It was three days before New Year's Eve when Charles stopped the wagon in front of Oleson's Mercantile. After receiving some extra money at work yesterday, he had decided to spend it on some late Christmas presents. The whole family was very excited, only Laura's mind was somewhere else. She glanced over to the Feed & Seed, hoping to see Almanzo, but the place seemed empty.
"Are you coming, Half-Pint?" Laura could hear her father's voice.
She sighed and jumped out of the wagon, ready to follow her family, when suddenly a tall, blond man left the mercantile. There he was: Almanzo.
Laura's heart started beating faster and a smile lit up her face. "Hi Manly," she greeted him delightedly.
Surprised, he looked into Laura's brown eyes and started smiling. "Hi Beth."
"Looks like you're out of supplies," Laura pointed at the box full of groceries which he carried in his arms.
"Well, my sister is visiting an old friend in Sleepy Eye," Almanzo explained, "and so I have to do the cooking all by myself. Maybe I'll try some hot cinnamon chicken tonight," he teased her.
Laura's face blushed immediately, and she looked to the ground. The whole incident had happened more than a year ago, but she still felt embarrassed when this topic came up.
Realizing that Laura felt uncomfortable, Almanzo tried to cheer her up. "I'm sorry, Beth," he grabbed one of her braids playfully, "I'm sure you can cook the best cinnamon chicken in town," he smiled at her.
Laura looked into his blue eyes, not sure what to do or what to reply. All she hoped was that she could show him one day. To change the topic, she asked, "What are you going to do on New Year's Eve?"
"To be honest, I don't know," Almanzo admitted. "I don't have any plans so far."
"Maybe you would like to join the New Year's Eve celebration at Nellie's restaurant," Laura suggested. "I'll be there with my family. There will be plenty of food and Mr. Oleson has ordered a firework from Mankato."
"Sounds great," he answered delightedly. "I think, I'll be there."
Laura's eyes widened. "Really?" she smiled and her heart jumped for joy.
"Really," Almanzo laughed. "But I have to go now. Doing some cooking," he looked at the box with groceries which he was still carrying in his arms. "See you, Beth."
"See you, Manly," Laura waved and watched him walking away. She still couldn't believe what had happened. During the last days she had been so afraid that Almanzo would join the celebration at Nellie's restaurant together with another woman, but now she knew that he wouldn't.
Laura sat down on the stairs in front of the mercantile and started dreaming. Almanzo would be there all alone, and she would take every chance to spend time with him. She closed her eyes and could picture him holding her close in his arms and wishing her a happy new year. She was sure this day would be special. She was sure the new year would be special. Laura was going to be sixteen soon, and she hoped so much Almanzo would finally see her as a woman.
"Laura? Laura?" Carrie jolted her out of her daydreams.
"Coming," Laura got up reluctantly and entered the mercantile.