JACK'S ROSE
Chapter Twenty-Two
Rose was holding Nathan in her arms, her head
resting on William's shoulder on the trip back to the Dawsons’ house. She was
snoring softly, and Nathan was watching, with wide eyes, the dark shapes as
they quickly passed.
"Rose, wake up," William said
softly as he reined in the dun mare. She lifted her head slowly and looked
about, disoriented at first, but she quickly found her bearings. She smiled at
William, then turned her attention to Nathan, who was reaching up to her. She
lifted him so that his tiny body was pressed against her chest and he could
twist his fingers through her hair. She climbed out of the wagon.
"I'll take him, Rose. I'll go ahead and
start getting him ready for the night."
"Oh, Julia—" Rose began. She
stopped herself after seeing the look in Julia's eyes. Rose carefully handed
her child to Julia, and Julia followed Henry, who was carrying both Cora and
Lilly into the house. William had gotten off the wagon as well and was standing
beside Rose. He quickly put his hand in his pocket and slipped the ring over
the tip of his index finger. I have to do it, now, he thought. I have
to.
"Rose, I have something to ask
you." Rose turned, her blue-green eyes flashing in the light of the
brilliant moon. He reached out and took her left hand. They were so close, he
was now sure she could feel his heart pounding as the words gathered inside
him. He caressed her hand, not able to say anything. William inhaled deeply and
began to slip the ring over her finger. He felt her entire body stiffen as the
cold metal touched her petal soft skin. She was now staring down at their
entwined fingers.
Both exhaled loudly as they heard Lilly's
voice behind them; neither had been breathing.
"Rosie, Nathan is crying, and Mommy
can't quiet him." They turned to look at her. "Something wrong?"
the girl asked, looking at the strained faces of the young couple.
"Everything's fine, Lilly. I'll be there
in a minute," Rose said breathlessly. Lilly glanced up at them once more,
then turned and droopily made her way back into the house.
"I'm sorry, William. I have to go."
Rose stepped closer to him and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you for a
wonderful time." He nodded and returned her kiss.
"Go on," he whispered. Rose sighed
and quickly retreated to the house. William clambered back into the rickety
wagon and gently slapped the dun's shoulders. She gave a light neigh and
started forward with a brisk trot. William paid no attention to the ride back
to the general store and went about grooming the mare with his mind elsewhere—about
two miles away down Dawson Lane, where the most beautiful woman he had ever
seen and the most extraordinary person he had ever met was tending her
wonderful child. William unlocked the store and silently slipped in, then
turned, locked the door once more, and put the keys beside the cash register
for Ralph to find in the morning. Then, he felt something poking him in the ribs.
He turned and saw Ralph Jones standing there in his nightshirt with a lantern
in his hand.
"What? Why aren't you asleep?"
William hissed.
"How could I? How did it go, boy?"
"It didn't," he mumbled.
"Damn it, Will."
"I started to. Then, Lilly came out and
got her. I couldn't just—"
"Of course you could have!" He
quieted his voice. "You'll see her tomorrow at church. Don't miss
again." William nodded. "Now sleep. You look exhausted." Ralph
patted William's cheek and both went upstairs to their rooms.