Chapter 7
To be fair, I am not really proud of this chapter, but I am still going to post it hoping you will somewhat enjoy it xoxo.
"You are impossible, Jack!" Rose threw her hands in the air in frustration.
"I am impossible?" Jack replied, his own voice now filled with annoyance, "Ever since I got here you have been criticising my every step. You're inspecting me like some sort of school teacher, ready to slap me with your ruler."
Rose crossed her arms and took a step towards him. "Oh please. Maybe if you just did the things you were asked to do properly there wouldn't be anything for me to criticise."
"You think you know everything, don't you?" Jack shot back, "Just for your information. I've been working, whether it was in my parents' store, or anywhere else before you were even big enough to reach a sink…"
She scoffed "You should have had plenty of time to master your competence, then. Yet, I don't notice any of it."
But before either of them could grab another log, the door burst open, and Sarah came marching down the steps of the porch, her expression stern. "Enough! Both of you!" Her voice rang out, sharp and commanding, catching both of them by surprise.
Jack and Rose froze, each of them still with hands halfway outstretched, looking up at Sarah like two children caught bickering over a toy. She crossed her arms, giving them a disapproving look.
"You're acting like children," Sarah said, shaking her head in frustration. "Honestly, I can hear you two arguing from the kitchen, and it's over nothing! I've had enough of it."
Jack opened his mouth to say something, but Sarah silenced him with a raised hand. "No, no excuses. You both clearly need a distraction. Evelyn's birthday is tomorrow, and I need things from town. You're going together. Maybe then you can channel all this energy into something useful."
Jack frowned, taking a step back. "I'll go. There's no need for both of us—"
"Oh, yes, there is," Sarah interrupted, giving him a pointed look and pushing a piece of paper into his hand, "The list is long, and you'll be done faster if you're both there. Plus…" she gave them each a knowing look, "maybe it'll help you two to finally learn how to get along."
Rose exchanged a quick, tense glance with Jack, but before she could object, Sarah gave her an equally firm look. "This isn't up for debate, Rose. Both of you—go get the supplies, and don't you think about coming back until you've fetched everything from the list. And please, for the love of God" she added, a touch of humor returning to her voice, "don't kill each other along the way."
Rose cast a sideways glance at Jack, her mouth pressing into a thin line. Jack crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, clearly not thrilled about the arrangement, but there was an unspoken truce between them in the face of Sarah's ultimatum.
"Fine," Rose muttered, grabbing her coat.
"Fine," Jack echoed, following her.
The ride to town was a mixture of tense silence and muttered exchanges, each doing their best to keep the simmering irritation from boiling over. Jack would occasionally shoot Rose a sidelong glance, his brow furrowing as if he wanted to say something but thought better of it. Meanwhile, Rose kept her gaze forward, her posture rigid, fingers tapping a restless rhythm on her knee.
When they finally arrived in town, Jack pulled the reins and brought the wagon to a halt near the town square. He jumped down first, offering a quick, perfunctory hand to Rose, who took it without looking at him. They both straightened, brushing off the dust from the ride, and looked around.
"All right," Jack said, breaking the silence. "Sarah gave us a pretty long list. Let's split up to save time. I'll head to the general store for flour and sugar, and you can handle the decorations and the other things for Evelyn's birthday."
Rose gave a curt nod, eyes still on the list as if she were scrutinizing every item. "Fine. Let's meet back here in an hour."
Without waiting for his response, she turned and strode off toward the row of shops. Jack watched her go, an unreadable expression crossing his face before he shook his head and headed in the opposite direction. Rose moved briskly between stores, collecting ribbons, small toys, and decorations for Evelyn's party, her mind only half on her task. Despite the tension that had seemed to linger since the start of the day, she found herself glancing over her shoulder more than once, half-expecting to see Jack somewhere down the street. Yet, he was nowhere to be seen among the many others roaming the streets.
An hour later, she marched back towards the carriage, he arms packed with supplies as she noticed Jack was already waiting for her. He was not alone now. It took Rose a few seconds to notice he was caught up in a conversation with Betty, her laughter echoing through the busy streets of Chippewa Falls. Then, as if sensing her presence, Jack looked up, his expression immediately shifting. He cleared his throat, shifting slightly away from Betty, who turned around with a warm smile.
"Rose," Betty said, her voice cheerful, "I didn't know you were in town together."
"Believe me," Rose muttered in noticeable annoyance, "It's as much as a surprise to me as it is to you."
Ignoring her comment, Betty shifted her attention to the bags. "I bet Evelyn will be overjoyed with all the presents. I am looking forward to the party." Before Betty could turn around she lifted her finger in the air, "I almost forgot," she continued, "My students have prepared a musical performance for next week to celebrate the end of the school year. It's in the town hall, I was hoping you'd like to come."
"Of course!" They answered in union. Rose stopped short, surprised by the simultaneous response. She glanced at Jack, who looked equally caught off guard by their shared eagerness.
