Chapter Ten
"Henry it is good to see you again." It was John, my heart skipped when I saw him. At first my heart almost stopped beating when Henry said "Cal" but it was only a nickname taken from his last name, Calvert. I was half embarrassed for John to see me in pants. When he noticed it was me he examined my outfit with a large smile upon his face. "Miss Dawson, this is a surprise!"
"Mr. Calvert, it is always good to see you."
"I'm assuming you two have met?"
"Yes, Henry. Miss Dawson and I are acquaintances we met on a train."
Henry approved of this with a nod and John directed his attention back to me.
"Well Rose, how is Chippewa Falls treating you? Decently I hope?"
"Not only is Chippewa treating me kindly but the residents are as well. I am surprised to see you."
"I would've called you but I wanted to surprise you. I didn't expect to see you here at the derby."
"I would never fib to you about saying I wanted to try ice fishing, Mr. Calvert."
"It's John, Rose." And he kissed my hand.
Henry walked over to John and I. "Alright Rose, if you come right over here by me I will show you how to place the bait on your pole and lower it into the water."
"Alright." I said looking at John and followed Henry over.
Henry showed me how to place the bait on the pole and lure it into the water.
"Now when you feel or see a tug pull it out, that means a fish is biting." Henry said and showed me how to do it.
Nodding, I said "Okay,"
"If you need any assistance I'll be right here." Henry said getting his bait ready.
"Or I can help you," John said sitting down beside me on the other side.
I smiled, "Thank you, John."
"Not to be rude, Rose but those pants look very familiar."
"They're mine, John." Henry said luring his pole into the water.
"Oh they are you lucky pants aren't they?" John said with a chuckle.
"Henry was kind of enough to let me borrow them for today."
"Why Henry aren't you worried that you'll lose your winning streak?"
"Of course not," Henry said.
All of a sudden I felt a jerk from my fishing pole. Standing up quickly I began to lift the pole from the icy water and at the end was a large fish.
John stood up to help me with the fish that was flipping everywhere.
"Looks like theses pants seem to be working pretty good for me." I said looking at Henry who had come over to look at it.
The rest of the day went well Gloria and Milly came by around noon with hot chicken noodle soup. My fish won third place in the derby and after I was rewarded with a ribbon. Gloria and Milly decided to take everyone's fish home to begin getting them ready for Friday.
"Rose would you like to come home with us? You must be freezing."
"Yes, I will."
Gloria's eyes lit up when she saw John.
"John Calvert is that you?"
"Mrs. Strenberg it's always a pleasure how are you?"
"I am fine and well, thank you. It appears that California has been treating you well."
"Like always, I am still waiting for you to visit me."
"John I tell you every ice fishing season I am too old to travel. My home is here, my place is here. Besides who would look over my boys?" The men chuckled.
"Well Rose is coming back to the boarding house with Milly and I so make sure you stop by and see me before you leave."
"I always do, Mrs. Strenberg."
I picked up the empty basket that was once filled with sandwiches and wrapped my scarf around my neck.
"Rose?" John asked.
"Yes, John?"
"May I escort you back to the boarding house?"
"You may." With my acceptance, he showed a grand smile, which of course, made me smile.
"Ah John are you getting cold too?" Lewy asked playfully and the men in the cabin laughed.
John turned around and told the men goodbye and left the cabin.
Gloria, John, Milly and I were just entering the town; Gloria had been reminiscing about all the wonderful memories she had shared with John.
"Do you remember when you were Joseph that one Christmas?" Gloria giggled, "I remember the play director having to buy penny candy because you cried because you wanted to the lion." Everyone laughed and I noticed that John was blushing.
"Well I hope you don't mind, but Milly and I need to go to the store. I will meet you two back at the house."
"Alright Gloria, we will see you two there." John said behind his shoulder as the two walked towards the general store.
"Rose I must admit that I have missed you very much." My heart skipped a beat with that statement as John placed his hand on mine. I looked up at him as our eyes met, we shared a smile. "I have traveled to every floral house in California and still haven't found a more beautiful rose than you."
"Oh, John I have missed you as well."
"Rose, I am leaving in a few days to California. I hope you don't think I am rushing things when I say…." John hesitated.
"Don't worry, John. I have learned not to judge others. Please, go on." I urged him,
"Please don't make me go back to California with out you."
My heart raised up and I felt as if I was flying but then I felt as if I was grounded. Am I ready to leave Chippewa Falls? Am I ready to move on? My eyes left John's as I looked down at the white snow.
"Rose, forgive me I-" I quickly placed my fingers on John's lips 'My god, they feel like Jack's,' I said to myself.
"John, don't apologize. You have done nothing wrong, I assure you. May I think I about it?"
John smiled, "Of course." He placed his hand in mine and kissed the back of it, showing a smile.
"Would I interest you in a hot cup of coca with a batch of Gloria's blue ribbon sugar cookies accompanied by a welcoming fire?" I asked showing a smile.
"I couldn't think of anything better, of course as long as you are there."
"Oh, I never said I would be there." I said jokingly.
John laughed as we interlocked arms as we returned to the boarding house.