CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
It’s been a full month since the birth of the new Dawson baby and the town is getting ready for the big celebration that night. Rose is rocking her new daughter, doubts running through her mind. So far she’s been a good mother, but what if she reverts back to the way her mother raised her. How was she going to know what was the right things to do. The fact that the whole town was going to be watching her raise the baby didn’t help her any. Sighing, she gets up and puts Rebecca back in her crib when there’s a knock on the door. She opens it to reveal Cal.
To Rose’s surprise, Caledon Hockley was still in Chippewa Falls and didn’t show any intention of leaving anytime soon. She didn’t know how she felt about that. She’s made peace with him, but still…she couldn’t help being weary. He was such a big part of her old life in Philadelphia.
"Good morning Cal," Rose replied. "What may I do for you?"
"I need to talk to you," Cal pushes past her into the room. "I had just received this letter from my father and he thinks it’s time for me to return to Philadelphia."
"Oh. So what’s the problem? Isn’t that what you want?"
"No Rose. That’s not what I want at all…I’m enjoying my time here. No business deals, no nauseating galas to attend…."
Rose is silent. She thought Cal enjoyed all those gala’s and business deals. Wonders never cease. She wondered what else there was to find out about Cal? Something told her that this wasn’t the real reason he was so upset, but she wasn’t about to push the subject. "Tell him you have a business deal to close. Maybe that will hold him off," Rose shrugged. "Now if you don’t mind I’d like to take Rebecca upstairs for her nap."
"Oh. Of course. I must be going now. Thank you," Caledon exits, and nods to Jack as he comes in.
"Was that Cal?" Jack asked.
"Yes. His father wants him to return home and he doesn’t want to. I wonder what he’s up to? Why does he want to stay here in Chippewa Falls? You don’t think he’s going to try to change my mind do you?"
. "No way. He knows it’s hopeless. Now stop worrying about Cal’s motives and lets go up and get ready for that party.Everyone can’t wait to meet Becky," Jack grinned looking down at his daughter and sighs. "She’s the most beautiful baby in the world Rose. Thank you for giving her to me."
"You’re the one who should be thanked. She’s an angel, just like her father," Rose smiled. "I just hope I’m a better mother to her than my own mother was to me."
"Of course you will be. Why wouldn’t you?" Jack asked, looking at his wife.
"Because the gene for bad mothers may be hereditary," Rose shrugged. "I love her so much Jack. I want her to be happy, not tied down and miserably like I was as a child."
"She will be happy rose. I guarantee it. We’ll both make sure that she’s the happiest little girl in these parts," Jack laughed.
Rose just smiled up at Jack. He was so optimistic and had so much faith in her. She hoped she didn’t make him regret that faith.
The party is underway at the country store, the whole town was there, even Brianna and her group. Everyone wanted to get a good look at the new Dawson baby.
"She’s absolutely beautiful!" Mrs. Nancy exclaimed. "Those blue eyes of hers are the Dawson trademark. I do believe that every Dawson born in these parts had those deep blue eyes."
"I wonder if she’ll have the blond hair as well," Mrs. Emma looks down at the child. "She’ll be a heartbreaker regardless though."
"Didn’t the Rogers just have a boy a year ago?" Another woman comes up. "They’d make a cute couple they would."
"Looks like the town already has our daughter married off," Jack laughed in Rose’s ear. Rose had no choice but to smile. "Well I know from experience that arranged marriages never work."
"Oh look Cal, it’s the baby you delivered," Susan and Cal come up. "My Rose she has grown since the last I saw her."
"I know. She’ll be all grown up and married before I know it," Rose laughed.
"Well she won’t have any trouble finding a suitor. That’s for sure," Cal looks down at the baby. "She’s just like her mother. Poised, elegant, and beautiful."
"Hopefully she’ll have her father’s adventurous spirit," Susan grined. "She already has his eyes I can see. My you can tell she’s a Dawson too."
"How?" Cal asked confused.
"All the Dawson’s have those deep blue eyes that look right into you. This baby has them too," Susan explained.
"It’s not a superstition Cal. It’s a fact," Susan glares up at him.
"You sure know how to charm a girl don’t you Cal," Rose looks straight at Cal before Jack leads her away.
"What was that all about?" Susan asked, watching the Dawsons stop and talk to an young man Susan recognized a little.
"I think she was sending me a message," Cal nods. "Be nice to Susan."
"Ha ha. If she only knew," Susan shakes her head in amusement. "I think we should tell them. They have a right to know."
Cal pales. "Absolutely not. Not yet anyway. I can see Rose now trying to convince you to dump me. She still has a hard time trusting me. I can tell," Cal snorts. "We’ll tell them Susan. But not now. "
"Are you ashamed of us? Is that it?" Susan asks. "We’ve been see each other for a month now Cal. I say it’s time our friends were told about our relationship. There’s no reason to wait."
Cal’s about to argue with her when he looks over at Jack and Rose again. They certainly was happy and didn’t seem to care what other’s thought of them. He wished he and Susan could be that way…that he especially could be like that. But that couldn’t be. If his father ever found out…but wait. How would he find out? They were in a small town in Wisconsin, a place where his father had no reach. There was no way he’d find out unless Rose wrote him, and by telling how Rose felt about the Hockley family, that was highly unlikely. "Ok Susan. You win. We’ll tell Jack and Rose about our relationship."
"Really Cal? Or are you just saying that to please me?"
