AN: Things are about to get rolling again, starting with this chapter. Thank you for being patient! I wanted to set everything up before getting back into the Cal side of the story.

Fabrizo agreed to keep Rose's secret. "I'll tell Jack, of course," she said. "As soon as I'm sure. It could turn out to be nothing, and he has enough to think about." She wanted to tell him; she wanted to see his eyes light up and hear his gasp of excitement. She'd wanted to tell him from the moment she first suspected. Now that he was talking about having children and hiring lawyers, and there was a secret fortune coming their way, it mattered more than ever that she be sure.

"We'll have to go down to Milwaukee or Chicago to find a lawyer," Jack said the next day. "There's no-one around here who can do it."

"When do you want to go?" Rose asked.

"As soon as we can get the money."

"We still have most of the money from my rings," she reminded him. "Why not use that?"

"I don't wanna touch that anymore. If we're living off the investments, we can use that money as savings," he said. "Can't hurt to have something safely put away."

"We can always sell the rest of my jewelry. I don't need it. I'll never wear it again."

"I won't make you do that," Jack said.

"You wouldn't be making me, Jack. I'd actually rather not have it."

"Keep it for now, though," he said. "Who knows. Maybe we'll need it."

…..

Lucy was already at the usual spot when Fabrizo arrived. "You came," she said.

"Of course."

"I was worried after last night-"

He waved away her concerns. "Last night doesn't matter. All I care about is your brothers won't try to keep us apart." He took her hands. "If that happened…"

"We'd run away?" she joked.

"Would you?"

His seriousness startled her. "Run away to where?"

"Anywhere," he said. "Haven't you thought about leaving, ever? There's no somewhere you'd like to go?"

"Not really. I've always been happy right here. I don't know what I'd do if I left," she said.

"Would you leave?"

"I don't know," Lucy said. "It would depend on the circumstances, and where I was going, I guess. You aren't planning to leave now, are you?"

"No. I just wondered," he said.

"Good. I hope you don't."

"How long are we staying in Milwaukee?" Rose asked.

"We don't hafta rush back," Jack said. "We can stay a few days if you want. I can ask Tom to take care of the animals so Fabrizo can come along."

"If Lady lets me leave," she joked.

'Assuming she does, yeah." He smiled. "I'm glad you're so close."

"It feels like I've always had her." She reached down to scratch the dog's ears. "Kind of like you."

"I'm flattered."

"You should be. Didn't you compare me to a dog first?" she said.

"Is that how I put it?"

Rose ruffled his hair. "Almost." Her face became serious. "Jack, things are changing. The money and the divorce, if it happens-"

"It will," he said confidently.

"Alright. When it happens," she said. "Are you bothered by any of it? Do you wish things weren't changing?"

"No. So far it's all been good changes. The money will help us. The dreams we have, they'll be possible now. I know you can be happy without it," he said, before she could object. "And you can travel the world without it. We're not gonna change the way we live, but we'll be so much safer now. I can't complain about that, and it comes from my parents, so it's like a part of them is still here, looking out for me, for us."

"Do you really believe they are?" she asked. "They can see us?"

"Yeah, I do. It might sound crazy, but I believe they see us. I don't know where they are exactly. I don't know much about things like that, what happens when you die and all, but I believe we go somewhere, and it's nothing to be afraid of. The people we love never leave us completely."

"That's a comforting thought," Rose said.

"It's not something you have to worry about any time soon," Jack said. "Whatever happens, we won't change. I won't leave you."

"If there were more changes….or maybe just one, one incredible change," she said slowly. "You wouldn't be upset?"

Jack shook his head. "No. Can't stop it, can we?" He grinned and touched her cheek with his thumb.

"No, we can't," Rose agreed.

"Is something bothering you, Rose? If you're worried about the divorce, don't be. He'll never know where we are. I promise."

"I'm not worried about that," she said. "I was just curious." She shrugged. "That's all."

