PART 3
Jo and Nick, both flushed and obviously embarrassed, quickly stepped apart, but not quickly enough that Mrs. Moffat didn't see them standing in what appeared to be a very intimate position: Jo's hands resting on Nick's chest, Nick's hands cradling Jo's face, and the two of them looking deeply into each other's eyes.
"Well!" exclaimed Mrs. Moffat, both surprised and pleased to find her suspicions confirmed. "I apologize. Asia told me I could find you here, Mrs. Bhaer. I didn't mean to interrupt. I'll call again."
"No! Mrs. Moffat, Wait!" called Jo desperately, following her out the door. "I don't know what you think you saw, but I assure you there's a very simple explanation…"
Mrs. Moffat turned to confront her. "Yes, the simplest of explanations. Don't worry, Mrs. Bhaer. I think it's wonderful. I've long thought you needed a man at your side to help you run Plumfield and a father for little Rob! Well, it's just--"
"I'm afraid you've misinterpreted what you saw," interrupted Jo. "Mr. Riley and I are merely friends. There's nothing of a--a romantic nature between us, and absolutely no question of marriage!"
"Why, Mrs. Bhaer! You don't have to hide it from me. Mrs. Brooke was just as adamant when I confronted her earlier, but no amount of denial can explain what I saw this morning."
"This morning?" asked Jo nervously.
"Yes. At the post office. Mr. Riley received a package from Escott's Jewelers in Boston, which he admitted was for you. Now, you're not going to convince me that Mr. Riley is buying you expensive jewelry for any reason other than an engagement."
"I'm sure there's some other explanation," pleaded Jo.
"Not after I what I just saw." Mrs. Moffat said with a knowing air, continuing across the yard. "I'll leave you to get back to whatever, uh, 'friendly business' you were discussing before I interrupted."
Jo was left speechless and didn't even bother to call after her. She knew these rumors were probably all over the town by now, and she didn't know what to do. And as hard as she thought, she could not come up with a reasonable explanation as to why Nick would be buying her jewelry. But surely he wasn't…
She jumped as Nick put his hand on her shoulder. "Did you get everything straightened out? I hope I haven't… er, compromised your virtue!"
Jo pulled away, suddenly not sure of how to act. "Actually, no. She just wouldn't listen. Apparently she already had some idea that we were a couple, and this just confirmed her suspicions."
"Jo," Nick looked concerned, "I'm awfully sorry. I didn't mean for anybody to think that--I was just trying to help."
"I know," she agreed. "But of all the people to walk in! Everyone in Concord will be thinking that we're…well, getting married."
"Married? That's not so bad," joked Nick half-heartedly, trying to make light of an uncomfortable situation. "They could think a lot worse!"
There wasn't even the hint of a smile in Jo's obviously distressed face. "I don't know what to do. Mrs. Moffat's surely told half the town by now. And how is this going to look to the parents of our students…"
"Everyone knows that Mrs. Moffat is a busybody," assured Nick. "It won't be long before it all blows over. What she saw is very easily explained."
Jo looked thoughtful. "Nick," she began to ask. "Did you…" Suddenly, she wasn't sure she wanted an answer. "Oh…never mind. I should go check on Emil."
Jo walked back towards the house, leaving Nick wondering why she suddenly seemed uncomfortable around him.
Nan, Nat, Dan, Bess, Tommy, Jack, and Isaac crowded just inside the doorway of the room where Emil lay. They stood silent and as far away from Emil's bed as possible, as if getting too close might mean the death of Emil or them. Emil, sensing a presence, lifted his head, and the children jumped back in surprise.
"How--how do you feel?" asked Nan, nervously.
"Not so good," admitted Emil, laying his head back down.
"Can we do anything for you?" asked Nat, concerned. "Get you something? Or maybe you want someone to read to you?"
"That's okay. I'd rather just rest." Emil closed his eyes and pulled the covers closer.
Everyone exchanged looks. Finally Nan whispered, "Well, he shouldn't be alone. What if he--What if something happens? Tommy, you stay."
"I don't wanna stay!" Tommy whispered loudly, inviting harsh glances and insistent shushes from the others. "What if I get sick too?" he continued in a softer voice.
