PART 5
Over the next two weeks, many small projects livened up the life of Dan. Jo had taken full charge of refinishing the floor of the hall, much to the dismay of Nick. "It's fine the way it is Jo!" he'd said on more than one occasion. Yet Jo insisted on having things done her way. Amy and Meg made small plans here and there, all the time worrying about Bess and Dan. They seemed very distant from each other recently. In fact, all the kids did. Nat and Nan hadn't shared a word at all - the only people Nat had been speaking with were Dan and Bess. And Bess had stopped speaking to everyone but Nat. Dan tried to keep talking to everyone…but it seemed to be no use.
There were also greater problems. Threatening notes had been plaguing both the Bishop's house…as well as Dan's. The notes weren't very serious threats…just slanders and disgusting things. Mostly they pertained to Dan having Asia stay at his house, but some were directed towards the fact that Jo insisted on everyone attending the Bishop's church every Sunday. The person threatening them was really watching them…really knew them. And there was no doubt in Dan's mind that the person was David Foggs. Yet he couldn't prove it. Over the two weeks, there had been few moments of revelation. Nan had been on edge with David for quite a while, and it showed. Nat's feelings were also becoming clearer as the days went on. Jo ached for her family…but she had problems of her own.
She couldn't help noticing all the attention Nick was paying to Meg lately. Granted, Meg had been having her ups and downs…yet Nick seemed only too eager to comfort her - often in his arms! Jo hated herself for what she was thinking and feeling, but the truth was that Nick had been more intimate with Meg than he had been with Jo in months. The day before the fateful night that changed everything was when things started to become more intense….
The morning started out dark and gray, with snow clouds in the distance. The 'Plumbfield Gang' woke up to a horrible sight; there was a burning cross in their front yard. Franz had spotted it first, and had summoned everyone else from their sleep. Jo, the first one down, threw on some wraps and ran outside. Asia was close at her heels. The women just stood in front of it for a while, as the others quickly followed. Jo knew that it affected Asia much more than it did her, and she turned to her friend's face. It looked like stone, yet Jo knew enough to see the hurt behind those eyes. Taking Asia's hand, she gazed at Nick. He had a sick look on his face; one mixed with anger, hurt, sadness, as well as that protectiveness he was so quick to bestow over those he was close to. As they looked at each other, no words were needed.
"Nick…take it down," Jo said softly, trying to keep her tears at bay. Nick nodded to Dan and Nat, as everyone else began to make their way inside.
Dan looked enraged as he said, "I'll kill him."
"No one's killin' nobody Dan," Nick said slowly. The three tried to work out their aggression as they cleaned up the mess. As Nick walked back inside, his face filled mostly with sadness now, Dan pulled Nat behind.
"There's somethin' wrong with David," he said in a worried tone.
"Yeah, tell me about it," Nat practically snorted.
"No…I mean, when we were getting dressed, I could 'a sworn that there was already mud on his shoes," Dan said, creasing his brow, "But I can't say for sure."
"You mean…," Nat trailed off, "You think he had something to do with this? But why? How? He obviously is head over heels for Nan."
"More like head over heels for control of Nan," Dan smirked, yet the serious undertone remained, "I'm goin' into town to have a little….look around Foggs' office. Wanna come?" Nat slowly nodded, and the two went back inside for breakfast.
"Hey Nan," Dan called from outside her room.
"Hey what?" she called back with a grin. Outside her door Dan rolled his eyes and grew impatient.
"We're goin' into town to check out…some things. Want to come?"
Nan opened the door and said, "Is it gonna be dangerous?" The old 'Nan gleam' was back.
"I dunno, probably not," Dan smirked, "But you sure it's okay with Dave?"
"David went in to town right after breakfast. Said he had some errands to run," Nan said.
"Errands…hmm…he have these errands often?" Dan asked, unable to keep the suspicion out of his voice.
"I dunno Dan," Nan said, "Are we goin' or not?" With that, the two headed downstairs and out to the barn. Nan was chatting, more so than she had been for the last few days, when she suddenly looked up. Three horses, all saddled. "Dan," she said, her tone of voice edged with anger, "when you said WE, who exactly did you mean?"
"Here Dan, I found that extra…" Nat said coming out of the barn, "…blanket." He stopped when he saw Nan.
"Thanks Nat," Dan said, trying to act nonchalant. He quickly got on his horse and joked, "Come on, day's gonna be over 'fore we get to town!" Nan and Nat quickly got on their own horses, each choosing a side next to Dan. But Dan was cleverer than them…for the moment anyway. He quickly moved his horse so that he was riding next to Nan, leaving her in the middle. Nan patted the horse and said nothing…it was going to be a LONG day!
