Rosamunde put the mirror back into place, shaking her head and smiling. "Now you're just being silly."

She rolled the window down and threw out a few pieces of stray grass that had stuck to her when she landed in the mud. "My parents are going to be shocked when they see me...They would expect me to be covered in paint, but mud is an entirely different story." She chuckled.

"Well, I'll assure them no tussle occurred. The dirt is all your own fault" he said, grinning. He drove until they came to the spot where her car was. The Tow Truck had already arrived, and appeared to be preparing to hook the chain to Rosamunde's car. Jack stopped his car on the other side of the rode, and got out, hearing Rosamunde get out too.

"You're gonna drive me home?" Rosamunde asked, catching up to him as he walked across the street. "Good, I didn't really wanna go home with him..." she motioned toward the tow-truck driver with a slight grimace.

Shoving her hands into her pockets, she stepped toward the driver and began talking to him about details concerning the car. She gave him her father's cellphone number, telling him that Robert Troy would stop by later in the day before they closed.

Jack nodded. "I'll drive you home" he confirmed as she began to give all the necessary details to the two trucker. The large man nodded, finished his work, then assured her that he'd be extra careful with her car. Then, he got back into his truck.

Jack smiled as she came back. "Ready?" he asked, and slipped back into his vehicle through the drivers side. "Alright....whats the address!?"

Rosamunde watched the tow truck as it left with her car. She followed Jack to his truck and once again climbed inside. "Just keep going straight until you hit the town. From there, it's a little more complicated." She smiled, leaning back in her seat.

"Though, now that you volunteered to drive me home, you'll have to meet my parents." She glanced at him, her smile still in place, perhaps looking a little mischievous as she lifted an eyebrow. "'Cause I know they're sure gonna wanna meet you. Maybe you should mentally prepare yourself for an interrogation?" She tossed a wink in his direction.

Jack looked at her with a lopsided grin "I shall meditate on my answers, which I shall be sure to carefully word, on our drive there" he closed his eyes for a moment humming a monotone sound, signifying deep concentration. One eye though was cracked open, enough for him to see the road and safely drive.

He sighed happily, his eyes popping open. "Do you like country music Rosamunde?"

Rosamunde chuckled as she watched him.

When he asked his question, she grinned, "You betcha. On my list of favorites, it's right up there at the top with painting, the color pink, chocolate, horses, picnics, grapes and green eyes."

She turned on the radio for them so that he could focus on driving, but she turned it down so they could still talk. "Honestly, Jack, I was only kidding about the interrogation thing. My parents are great; you have nothing to worry about."

Jack lifted a brow when she said, 'green eyes', but said nothing. "I know. I bet your folks are the best." he said, slowing down as they approached Ditto Town's outskirts. "It would be nice if you could meet mine, but, they live in the city. Ever been to the big city!?" he asked, taking a quick glanced at her.

Rosamunde nodded. "A couple times, actually. My parents take me up there to visit the art museum when the art gets refreshed for the new year. The museum's nice, but I'm not really a fan of the big city. Too loud and busy..."

She gave him a few more directions to her house as they came into the town limits. As they drove, her stomach growled and she patted her flat stomach. "Oh, did I mention food is also another one of my top favorites? Guess I'll be raiding the refrigerator in a little while..."

A grin flashed across Jack's face. "Ah, food." he said, giving his head a shake. "That's another thing we have in common. Refrigerators don't stand a chance against either of us" he turned onto another street, his keen green eyes aware of his surroundings.

Rosamunde laughed. "I guess not. Thankfully, my mother is aware of my large appetite and she keeps it well-stocked."

Her attention was suddenly focused on the radio and she turned it up a little more. "I love this song!"

Something inside of Jack sparked when he saw Rosamunde laugh cheerfully. He found it hard not to stare at her pretty light blond hair, no matter how messy or tussled it might be. She was a different girl, but in a pleasant way that was equal to his own. She seemed to like everything he did or enjoy a certain degree of it. He found her good company, though he had only known her for an afternoon.

"You know Rosamunde....you're very nice. Would you mind if I saw you again?" he said, softly.

Rosamunde looked at him, her lips pursed in thought. "Well, no, actually." She blushed. "I was kind of hoping you'd ask."

"I had a really great time today and I would love to repeat it." She leaned against the door. "Unfortunately, since I probably won't have my car for a couple of days, I can't break down in front of your place any time soon, but you're welcome to swing by mine." She pointed up the street a little. "It's that peach-colored one right there."

"Oh, one more thing." She grabbed her purse, found a piece of paper and a pen and began writing on it. She handed him the paper with her phone number and smiled. "Unless I'm in class, I always have my phone with me."

Jack was silent as he listened to her, and his face was an unreadable slate. Then he slowly starting grinning, and he took the paper, setting it on the dash for later. "I've been wanting to change my driving paths anyway. Frequent detours to a peach colored house sounds pleasant" he chuckled, slowing as they pulled up in front of it. "Give me a sec I'll give you my number.."

He pulled a piece of paper from a sticky note. He scrawled his number and handed it to her. "My phone's always on." he said, then sighed happily. "Well, we are here, I had returned the princess to her castle. Shall we enter to face the king?"

Rosamunde giggled, pushing her door open. Grabbing her purse, she got out of the car and waited for him to come around. Smiling, she said, "Ready?"

Without saying another word, she grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the front door. Turning the knob, she opened it and the foyer light flooded the porch. "Mom! Dad! I'm home!"

She turned and smiled at Jack, releasing his hand and setting her purse on the front table.

~~~

Taylor Troy looked up from her desk as she heard her daughter's voice. She walked toward the bedroom door, swatting her dozing husband on the way out. "Let's go, sweetie. Ro's home."

The couple made their way downstairs, however, once they reached the bottom, they both arched a brow simultaneously as they gazed upon their daughter and visitor.

"This is Jack." Rosamunde said, unsure of how to introduce him.

Robert Troy spoke before his wife, "You must be my daughter's rescuer. I tried calling you back, but you must have left already when I got the message from Ro." He extended a hand toward Jack. "Robert Troy, and this is my wife Taylor. You've already met my daughter."

Taylor Troy smiled at Jack, but she soon turned her attention on Rosamunde. "What on earth happened to you, baby girl?"

Rosamunde chuckled, running a hand through her hair and discovering that a few of the strands were still muddy. "I had a little scuffle with a puddle of mud. Unfortunately, I came out looking worse than the puddle..."