Home to Avonlea

15. stolen

After being profusely thanked by the Barry's for returning their daughter safely and sheltering her for the night, Mr Tilderly rode back to his farm.

The Joe boy was nowhere to be seen, which he found very strange considering his apparent desperation to see Anne. Mr Tilderly tied his horse to a post and went to enter the kitchen. He found the door locked and knocked thrice. His wife opened it and he asked about the lock. She said that Gilbert insisted it was locked to keep Joe out.

"Joe isn't here. He's gone." Said Mr Tilderly.

"That's very peculiar." Mrs Tilderly frowned.

He agreed. They went upstairs to check on Anne and see if she was up to returning home. Gilbert surely had family to miss him too, even if his father had passed away. The Tilderlys were both entirely ready to see the back of these youths and the drama they brought with them. They knocked before opening and found the pair sitting on the bed solemnly, speaking quietly.

"Anne, how do you feel?" Mrs Tilderly asked. "It's good to see you up."

"I'm still very weak, I think I lost a lot of blood." Anne said. "I'm also starved and terribly thirsty, but I know this is a good sign that my body is in working order! I am delighted you're here, I desperately wished to thank you from the bottom of my heart for rescuing me from the brink of death and giving me a roof for the night. I doubt I'd ever be able to repay your unfathomable kindness, except if either one of you were ever struck down by some agonising injury - but I'd surely never wish that upon you, as you are truly lovely folk."

The farmers smiled. Anne was certainly a wonder with words. They could see why Gilbert was so enraptured with her if she was this exciting and expressive. Mrs Tilderly thought Anne looked bright and pretty now she was awake and had some colour to her cheeks.

"You're very welcome, lass." Said Mr Tilderly, feeling a bit confused by some of the long words she'd said. He wasn't quite sure what agonising or fathomable meant.

"Gilbert mentioned your plans to return me home? I feel well enough to ride if I have to." Said Anne enthusiastically.

"You're not ready to ride yet." Mrs Tilderly said, from a place of nursing experience. "You've been through a lot."

"I must get back to my sweet Green Gables and put my dearest Marilla and Mathew's minds at rest. I know they worry when I am not home on time and I'd despise making them stress so--"

"You'll be going home alright, but I'll take you in the cart." Mr Tilderly told her.

"Thank you, oh thank you." Anne clapped her hands together. "I am ready to leave at a moment's notice."

"First things first, you must eat and drink. You're going nowhere with an empty stomach." Mrs Tilderly said firmly. "Gilbert, lad, help Miss Anne downstairs will you?"

"Oh, but I can manage quite alright by myself." Anne insisted.

"You'll fall down, Anne you're not strong enough yet." Gilbert said. "Let me help."

Anne ignored him and walked past them all. Her legs were weak and wobbled as she made it to the door. She was eager to leave and get home so if she had to eat first she'd eat as quickly as she could. She wouldn't let Gilbert help her, despite agreeing to being friends. She wanted to prove she didn't need his help.

"She's a stubborn one." Mr Tilderly chuckled.

"You don't know the half of it." Gilbert muttered.

Anne reached the top of the stairs and began to make her way down. It took every ounce of her strength not to tumble down the stairs but she gripped the banister hard and gritted her teeth. Mrs Tilderly appeared at her side and spoke.