I refused to stay within a mile of my father, so Jacob and Walter let me stay with them. It had been three days, and he didn't even bother to try and contact me. Jacob and I were doing well to stay a secret, considering for all my father knew, I could have been dead. I helped Jacob clean up Rosie and she seemed fine. Momma would come and see me without August knowing. Jacob insisted that I see her, saying how happy I got when I did.
"Bella, I don't blame you for not wanting to see your father again, but he is very sorry... He wants to say it to you in person..." Momma informed me and I shook my head.
"I'm not seeing him. He hurt me Momma!" I said as Jacob sat beside me.
"Baby I don't trust him any more than you do, but he is your father..." He said and I sighed.
"Fine... but I'm not going alone..." I grumbled and Momma smiled.
"Jacob and I will both be with you..." She stood up and reached for my hand. I stood up and Jacob followed us to the meals tent. Dad was sitting at a table on his own and looked up when he heard people come towards him.
"Annabelle!" He gasped and jumped up to hug me. "Oh I was so worried... I am extremely sorry..." He whispered and I sighed.
"I know..." He gestured for us all to sit and we all sat. "Jacob, we need to find a way to get Rosie to c-operate..." Jacob smiled.
"Well in a matter of face... Bella and I figured out what she answers to..." Jacob explained and Dad's eyes widened.
"You did?! Well don't hold back..."
"She responds when you speak to her in Polish... I'll show you..." We all followed Jacob to where Rosie was pinned in the ground under a shade cloth. He smiled and turned to her.
"Stań Rosie," he said and Rosie stood on her hind legs. Dad watched in awe as Jacob spoke to her and taught Dad what to say.
Rosie had learnt quickly to trust Dad after that. She did as she was told in every show and we brought in plenty of crowds and money. Dad was happier now that his star attraction worked, he didn't ignore me as much and didn't try to hurt me, but that didn't mean Jacob liked him any more than he did.
"Gather around children..." Dad called as he stood on the barrel in the middle of the big top. Jacob and I had been teaching Rosie some new tricks, and possibly other things in secret. All the performers gathered around Daddy and he grinned.
"The circus is nothing without its traditions. It's a family. And like any other family, when a new member is born, it has to be greeted with celebration and with gratitude. I know we've all been busy lately, with sold out performances... Thank the Gods!" Everyone applauded and Daddy continued,
"But I'd like to take this moment before today's show to gather together. We close our eyes..." We all did as we were told. "And we thank whoever is up there, that sends desperate men running for the rails... Because it was a lucky day when Jacob Jankowski jumped our train!" Jacob was pushed forward and I tried not to react.
"It's because of his discovery that we have the greatest star attraction in the Benzini Brothers history! And so to officially welcome him into our family, we open our eyes and we give him the traditional Benzini Brothers welcome!" That's when the pies, soda water and confetti started to fly. Jacob was covered in seconds and laughter filled the air. All the girls took turns kissing his cheeks and Barbara eyes me as she did, trying to make me jealous. I walked forward and caressed his cheek.
"Congratulations Jacob..." I whispered and kissed his lips. He smiled and kissed my cheek.
"Thank you Baby..." He whispered back. I smiled and he ruffled some pie into my hair.
"Momma asked me to ask you if you could bring Rosie around to our tent after the show?" I asked as I tried to get pie out of my hair.
"Of course... I'll be there..." He answered and I poked my tongue out at him before I left the tent to help Momma get ready for the show...