Part 8
Ned was desperately trying to find something to busy himself with, when he heard a knock at the door. It was a quiet knock, one that no one would have heard unless they were in the next room. 'Who could that be, at this time of night' Ned wondered as he got up and went to the door. He opened the door and peered at the figure standing in front of him.
She removed her hat, and looked up at the man before her. " I'm sorry to bother you at this time of night sir, but I saw the light , and I was hoping someone was awake...." The woman started. Ned stared down at her. She wore long black boots, beige pants, and a white button down shirt with the top three buttons undone. You could see her corset through her shirt, it was obvious that she had been long at travel. Her long blonde curly hair was disheveled, and she looked very weary. She fiddled with the hat in her hands as Mr. Logan took inventory of her.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Ned said. "Where are my manners, please do come in." She looked at him hesitantly, smiled, and said, "I do not wish to inconvenience you anymore sir, but I have been traveling for many days. May I ask is this the Logan household?" she inquired. Ned looked at her, brow furrowed, "Yes, this is the Logan household, I'm Ned Logan, can I help you," he said extending his hind to her. She hesitated, and then took his extended hand. "Sir, I…" she started. She took a deep breath, braced herself, and looked up into his eyes. She was so young, but had the look of many years in her eyes. " I'm here to see Jeremy, Sir, " she said.
Ned smiled, "Please come in, I'm sure Jeremy will be happy to see you," he said as he escorted her into his home. He closed the door behind her. She turned at the sound of the door closing. She looked around her to get a bearing on her surroundings To her right a lamp shone in what looked to her to be an office.
Ned pointed in that direction, "Please come in, sit down," he said. She looked at him, and began to protest. Ned understood, and spoke before she could even verbalize her thoughts. "The doctor is with him now, you'll have to wait, and you might as well rest a moment." She smiled, "Well I guess you have a point sir," she said as she collapsed into a chair. She closed her eyes, and breathed a sigh of relief. She had finally arrived.
"Can I get you something to drink," Ned asked after a moment. She opened her eyes and looked up at him, and shook her head. She did not want to bother him. "No thank you sir, I'll just sit here a minute if that's all right." He sat down in the chair next to her. She realized that he wanted to talk, and turned to face him. She had so many questions, but she couldn't find the energy to even think of where to start. Ned cleared his throat, and asked the first question that popped to mind. "What's your name," he asked, already anticipating the answer. She looked up startled. She laughed, and nodded. "You're right, I didn't even introduce myself. Where is my mind? I'm sorry," she said with a blush, " My name is Suzanne..."she started, but cut off when she heard a creak in the stairs.
She jumped up, and practically ran to the stairs. It was Rebecca coming from Jeremy's room. Suzanne turned to Ned, and he nodded, "yes, go see him, third door on the left." Suzanne paused as she passed by Rebecca on the stairs. Rebecca carefully inspected the floor, "He'll be okay, but he was asking for you, and I thought..." she stammered. Suzanne stood there a moment, and then turned and walked up the stairs without a word.
Ned was standing near the stairs and witnessed the whole scene. 'What could that possibly be about?' He wondered. Suzanne walked into Jeremy's room. Moving to Jeremy's side, she looked down at his sleeping form. Tears formed in her eyes, and she sat down next to the bed and took his hand.
His eyes fluttered open, looking around at his surroundings and wincing at the terrible pain in his head. His eyes focused and looked to his left, "Suzanne!" Jeremy cried. He practically jumped out of the bed. "I can't believe you're here, how is that possible, I thought that you were dead, I thought…" Suzanne gave one of her prize-winning smiles. "Jeremy, once I knew where you were, wild horses couldn't keep me away." Swatting his arm lightly, she continued. " I was so scared when I came back and you were gone… Well, anyway I'm here now, rest. We can talk in the morning."
Jeremy had tears welling in his eyes He began to speak, but Suzanne put her fore finger to his lips, "Shhhh, just rest, we will talk later." Ned had been walking by and noticed the door open. He glanced in to see how the reunion was going, and had to smile. Both were sound asleep.
Going to the hall closet, Ned took out a small blanket. As he headed back to Jeremy's room, Ned heard Sean voice calling him. Ned walked into the room and raised his hand to silence his eldest son. Beckoning him into the hall. Sean was astonished to find a stranger watching over Jeremy. "Pa, who is she?" He questioned. "I'm not really sure" Ned replied, "all I know is that, her name is Suzanne and that Rebecca sent for her because Jeremy was asking for her." Sean looked into the room at the sleeping woman. "Pa, it's my shift..."Sean started, he gave Ned a what should I do look. Ned walked into the room quietly. Being careful not to wake Suzanne, he was sure she needed the rest.
He picked her up and carried her out of the room. As Sean moved to take his place near Jeremy's side he couldn't help but stare at the still form in his fathers arms. Ned flashed him a smile.
Continued...