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I looked quickly into his eyes. “I don’t know what to say. I thought you were all right with us just being friends?”
“I am, but for my father pushing me, I wouldn’t be here talking to you about this.” He let go of my hands and sat beside me. “Being friends makes the decision easier for me . . . at least we would have that friendship in our marriage—many don’t even have that. I will have to ask your father eventually, Rose. I have to.”
“I need to go back.” I turned and started walking back to the house rather quickly with tears pouring down my face.
It wasn’t as though I could admit that I was in love with Jacob. My father would hit the roof, especially now that he wanted me to marry Richard. What the heck was wrong with Father?
April 1, 1947
I really miss Jacob…
I really missed talking to Jacob and being with him so imagine my delight when I spotted him walking into the library. I looked around to make sure Mr. Young wasn’t present. Then I followed him to the history section.
He looked really tired. I took one look at him, grasped his hand, and pulled him to a dark corner. I took his weary face into my hands and pulled him down to meet my lips. “I love you.”
“I’ve missed you so much.” He rested his forehead against mine and just looked into my eyes. “Oh, Rose, I love you.”
Still holding his face, I used my fingers to brush the hair out of his eyes. He turned his head and kissed my palm.
“I still don’t know when I’m free to meet you, but I’ll let you know as soon as I have a free night.” He ran his hand over his face. “I’m so tired. I need to catch up on some sleep.” He quickly kissed me and with one long, lingering look, he walked out of the library.
April 4, 1947
Finally, I get to meet Jacob again…
I’d just had dinner with my parents. I was up in my room brushing my hair, ready to go and meet Jacob. He’d come into the library last night, just before it closed, and after a rather hot embrace in the store cupboard, he’d asked me to meet him behind the library tonight. My mind was whirring with thoughts of him, thoughts of leaving with Jacob for Boston.
“Rose!” my father shouted from downstairs.
I threw my brush back onto the dressing table and ran out of my room. I hurried down the stairs, wondering what Father wanted. It was very rare for him to call me down as he didn’t really take any interest in me, unless, it concerned marrying me off to Richard.
When I walked into the front parlor, Richard was sitting there with an odd smile on his face.
Upon seeing me, he stood and walked over to me, taking my hand into his. I had a really bad feeling about this. I tried to pull my hand free, but he tightened his hold so I stamped
on his foot.
“Rose,” my father roared, “that is not the behavior of a young lady, especially toward her fiancé.”
I froze. What did he say?
My father saw the shock on my face. “Richard has asked for your hand in marriage, and I have agreed.”
I looked at my mother, who refused to meet my gaze. Richard looked as though he wanted to be elsewhere and Father looked . . . relieved.
My tears were ready to fall. “So you finally found a way to get rid of me.” Anger flared in my eyes and matched the anger in my fathers. “There is no way I am going to marry Richard.” I turned to him. “I’m sorry Richard, but I can’t.” I whirled toward Father. “I will only marry for love and Richard is a friend, and that is all he ever will be.”
I turned and ran out of the house in tears. Richard called out to me. I ignored him.
With tears running down my face, I ran to the library and hoped Jacob was already waiting for me. I really needed his arms around me.
Jacob saw me coming from around the corner and started to walk toward me. I ran straight into his arms and held on tightly as I cried all over him.
“Rose. Oh God, what’s wrong? What’s happened?”
“Richard asked my father if he could marry me, and Father said yes.” Jacob stilled at my announcement. “I told Father there was no way I was marrying him or anyone that I don’t love. I had to get away so I ran here . . . to you.”
Jacob placed a tender kiss to my lips, before he asked, “Do you want to go to my apartment?”
