IN THE ARMS OF A STRANGER
Chapter Seventeen

It had been a full month since the birth of the new Dawson baby, and the town was getting ready for the big celebration that night. Rose was rocking her new daughter, doubts running through her mind. So far, she’d been a good mother, but what if she reverted back to the way her mother raised her? How was she going to know what was the right thing to do? The fact that the whole town was going to be watching her raise the baby didn’t help her any. Sighing, she got up and put Rebecca back in her cradle when there was a knock on the door. She opened 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’d made peace with him, but still…she couldn’t help being wary. 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 pushed past her into the room. "I have 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 was silent. She thought Cal enjoyed all those galas and business deals. Wonders never ceased. 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 exited, and nodded to Jack as he came 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 let’s go up and get ready for that party. Everyone can’t wait to meet Becky." Jack grinned, looking down at his daughter, and sighed. "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 bad mothering may be inherited." Rose shrugged. "I love her so much, Jack. I want her to be happy, not tied down and miserable 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 was 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 blonde hair as well." Mrs. Emma looked down at the child. "She’ll be a heartbreaker regardless, though."

"Didn’t the Rogers just have a boy a year ago?" Another woman came 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 came up. "My, Rose, she has grown since the last time 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 looked down at the baby. "She’s just like her mother. Poised, elegant, and beautiful."

"Hopefully she’ll have her father’s adventurous spirit." Susan grinned. "She already has his eyes, I can see. My, you can tell she’s a Dawson, too."

"How?" Cal asked, confused.

"All the Dawsons have those deep blue eyes that look right into you. This baby has them, too," Susan explained.

Cal just shook his head. "Small town superstitions are unbelievable."

"It’s not a superstition, Cal. It’s a fact." Susan glared up at him.

"You sure know how to charm a girl, don’t you, Cal?" Rose looked straight at Cal before Jack led her away.

"What was that all about?" Susan asked, watching the Dawsons stop and talk to a young man Susan recognized a little.

"I think she was sending me a message." Cal nodded. "Be nice to Susan."

"Ha ha. If she only knew." Susan shook her head in amusement. "I think we should tell them. They have a right to know."

Cal paled. "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 snorted. "We’ll tell them, Susan. But not now. "

"Are you ashamed of us? Is that it?" Susan asked. "We’ve been seeing 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 was about to argue with her when he looked over at Jack and Rose again. They certainly were happy, and didn’t seem to care what others 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 knowing how Rose felt about the Hockley family, that was highly unlikely. "All right, 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 grabbed her hand and dragged her over to where Jack and Rose were now standing by 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’d known for quite some time, just by how they acted around each other. All those small things Cal did for Susan…those where the same small things he had done for Rose when they had first met.

"Well…we’re in love. We’ve been in love for the past month." Susan giggled, moving closer to Cal.

"What?" Rose asked, her eyes widening in shock. "Did I hear you right?"

"Yes, you did, sweetpea. 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 hugged his best friend. "Who would have thought…Susan falling in love with a swell!"

"Shut up, Jack!" Susan laughed, 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 asked. "I’d like to speak to Cal for a couple of minutes."

"Uh…sure." Susan nodded, 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 watched them leave. As soon as they were out of earshot, she turned to Cal. "All right, 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 looked 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, 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 up to right now." Rose looked 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 gripped her shoulders and forced 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 swallowed as she saw 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 laughed as he released 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 who 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 wouldn’t ruin this 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 person that my mother was forcing me to marry. All right?"

"I promise you, Rose, I’ll never go back to my old ways. Never." Cal smiled at her.

Jack and Susan came 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 looked 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 wrapped an arm around her waist and smiled playfully.

"I’m happy for you, Susan. I really am." Rose hugged her friend and whispered in her ear. "Just be careful, all right? And if you ever need anything, just let me know."

"Okay, Rose." Susan nodded.

"Well, darling, it’s time we should be on our way. We’ll see you later, Rose." Cal waved, leading Susan to the door. Rose looked after them. By her expression, it was obvious that she was worried.

"What’s wrong?" Jack looked at his wife. "You don’t look too happy about this."

"I 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."

"Shh, Rose. It’s all right. 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 rubbed Rose’s shoulders. "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 had changed, and everything would be all right. It just had to be.

Chapter Eighteen
Stories