“Nick, that sounded
really close. Wonder what’s going
on?” Franz said.
“Don’t know,
Franz. You wouldn’t think anybody would
be shooting a gun around here.” Nick
replied.
“No, you wouldn’t
think so,” said Jo, who came up behind the two men. Jo was on her way out to hang up some laundry when she heard the
gun shot. “What would they be shooting
around here?” The men nodded, unable to
answer her question.
“Hey, look at that.”
Jo pointed toward the Plumfield gate.
What the three of them saw made their hearts stop. Coming through the gate was a beautiful
white and black stallion.
“Aunt Jo. That’s Becky’s horse.” Franz said, his face turned completely
white.
Nick ran over and
grabbed the horse by the reins. Jo and
Franz followed close behind.
“That’s Becky’s horse
alright,” said Nick.
“No,” Franz said, not
sure of what else to say at the moment.
“Don’t worry, Franz,
we don’t know what happened yet.” Nick
said when he saw him change colors. “Come
on, let’s go see what’s going on.” Nick said to Jo.
Nick and Jo ran over
to the horse pasture and grabbed a couple of horses. Franz stood there beside Becky’s horse for a moment and then
mounted him. The three rode out the
gate to find Becky.
It wasn’t too far
down the road that Nick spotted Becky, lying on the ground, gunshot wound
bleeding terribly. Becky wasn’t moving.
Franz, Nick, and Jo
jumped down from their horses. Nick
went over to feel for a pulse, while Jo and Franz hovered over Nick, dreadful
of what they might find out.
“Pulse is weak, but
she’s still alive.” Nick said, then
began giving orders. “Jo, ride into
town and get Dr. Pierce. Franz, take my
horse.” Nick picked up the lifeless
figure. “I’ll carry her back to
Plumfield.”
--BACK AT PLUMFIED--
“Keep her still and
keep the bandages clean at all times,” Dr. Pierce was telling Jo, who was
standing in the guestroom at Plumfield with him. They both left Becky’s room and went into the living room where
everyone, including Laurie and Amy, sat waiting for word on Becky’s condition. Everyone began to ask questions. Everyone, that is, but Franz, who sat
quietly back in the corner.
“She was lucky, “Dr.
Pierce began telling everyone. “Whoever did this had bad aim. The bullet went right through her left
shoulder. She’s lost a lot of blood,
she’s weak, and she’s still unconscious.
I don’t know when she’ll wake up.
I already gave Jo specific orders on how to take care of her. Please let me know if there is any change in
her condition.” The last sentence
directed toward Jo.
“We will, Dr.
Pierce. Thank you!” Dr. Pierce nodded then walked out the
door. The room sat in silence.
“Do we have to have
school today,” young Tommy asked.
Before Jo could
answer, Franz answered for her. “No, no school today.” Franz looked to be on the verge of
tears. He got up from his corner and
headed into Becky’s room to sit with Becky.
Everyone again sat in
silence for a moment.
“He really loves her,
doesn’t he?” Bess said. Not really to
anyone specifically.
“I believe so, Bess, “
said Jo. “I believe so.”
“I’m guessing that it
goes both ways,” said Laurie.
--BECKY’S ROOM--
Franz slowly walked
into the room and shut the door behind him.
He moved over toward the side of the bed, pulled a chair over, and sat
down. What he saw broke his heart. Becky was lying there, still
unconscious. Her face was pale, and her
left arm and shoulder were completely wrapped.
Tears began to fall from his eyes.
“Becky? Becky?
Wake up,” He called. Becky never
moved. “Please, wake up.”
Franz said nothing
the next few minutes. All he could
think about was how beautiful she looked, even then; how much fun he had with
her; the memories they had already made together just in the past month that
she had been there. His life had
completely changed. He had met the woman
of his dreams, and now he had no idea if she was even going to wake up.
He looked at her
face. Those eyes. Those beautiful brown eyes that sparkled so
when she smiled. Those eyes he so loved
to look into were now closed in either temporary or permanent sleep. Franz didn’t know which. That nose. Every time they went for a walk together, he
would pick flowers for her. She always
had to smell them. She loved the smell
of flowers. That mouth. Franz wondered if he would ever see that
gorgeous smile of hers again.
“Who would do this to
you? Who? How could anyone do something like this to you?” Franz didn’t know, but at the moment he didn’t
really care. He just wanted her to wake
up.
There was a knock on
the bedroom door. “Come in,” Franz
said, not taking his eyes off of Becky.
The door opened and
Jo walked into the room. Franz looked
up as she shut the door. Jo walked over
to him. “How are you doing?” This question brought tears to his eyes all
over again. Jo took her nephew into her
arms to comfort him.
“I can’t lose her,
Aunt Jo. I can’t lose her.”
“Franz, she’s going
to wake up. She has to.” Curiosity got the best of Franz.
“Why does she have
to?” He asked as Jo wiped the tears
from his face.
“Because she’s the
woman your Uncle Fritz wanted you to have.” Jo smiled at him. “All those years your Uncle Fritz was
teaching you to be a gentleman; teaching you manners and how to treat young
women, Becky was the young woman he had in mind for you.”
“She was?”
“Mind you, Fritz didn’t
know Becky personally, but he knew she was out there. She’s the type of girl he wanted you to find and be happy
with. Your Uncle Fritz would definitely
approve of your choice.”
Just then Becky began
to groan. Franz and Jo both looked over
to see Becky trying to force herself out of her deep sleep. They moved over beside the bed.
“Becky?” Franz said softly. “Becky, it’s me, Franz.”
Becky opened her eyes
and looked up at Franz. She smiled at
him. “Franz?”
“Yes, I’m here.”
“Aaron.” She said
weakly.
“What?”
“Aaron Jacobs.” She said right before falling back
asleep. This time, though, at least
they knew she would wake back up.
“I’ll notify the
sheriff and let Dr. Pierce know that she’s awake,” said Jo. “You stay with Becky.” Jo left the room.
