40
The day to leave Denver had arrived. Jack and Rose bade Molly, Katie and Jim good-bye and promised to keep in touch. Now they were on the train heading back to Wisconsin. Jack’s arms were around Rose’s shoulders as She cuddled her daughter to her, quietly singing the lullaby that she song the night the baby was born.
Rose stared out the window, lost in her own thoughts. What was going to become of them in Chippewa Falls? Was her mother still there? How about Bill? And then there was Jack’s hateful Uncle. What if he was still there?
"What’s on your mind love?" Jack pulled Rose close. He could tell she was off somewhere else, by the dazed look in her eyes.
"Jack…what if your uncle is still there? Do we want to bring Molly into a situation like that?"
Jack sighed. The Weaver situation was something he really didn’t want to think about at the moment. No he didn’t want to bring Molly into that atmosphere, but he had promised his parents that they’d return once the baby was born and he couldn’t go back on it now. "Why don’t we stop at Bill’s first and let him meet Molly. We can stay there for a couple of days until I figure out what to do."
Rose just nodded. She wasn’t really ready to deal with Bill as her father, but that was better than being glared at by Weaver Dawson. "We’ll do that then."
"Rose…I promise, as long as we stick together, we’ll be ok. Nothing can come between us," Jack kissed her forehead, wanting to reassure her that they were forever.
"I know Jack. I know," Rose sighed lazily before drifting off to sleep.
They arrived in Chippewa Falls three days later and to both Jack and Rose’s surprise, Jacklyn, Jolene, Richie and their baby were there to meet them. They ran up and embraced the disembarking couple.
"How did you know we came in today?" Jack asked.
"We called Mrs. Brown and she said you had left a hour ago. So Richie came down and check to see when the train from Denver was due to arrive," Jacklyn grinned. "Surprised?"
"Definitely," Rose smiled.
"So where is my new niece? Where is she?"
"Right here," Jack held up the bundle in his arms.
"Oh Jack she’s gorgeous," Jacklyn gasped.
"She looks just like you did when you were a baby," Richie nodded. "What did you name her again?"
"Margaret Nancy Dawson. But we’ve been calling her Molly," Jack replied. "So where is everyone else at?"
"Mom’s at the house getting everything ready. Dad and Uncle Weaver are out in the fields working," Richie explained. "It’s good to have you two back though. Mom can’t wait to see little Molly here."
Jack and Rose just smiled and followed the others to the car.
Nancy was waiting in the kitchen when they got to the house. The house smelled of gingerbread cookies and firewood. Rose cradled Molly close as they entered the house. She was hoping that Weaver was still out. She wasn’t yet ready to feel his cold glares just yet. Jack, sensing her nervousness squeezed her hand. She smiled up at him gratefully.
"Jack! Rose! You’re home!" Nancy came flying out of the kitchen, her arms opened wide. Jack was the first one she hugged. "Oh it’s so grand to have you back!" She grinned and turned to Rose. "And Rose…it’s been too long. Oh! Is that my grandbaby?" Nancy’s eyes widen at the sight of the tiny bundle in Rose’s arms, marveling at the tiny coos singling that the bundle was indeed a baby.
"Ma, Rose and I want to introduce you to Margaret Nancy Dawson. We call her Molly though," Jack grinned, standing behind Rose.
"Oh she’s absolutely gorgeous!" Nancy gasped gazing at the baby. "Can I hold her?"
"Of course," Rose smiled, slipping Molly into Nancy’s arms.
"She’s absolutely adorable," Nancy grinned just as Charles and Weaver returned.
"Jack you’re back!" Charles hugged his son. "And Rose, I’m glad to see you both."
"Charles look! Our first granddaughter. Isn’t she precious?" Nancy showed her granddaughter off to her husband.
"She’s a little angel," Charles grinned. "Well you two must be awful tired after that long train ride."
"We’re more hungry than anything else," Jack laughed.
"Well come in the kitchen and we’ll feed ya. Let your sister and mother croon over little Molly there."
Two hours later, Rose is upstairs, putting Molly down for a much needed nap when a familiar voice speaks up from behind her. She turns to see her mother standing in the doorway, her arms crossed.
"Rose. It’s about time you returned," Ruth stared at her daughter.
"I must say mother, I’m surprised to see you here. I thought you would have gone back to Philadelphia by now," Rose crossed her arms.
"Not with the way things are. We have to talk Rose."
"No mother. Not now. I can’t do this right now. For one, my daughter is sleeping, another thing, it’s been a long train ride and I am tired. You know where the door is."
"The problem will still be here when you wake up Rose. It’s not going anywhere. It’s best we talk it out now instead of later. It’s festered long enough."
Rose rolled her eyes. "Oh please mother. Your little secret has festered all this time, I’m sure a couple of more days won’t hurt it. Now leave or I’ll have Jack or Charles throw you out."
"Well…can’t I at least get a look at my granddaughter?" Ruth asked, hurt shining in her eyes.
Sighing, Rose took a step aside. "Ok, but don’t wake her up. I just got her to sleep."
