Chapter 1
Another day in Walnut Grove and everyone looked unusually happy. No actually it's Walnut Grove, everyone is always happy. Crazy girl dancing on a mountain top happy.
That's why Caroline Ingals turned heads that day. She didn't look happy. She looked tired as she walked into the Mercantile.
Mrs Oleson frowned as she approached.
"Oh dear, you do look tired Caroline," she said.
Caroline sighed heavily and wiped her brow.
"I know," she smiled. "Laura and Albert went to stay with the Garvey's. It was just me and Charles all weekend. I must confess I got very little sleep."
Herriot exchanged looks with Nels.
Nels cleared his throat awkwardly before continuing.
"Er...another letter came for Charles," he fished it from a drawer behind the counter and handed it to her.
She beamed at him as she took it. "That's the third letter this month. He's becoming a regular...person who gets letters all the time."
Nels handed her a package containing flour and salt and molasses and uncle Ben's fried rice.
Caroline waved "well goodbye now, I have to go home and...bake something."
~o~
On her way home Caroline found Charles out in the fields sewing crops, hot sun, no shirt, glistening chest, look away it's so wrong, seriously stop. It's sinful. This is a nice show.
You're still picturing it, have you no shame?.
"Hay Darlin, if this weather holds up I should have this corn planted by the end of the week."
Right then Caroline couldn't give a crap, his hot chest wasn't lost on her either.
"Oh Charles, that's wonderful," She smiled.
Charles beamed at her, his glistening pecks twitching slightly.
"Oh Charles I nearly forgot, this letter came for you."
Charles frowned as he opened it. He read with a growing look of horror on his face.
With a guttural roar of anguish he tore the letter into pieces, threw them to the ground and jumped up and down on them.
Caroline stepped back "another advertisement from the Target catalog Charles?" She asked.
"Yes," he said, his tone wooden, "another advertisement."
"Well, see you at home Charles. I'm making beef pie for supper."
Charles didn't answer. He was staring into space, his face white with shock.
Caroline stopped, taking a closer look. "Charles you look so worried, perhaps you'd prefer lamb stew?"
"No no, whatever you cook will be fine," he said in a monotone voice staring into space and wringing his hands.
~o~
Despite her worry over Charles, Caroline hurried home. She had to cook a special dinner. Laura's beau Almanzo was coming over. Charles hadn't had an opportunity to scowl or threaten him in over a week. Charles liked Almanzo but he'd break both his legs if he hurt Laura. It was important to remind the boy at regular intervals.
There was many fine dishes gracing the table that night, a fine beef pie with potatoes and fresh carrots, and blueberry pie and fresh cream for dessert. All enjoyed the feast but Laura was disappointed. Mary and Adam were set to bring Almanzo from town but there was some sort of mixup and they brought Percival instead.
"I'm sorry," he whispered to Laura, " they kinda hijacked me, I couldn't say anything."
With a sick look she slopped more pie on to his plate.
Outside Bandit barked on queue signaling that someone was approaching the little house.
Bandit was a smart dog but hands up who preferred Jack...
Charles and the others hurried outside as Nels Oleson jumped down from his carriage.
"Charles I'm sorry to bother you at this hour of the night but something terrible has happened. Two men arrived on horseback carrying guns. They took Almanzo Wilder by force stating that he was soon to be a part of your family. They seem to know you. One was large and stocky the other was dressed in black. They told me to give you this letter."
Charles took the letter with shaky hands and quickly read.
Laura clung to her mother numb with shock. Adam and Mary tried to lend support.
Percival remained inside and helped himself to more pie.
"Pa, what did the letter say?" Laura asked.
Charles crumpled it between his fingers. "We'll get him back half pint," he said, staring off in the distance with a determined look on his face.
"We'll get him back!"