Betty's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Well, it sounds like you're both enthusiastic then. It'll be wonderful to have some familiar faces there. And now, I'll leave you two to finish up," she said finally. "I'm sure there's plenty left to do. She gave them both a little wave before disappearing into the bustle of the town square, leaving them standing alone by the carriage.
Rose took a step forward, setting her packages carefully in the back, acutely aware of Jack's gaze on her. "What flavor cake did you get?" She asked without looking at him.
Jack's eyes widened in disbelief as he processed her words. "You've got to be kidding me," he said, his voice a mix of frustration and incredulity. "I thought you were picking up the cake! I was sure it was on your list."
Rose crossed her arms, the weight of the conversation shifting back into the familiar territory of bickering. "No, Jack, it was definitely on yours. I distinctly remember you mentioning chocolate cake."
Jack threw his hands up in exasperation. "Fine! I'll run back to the bakery right now. It can't be too late—"
"It is too late!" she interrupted. "The bakery closes at five, and you know that. Just face it; there's no cake for Evelyn's birthday now."
"I'll think of something." Jack murmured. But before the tension could ease between them, Rose's attention drifted to the bouquets of flowers next to the other groceries.
Rose stared at it, disbelief etched on her face. "You got flowers instead of a cake for a child's birthday?" She shook her head, her tone a mixture of exasperation and incredulity. "What were you thinking, Jack?"
Jack hopped up into the carriage, his expression a blend of irritation and amusement. "I've had it. Let's go home," he said, pulling the reins as the horse started to move forward.
Rose climbed in beside him. "This is ridiculous. I can't believe you thought flowers would suffice. What's next? A card instead of presents?"
But Jack didn't respond anymore. His gaze was locked on the road in front of him, his heart pounding in his chest. As they moved along, Rose quickly came to the notion that they weren't taking the usual route back home. The wagon bounced along the uneven path, and she could see the outline of a small graveyard emerging through the trees, surrounded by a cluster of bushes and wild roses. Jack pulled the wagon to a halt, jumping down before Rose could fully comprehend what was happening.
"Wait here," he said, taking a moment to gather the flowers from the wagon. Their fragrance wafted toward Rose as he approached her, a hint of something somber in his expression. "Give me a minute."
A feeling of dread washed over her as she watched him walk toward the graveyard. Her heart sank as she realized what was happening. She felt a wave of guilt ripple through her—why hadn't she considered this before? She knew from Sarah that they had lost their family, but seeing it like this, she understood the weight of that loss even more.
Jack knelt before a large gravestone, the flowers resting delicately in his hands. Rose couldn't make out the names from her distance, but she recognized the look on his face—one of quiet sorrow mixed with reverence. She felt as if she were intruding on a private moment, the kind that should be kept sacred, and yet, she couldn't bring herself to look away.
Fifteen minutes passed, each one stretching longer than the last as Rose wrestled with her own emotions. She felt the guilt seep deeper as she thought about the moments they had spent bickering, unaware of the pain that lingered just beneath the surface for him.
Finally, Jack rose, brushing the dirt from his knees as he walked back to the wagon. His face was a mask of calm, but Rose could see the shadows in his eyes. He climbed back into the carriage, and the silence that enveloped them was heavy, filled with unspoken words and unprocessed feelings. Jack took the reins, steering the wagon back onto the main road.
As they eventually pulled into the yard, Jack hopped off, moving quickly to unload the bags. The excitement of Evelyn's birthday hung in the air, but the earlier somberness still lingered in the back of his mind. He rushed inside, placing the groceries onto the dinner table with a clatter, his mind still preoccupied. Sarah walked in, her brows knitted together with curious concern. "I'm glad you two made it out alive. I was starting to worry," she said, glancing from Rose to Jack, trying to read the tension between them.
Jack didn't respond, focused instead on unpacking the bags. He could feel Sarah's gaze on him, the weight of her unasked questions heavy in the air. Rose followed Sarah into the kitchen, hoping to smooth over whatever disquiet hung between them.
As Sarah inspected the grocery haul, she turned toward her brother with an eyebrow raised. "Where is the cake?"
A large sigh escaped Jack's lips, frustration evident in his posture. "I'm really done here," he muttered, shaking his head.
Without waiting for a response, he rushed out the door again, leaving the girls in stunned silence. Rose exchanged a glance with Sarah, who looked both confused and slightly exasperated.
"It's my fault, Sarah," Rose admitted, guilt washing over her. "I forgot the cake. But I will make it up to you, I promise."
Sarah waved her hand dismissively, though her expression softened. "We'll manage without a cake, Rose."
"No. Evelyn will have her cake."
….
The house was quiet now with everyone gone to bed, the only sound coming from the soft rustling of pages as Rose flipped through the cookbook in front of her. The glow of the oil lamp cast a warm light in the kitchen, and she found solace in the familiar scent of flour and sugar. It was a peaceful night, the kind that wrapped around her like a soft blanket, but her thoughts were occupied with memories of her childhood.