"I really mean it. In fact, we’ll tell them right now," Cal grabs her hand and drags her over to where Jack and Rose are now standing to themselves while Susan’s mother went to show their daughter off. "Rose…Jack we need to tell you two something."
"No Cal. Let me tell them," Susan smiled, holding his hand tightly. "As you two know by now, Cal and I have been spending a great deal of time together."
"Yeah. It’s like you two are joined at the hip or something," Jack grinned at his friend. He knew what she was going tell them. He’s known for quite sometime by just how they acted around each other. All those small things Cal did for Susan…does where the same small things he did for Rose when they had first met.
"Well…we’re in love. We’ve been in love for the past month," Susan giggles, moving closer to Cal.
"What?" Rose asked, her eyes widening in shock. "Did I hear you right?"
"Yes you did sweet pea. Susan and I are in love. Now you know the real reason I was so upset by father’s letter."
"Well congratulations you two," Jack hugs his best friend. "Who would have thought…Susan falling in love with a Swell!"
"Shut up Jack!" Susan laughs, playfully hitting his arm, remembering the oath she had made all those years ago. "I was just a kid when I said that."
"Susan, why don’t you and Jack go check on Rebecca," Rose said. "I’d like to speak to Cal for a couple of minutes."
"Uh…sure," Susan nods, taking Jack’s hand. "Come on Jack. I just saw mother heading towards the stairs with your daughter. Let’s go see what she’s up to."
Rose watches them leave, as soon as they’re out of earshot she turns to Cal. "Okay Caledon Hockley, what are you up to and I just want you to know that you’re an unimaginable bastard for using Susan like this."
"Using her?" Cal looks at Rose in disbelief. "Using her for what Rose?"
"To get to me, that’s what! You know that she’s my best friend so you think that if you seduce her and dump her that you’ll somehow hurt me. Well I have news for you Mr. Hockley, I’m not going to let you get away with this! I’m going to tell Susan what you’re upto right now," Rose looks up at the stairs where Jack and Susan had disappeared.
"Rose…do you distrust me that much? I assure you, I’m not using her to get to you. I honestly love her," Cal crossed his arms. "Rose, I know I treated you horribly and that you don’t trust me at all. But you have to believe me Rose. I really do love Susan. I’d do anything for her."
"I don’t know Cal. I’ve seen you in action before and at the time you seemed so convincing."
"But you could always tell when I was lying Rose, just by looking into my eyes," He grips her shoulders and forces her to look into his eyes. "Look into them now Rose. Look into my eyes and see that I’m telling you the truth. I really do love Susan. I bear you no ill will. I love her with everything I am."
Rose swallows as she sees the truth shining in his brown eyes…eyes that used to be filled with hate and arrogance were now filled with love and compassion. "My God. You’re telling the truth. You really do love Susan."
"Finally she accepts the truth," Cal laughs as he releases Rose.
"I can’t believe it. Caledon Hockley in love. And with a small town girl to boot," Rose chuckled. "I’m sorry Cal. I’m sorry I doubted you."
"Don’t worry about it Rose. After all I’ve put you through, I can’t blame you for thinking I was up to something," Cal sighed.
Rose looked at him and sighed. This was the Caledon Hockley that had first attracted her….the one she thought she was going to marry until he changed on her. Now he was getting a new lease on a good relationship. Hopefully he didn’t ruin that one too. "Just don’t do to her what you did to me Cal. Don’t change overnight. Don’t revert back to that arrogant creep that my mother was forcing me to marry. Ok."
"I promise you Rose, I’ll never go back to my old ways. Never," Cal smiled at her.
Jack and Susan come back down with Rebecca sleeping peacefully in Jack’s arms.
"Poor Becky went right to sleep as soon as Jack took her," Susan giggled. "It was like she knew he was her daddy and that she’s totally safe with him."
"She is," Jack smiled down at his sleeping daughter, then looks over at his wife. "So what did you two talk about?" Jack asked curiously.
"I just warned Cal not to break Susan’s heart or he’ll have to answer to me," Rose crossed her arms.
"Thanks Rose," Susan laughed, stepping up to Cal. "But don’t worry. I can handle him."
"Oh you can can you?" Cal wraps a arm around her waist and smiles playfully.
"I’m happy for you Susan. I really am," Rose hugs her friend and whispers in her ear. "Just be careful ok. And if you ever need anything, just let me know."
"Ok Rose," Susan nods.
"Well darling, it’s time we should be off on our way. We’ll see you later Rose," Cal waves, leading Susan to the door. Rose looks after them, by her expression, it’s obvious that she’s worried.
"What’s wrong?" Jack looks at his wife. "You don’t look too happy about this."
"I’m just can’t help worrying about Susan. I mean, for the first time I think Cal’s being sincere, but what about his father. He’s the meanest man Jack. He’ll never accept Susan and when it comes to his father…Cal’s a puppet."
"Shhh, Rose. It’s alright. I haven’t known Cal for as long as you have, but I can tell he has changed. Maybe he’s even found the strength to stand up to his father. We just have to trust him and be there for Susan if he does turn her away. That’s all we can do," Jack rubs Rose’s shoulder. "Don’t worry darling. Susan will be fine."
"I hope you’re right Jack. I hope you’re right," Rose sighed, glancing down at the ground, trying to push her worry for Susan to the back of her mind and concentrate on the rest of the party. Jack was right. Cal has changed and everything will be alright. They just had to be.