Ruth stepped up to the crib and then covered her mouth in a wonderous gasp. "She’s gorgeous Rose. She’s absolutely gorgeous."
"She takes after Jack mainly," Rose gazed down at the child.
"Really? I think she looks incredibly like your Aunt Phoebe."
"Rose honey, dinner’s ready," Jack stuck his head in the doorway. "Is everything alright in here?"
"Yes dear. Mother was just leaving," Rose pointedly looked at Rose.
"R-Rose…can I come back and visit my granddaughter? Please?" Ruth’s eyes pleaded with Rose. She had fallen head over heels in love with the child and wanted to see more of her.
"Call before you come," Rose sighed, not having the strength left to deny her mother anything.
Ruth smiled widely before heading for the door. "Good night Mr…Jack," Ruth continued on her way.
"Hey that was a good thing you did. You’re doing good," Jack went to his wife and wrapped his arms around her. "I am so proud of you."
"I just hope I don’t regret it," Rose sighed, clinging tightly to Jack, as if she let go he’d disappear.
"You won’t. You know…since you’re on a role, how about Bill?"
Rose swallowed. "Jack…can we wait until morning? I’m awfully tired. All I want to do now is eat dinner and go to sleep."
"Ok sweetie. If that’s what you want," Jack squeezed her shoulder. "Just remember that I’m here for you and I’m not going anywhere."
"Your pa sent me up here to see if you’re coming to dinner," Weaver stood in the doorway, taking Rose by surprise. It was obvious she didn’t want to be anywhere near Weaver by the way her hands tightened on Jack.
"We’ll be down in a minute," Jack nodded and watched Weaver go. He turned to Rose. "I think he might have changed. He hasn’t glared in your direction once."
"Don’t count on it," Rose shook her head.
"Yeah, but still…I can still hope right? Until he shows otherwise."
"Come on Rosie. Let’s go," Jack took her hand and led her downstairs.
That night Rose couldn’t sleep. Slipping out of Jack’s embrace, she slipped downstairs for a glass of water. Maybe moistening her throat would help her sleep. Not bothering to turn on the light, she made her way for the cupboard, thinking that she was the only one up.
"You’re up late," a gruff voice spoke up from behind. Rose turned around as the light came on to see Weaver Dawson standing in the doorway. "I guess the only two folk awake at this time are us."
"Uh…I was just getting some water," Rose swallowed, not knowing what to say. The last time she was alone with Weaver Dawson was a long time ago.
"I can see that," Weaver walked into the kitchen and took a seat. He pulled up another chair and motioned towards it. "Set down Rose. We have a lot to discuss. I’m sure you can drink that water setting."
Rose frowned. She was very suspicious of Weaver. The man had been nothing but rude and hateful towards her from the moment he met her. He had tried to compromise her marriage to Jack. What could they possibly have to say to one another?
"What is this about?" Rose took the chair, weary of the older man.
"…My nephew and great-niece of course. I know when you were young, this was the last place you expected to be huh? Married to a farmer’s son, raising a daughter," Weaver snorted.
"With all due respect Mr. Dawson…you have no idea where I expected to be when I was young. But since you insist, I was expecting to be a lawyer like my father. But When I turned sixteen it was rather obvious that wasn’t going to happen."
"You do have spirit Rose. I have to give you that," Weaver laughed. "But that’s not what I’m talking about. Right now, you would probably be at one of those galas. The belle of the ball. You know…it’s not too late to return to that world. Now that you’ve had the baby. I mean, Jack has a family here that can take care of the child and you can return to the world of high society. No one would know that you even had a child. Do you get what I’m saying?"
"Do I get what you’re saying? How dare you even suggest I do that!"
"Now Rose…"
"I can’t believe you! What makes you think I’d leave my husband and daughter to return to that suffocating world?! You think you can just walk all over me don’t you? You think you can snapp your fingers and everyone just bows at your feet!"
"Rose…that’s not what I think at all. All I want is for my family to be safe and happy."
"Well that’s the same thing I want. I love Jack and Molly. I would never leave them! Not for anything!"
"You love Jack huh? Funny, that’s one thing we have in common. I just want what’s best for Jack. And I don’t think a high class girl he barely knows is what’s best for him. Now, it’s much easier for a man with a baby then it is for a woman. I’m giving you a chance here. Why don’t you take it?"
"Because I love my husband and it’d destroy him! For a man who claims to love his nephew, you sure do want to hurt him!"
"I would never hurt that boy!"
"Neither would I!"
"Yeah right," Weaver chuckled. "Rose…I do believe you’re a good girl, and you think you’re doing the right thing. But you’re not. You’re just making things worse by staying. Don’t you see that?"
"You know, this conversation is over. I am not, nor will I ever leave Jack. So you can forget about your campaign to get me out of his life. And if you try to make me leave town again, I will take Jack with me this time and we will never come back. You’d be lucky even to get a picture of Molly! Good night Mr. Dawson," Rose stood from her chair and marched out of the kitchen, leaving Weaver speechless. Rose had more spirit and determination than he thought. Maybe he should rethink his feelings about Jack's young wife. Maybe he’s been wrong all along.