He glanced at Mack. “I’m not interested in Cynthia. In fact she’s starting to annoy me, always showing up wherever I am. No one but Martha knows I’m here right now, and I plan to keep it that way. You’re the only one I want, Mack.”
She smiled and brushed the hair from his forehead. “Thank you for telling me. What was the other reason?”
He blinked, having completely forgotten he’d told her Cynthia was one reason. “Curiosity, after your message. I love my grandparents, and I think if my grandfather truly did love Rose, then I’ll take you to see him and distract my grandmother while you speak to him.”
He noticed the frown on Mack’s face. “They go everywhere together, always have and always will, I guess.” He swallowed back the lump in his throat. “When one passes away, the other one will follow, not long after, I’m certain.”
She gently used her fingers to swipe the tears away from her eyes. “Oh, Dean!”
She climbed astride him and took hold of his face, then placed a light kiss to his lips. “That is so sweet, and heartbreaking at the same time.”
“Yes, it is.” He moved in to kiss Mack again and licked along the seal of her lips.
She felt Dean’s tongue against her lips, opening her mouth she allowed him entry, hearing him groan as a gentle kiss became heated.
Dean could feel the blood in his ears pound and wondered why, when he was sure all his blood had gone straight to his penis the minute she opened her mouth to him. She felt totally amazing in his arms.
Mack was desperate for more of him and wriggled further into his lap, where she came into contact with his erection. She ran her hands through his hair, deepened the kiss even further and rubbed herself against him.
Dean pulled away, breathless. “Hell, Mack. We have to stop, because I’m seconds away from taking you here on the beach.”
Mack placed a light kiss against his lips. “I want that, too.” Dean’s eyes darkened. “Lucas could reappear. Heck what am I thinking? We’re on an open beach, you made me forget.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “I know!”
She climbed off him and avoided looking into his lap. “Do you want me to read some of the diary to you?”
“That would be great.” He pulled Mack in beside him.
“I must warn you, though, there’s some racy writing in it.” She laughed at the look on Dean’s face.
“Can’t we miss those bits?”
“No, we cannot,” she grinned. “Those are the best bits!!”
As she picked up the diary, Dean hoped there weren’t too many explicit tales. He didn’t want to imagine his grandparents in that way. Ever. He was having a hard enough time keeping his hands to himself.
Chapter 20
April 9, 1947
Jayne went out with Richard….
Today was a lovely, sunny day, and for the first time, in a long time I was actually looking forward to going to work, or I was, until Jayne called around to the house to walk to work with me.
“Why are you so grumpy this morning?” she asked.
“Work,” I replied, and thought I better keep to myself how much I was looking forward to walking to work on my own, so I could get lost in my thoughts.
“I went out with Richard last night.”
I raised my eyebrow when she stopped talking, waiting for her to tell me how it went. It wasn’t like Jayne to keep anything to herself, especially about her dates.
She sighed. “All he did was talk about you. He is really angry you refused his marriage proposal, and I think he only asked me out to try and make you jealous. When I told him it wouldn’t make you jealous, he declared it was time to take me home.”
I hadn’t been expecting that. I actually thought he only wanted to marry me because of his father, but perhaps that was what he wanted me to believe. I rubbed my temples, feeling really confused. “Jayne, I’m not interested in Richard. In fact, the last time I saw him, I told him I didn’t want to see him for a while. I was so angry with him for talking to Mother and Father.”
“Are you still seeing Jacob?” My silence spoke a thousand words. “Rose Degan, you have to stop right now. Your father will make your life so difficult if he ever finds out.”
“I can’t stop seeing him. I love him.” I blurted out, close to tears.
“Richard asked me last night if you were seeing someone else. I avoided the question, but it won’t be long until he finds out.” She saw the look on my face. “It won’t be from me, I promise you.”
