless. Here she was worrying about her own life when a woman was dying

"There ain't nothin' we can do for her, Jo," Nick said, as if knowing exactly which questions were running through Jo's mind.

Jo looked down at the gurgling little baby and her heart ached for her. She didn't care anymore about the whispers among the other hotel guests who wondered about the beautiful widow Mrs. Bhaer, her two handsome escorts and the little baby they suspected had been fathered by one of the two men. It was no use trying to explain to people she was unlikely to ever see again.

"I should send a telegraph home. We may have to be here for a while longer."

"Excuse me, Mrs. Bhaer, Mr. Riley?" The hotel owner approached them just as Nick had finished his own breakfast and was taking Grace onto his lap. This last move surprised Jo, but her smile was cut short by the interruption. "Dr. Claremont has sent for the two of you. He said it's urgent."

Jo and Nick met the doctor back at the clinic, and the expression on his face told them more than he could have said in so many words. "She wants to see you, Mrs. Bhaer."

When Jo entered Catherine's room, a wisp of a smile crossed the dying woman's face. Jo sat on the edge of the bed again as she had the previous evening, and she held Catherine's hand as the dying woman gazed up at Grace who was resting comfortably in Nick's arms.

"You're good people," Catherine whispered. Her breath was laboured and Jo realized why Dr. Claremont had summoned them with such urgency. She had seen the knowledge of death in the eyes of her beloved Beth so many years ago when her sister had finally passed away. That knowledge was now in the eyes of this young mother, and it saddened Jo greatly.

"I have no kin," Catherine said, repeating what she had told them already once before. She spoke so quietly that Jo had to strain to hear. "Take care of my fay," Catherine pleaded. "I want you to have her."

Jo gasped. Surely this woman couldn't' be asking what she thought she was asking, but there was no question as Catherine used all her energy to make her dying wish. "I leave Grace in your care, Mrs. Bhaer... Love her as your own... and try to be kind when you tell her about me."

Jo shook her head in disbelief. "Catherine, surely -"

But even in her weakened state, the dying woman was able to stop Jo's protests. "Please..."

Jo looked at the doctor and then at Nick.

"It's up to you," said the sheriff.

"I can't turn down a woman's dying wish."

Nick caught Jo's eye and indicated with a small nod that perhaps they should speak about this elsewhere. But as if knowing that Jo wasn't sure, and that there might not be any more time, Catherine reached out for Jo's hand and whispered, "Promise me."

Jo hesitated, caught between the decision that her head and he heart couldn't agree upon. "I..."

A tear rolled down Catherine's cheek, tearing Jo apart. "Promise..."

Jo felt Catherine's hand squeeze her own in one last gesture to implore her, but Jo couldn't say the words, and not a few seconds later, a final gasp passed by Catherine's lips and she slipped away.

Dr. Claremont looked into the now vacant eyes of Grace's mother and then passed his hand over them, shutting them forever. "She's gone," he said simply.

Jo stood, letting her own tears flow freely and Nick put his arm around her wanting so much to remove the burden he knew she felt. He knew Jo would be hard on herself for not having been able to promise Kathleen her last wish before she had passed away, and he was certain there would be little choice now as to what would be done.

When Jo finally calmed down, the sheriff met them downstairs and asked Jo again what she wanted to do.

"Mrs. Bhaer, there's still a chance we may find Miss Sullivan's kin, but if she told the truth, a search may turn up absolutely nothing."

"I know."

"So," continued Sheriff Maine, "the next choice is yours. Miss Sullivan's words have named you the baby's guardian. You can either choose to leave the child in the care of an orphanage here in Boston, or you can take her back to Concord with you. Adoption proceedings would be in your favour unless we find her next of kin. Given Miss Sullivan's profession, even if we located them, they may not want to have anything to do with the child."

Jo nodded. "I can't leave her here."

"Very well then, we'll be in touch with you if we hear anything.

The sheriff wished them well and then departed.

"Jo, are you sure about this?"

Jo offered Nick a reassuring smile and, setting aside any reservations that she might have had, she replied, "I'm sure."

When they got back to Plumfield, Meg and Amy were waiting with Asia and the children. The hour was late, but all of them wanted to know what had happened. Even Rob, who should have been in bed hours earlier, was awakened by the sound of the horse and carriage outside. He hated it when his mother was away for more than a day, and even if she didn't bring back his little fay, he would be happy just to see her again. He only hoped that Mr. Bridger hadn't come back as well.

