The Runaway Caboose
Almanzo glanced over to the young woman resting peacefully on his shoulder. He smiled at the sight of his beautiful new wife, Laura Ingalls. Correction. Laura Ingalls Wilder.
The two lovers had just been married the previous day at the Sleep Eye Blind School. Almanzo did not plan on taking a honeymoon with Laura right away, but with the spur of the moment their wedding was, it just felt right to runaway with his bride for a time.
So, the couple purchased a cheap pair of train tickets to Mankato, where the two of them could finally spend some alone time together as husband and wife.
"Beth." Almanzo whispered to his wife.
Laura slowly opened her eyes. They had taken the earliest morning train possible, so it did not surprise Almanzo that Laura was still a bit weary. Especially considering the commotion of the previous day. "Yea?"
"A few more minutes and we'll be in Mankato." The young man explained.
Laura sat up to force herself awake. "I can't wait. How about we have an early dinner today at the best restaurant in town?"
Almanzo smiled at her enthusiasm. "You took the words right out of my mouth. Then, how 'bout we have a nice long stroll by the lake just outside of town. I hear it's real pretty this time of year."
"Sounds perfect." Laura smiled as well, already dreaming of the evening to come. "Did you send a wire to make a reservation at the hotel?"
"Yes, I did. I got us a room on the top floor with a beautiful view of the city's edge."
"Oh, Manly." Laura rested her head back down on her husband's shoulder. "Can you believe that we're actually married?"
"Of course. I was almost afraid it would never happen." Almanzo said. "But soon, we'll be living in the house, building a new life together and having some of the best years of our lives with one another."
Laura let out a small laugh. "Since when did you become the poetic type?"
Then, the train started to lose speed as it entered the growing city.
"Come on, Beth."