"I've met your family," Fabrizo said. "Would you like to meet mine?"

Lucy gave him a puzzled look. "Your family's in Italy."

"I meant my family here. Jack and Rosa," he explained. "You've already met Jack, right? I forgot."

"I've met them both," she said shortly.

"Does that mean you'd rather not have dinner with us? If you don't want to, that's fine," he said. "I just thought I'd invite you."

"I'll come," she said.

"Only if you want to."

"I want to, Fabrizo. I want to know you more, which means knowing them," Lucy said. She smiled and reached for his hand. "When do you want me to come?"

"How's tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow then," she said. As she said it, Lucy wondered if she could handle seeing Jack and Rose again. Her feelings for Fabrizo were real, but would they hold up with Jack in front of her? She suspected Fabrizo didn't know about their history. Was it worthwhile to tell him, or would it only cause jealousy?

Fabrizo kissed her knuckles. "Meraviglioso."

"What does that mean?" she asked.

"Wonderful."

"I like that better than our word," she said. "Italian's a pretty language."

"I'm teaching Rosa. I could teach you," he offered.

"You wouldn't mind?"

"Sarebbe una gioia," he said. It would be a joy.

…..

The news of Lucy's impending visit was met with stunned silence. "That's who you've been seeing?" Jack said.

"Is there something wrong?" Fabrizo said.

"No," Jack replied. "I never expected it to be her is all."

"But you know her family. You like her," Fabrizo said. "She's what my mother called a nice girl, no?"

"She's a lovely girl," Rose said. "I only met her once, but I could tell. Of course you can bring her here."

"Jack?" Fabrizo said.

"Yeah, sure, of course," Jack said. "When's she coming?"

"Tomorrow."

"Guess that means you'll do the cooking," Jack said with a grin.

"Don't I always?" Fabrizo said.

"Only because you don't trust us to do it," Jack replied.

"I trust you," Fabrizo said. "That has nothing do with wanting to eat your cooking."

Rose laughed. "Well, I wouldn't be offended if you didn't want to eat mine. I'm not sure I would either."

"It's not that bad, Rosa," Fabrizo said. "You're getting better. Jack, on the other hand, will always be hopeless." He chuckled.

"See if I teach you how to make apple pie," Jack said.

"That's alright," Fabrizo said. "Rosa will, won't you?"

"Oh, I'm not part of this," Rose said. "I'll be outside picking apples if you need me."

After she'd gone Jack said, "You're serious about Lucy?"

"Yes," Fabrizo said. "I've never been serious about a woman before. I ran away to avoid that, but she's different. She's beautiful. I could talk to her forever. Jack, I like her. We're friends, you know? I want to be around her all the time."

"I know that feeling," Jack said. "I get it with Rose."

"And you trust her. You know you can say anything to her."

"You're safe with her," Jack said. "And you can't imagine ever being with anyone else. If she left you-" He shook his head. "You don't even wanna think about that."

"I may love Lucia," Fabrizo said. "She's so guarded, though. I don't know why. She won't tell me."

That's my fault, Jack almost said. He resisted the urge to tell everything. "You'll get closer to her," he assured him. "It takes longer with some people. It happened in a day for me and Rose, but we're not like other people."

"You're crazy, you mean."

"Probably," Jack said good-naturedly.

…..

The town was more prosperous than Cal expected, the buildings nicer. Everyone he passed looked friendly. Smiles came easily to them. He was regarded with curiosity but not hostility. He wondered what they thought of Rose. In a place like this, she was sure to attract attention.

Cal wasn't sure how to find them. The name of the town was all Lovejoy was able to give him. There was no address. He dropped his luggage off at the only decent loggings-and even those were far beneath him-and set out for the newspaper office. Someone had to be able to tell him something.

…..

"I have to go into town," Fabrizo said. "We're out of origano and basilico." Oregano and basil

"You need them now?" Rose said.

