The next day found Rose, Lily, and Jack in town walking along, the town square, stopping into stores, cafes, and different businesses in the town proper. Everyone in town had already heard the touching tale of the small family reuniting and they're adopting the little girl Lily and how the young lady found her way to Chippewa Falls to find her young husband alive and well. The town seemed to celebrate the reunion along with the young couple and welcomed the two foreign friends with open arms. This meant that people were offering discounts on everything. A pretty dress for Rose, only two dollars instead of five. A lovely baby doll for Lily, only a dollar instead of three. Art paper for Jack, one cent a sheet instead of two. It made Rose feel like she was indeed a part of something bigger than herself. She was a new member of a tight-knit community and she loved it.
"Rose!" Cindy from the cafe called, waving at her from inside the cafe doorway. Rose gripped Lily's hand and made her way over after letting Jack know where she'd be.
"Cindy, hello. I am sorry that I haven't been back in. I'm just been getting myself reacquainted with Jack and…," Rose began to apologize.
"Oh don't be silly. I understand perfectly. I'd much rather spend time with a handsome husband than an ole gossip like me," the waitress winked with a warm chuckle. "I just wanted to let you know that your little family here is welcome anytime and the meals are on us. The Dawsons were close friends of ours and I grew up with Jack. We'd love to have you guys and mother said that if you ever want to learn how to cook something or need any help in the kitchen, just let her know. We'll be over in two shakes of a lamb's tail!"
Tears appeared in Rose's eyes and she found herself hugging the other woman tightly. "Thank you so much. You've been so kind to me. In fact, it was because of you that I had found Jack at all."
"Really?"
Rose nodded. "You told me where to go to get a ride to the farm and I followed your directions and there Jack was. So thank you. For helping me find my Jack and for the offer to help. You don't know how much that means to me. I hope that you won't regret the offer. I'm not really used to being around the kitchen, unfortunately."
"It'll be our pleasure to help," Cindy smiled. The smile turned to a frown when she looked past Rose's shoulder. "Oh, dear. Here comes that uppity Mrs. Flowers and her poor daughter Violet."
"Who are they?"
"The Flowers are one of the wealthiest families in this town. The husband is okay, but the mother is a terror. Especially to poor little Violet. It's always, sit up straight, don't hold your tea like that, behave don't run in those shoes. That's unladylike. It's like she's raising a porcelain doll, not a child! The poor dear," Cindy tsked as a well-dressed lady with brunette hair entered with a little girl a few years older than Lily with the same colored hair as the lady entered.
"Come along, Violet. We have almost missed tea. There is no time to dwaddle," The woman instructed, reminding Rose of her own mother, back when she had been a child. She immediately felt sorry for the daughter.
"You know, Lily and I have time for some milk and cookies. I think we'll stop in for a snack," Rose place a gentle hand on Lily's shoulder, whose eyes lit up at the mention of milk and cookies.
"Oh that will be wonderful, come on in. Speaking of Mrs. Flowers, by the way, I've noticed that you have a very refined way about you like you're from high society yourself. However, did you and Jack meet?" Cindy questioned, leading Rose and Lily over to a table.
"We met on a ship. You can say that Jack had saved my life and it was...well the more I got to know Jack, the more I liked him. It was almost like love at first sight," Rose sighed, remembering the first time she had seen Jack. He had been on the poop deck and staring up at her. She had been on one of the first class decks looking over steerage and she had just insulted Bruce Ismay and needed to get away from both her mother and Cal. Their eyes had met, and she had thought him handsome but rude for staring. Then Cal had come out admonishing her for embarrassing him. At the time, she hadn't given much thought to the handsome boy in steerage. She definitely hadn't known that he'd end up being the love of her life.
"It must have been romantic," Cindy sighed, just imagining herself on some cruise and meeting the man of her dreams.
Rose simply smiled as she got Lily settled into her seat and then glanced over to where Mrs. Flowers and her daughter were sitting. She noticed the woman sternly talking to the girl, telling her to sit up straight and how to place a napkin on her lap to protect her fine dress. Rose frowned, remembering her own time as a child under her mother's tutor ledge.
"Momma Rose, can I have a pretty dress like the one that little girl is wearing?" Lily innocently asked.
Rose swallowed down nausea that rose up in her throat. Lily only saw the pretty dress. She didn't know about all of the abuse, all of the harassment, and the disappointment and stress that went with the dress. "We'll see, sweetie. Maybe I can talk to Papa Jack and we can get you one."
"You should purchase some patterns from Clara's shop. You can make one yourself just as nice," Cindy gushed. "I've made plenty of my own dresses and each one just as fashionable as a high society lady."
"I was thinking of making Lily a dress...or attempting to anyway. I mean, I know how to sew, it's just taking measurements that are the problem. But I want to make her a simple lavender dress...and if I can accomplish that, maybe I can do something more...advanced."
"That sounds like such a good plan," Cindy giggled.