As she scanned the pages, a particular recipe caught her eye: Victoria sponge cake. A wave of nostalgia washed over her, and she could almost hear the gentle hum of her maid, Trudy, as she baked in the kitchen of their old home. Rose's heart warmed at the memory of Trudy's laughter, the way she'd swat at Rose with a wooden spoon whenever she caught her sneaking a lick of the batter.
Trudy had been more than just a maid; she had been a confidante, a motherly figure who indulged Rose's little whims while also instilling a sense of discipline. Rose could still picture Trudy in her apron, flour dusting her hair as she expertly folded the cake batter, her hands moving with the confidence of years spent baking.
In her mind's eye, she could see herself as a small girl, peeking around the corner of the kitchen doorway, eyes wide with anticipation. "Just a taste," she would whisper to herself, inching closer until she could reach the mixing bowl. The thrill of being caught always made her heart race, but she loved the rush of trying to sneak away just in time. More often than not, Trudy would laugh, shaking her head as Rose scampered off, a dollop of batter still smeared on her cheek.
With a soft smile, Rose gathered the ingredients: flour, sugar, eggs, and butter. She measured carefully, recalling the way Trudy had guided her through the process, the way she'd shown her the proper techniques to make the cake rise perfectly. Each step felt both foreign and familiar, a blend of her childhood memories with her present reality.
She creamed the butter and sugar together, the texture softening under her fingers. As she mixed in the eggs, she felt a surge of determination. She was creating something from scratch, something that felt like a piece of her past, and with each stir of the spoon, she felt a little more connected to who she was and where she came from.
As she poured the batter into the prepared cake pans, she closed her eyes and imagined the warm, inviting aroma filling her childhood home. She could almost hear Trudy's voice, guiding her through each step, offering gentle reminders to be patient and let the cake rise. "Good things take time, Rose," she would say, always encouraging her to enjoy the process, not just the result.
She hung colorful streamers from the ceiling, arranged wildflowers in mason jars, and placed a hand-painted sign on the front porch that read "Happy Birthday, Evelyn!"
Hours passed and as the sun rose higher, Rose yawned, stretching her arms overhead. Her heart swelled with excitement and a hint of exhaustion. It was all worth it; Evelyn deserved a magical day. She took a moment to survey her handiwork, the vibrant colors and cheerful decorations transforming the cozy farmhouse into a whimsical wonderland.
The sound of small feet pattering on the floor pulled her from her thoughts, and she turned just in time to see Evelyn bounding down the stairs, her face lit up with delight. The little girl wore a bright yellow dress, her hair adorned with a matching ribbon that bounced as she moved.
"Look at all the colors!" Evelyn squealed, her voice filled with pure joy as she twirled in the living room, taking in the decorations. Rose couldn't help but smile, her tiredness fading away at the sight of the birthday girl.
"Happy birthday, sweetheart!" Rose exclaimed, kneeling to pull Evelyn into a warm embrace.
"Thank you, Rose!" Evelyn chirped, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She rushed off to show off the decorations to Mark and Sarah, who were setting up the picnic table outside.
Mark approached Rose with a grin. "This looks amazing," he said, looking at the vibrant sponge with its layers of cream and strawberries. "Did you make this?"
"Thank you," Rose smiled shyly, a hint of pride in her voice. "It was my favorite when I was younger. I wanted to make something special for Evelyn."
"Mission accomplished," Mark replied, his expression warm. "She's been buzzing around like a little bee all morning. You've really outdone yourself, Rose."
Just then, Evelyn ran back to them, her tiny hands clutching a few balloons. "Can I have a piece of cake now, please?" she asked, her big blue eyes wide with anticipation.
"Soon, sweetheart. We need to wait for everyone to get here first," Sarah chimed in, her voice filled with warmth.
As the morning continued, guests began to trickle in, bringing gifts and more laughter. The atmosphere was filled with joy, and Rose finally felt a sense of fulfilment wash over her. She watched as Evelyn flitted from guest to guest, a whirlwind of happiness. As Rose mingled among the guests and chatted the hours away, her eyes suddenly landed on the man whom she hadn't spoken a word to since yesterday. They had reached a new level of their dislike to one another. From non-stop arguing to complete silence and Rose couldn't make out which of the two she found worse.
She stared at him, trying to decipher the tangled emotions that swirled in her mind. What was it about him that vexed her so? Was it his cocky grin that seemed to mock her, or was it the way he managed to infuriate her with the simplest remarks? A million questions raced through her mind, but none of them seemed to lead to a solution. She closed her eyes for a moment, imagining herself far away from here, somewhere quiet, away from all the emotions Jack stirred within her. But the thought only made her heart ache, because no matter how tempting that imagined freedom felt, she couldn't bring herself to leave. This place had become something more to her, woven into her heart in a way that felt permanent. And even if it meant enduring this strange tension with him, she knew she would rather bear it than leave behind the life and connections she had started to form.
With a resigned sigh, Rose turned away, accepting that perhaps she would never understand why Jack unsettled her so. She would simply have to find a way to coexist with him, to carry on with her life here, even if his presence would continue to remind her of everything she hadn't yet come to terms with.