"So," Jo concluded as she told them all what had happened, excluding Mr. Bridger's proposal on the road to Boston, "we have a new member of our family... and her name is Grace."

All the children smiled at the news, but Jo noticed that Nan seemed to be staying back from the rest of them.

"Nan, is something wrong?"

Nan stepped forward, her head bowed, and put her hand into Mrs. Jo's. "A few days ago, I wasn't thinkin' very good thoughts about havin' the baby around, Mrs. Jo. I'm sorry...."

"Nan, I'm sure everyone had their doubts about having a baby around. Nick and I both wondered if it would be the right thing, but now there's no question in our mind. Grace needs a home, and what better place could there be than right here?"

Nan smiled, happy that Mrs. Jo understood, as she always did. "Right!"

"What happened to Mr. Bridger," Dan asked.

"He's decided to travel again with a touring company. He promised to come back and visit sometime," Jo replied.

"Not to stay, though," Nat added.

"Does this mean that you and Nick...?" Amy began. Meg and Jo stopped their younger sister with a dual glare.

"All right, children," said Jo, "up to bed. Tomorrow I expect to be entertained by all of you with your scenes from the play."

"Mrs. Jo?"

"Yes, Nan?"

"Could I put Grace to bed, tonight?"

Jo smiled at the sweet girl who had such a promising future ahead of her. "Of course you can."

Nan took Grace in her arms and led the rest of the children up the stairs. Meg and Amy said their good-byes as well, and then Nick joined Jo out on the front porch.

"It looks like your family is growing," Nick said.

"Our family," Jo corrected. "You're a part of it, Nick, no matter what." Jo leaned into Nick as he placed his arms around her from behind. "I only wish..." Jo stopped, not daring to say what was on her mind, but Nick knew.

"You wish we could start a family of our own."

Jo turned to look at Nick. "Someday," she said. "But only when we're both ready."

Nick kissed Jo gently and then fixed her with his loving gaze. "Someday," he repeated, "I promise."

Jo smiled up at Nick, wanting so much to forever join her life to his, but now was not the right time. "Nick, you know I love you, and I know you're here for me now, and that's all I need. Let's just enjoy the family we have now and think about the rest after these past few weeks are just a passing thought. By then we'll know what our next step will be."

More weeks passed, and then months, as Grace grew. She began to talk and walk, learning to lover her big brother Rob and eventually sleeping soundly through the night.

"I never thought I'd ever really get used to having her around," Jo admitted to Meg and Amy one afternoon, "but now I can't imagine our lives without her."

"She's a little angel," Amy agreed.

Despite the stigma of illegitimacy and being born to a woman who had led an immoral life, Grace was loved unconditionally by her new family. The children embraced her as a little sister, happy that she had come into their home and been saved from an uncertain future in an orphanage.

"Have you heard anything from the sheriff in Boston?" asked Meg.

Jo nodded. "We got word yesterday that they've exhausted all their leads. It appears Grace is here to stay." Jo couldn't help but smile. The longer the child had stayed at Plumfield, the more everyone had worried about the day that her kin might be found. They knew the uncertainty could very well have led to a difficult farewell, but now it was official that Grace was theirs.

"Oh, I also received a letter from Nathan Bridger," Jo said. "His touring company will be coming to Concord in a month, and he's invited us to his show."

"That's wonderful," said Amy.

"He also wrote that he spent several weeks in New York where he bumped into Charlotte Gershin."

"And?"

"And they're now courting."

"Will wonders never cease," Meg said, trying not to laugh.

Outside, there was a sudden loud commotion and the three sisters stepped out on the porch to watch Nick playing in the front yard with an ecstatic Grace. Spring was upon Plumfield once again, and the little girl had just recently celebrated her first birthday, the day that marked her arrival into their lives.

Grace laughed aloud as Nick swung her around on his way to the barn, and Rob watched with undisguised affection at the interaction between his own foster father and adopted sister.

"You have quite a remarkable family," Meg commented as they watched the scene before them.

Jo smiled. "It may not be conventional, but it's mine... and I couldn't ask for anything more, not even in my wildest dreams."

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