The sound of hoofs galloping up the Ingalls' dirt driveway caught Laura's attention as she swept the floor. She knew Pa wasn't due back from his lumber delivery to Salton until evening. Who would come to pay a visit in his absence and at such great speed?
"See whose here, Laura." Caroline Ingalls looked up from the storybook she'd been reading to Carrie.
Laura leaned the broom against a wall, then pulled a shutter back to look outside. Her heart leapt inside her chest when she saw Mr. Oleson dismounting the horse she'd traded to him for Ma's Christmas present last Christmas.
"It's Mr. Oleson… and Bunny!" She smiled at her Ma before opening the door.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Oleson."
"Hi, Laura," he said, stepping out of her way so she could get a good look at the horse she still loved. "Is your Pa here?"
"No. He's making a delivery. You brought Bunny?" she said as if it had just occurred to her. Without asking, she walked right out to the horse and started to stroke his nose.
She looked into Bunny's eyes. He seemed to be as happy to see her as she was him.
"Are you okay?" Laura asked quietly. "Is Nellie being nice to you?"
She heard Mr. Oleson's footsteps behind her, and wondered if he'd heard her. She took her hand away from Bunny's face.
"What did you need to see my Pa for?"
"Oh, Butler has a loose shoe and Doc Baker went to deliver a baby. I'm supposed to pick up supplies from Mankato. I'm already late." He sounded disappointed.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Oleson. Maybe Pa will come over first thing in the morning."
"No, that won't be necessary," said Mr. Oleson as if he had another option. "But thank you anyway."
"Sure, Laura said," watching him climb up on Bunny's back. She gave Bunny one last pat on the cheek. "Bye Bunny,"
It didn't take long for Nels Oleson to realize that it was Bunny who'd have to pull his buckboard to Mankato. He returned to the store at one p.m. to give Harriet the news, but any concern of his took a backseat to Nellie's incessant wailing. What upset her this time?
"I want my horse!" She bawled into her mother's apron.
Nels watched Harriet paw the mucus-filled fabric away.
"Now now, dear." Harriet held Nellie close, cradling her head in her hands. "Mommy will find your horse for you. Your father will help." She looked up at Nels as if it were the first time she noticed him. "Isn't that right, Nels?"
Nels wondered if his daughter was actually crying because she truly loved Bunny, or because she suspected someone had wronged her by taking him?
"Bunny's outside. I borrowed him to go see Charles Ingalls."
A look of relief washed over Harriet's face but not so much Nellie's. Not even as Harriet gave her a reassuring hug.
"See. Didn't Mommy tell you everything was okay?"
"You had no right to take my horse," Nellie snapped at her father.
Nels wasn't in the mood for this. "Now listen here, young lady. I paid for that horse and I'll do with him as I please."
"You didn't pay for him," Nelie sneered. "You traded a stove for him. And you gave him to me. You have to ask me for permission if you want to borrow him."
Resisting the urge to snatch Nellie up and give her a few swats on the behind, Nels said, "I paid for the stove that bought the horse. Now, Butler has a loose shoe and I have supplies to pick up in Mankato. I'm taking Bunny for the afternoon."
Nellie's face flushed with anger. "Oh no, you won't!"
Harriet looked at him with pleading dark eyes. "Nels is it really necessary? The child is upset as it is."
"Yes, it is necessary."
He heard Nellie whine, "Mother, don't let him!" as he walked out the door.
"Nels, wait!" Harriet called after him. But he ignored her. He unhitched Bunny from the post outside the store, and led him back to the barn where the buckboard was stored.