I parted from Jayne outside the library. She worked one block over from me. I really hoped Richard didn’t cause any trouble. I only had five days left in Cape Elizabeth, and I really wanted them to go smoothly.
My parents had been leaving me alone, and I really hoped they continued to do so.
April 10, 1947
A strange day….
This morning on waking, I had to run to the bathroom to be sick. Yuk. I ate dried toast and sipped some water, which seemed to help some. With my stomach settled, I had a slow walk to work.
As soon as the library doors were unlocked, Richard walked in. He gave me such a weird look, before he went to find whatever book he’d come in for. He didn’t leave with a book though, as he left, he glared at me, then stomped out.
His behavior was odd. After what Jayne had told me yesterday, I still found it hard to believe. He seemed so genuine when he said it was his father making him ask me to marry him. Now I really didn’t know what to think.
“Rose, can you come into my office for a minute, please?” Mr. Young asked, taking my mind off Richard.
“Yes.” I walked into his office.
After he cleared his throat a few times -- horrid -- he looked at me. “Take a seat.” I sat down. “Rose, I’m afraid I have to cut your hours. The library isn’t as busy, so I can’t justify having as many staff.”
He just sat staring at me. I wasn’t sure what he wanted me to say. “Okay. From when will the new hours start?”
He seemed relieved. “From May 6th.”
I would be gone by then. I felt like telling him what to do with his job, but I wouldn’t give Father the satisfaction of knowing I’d given my job up.
I have four more days to go. I felt apprehensive, but excited as well, for my new life with Jacob.
Before going to bed, I played cards with JT, who was so infuriating. He cheated -- all the time.
I really wished I could take my brother with me. I would miss him more than anyone.
April 11, 1947
A delightful discovery….
I was sick again this morning. Could I possibly be pregnant? I didn’t have any experience with this kind of thing, and couldn’t exactly ask Mother. Heaven forbid. I had some toast for breakfast again, which seemed to help calm my stomach.
I was meeting Jacob this evening with some of my things. I loved him so, and couldn’t wait to see him. Before I left for work, I packed as much as I could into my travel bag, then stuffed it to the back of my wardrobe and just prayed it wasn’t discovered while I was at work.
How I got through the day, I would never know. Mr. Young had a bee in his bonnet and did nothing but fuss the whole day. I actually felt like a wet lettuce leaf as I walked home. He had us running around, doing this, that and the other. Nothing was right, and as soon it was time to close Mary, Emma, and I stopped what we were doing to retrieve our jackets and purses, and left.
Dinner with my parents was a silent affair. JT had been in trouble again. Not sure why this time, but no one spoke. It was pretty horrid really. Excusing myself, I dashed up to my room and retrieved my travel bag.
Luckily, my bedroom overlooked the back garden and Mother’s rose bushes, so I stuck my head out of the window to check that the coast was clear, and dropped my bag and prayed it didn’t land in the middle of the roses!
I slipped out of the house, having snuck down the kitchen stairs, and retrieved my bag. The roses were intact. Thank goodness.
I walked t
o the end of the drive and found Jacob there waiting for me. I dropped my bag and threw myself into his arms. “I’ve missed you,” I whispered.
His lips met mine. The kiss lingered. He tasted divine.
We were breathing heavily when we finally parted, and Jacob took my hand while we walked into town. I should have been bothered about my parents seeing us, but I wasn’t. In town Jacob pulled me into a photography studio.
“What are we doing in here?” I asked.
He smiled at me. “I want a photograph of us both. We’ll get two copies so you can give one to your brother.”
I had tears in my eyes as I followed the photographer through to the back of the shop. Jacob stood behind me with his hands wrapped around my waist. I cuddled into him as the photographer snapped our moment in time. He used one of the new Polaroid Land Cameras, and could produce our photographs in minutes like magic.
With two copies of the photograph safely in his pocket, we continued on to his apartment. Jacob placed my bag down by the side of the chair in the lounge area.
