PART 5
Both Nick and Jo nearly had a heart attack when they heard the store clerk refer to Mary as "their" baby.
"Uh, Mary's not exactly Jo's baby. See, this is Jo Bhear, the owner of Plumbfield, a school up here for boys. I'm Nick Riley, her caretaker. This baby here's my niece. Her parents both died so now she's mine. Jo's just helpin' me out with her." Nick replied as Jo was still trying to get over the shock.
The young clerk was clearly embarrassed as she replied, "I'm very sorry about that, sir. It's just that the other day someone pointed out you two to me and told me you were, well, a couple. So when I saw you today with your niece here, Mr. Riley, I just assumed that you two were married. My deepest apologizes."
"Quite all right. You meant no harm. Now, how about a new dress here for Mary?" Jo replied with a smile trying to get off the subject, as the idea of her being married to Nick was embarrassing her for the second time that day.
The fact that someone had called her and Nick a couple made her wonder what other rumors were going around about her and Nick. Within the next 10 minutes Jo and Nick had picked out material for two dresses. Nick had began to take out the money to pay for it, but Jo had insisted on paying for the material as a 'welcome home' gift. Seeing Jo would not give up, Nick finally let her pay for it. Nick picked up Mary awkwardly from her basket, not quite sure how to hold here. Jo noticed this and said, "Here, almost lay her against your chest. Make sure you support her head."
Nick followed her instructions and gave Jo a sheepish grin. Jo had to stop herself from laughing, for seeing 'Nick Riley, world traveler' holding a tiny baby. That was one sight she never thought she would see. Even though he didn't have much experience with babies, Nick held Mary with a certain tenderness that a father would have. Jo saw this in him and admired it. Snapping out of her daydreams, Jo thanked the clerk and walked out of the store with Nick at her side.
Walking towards the parked carriage, Nick almost ran into a man in his early 30s.
"I'm so sorry for almost running into you. My name's Henry Morgan. I'm the new owner of the Concord Gazette." The man replied eloquently. Nick stuck out his free hand and said "Nick Riley. This here is the newest member of my family, Mary"
"How old is she?"
"Two weeks"
"Does anyone else know about her"
"Not to many people" just then Mary started crying so Nick and Jo said goodbye and climbed into the carriage.
As they left Henry turned to the person next to him and asked, "Who was that beautiful lady with Mr. Riley?"
"That's Jo"
"Where do they live" Henry asked.
"Plumbfield, that school for boys." The lady answered.
"Ah, I see. I'll have to print a article about Mr. and Mrs. Riley's new daughter." Henry said to himself as he turned away.
PART 6
