LOVE FOR LIFE AND BEYOND
Chapter Ten
Jack and Rose disembarked the train in Eau
Claire two days later and took a wagon ride to Chippewa Falls.
"I can’t wait to have a bath and get
into some clean clothes," said Rose. "I have sore muscles I didn’t
know I had."
Jack laughed and kissed her. "I feel
like that myself. It won’t be much longer."
The wagon pulled up on the main street of
Chippewa Falls. Rose hopped down from the wagon and took a look around. It was
a fairly small place, she decided. A few shops, a church, and a post office
made up the main street. Rose guessed this was a town where everyone knew
everyone else. Jack removed the suitcases from the wagon and glanced around.
Nothing's really changed, he thought to himself. He tapped Rose on the shoulder.
"Come on. I need to get the house key from Mr. Barnes and I might as well
introduce you to him."
Jack led her to a building with a sign
reading Barnes and Marshall Law Firm. Established 1876. They entered the
building and asked the secretary if they could see Mr. Barnes. The secretary
ushered them into Mr. Barnes’ office. Mr. Barnes appeared to be absorbed in
some kind of paperwork. He looked up as they came in. Rose took a good look at
Mr. Barnes. He was around fifty years old, with a pleasant face and a neatly
clipped mustache.
"And you are here for..." Mr.
Barnes trailed off at the sight of Jack. "Is that...can it be...what
the...how the..." He finally managed to gasp out, "Jack Dawson?"
Jack grinned. "Yes, Mr. Barnes. I’ve
returned with someone that I’d like you to meet. Mr. Barnes, allow me to
introduce Rose Dawson."
Mr. Barnes went off into another spluttering
fit. Rose did her best to keep from giggling, but failed miserably. She stole a
glance at Jack and he started laughing as well.
Mr. Barnes finally recovered from the shock.
"I don’t quite believe this. First I receive a very surprising piece of
news for one of my clients who has been abroad for years and then he turns up
from God knows where and tells me he’s gotten married." He shook his head.
"All this excitement will give me a heart attack." He started to
smile. "I suppose I must congratulate you. May you have a long and happy
marriage."
Jack took the opportunity to voice his
request. "Please, Mr. Barnes, we need the key to the house. How is
Thomas?"
Mr. Barnes poked about the many deed boxes on
his desk. "Just a moment..." He opened a drawer and started rummaging
in it. "Ah-ha! Found it!" Mr. Barnes handed a large, old-fashioned
key to Jack. "Thomas, did you say? He got married to Eleanor Mitchell two
years ago. They live on Wells Drive—a big yellow house. You can’t miss
it."
Jack thanked him and promised to visit. He
and Rose left the building and started walking to the Dawson family home.
Rose smiled to herself over the happenings in
Mr. Barnes’ office. She liked the pleasant and highly comical man. Rose turned
to Jack. "Is Mr. Barnes always like that?"
"Yes, rather. Wait ‘til you hear some of
the stories about him," said Jack. "The house is just a bit further
along."