"For the dinner tomorrow," he explained. "I promised her something special, and I can't do that without the right spices."

"I need to go too," Jack said. "Me and Bob hafta talk more about the investments. We can go in the morning."

"As long as it's early," Fabrizo said. "I'll still have to cook when we get back."

"We'll make it," Jack said.

A light rain fell that night, bringing the temperatures down. Frost covered the ground when they woke up. A sharp pain shot through the back of Rose's head. By the time she finished breakfast it was unbearable. "Jack, would you mind if I didn't come with you today?" she asked.

"You don't hafta come if you don't want," he said. "But are you sure you wanna stay here alone?"

"I don't feel up to going. I'm sorry. I think I should go back to bed for a while."

"You don't look so good," Jack said. "What's wrong, Petal?"

"It's a headache. I'm sure it's nothing."

Jack watched her with concern. "I can stay with you, have the meeting another day."

"No, you should go," Rose said. "I'll be fine."

"I don't want to leave you alone if you're sick."

"I won't be alone. I'll have Lady," she said. "I'll go upstairs and lie down, and when you get back, I'll feel better."

"If you're sure," he said hesitantly.

"I'm sure, Jack." She kissed him. "Nothing will happen."

The sky was dark, but that mean nothing. There was no indication this would be unlike any other day. As they set out Jack looked back at the house over his shoulder, but Rose had already gone inside.

Finding out where they lived was easy; actually getting there was the difficult part. In the end Cal paid a farmer to take him most of the way. Rain fell as he approached the yard. The place was shut tight; no lights burned in the windows, despite the lack of sun. He drew back into the trees as Lucy approached.

"Who is that?" he wondered.

Cal watched her go up the front steps and knock. She wore a scarf over her hair, to protect it from the rain, and a coat. It took a few minutes for the door to open. He smiled at the sight of Rose. "There you are," he said softly. "No getting away this time, my dear." He touched the gun in his coat pocket. "Jack can't save you now."

….

It only took a few minutes for Fabrizo to get the ingredients he needed. Jack wasn't having that kind of luck, however. According to the front teller Bob was due back any minute. She'd been saying that for half an hour. "Do you mind waiting a little longer?" Jack asked.

"Sure," Fabrizo said. "If we leave by ten, I'll still have plenty of time to make everything."

"Thanks. We won't take much longer," Jack said. "I don't want to leave Rose alone too long, and you need time to make things perfect."

"I'll get it done," Fabrizo said cheerfully, hiding his anxiety. "What's wrong with Rose? I thought she just had a headache."

"She does," Jack said. "But I just don't like the thought of her by herself, so far away from everyone. Something could happen."

"She's a capable girl. She'll be fine."

"I'm worrying too much," Jack said.

"Maybe a little."

"I know it's crazy, but I have this bad feeling."

"We've made it this far," Fabrizo said. "And things are looking up. You're probably just worried it's too good."

"Probably."

While Jack's fears were being assuaged, Cal made his way toward the house. He walked slowly, taking light steps. He hardly felt the cold rain landing on him. The curtains in the front windows were open. He dropped to his knees and looking in. Nothing. It was only an immaculate, empty room. "Damn it," he muttered. He tried the front door and found it unlocked. "So trusting."

He slipped around to the side of the house. The first window was a disappointment, but the second one showed what he wanted to see. Rose and Lucy sat at the kitchen table, a pot of tea between them. He couldn't hear their conversation, but that didn't matter. Rose's chair was angled away from him. Lucy had her back to him. He crouched down anyway, watching over the window sill.

"They should be home soon," Rose said. Lucy nodded. "We didn't expect you this early," Rose added. She smiled nervously. "Not that you aren't welcome."

"Of course not," Lucy said.

Her tone was civil, but Rose couldn't shake the feeling that Lucy intended her words to cut. "So, you and Fabrizo are spending a lot of time together," Rose said.

"Yes, you could say that."

