The question of whether this was true love did not even cross Rose's mind. Though the whole affair with Abigail had deeply shaken her, Andrew had made it clear that he chose Rose, and the latest Rose had heard - because she had obsessively asked around about the girl's every move - was that Abigail had left the town to become a servant herself.

Good riddance.

Not that she had cared, even.

Now Rose was back in the dream. She was going to leave domestic service and finally be a wife! She was getting married to a baker! He thought she was pretty! And he had even picked her up in a buggy! What ordinary fishing girl or maid-of-all-work could boast that? So how could she worry? What were strong feelings anyway, if they could turn into hurt? This love - the promise of a comfortable life, kind attention, and propriety - was far more comfortable to her. Wasn't that true love?

She stared out dreamily with a healthy red flush on her cheeks. All of this seemed like a wonderful dream. When he spoke, she turned her head and looked up at him. "Oh yes!" she said, and she reached down to take his hand. "I've never gone there in a buggy, too! You really surprised me!"