PART 5
Jo looked like she was about to protest, but Amy's no-nonsense stance and Meg's concerned expression led her to think better of it. She sat down on the sofa in defeat.
"It's not so much what Mrs. Moffat thought she saw," Jo finally admitted, "as what she really did see…"
Meg and Amy both looked stunned. "Just what did she see?" demanded Amy.
Jo jumped up suddenly. "No, it's not what you think. What I said before was exactly what happened. I got something in my eye, and Nick brushed it out. But after he did we were both just standing there… My hands were resting on his chest, his hands were still holding my face… we were looking into each other's eyes-"
"He was going to kiss you!" exclaimed Amy.
"No," hesitated Jo, "I don't think so…"
"But you wanted him to kiss you," insisted Amy.
"I--I don't know. Maybe. It wasn't really about kissing. But standing so close, looking so deeply into each other's eyes… we were having some kind of 'moment'…"
"And it made you uncomfortable?" asked Meg.
"No, not while it was happening." Jo paused. "But now… it's--it's awkward." She looked at them seriously. "Do you think I've ever given Nick reason to believe that I care for him?"
"Well you two have become very close," Amy pointed out. "He must know that you're fond of him."
Jo looked a little unsure of herself. "Yes, but have I ever given him reason to believe I might be interested in--in marriage?"
"Marriage!" exclaimed Amy. "Jo, Do you think Nick wants to marry you?"
"This is going to sound silly," began Jo, "but Mrs. Moffat said Nick picked up a package from a jeweler in Boston that was for me. That's what started this mess. You don't think he really means to propose do you?"
Meg and Amy exchanged glances. "That was our fault," admitted Amy.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, it was supposed to be a surprise," confessed Amy, "but Meg, Laurie, and I ordered that package for your birthday. I was really busy this afternoon when Nick came by, so Nick went and picked it up for me."
"You? So Nick was picking up the package for… Oh my gosh." Amy and Meg were surprised that Jo didn't seem a bit relieved.
"What's wrong?" entreated Meg, "I would think you'd be relieved to know Nick's not considering marriage."
"Well, maybe not relieved exactly," began Amy, always the matchmaker. But she stopped mid-sentence at Meg's disapproving glance.
Jo sighed. "It's just that I've made such a fool of myself. Avoiding Nick and telling him we shouldn't be together unchaperoned… I should know better than to listen to Mrs. Moffat's gossip."
"Don't feel bad, Jo," comforted Meg. "We all know how Mrs. Moffat always gets things wrong, but we all listened to her."
"She's right, Jo," agreed Amy. "And in a few days everyone will have forgotten that any of this ever happened, including Nick. Unless, of course, this is just the push he's needed to make him see…"But seeing that Meg and Jo were definitely not in the mood, she decided not the continue that thought.
There was an awkward silence at the dinner table that night. Jo noticed that, excepting Rob, all the children were unusually quiet and sullen, and most of them pushed their food around on their plate rather than eat it. She was busy trying to avoid meeting Nick's gaze, though she knew that after dinner she would have to straighten things out between them.
"Everyone's sure quiet tonight," remarked Nick. Everyone looked around quickly, then back at their plates.
"Maybe someone should go sit with Emil," began Nat, getting up from his seat.
"Emil is fine," Jo assured them. "I'll check on him after we've finished dinner."
Nat sat back down slowly. They ate in silence for a few more moments, then Asia entered carrying a piece of paper. She held the paper up and stood expectantly, as if she was waiting for an explanation.
"What is it, Asia?" questioned Jo.
Nat stood and moved to take the paper, but Asia kept it from his grasp. "That's mine."
"What's all this nonsense about Emil dying?" demanded Asia, holding the paper in front of Nat's face.
Jo jumped up, surprised. "Emil dying?"
"It's true!" announced Nan. "I heard Dr. Pierce say so to you. You don't have to pretend anymore. We all know."
Jo looked around the table. Only Nick and little Rob looked surprised to hear the announcement. "Emil is certainly not dying," Jo stated firmly. She put her hands on Rob's shoulders and led him away from the table. "Rob, dear, will you go upstairs and pick out a bedtime story? I'll come up soon." As Rob left, Jo looked around the room, trying to understand. "What is all this about? I explained to all of you that Emil simply has the flu. There's no danger of him dying."
"Mrs. Jo, Nat and I heard you talking to Dr. Pierce. We heard him say that nothing else could be done and that you should let Emil live out his last days like nothing was wrong," Nan declared.
"And we heard you tell Asia that we don't have room for a new student now, but we will next week," explained Dan.
Nat came forward. "But don't worry, Emil doesn't know. We were careful not to let him suspect."
Jo was stunned. "I promise you, nothing is wrong with Emil. What you heard Dr. Pierce saying wasn't about Emil, it was about another boy who lives in town. And I did say I would meet about a new student next week, but not because there will be any spots available. I just thought I would at least do him the courtesy of meeting him. I never meant for you to think that there was anything wrong."
The children looked around at each other, not sure if they should believe her or not. Finally Nan turned to Mrs. Jo. "I'm sorry. This is all my fault. I guess I should have come to you and asked you about what I heard before I told everyone and got them all upset."