Jo sat alone in the kitchen, her one cup of coffee steaming. She wasn't particularly looking at anything…just sort of gazing off into space. That was how Meg found her, when she walked into the kitchen. "Jo!" Meg exclaimed, "What's wrong?!"
"Nothing Meg," Jo said, snapping out of her trance and giving Meg an odd look.
"Nothing?" Meg replied, "Really Jo, you can't expect me to believe that. For the last two weeks you've been…troubled. Don't try to deny it - I can tell."
"Meg…it's….it's nothing," Jo said at first, but Meg continued to stare at her expectantly. "Oh, alright!" she said, rolling her eyes, "things have been…different with Nick lately."
"How so?" Meg prompted.
"He's seemed…more distant," Jo became frustrated, not knowing what words to use. At that time, Nick was walking downstairs, making his way to the kitchen for some 'left over biscuits.'
"Well Jo, Nick has a lot on his mind, we all do," Meg said, "What, with all these notes, and now the…." Nick paused as he heard his name and walked over to the door, being careful to keep out of sight. This wasn't like Nick at all, yet something told him he had to listen.
"It's not like that," Jo said, "He doesn't…..touch me anymore Meg…"
"Well Jo, certain things can become inapprop-"
"That's not what I mean. I mean he doesn't even act like…like…I think that perhaps his feelings for me have changed," Jo said softly. There was silence in the room for a while as Meg and Jo contemplated the consequences of that fact being true.
"More importantly, have your feelings for him changed?" Meg said just as softly, but in her strong 'big-sister' voice. Nick held his breath waiting for her reply, but then the babies started to cry in the next room, causing both women to jump out of their chairs. Nick carefully looked around, and then left, just as silently as he had come.
"I thought for sure we'd find somethin'," Dan complained as the trio walked over to the jail.
"Yeah Dan, I mean everyone leaves incriminating evidence on their desks these days," Nan muttered.
"Well I'm surprised that we didn't find anything at all. I mean no one can pull of the perfect crime."
"Maybe Foggs didn't do it," Nat remarked.
"But if not Foggs…then who?" Nan asked. There was silence among the three, each thinking their separate thoughts.
"Aww, I promised Mrs. Jo I'd pick up somethin' for her. You guys mind stayin' here a minute?" Dan spoke the words quickly and on his way out, giving them no chance to object. After the door closed, Nan retreated to the other side of the room, looking at the things on the desk…suddenly fascinated by them.
"So," Nat said, "How's school going?" Nan looked up at him and his heart caught in his throat.
"It's…it's good," she said with a smile, "We're learning so much! And I've been allowed to take more advanced classes because of the work I've done with Dr. Pierce." Nat smiled at her enthusiasm. "So how's the job?" she asked lightly.
"It's wonderful as well. I'm actually getting published in the paper! Bess and I make quite a team. She does pictures while I do stories."
"You and Bess," Nan said smiling.
"Yeah, well I just wonder what'll happen after she and Dan get married. Be a shame not to have her talent at the paper back home," Nat said, realizing the meaning of his word…'home.' "You and David give any thought to marryin'?" Nat asked softly.
"And we were doing so well," Nan sigh, "Nat…let's not talk like this…"
"Like what? I just asked a simple question."
"That question was anything but simple. I just don't think we should be talking like this considering all that's happened."
"I can move on Nan," Nat said, totally and completely lying, "Can't you?" As he looked at her, he realized that the thing he wanted most was for Nan to tell him otherwise; for Nan to declare that she didn't care for David…that she cared for Nat. Nan still held his gaze as Dan briskly walked into the room.
"Ready to go," he remarked, grabbing his hat. Noticing the staring contest going on, he walked back out just as briskly. Nan and Nat began to follow.
"After you," Nat said, trying to subtly impersonate David. Nan's face remained passive, but then slowly something emerged. Nat almost sighed out loud as he saw the spark return to her eyes.
Arching her eyebrows, and acting a little like David herself, she said, "After you." Nat paused for a moment, then grinned and obeyed. As they were waiting for Nan to fix her saddle, Dan nudged Nat. He pointed down the street where Nat saw David.
"Yeah…what?" Nat asked, not understanding.
"Look who he's with," Dan said, his eyes dark. There, in the middle of town, David Andrews was laughing….with David Foggs.
"What are we all lookin' at?" Nan asked, finally getting up onto her horse.
"Nothing!" Dan and Nat said together. As much as they hated David…there would be no undue hurt to Nan caused by their suspicions.
"Then let's get going," Nan said, and both men noticed that that 'Nan gleam' was still there. "Race ya." It was more of a plea than an offer, and each of the three knew that.
"Wouldn't have it any other way," Dan smirked, and they were off!
PART 6