"I need to find a job first, though so I can pay for the materials. Jack wants to use his savings, but I feel that his money should go to something he wants. He's been thinking about opening up a gallery here for local artists. I think that would be amazing. Jack is so talented and I am sure that he's not the only one."
"Oh there are plenty of locals that can draw, sketch, paint, you name it. It would be grand if there was a place to show it all off and perhaps bring in some money. It would also do well for the town's economy. I mean, art fans like to eat. Our little diner could benefit."
Rose opened her mouth to say something when Mrs. Flowers and her daughter approach them.
"My daughter wants to say hello to the little girl," Mrs. Flowers nudged her daughter.
"Bonjour, je m'appelle Violette," the little girl spoke in French.
Lily frowned, not having a clue about what she had just said. She looked at Rose, her blue eyes confused. "Mommy, why is she saying funny words?"
Rose chuckled. "Darling, she's speaking in french. It's the language they use in France."
"I don't know how to speak french," Lily pouted.
"It's okay, sweetie," Rose gently smiled and addressed the french speaking little girl. "Je suis désolé, ma fille ne parle pas français."
"What did she just say, Violet?" Mrs. Flowers questioned.
The little girl frowned and shrugged. "I don't know...Mrs. DuBois quit before she taught me that."
The mother frowned and nearly groaned in impatience. "You have to learn this before next year or they will never accept you in that finishing school and Mrs. DuBois was the only french speaking tutor for miles in this wretched little town," Mrs. Flowers complained.
Little Violet bowed her head, feeling ashamed that she couldn't complete the task. "I'm sorry mommy."
"Mrs. Flowers, pardon me. I know it is none of my business. But Rose here obviously knows the language. Why not hire her?"
"Cindy? " Rose stared in shock.
"What? I mean, you were just saying that you wanted to find a job of your own to help with the bills and such. You obviously know the language that little Violet needs to learn and you seem to have patience. Why not help teach her French? And with your upbringing, you can probably help prepare little Violet for that fancy school that they want to send her to."
"Well, the young waitress does have a point. I can use a good governess. Someone to prepare my daughter for finishing school. And you do seem to be well-mannered," Mrs. Flowers looked Rose up and down. "I can pay you well. I can also offer room and board if you should need it."
"That won't be necessary. I am living with my husband….but maybe transportation would be nice…," Rose began to consider the option.
"I can have my car pick you up. Where do you reside, again?"
"I live on the Dawson farm. My name is Rose Dawson. Jack Dawson is my husband."
Mrs. Flowers gasped. "Jack Dawson? Why he was a friend of my son Harold. Harold was rather put out that Jack hadn't come by the mansion since he's been back."
"That's because he was so depressed. There was an accident and both Rose and Jack thought each other dead. Rose showed up here looking for information on her deceased husband, just to discover him alive and well. It's so terribly romantic," Cindy sighed as the gossip in her came to life.
Rose simply blushed. "I am sure that Jack would love to get reacquainted now that he's feeling better."
"Hmm...perhaps you and your husband shall join us for dinner tomorrow night. I would like to see how you would fit in with my daughter and what manners she can be taught by you. I must say, I am impressed by your mastery of the French language."
"I'd have to talk it over with Jack first, but I don't see why he would have any objections…"
"Send word by telegram on whether we should expect you and in what capacity. It really would be appreciated if you were to tutor my Violet. French is not coming too easily for her, as well as other things that every lady must know."
Rose simply nodded. "I will get back to you as soon as I can."
"Very well then. Good day, ladies. Violet, how do you say goodbye in french?"
"Auf Wiedersehen!" Violet waved, as her mother huffed in outrage and dragged the little girl out the door.
"That poor child needs help. Her french is horrible!" Cindy chuckled.
"Even though her German seems to be on the right track," Rose giggled. "Oh my goodness, do you think I should take that job? I mean…," Rose sighed, looking down at her hands. The job would be perfect. It was something she would excel at...but...it was located in her old world. There was a chance that she could be recognized. Then again, she was married to Jack now. Besides, it's been a year. Surely Cal must have moved on by now! Was working for the Flowers a good idea?
"Talk it over with Jack if you must, but I do think it's a good idea. It'd fit you."
"Yes. I'll talk it over with Jack...even though I have a feeling that I know what his answer will be. Do it only if it'll make you happy. Ugh, I don't know if it will. To be honest...my head is so full of things I want to do with my life...I don't know where to start and what would really suit me!"
The bell above the door dinged, signaling customers were entering. Cindy grabbed her pen and notepad, ready to take orders. "Talk to Jack, Rose. I am sure that you two can come to a decision together."
"Speaking of Jack, I better get back to him. We just left him at the art supply store without much notice," Rose turned to get up but froze when she came face to face with two girls she had never thought she'd see again.
"Oh my god, Rose?" Sarah Hockley paled as she stared into the shocked eyes of a dead woman.