"He certainly seems to adore you," Rose went on.

Lucy's cool façade cracked slightly. "Do you think so?" she asked. "Does he talk about-about us?"

"He wouldn't admit he was going off to see a girl at first," Rose answered. "Jack teased him mercilessly about it." At the mention of Jack's name, Lucy's eyes hardened. "But now he tells us about you, or rather, he's told us a bit about you," Rose finished.

"And he talks to you a lot?"

"He and I are friends," Rose said. "We share certain confidences, yes. I care about him."

"Do you?" Lucy challenged.

"Yes." Rose met her gaze. "He's-Well, he's been very kind to me, even when he didn't have a reason to be. And Jack thinks the world of him. We couldn't very well not get along. It wouldn't be fair to Jack."

Lucy's tone softened. "You love him, don't you? Jack?"

The question didn't surprise Rose. "I love him more than I can say. I don't know how to explain it. He's the best man I've ever known," she answered. "The best thing that ever happened to me. He understands me, and I understand him."

"I thought I understood him once," Lucy said. "I was wrong."

"Lucy, can we talk about what happened?" Rose asked. "I don't mean to intrude. We hardly know one another. But don't you think we should try to get along?"

Lucy thought a moment. "I care about Fabrizo," she said. "A lot. I want him to be happy. I still-I still care for Jack."

"But you don't want to know me."

"I'm not sure I don't hate you," Lucy admitted. The words came out before she could stop them.

"I can understand that."

"Can you?" Lucy said.

"What if I hated you?" Rose asked.

"Why would you hate me? You have Jack. What's there for you to be upset about?"

"You have his past," Rose replied. "You had years with him, grew up with him. I can never have that. He loved you first. Part of him will always love you."

"You actually believe that?" Lucy said.

"I believe he'll always love you in some way," Rose said. "And the time you shared is important. I don't hate you, though."

"Did you tell you about us?"

"I guessed," Rose said. "And then he told me."

"You guessed?"

"It was obvious. The way you looked at him, the things you said."

"Did he tell you we….?" Lucy trailed off.

"He didn't have to," Rose said. "But yes, he did."

"And that he asked me to go with him?"

"And you refused," Rose said.

"I'm not like him," Lucy said. "I can't run after adventures. I don't mind living here. It's boring at times, but it's also nice. Safe. It's my home."

"I never felt at home anywhere until I met Jack," Rose said. "I had one, a rather nice one by most accounts, but the places I lived before were just houses. I didn't belong there."

"What about your family?" Lucy was curious in spite of herself. She didn't want to hate Rose, but she also didn't want to be her friend either. So why was she still talking to her? She didn't like admitting it, but Rose wasn't what she expected.

"We aren't close," Rose said.

Lucy sensed that was the end of the subject. "Has Jack told you much about his family?"

"He's told me some things. I don't think he likes talking about it. I don't want to upset him."

"It was terrible, what happened," Lucy said. "Both of them at once. I tried to help him; we all did. We couldn't understand what he felt. That loss. My mother died three years ago. I understand a little better now."

"My father died two years ago," Rose said. Their eyes met, and a wan smile passed between them. "It's strange to talk about," Rose went on. "I-" she was cut off by Lady's barking. The little dog stared at the kitchen door; her hair stood on end. "What is it, girl?" Rose said.

"Maybe she heard something," Lucy suggested. "It could be them."

"No, she wouldn't react this way."

Lady growled at the door, her teeth bared. Rose stepped past her, and she nipped her ankle. Her barks changed tone. "She's trying to warn us," Lucy said. "That's how my brother's dogs sound when there's a snake nearby."

"Do you think one got in somehow?" Rose said, shuddering at the thought.

"Maybe."

Cal waited on the other side of the door, listening. He smiled. His suspicions were confirmed. They were alone. There was the dog, but he could handle her. Outside the rain fell in sheets, and the wind picked up. A storm was rolling in.