"Do you think he's catching?" asked Isaac.
"Mrs. Jo wouldn't let us in here if he was," Nan concluded. "And she told me and Nat that we should all keep him entertained."
Tommy backed away. "I don't care. I don't want to be in here alone with him!"
"I'll stay," Dan finally volunteered. He moved a chair closer to Emil's bed as the others filed out of the room.
Meg knocked desperately at the door of the Laurence house. "Oh, Amy, where are you?"
She had just given up and started back to her carriage, when another carriage came up the way.
"Meg! Meg!" called Amy, pulling her carriage to a halt. "I've been looking everywhere for you!"
"And I for you!" responded Meg, helping Amy down to the ground.
"You've heard then? About Jo and Nick? Can it be true?"
"Oh, Amy," chastised Meg, "of course it's not true! You know what a busybody Mrs. Moffat is! And do you think things really could have progressed that far between Jo and Nick without her saying anything?"
"Well, maybe it is a bit exaggerated," admitted Amy, "but there's certainly some truth to it. It's obvious that they care for each other, even if they are too stubborn to admit it. Oh! I wish it were true!"
"No matter what you wish it's out duty to put a stop to these rumors. I've been trying, but no one will listen, and I just don't have any explanation about the jewelry," said Meg, utterly frustrated.
"The jewelry?" questioned Amy.
"Yes, that's how this whole thing got started. Mrs. Moffat saw Nick picking up a package from a jeweler in Boston that he said was for Jo."
"Oh no!" gasped Amy. "I'm afraid that's my fault! Remember the brooch we ordered for Jo's birthday? It came in today, and things were so crazy around here today I sent Nick to pick it up for me!"
"Amy!" exclaimed Meg. "Well, if you knew the explanation, whey didn't you tell Mrs. Moffat and try to stop this rumor?"
"Honestly, Meg, I didn't hear anything about the package! I heard that Mrs. Moffat found them in the barn together, locked in an embrace."
Meg stared wide-eyed at Amy, totally taken aback. "An--an embrace? But how? Why?"
"I don't have an explanation for that one." Amy hoisted herself back into the carriage. "Climb in. In order to figure this out we're going to have to go to the source of these rumors."
"Mrs. Moffat?" Meg asked quizzically as she sat down next to Amy.
"No," corrected Amy, "Jo and Nick."
Dan, who had been watching out the window, returned to his seat next to Emil's be as he noticed Emil beginning to stir. "Hey. How do you feel?" he asked softly as Emil opened his eyes.
Emil shrugged. "I've been better."
"Do you want something to eat or anything?" Emil shook his head. Dan reached for a book on the nightstand. "How 'bout I read to you then?" He held up the book. "Robinson Crusoe, one of your favorites."
"You don't like to read," accused Emil.
"Aw, I don't mind, if you want me to. Just don't expect me to get all the big words right away--"
"Emil?" interrupted a voice from the door. Dan and Emil looked to see Tommy and Jack standing in the doorway. Tommy looked at Dan. "Is he still a-" Jack nudged him and he left the question unfinished as he noticed Emil's eyes open.
"What do you guys want?" asked Dan.
"We came to see if Emil needed anything," explained Jack. "Do you want to play a game or something?"
"Dan's going to read to me."
"Oh, okay." Jack and Tommy shifted uncomfortably, as though they weren't quite ready to leave. "I was thinking, Emil," began Jack, "that fifty cents you owe me… well, don't worry about it."
"Really?" asked Emil, surprised at Jack's offer. "Thanks."
Tommy came up to Emil's side and held out his hand. "This--this is for you." He opened his hand to reveal his pocketknife.
"Tommy! Your pocketknife?" exclaimed Emil, stunned. "But it's a really nice one. The one your dad gave you."
"That's okay." Tommy shrugged shyly. "I want you to have it."
"Thanks," said Emil sincerely. "You guys are great."
Tommy, Jack, and Dan exchanged glances. Finally Tommy gave Emil a reassuring smile. "We--we thing you're great too, Emil. Everybody does. We'll sure miss you."
Emil furrowed his brow, confused. "You'll miss me? Are you guys going somewhere?"
PART 4
