When Jack had left Charlie for Lynette's saloon, he left with an ambition—to get his Rose back. He loved her dearly, and now that she'd heard him say it, he was going to make her believe him. A kiss, he thought, will revive her love for me, and then we'll marry and have this child that she may be carrying–wait, am I ready for a baby? Oh, I'll think about that later. Right now, I need my Rose and I need her to love me. When we meet, I'll kiss her and then she'll take me back. This Sherman guy can't be that nice to her…can he?
This definitely wasn't the same thing that had happened four months earlier, when Jack had saved Rose from Hockley's grasp. Jack had heard things about this Sherman boy, though he never paid any heed to it. Hopefully, this guy didn't love his Rose. Otherwise, Jack would get a tight grip around his throat and strangle him. That way, Rose would love him. No, Jack thought. She'd hate me if I did that, if she loves him so much…but doesn't she love me? Of course she does! She has to! She told me four months ago! She loves me…she loves me…she loves me…and I love her.
Meanwhile, in Lynette's saloon, Rose was conversing with her, but in tears.
"Oh, Lynette, I don't know what to do!" she cried, burying her face in her handkerchief. Lynette rested her hand on Rose's shoulder.
"There, there, dear. There's a simple solution—go to the man that you love," Lynette replied.
"That doesn't help at all! I love both James and Jack! And I'm marrying James in a few months…oh, Lynette, how will I tell Jack?" Lynette did not have the first idea about what to do. She hugged Rose and looked up as the door opened and Jack entered.
"Darling, pick yourself up. Jack just walked in," Lynette told her. Rose looked over her shoulder and saw Jack's blue eyes scanning the crowd for Lynette. She gently wiped her eyes as Lynette left her side to face Jack. "Jack! Jack, right here!" Jack smiled when he saw her and proceeded to the bar, sitting down on a stool.
"Good afternoon, Lynette," Jack said happily as Lynette handed him a glass of ale.
"On the house," Lynette said, smiling and stealing a glance at Rose, who was still wiping her eyes. He hasn't noticed her yet, thought Lynette to herself.
"Oh, are you sure? I wouldn't mind paying, and I feel terrible! I feel like I'm stealing it!" Jack exclaimed. Lynette laughed.
"No, no, Jack! No worries! I don't give a damn if you pay or not! You're a close and personal friend, and close friends don't pay," she told him, stealing another glance at Rose. Rose had looked over her shoulder at Jack. I have to tell him, she thought. I have to. She stood up and swallowed her tears before walking up behind Jack, clearing her throat.
"Um…uh…hello, Jack," she said, hoping that her face wasn't too red. Jack turned to face Rose and smiled, standing up and hugging her.
"Hello, my love," he said, gently kissing her forehead. He isn't making this easy, Rose thought to herself. But she smiled and gently kissed his cheek. She still loved him, but she wasn't sure that she loved him more than James. She kissed his cheek again and wrapped her arms around his neck. He held her tightly, leaning into her face to kiss her, but Rose just kissed his cheek again. Unhappy about not being able to kiss her, Jack lowered his face to her neck and began to kiss it.
"Jack, not in public!" Rose exclaimed, laughing. Jack laughed as well and retreated from her neck to admire her. Her sweet smile and loving blue gaze were so beautiful, and her curly red hair framed her face perfectly. Rose gazed into Jack's glistening blue eyes that glowed with all of the love that he felt for her, and it broke her heart. She'd have to tell him that she was, once again, engaged. She knew he wouldn't take it well. Jack put his hand on her face and gently stroked it with his thumb.
"My God, you're so beautiful," Jack said in a low, seductive tone. Instantly, Rose was heartbroken. She smiled a nervous smile and took his hand.
"Jack, may I speak to you in private?" she asked, and Jack nodded and smiled, allowing her to lead him into a back room where Lynette's ale, beer, and other beverages were stored. Rose waited until the door was closed and Jack was fully inside before speaking. "Jack, I have to tell you something…"
"You're having a baby, huh?" Jack asked her. Rose gaped at him, shocked at his sudden statement.
"How did you…"
Jack laughed. "Your father told me yesterday. Well, he didn't say you were, he just said that he noticed you getting a bit bigger around your midsection, and what led me to the idea of pregnancy was the fact that we made love in the back of that car."
"Oh…" Rose couldn't look into his smiling blue eyes, for it only tore her heart to shreds.
Jack couldn't help but smile at her, for he loved her so much and was desperate for her love. If I just kiss her, Jack thought to himself, then she'll love me. She'll have to love me! Jack went to her and quickly took her into his arms.
"Jack…" Rose turned to look at him and Jack gently took her face in his hand. He gently stroked her cheek and gazed into her eyes.
"My Rose…" he murmured
If he kisses me, I'll love him! Rose exclaimed to herself. She couldn't move very well in his arms, but she didn't even try to fight him.
"Jack…" she said to him, but Jack didn't listen. His hand supporting her head and his other supporting her back, Jack pulled her to him and kissed her, lightly at first, but with growing passion. Rose flailed her arms around for the first few seconds before surrendering to his lips and wrapping her arms around his neck.
I've done it, Jack thought victoriously. I've won her back! She loves me again! Oh, my Rose! As he thought this, he began to kiss her a few more times. When his lips parted from hers for a moment, Rose spoke.
"Jack…" Jack gazed directly into her eyes. I love him, thought Rose. I love him. I love him. I love him. I love…James…he's my fiancé. I love James. Jack is my past. I love James. "Jack."
"Yes, my love?" asked Jack gently, stroking her face with his thumb. Rose almost kissed him again, for all that he was doing was very pleasing to her, but she was engaged to James, and James she would marry and love.
"We're having a luncheon at my home…if you would like to come…" Had she just invited him to meet her fiancé? That was a disaster just waiting to happen. But before she could take back her offer, Jack nodded.
"Of course I will. I'd like to see where you're living. Judging by the way you dress, I guess I should borrow a suit of some sort." Rose nodded, still gazing into his eyes. Jack pulled her up straight and she tried her hardest to resist his loving gaze.
"I have to go now. I will see you then, Jack," she told him. She gently kissed his cheek and removed herself from his arms. Once she reached the doorway, Jack spoke once more.
"I love you," he said to her, and Rose stopped in her tracks, feeling her heart surging and her eyes burning. And she could say no more before hurrying away and hiding her tears with her hand.