He turned and cupped my face between his palms, then proceeded to kiss me. He pulled away, and placed tender kisses over my eyes, cheeks, to the tip of my nose and then back to my lips again.
“Make love to me.” I didn’t hesitate as I took him by the hand and led him into his bedroom.
He undressed me in slow, sweeping caresses and lay me on his bed. He started to remove his clothes, which I found delightful, watching his muscular frame appear. He had an amazing body.
He lay down next to me. “I want to touch you,” I whispered softly.
He gulped. “I hope I survive.” He watched me through heavily lidded eyes.
I sat up and smoothed my hands over his chest, to his ribs and back up to his nipples. I leaned over him and licked his nipples with my tongue and I felt him quiver.
I slowly moved my hands back down to his ribs, followed by my lips. Reaching his swollen penis, I wrapped my hand around him and slowly massaged up and down, enjoying the texture of him. I then rubbed my thumb around the slit, where he was leaking. He arched off the bed. I leaned over him, wanting a taste. He groaned.
Loving the power I obviously had over him, I licked him from root to tip. “Enough, you have got to stop,” he said, rising from the bed. He moved over me, caressing my face with his hands, while he slipped his penis home.
He slammed his lips down onto mine and slipped his tongue into my mouth, as he started moving his hips in a slow seductive rhythm. He started to nibble my neck, moving further south. He took first one breast into his mouth then the other one. He started to speed up his movement with his hips.
My climax burst, seeing stars I lunged against Jacob, who started to groan as his penis jerked inside me.
Breathing heavily, still joined, he wrapped his arm around me and rolled on to his side.
“I love you so much, Rose,” he whispered, as he slipped out from my body.
“I love you just as much…I have something to tell you, and I hope you’ll be as happy as I am.”
Jacob turned to me. “You can tell me anything, Rose.”
I looked into his eyes, and told him, “I think I’m pregnant.”
He froze beside me, then turned away.
I could feel my eyes filling with tears as I watched him shut me out.
“Jacob?”
He sighed, sitting up to the side of the bed with his back to me. I watched him put his head in his hands.
I couldn’t stay. I needed to leave. Sitting up, I started to climb from the bed in tears, when Jacob caught hold of my wrist, pulling me back down and into his arms.
“I’m sorry, Rose. I wasn’t expecting you to say that. It was a shock.” He gradually started to smile which spread across his face. “Rose, not only have you given me your love, but you’ve given me the most amazing gift… a child. I promise, I will always love, and provide for you and our child or children.”
He stroked my stomach tenderly. I watched him with silent tears cascading down my face. I was so happy with Jacob, my Jacob.
“Let’s leave tonight,” he said so seriously.
“We can’t. I’m not ready tonight, but I will be on Monday.”
He pulled me into his chest. “I just want you with me.”
“I want that as well. It’s only three more days.” I kissed him.
He made love to me once more, then we dressed and he walked me home. I hated parting from him. I just wanted to stay wrapped in his arms.
April 12, 1947
Richard was sneaking around….
I was so sick this morning. There could be no mistake. I was pregnant. I found myself unable to wipe the smile from my face. I was so happy, and my new life with Jacob was just two days away.
At work, I found myself humming while I placed returned books back onto the shelves. I got some weird looks from my colleagues, but I didn’t really care.
Richard walked into the library and just stared at me. Until the other day, I didn’t ever remember him coming in before. He actually made me feel uncomfortable. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was up to something. I prayed it didn’t involve me. I just had a really bad feeling, though.
Dinner tonight was, yet again, a rather quiet affair, as JT had been grounded again! Pinching an apple pie from Mrs. Jenkins, next door. Apparently she had left the pie by the window to cool, and JT and his friend, Levi, had taken it, hoping she would think it was a dog. Then she had caught them taking the plate back!!!
April 13, 1947
Only one more day!
