PART 2
Three "short" stories later, Nick and Jo were walking back down the hall, hand-in-hand.
"I'm sorry, Nick," Jo apologized. "I didn't think he'd be so upset over us leaving. I haven't had enough time for him lately with all the wedding preparations, and when he looks at me like that…"
"Wish I could get that look ta work like that for me," Nick grinned, giving her his best forlorn puppy-dog look.
"I think it's working," she laughed, leaning in to kiss him.
"Jo!"
Nick closed his eyes and groaned at the sound of Meg's voice.
"I didn't think you'd still be up!" Meg exclaimed, coming down the hall. "I was looking over some of the lesson plans you left, and if we could just go over a few things very quickly…"
"Jo…" Nick pleaded.
"Just five minutes," Meg promised. "that's all."
Nick tried the puppy-dog look again.
Jo sighed. "I'll be right back…"
"Been five minutes," announced Nick, poking his head into the parlor.
"I'm coming," Jo assured him. "We're almost finished."
Just then Dan burst through the front door.
"Nick!" he yelled breathlessly. "Come quick! I think that fox is back in the chicken coop!"
"Better get the gun. Jo, I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere." Nick called as he followed Dan out the front door.
A half-hour later Meg was clear on the lesson plans, the fox had learned a valuable lesson about trespassing in the Plumfield chicken coop, and Nick was turning the lock on the bedroom door.
"What a crazy night it's been," Jo observed.
"Things are never slow around here," agreed Nick.
"Well, I think we're safe for the rest of the night," Jo said smiling, as Nick pulled her into his arms.
They were lost in a kiss when an insistent knock sounded on the door.
"Mrs. Jo! Nick!" they heard Nan call.
"Shh!" Nick whispered. "Maybe if we're quiet she'll go away."
She knocked louder. "Mrs. Jo! Tommy's real sick! He's throwin' up all over the place!"
"Did ya tell Meg?" Nick called back.
"Nick!" Jo reprimanded. "I'm coming," she called to Nan, giving Nick an apologetic look and going to the door.
PART 3
