CHAPTER ELEVEN
The next day....
The country market was crowded with eager girls to volunteer for
the quilting bee. Rose takes a deep breath and enters. Fifteen
minutes later she's the second in line and gasps when she notices
Brianna setting next to the elderly woman who must be Mrs. Nancy.
Two minutes later she's the first in line.
"Why isn't it Mrs. Dawson," Brianna smiles. "How's
Jack?"
"He's fine," Rose forces a smile.
"Grandma, you remember Jack Dawson don't you?" Brianna
turns to the woman.
"Of course. He was that dear boy who escorted you to that
fall dance five years ago and left after his parents died. Poor
dear," The old woman shakes her head sadly.
"Well this is his wife Rose. They returned to Chippewa Falls
about four days ago. Rose is from high society
Philadelphia."
"Oh really," The old woman examines the red head girl
standing before her.
"Hi Rose," Susan appears behind Rose.
"Hi Susan."
"Jack told me you'd be here," Susan nods.
"What ARe you doing here Rose?" Brianna crosses her
arms.
"To volunteer for the quilting bee. I heard you needed
volunteers," Rose answers.
"That's very nice of you Rose, but we need girls who can
actually quilt," Brianna laughs. "I don't think you've
ever been near a needle before."
"Well actually Jack tells me Rose's been practicing and
she's gotten very good at it," Susan replied. "I say
give her a chance to prove herself."
"Oh really now?" Brianna narrows her eyes at Susan.
"Besides," Rose smiled. "I want to prove that I'm
not just some snotty debutante who only knows how to make her
husband happy."
Brianna gasps and pales as Rose says this. "Well we'll see
about that," Brianna grumbled. "Put Mrs. Dawson down on
the list Grandma. I want to see what she can do."
"Ok," The elderly woman nods and writes down Rose's
name. "Party's this Saturday at four o'clock sharp dear.
Don't be late."
"Put me down to Mrs. Nancy. I'd like a hand at it too,"
Susan nods and turns to Rose. "This is my first year
volunteering too. My mother's being real forceful about it this
time."
"Well this should be interesting," Brianna smiles
cruelly at Rose. "I just hope this years quilt won't be
ruined by inexperience."
"Don't you worry about that Brianna. I'm sure Rose will do
just fine. If what Jack says is true once Rose puts her mind to
something she excels at it," Susan smiled. "Well if you
don't mind, I have to go tell mother that I volunteered. Later
Rose and Brianna."
"I have to go too. I guess I'll see you Saturday," Rose
smiles brightly at Brianna before leaving the store.
When Rose got home Jack was setting on the porch busily sketching
in his portfolio. He looks up just as Rose gets to the stairs.
"Well? How'd it go?" Jack asked curiously.
"Great. I have to be there at four o'clock Saturday
afternoon," Rose eagerly goes into his arms.
"I'm sure you'll do fine," Jack grinned.
"I hope you're right Jack. I want to put that Brianna in her
place. She was there today standing at the sign in table. She was
so...smug. I know she's expecting me to fail.
"Don't worry Rose. "You'll do just fine. Besides, I'll
be there to cheer you on. So don't worry about Brianna."
"You'll be there?"
"Yeah, why do you think they call it a quilting party? A
group of women get together to work on a quilt and everyone else
in town gathers around them and observes how the town quilt is
being made. There's singing, dancing, food...it's a lot of
fun."
"For you," Rose laughed. "But how about the people
quilting?"
"They have fun too. It's all about community togetherness
Rose. Besides, this is the perfect opportunity for everyone to
know my new wife from Phillie," Jack laughed. "Even
though they'll see her just fine in the gallery down the street
where I submitted my portrait of her."
Rose pales. "Portrait? Jack you didn't..."
"Relax Rose. I didn't submit the portrait I drew on the
Olympic. That's private...just between us," Jack laughed.
"But that's the only one you drew of me," Rose stares
at Jack in confusion.
"Well no. Not actually. Well...when we were in
Southampton...you were the most beautiful girl I ever seen in my
life. You looked like an Angel from heaven when you were asleep.
So I took out my portfolio and sketched you sleeping."
"Oh Jack, you should have told me. I'd have loved to seen
it," Rose gasped in surprise. She had no idea Jack had
sketched her in Southampton.
"You will see it Rose, when they showcase it next week at
the gallery."
"Oh Jack," Rose throws her arms around him. "I'm
so happy for you!"
"It's all thanks to you Rose," Jack hugs her tightly.
"Ever since I met you it seems like I get inspired by
everything around me. I don't know if it's being in love that
makes the world more beautiful or what."
"Maybe it's the constant trip to the stars we've been
taking," Rose laughed. "I better go in to start lunch.
You must be starving.
"Rose wait, you've never cooked before," Jack gets to
his feet. "Well it's time I start. I'm a house wife now and
that's one of the things housewives do. Right?"
"Right," Jack laughed. "Well I'll let you get to
learning then," Jack sets back down. "Call me when it's
ready."
"I will," Rose smiled at him one last time before going
into the house.
"She's a pistol Jack," Susan comes upon the porch.
"I hope you can handle her."
Jack stands up and greets his friend. "Hey Susan. What are
you doing here?"
"Just came by to catch up with an old friend," Susan
grins. "So word has it that a certain Mr. Dawson has a
portrait that's going to be on display at my uncle's gallery. He
says it's magnificent.
"Yeah. Pretty great."
"My uncle says he was entranced by the subject. He said the
title was sleeping angel. He even showed it to me. Rose should be
flattered by your description of her."
Jack grinned modestly. "That's how I see her Susan. What can
I say?"
"That you're head over heels. I'm telling ya Jack, for a guy
who hated girls ten years ago, you sure have come a long
way," Susan laughed.
"Ha ha."
"So do you have any other portraits of her?"
"I do...but it's private...Rose wouldn't appreciate me
showing it off."
"Oh I see," Susan laughed.
"Anyway, did you hear about Rose volunteering for the
quilting bee?"
"Sure. I was there. And may I say Brianna was steaming. I'm
telling you rose sure knows how to stand her ground though."
"That's why I love her Susan. For a first class girl she has
a lot of fire and she's not afraid to try new things," Jack
sighed, peering into the kitchen.
"I can see that. You know Jack, when you first brought her
home...I didn't know what to make of her, but it's looking like I
could like her. But that by no way means I'm going soft. I just
want to make that clear," Susan laughed. "But things
are looking good for Rose."
"Well then good. I'm glad," Jack grinned happily.
"You two are the most important women in my life. I want you
to get along."
"Jack! Lunch is ready!" Rose called.
"You want to join us Susan?" Jack asked, turning to his
friend.
"Rose's first attempt at cooking? No thank-you. I'll stop by
later. Tell her I said hi," Susan laughed, walking off the
porch.