Jo stroked Nan's head reassuringly. "I think, in the future, that would be an excellent idea." She looked around at all of them. "Sometimes you hear things or see things that lead you to certain conclusions." Her eyes rested on Nick for a moment, but then she continued, "But there is often more than one explanation for things, and it's always better to ask if you can't be sure. We all live here together, like a family, and I promise that you can always come to me about anything and that I will always give you an honest answer."
The children nodded, taking in what she said and the lesson they had just learned.
"Aunt Jo," Bess began, "are you and Nick getting married?"
Everyone looked a little shocked, and Jo wished Bess had waited till they were alone to ask, though it was probably better everyone understood.
"You two are getting married?" asked Dan with a grin.
"No," Jo was very firm, "Nick and I are not getting married. Nick and I are friends, just the way we've always been. And even if you saw something that made you think differently," she looked pointedly at Bess, "or if you hear any gossip to the contrary, you know that Nick and I will always be honest with you."
Everyone turned to Nick. "That's right," he agreed.
"You could get married," suggested Dan harmlessly.
Before Jo had a chance to rebuke Dan, Nick, looking a little embarrassed, shrugged and said, "Naw, I'm not nearly good enough for her."
"And you're sure Emil's not dying?" put in Tommy skeptically.
Jo smiled reassuringly, glad the focus was back on Emil. "Positive."
Tommy jumped up and hurried out of the room. "I've gotta get my pocketknife back!"
Everyone laughed, and Asia handed Nat his paper. "You know," Asia reflected, "just because Emil's gonna be alright isn't any less of a reason to tell him how important he is to you."
Nat nodded. "Yeah. I think I'll go up and see Emil now."
Asia went to clean up the kitchen, Rob was still picking out a bedtime story, and the rest of the children were either visiting with Emil or finishing chores, which left Nick and Jo sitting alone at the table. Nick, still a little angry about Jo's earlier reprimand, stood up and started towards the door.
"Nick, wait!" Jo ran after him. "I need to talk to you."
"Want me to go get Asia or someone?" Nick asked facetiously.
"No, Nick." Jo led him to the table where they sat down. "Nick… I owe you an apology. We're both mature, responsible adults, and I'm sure we can handle ourselves in a dignified manner. I--I was stupid to say what I did earlier."
"It wasn't--" Nick began, but Jo cut him off.
"Please. Let me finish." She looked down, a little ashamed. "I also need to tell you that the children weren't the only ones jumping to conclusions. This going to sound, well, a little absurd, but Mrs. Moffat told me about seeing you pick up that package from the jeweler's--which I understand now. Amy explained it to me--and she led me to believe that you were--were planning to ask me to marry you." She was glad to finally have it out, but her heart sank at the shocked look on his face. "I know, it's--it's ridiculous. I shouldn't have listened to gossip, and I should have come to you, and I apologize. And I'm sorry for acting so strange around you lately. All of this has had me a little on edge."
"No, Jo," he began, obviously hoping to alleviate some of her embarrassment, "it's not… ridiculous. Like you said, we're a man and a woman, unattached, spending a lot of time together… There's nothing ridiculous about Mrs. Moffat or you or anyone else thinking there could be more between us than friendship. But you've always been very up front with me about your feelings, Jo, and you have never given me any reason to believe that you would accept a marriage proposal."
Jo nodded, grateful that he seemed to understand and wasn't offended or angry. "I'm sorry I wasn't more up front this time. I only made things tense and awkward between us."
"It's okay. All's forgiven," offered Nick cordially. They sat in silence for a moment, then Nick began to laugh softly to himself.
"What's so funny?" Jo demanded.
"You really thought I was going to propose to you?" asked Nick with a grin.
"You just said yourself there wasn't anything ridiculous about it, so stop laughing," insisted Jo, trying to hide a smile.
Nick turned to her. "What were you going to say?"
"What do you mean?"
"When I asked you to marry me. Don't tell me you didn't think about it."
"Well, you didn't ask, so why does it matter?" teased Jo.
Nick pretended to be considering his options. "Wellll… I'm sure Amy could help me get in touch with that jeweler…"
"Nick Riley! Now who's jumping to conclusions? " Jo exclaimed, as if she were shocked by the very idea. "Besides," she kidded, "I thought you said you weren't good enough for me."
Nick grinned, "Well, I don't see you getting many other offers!"
Jo tried to look shocked and offended, but they both ended up collapsing into laughter. But as the laughter died down, they both seemed to become aware of the seriousness of the matter, and the open, friendly moment they were sharing sank into the usual awkwardness and romantic tension that was always complicating their relationship. They stole glances at each other, not sure of what to say, until Jo stood up suddenly.
"I better go put Rob to bed. And check on Emil."
"Yeah," agreed Nick quickly. "And I've got to go close up the barn and head to bed myself."
"Goodnight, then."
"Goodnight."
They exited slowly, both casting back lingering looks at one another, and Asia, who had been standing silently in the doorway for most of their conversation, was left to smile knowingly and draw her own conclusions.
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