I felt a bit better this morning, and my breakfast stayed down, thank goodness. I walked out of the front door and bumped into JT, who was sulking because he wasn’t allowed out after yesterday’s fiasco with the pie. Father had told him, school and home and nothing in between. I could guarantee that by the time he arrived home this afternoon, he’d be in more trouble.
At the library, Richard came back and actually walked over to me. “Rose, I want to speak with you.”
Well, nice to see you too!
He took hold of my elbow and pulled me out of hearing of anyone who might have come along. “What does he have that I don’t?”
“What?” I asked, stunned. Surely he couldn’t be referring to Jacob. Could he?
“I saw you two days ago, wrapped around a tall guy. You were acting like a… like a… hussy.”
The nerve of him. “What I was doing and with whom, is none of your business,” I told him, walking away.
He grabbed my arms and turned me around. “If you continue to see him, I’ll tell your parents. I bet they don’t know, do they?”
“You have no right interfering in my life. Who I have a relationship with is my business, not yours or my parents. So please stay out of it.”
He turned away from me and headed towards the exit. “We’ll see, Rose. We’ll see.”
For the first time since I met Jacob, I felt really shaky, and was afraid all our happiness was about to come tumbling down. I really wished Jacob was with me, to hold me and to tell me everything would be all right.
After lunch, I got my wish. I heard the front door open and glanced up, meeting Jacob’s eyes. He took one look at me and obviously knew there was something wrong. I stood and followed him to the back of the library, near the storage closet. I walked past him, took his hand, and pulled him after me into the closet.
“What’s wrong? Are you sick?” he asked me with his heart in his eyes.
I just shook my head and burrowed my face into his chest. “Richard came in this morning. He said if I didn’t stop seeing you, he would tell my parents.” I looked up into his face. “He saw us kissing the other night.”
“Nobody threatens you, Rose. Do you hear me? I’m going to go see him.”
Oh no! “Jacob, please don’t. Knowing Richard, he’ll report you to the police, and then you’ll get arrested and we won’t be able to leave tomorrow.”
While I held him tight, I stayed silent. I just
wanted him to cool his anger and calm down.
As he pulled away from me, he stroked my stomach then knelt down. He wrapped his arms around my hips and kissed my stomach. He brought tears to my eyes. I didn’t know what I’d done to deserve him, but I was so grateful.
He stood and kissed my lips. “I better go, before I get you in trouble.”
I grinned.
“Erm… any more trouble.” He chuckled mischievously. “Everything is set for tomorrow night, so don’t worry, okay?”
“I won’t. I’m really excited to finally be with you all the time.”
We snuck out from the cupboard and I picked a couple of books up from one of the shelves to make it look as though I was returning them. I watched Jacob leave, then rounding the corner to the next aisle, I bumped into Mary.
“That’s the same man as before. Are you sure you don’t know him?”
Mind your own business. “No, I don’t know him.”
Work was over for the day, for which I was grateful. After Jacob’s visit, Mary kept watching me. She knew I was lying to her, but her constant gaze was very unnerving.
I took my time walking home, because I knew if I rushed I would be in time to see Mother and Father before they went out. Luckily, I missed them. I really hoped Richard hadn’t been to see them. I was leaving tomorrow evening, but I wouldn’t put it past him to cause a great deal of trouble.
I entered the house through the kitchen and stopped dead. JT was in the kitchen, stuffing his face with cookies and ice cream. “Haven’t you eaten dinner?”
“Yes.” He carried on eating.
“You’re going to be sick.”
He gave me a chocolate-covered grin. “I have an iron stomach.”
“Ha, you wish.” I made myself a sandwich and sat down with him. Once finished, I helped him eat the cookies, dipping them into a glass of milk.
I really wished JT was a bit older so I could confide in him. I hoped I didn’t live to regret not telling him.
Chapter 21
Mack stopped reading and closed the diary. She really wasn’t sure if she would be able to continue. There was only the last entry left to read, the one that changed everything.
Rose Page 12
