Chapter 2

The stage was making good time as it traveled down familiar roads that Laura and Almanzo knew well. The prairie stretched out for miles and Laura felt tears coming to her eyes. She had lived here most of her life and never wanted to leave. But in a way, she was glad she and Manly did finally find a home and a prosperous one at that. Who would ever think that she, her husband and daughter would find happiness so far from Walnut Grove in a town called Mansfield, Missouri on land that they named Rocky Ridge Farm.

"Beth, look. It's still standing and a room's been added on," Almanzo said, smiling, pointing to the house that he and Pa had built together after his devastating stroke that had left him partially paralyzed on his left side. Inch by painful inch and with Pa's help, Manly had taught himself to walk again. He never really got all his strength back. Even now, sometimes he had to walk with the cane that Pa had made for him.

"You were born right over there," Almanzo pointed to where the clothesline stood. There were clothes hanging from it.

"That's where Aunt Eliza's house was?" Rose asked. "The one that was destroyed by the tornado?"

They were passing by so quickly that Almanzo couldn't show her the storm cellar that Laura had placed her in.

"She saved your life," he answered, looking over at Laura, trying to hide the tears forming in his blue eyes.

Laura looked up at him, tears falling down her own. She turned her head again as the passed the little house on Plum Creek. There it is, Manly. Look."

Almanzo and Rose watched as the stage passed quickly by. "Looks like someone's livin' in it, Beth. There's firewood out front."

Laura wiped the tears away. "I noticed that, too." She turned her head back to the road. "We're almost to the middle of town," she said "I don't know much of what it looks like anymore."

Almanzo smiled and nodded. "Well, I guess we'll all find out together, won't we?" He turned to Rose and gave her a little hug, and then he looked back out the window. "Look, Rose, there's your Grandpa and Grandma waitin' right there." He turned to Laura. "Your Pa looks awful thin," he said, as the stagecoach pulled in to the bare spot that used to Nellie's Restaurant.

"I know," Laura answered, still keeping her eyes on Ma and Pa. "He doesn't look well at all."

The stage stopped and the driver opened the door to let them out.

Charles and Caroline Ingalls walked over the stage, followed by Jenny and Jeb Carter.

"Well, look who's here?" Pa smiled as he helped everyone off the stage. He hugged Laura first and then Almanzo.

"And this must be little Rose," Pa said, tugging at the one braid down her back.

"She's not so little anymore, Pa." Laura said, as she turned to face him, still in her mother's grasp. "She's almost sixteen."

"Going to finish school, aren't you, young lady."

Rose nodded. "I'm going to live with Aunt Eliza for a while. She's coming for me in September. I'm going to Crowley, Louisiana to finish high school."

"Jenny," Almanzo called out as she came running, her arms stretched wide ready to embrace him. "Uncle Manzo, Aunt Laura," she called, her eyes filling with tears.

"Look at you, all grown up," Manly said as he held her away. "And having a baby."

"Second," she answered, looking at them both. "Royal's at your old house with Albert watching him."

Laura shook her head. "Dr. Albert Ingalls. I can't wait to see him. How is he doing?"

Jenny smiled. "He's fine and he can't wait to see you again."

Laura nodded. "That goes double for me." She looked at her niece. "How old are you now, Jenny?"

"Twenty two. I've been married now four years."

"Are you happy?"

Jenny nodded. "Very, Aunt Laura."

Almanzo moved over to Jeb and reached out his hand. Jeb took it in his own and shook it. "Welcome to the Wilder family," he whispered and pulled him into an embrace.

Jenny turned to Rose. "Hi, I'm your cousin Jenny and I can't believe you'll be sixteen in eight months."

They hugged each other. "Well," Pa said. "Let's get your bags. Ma made a special supper for all of you. We'll get you settled at the Carter's place and we'll go back home."

Jenny put her arm around Rose and the two walked off together, talking like old friends. Everyone got into Pa's rig and they started for the Carter's house.

When they reached the Carter's, Albert was there, playing games with Royal. He looked up as Laura, Almanzo and Rose walked in.

"Laura, Almanzo," he shouted and ran to hug the two of them.

"Look at you, Dr. Ingalls, all grown up," Laura whispered in his ear as she released him. "I'm so glad to see you."

"I missed you," Albert said, "I missed you both so much."

"So when did you move back here?" Almanzo asked Charles as he laid down his fiddle.

"We haven't been here all that long," Charles said. "It's going on a year come this June." He looked at Almanzo. "I'm hoping that the three of you will be here to celebrate with us.

Almanzo smiled and clapped his father in law on the back. "We should be, Charles. We're thinking of staying at least three months."

"Good to hear that, son." Charles said. He stood up. "Jeb, Dr. Ingalls, let's leave the women folk alone." He turned back to Almanzo. "Let's all go and walk off some supper,"

Jenny and Rose were clearing off the table. "We'll do the dishes, Grandma," Rose said as both of them walked into the kitchen, leaving Laura and Caroline alone.

"What a well behaved daughter you have there, Laura. I can't get over how grown up she is."

Laura smiled. Thanks, Ma. Manly and I taught her well. "

Caroline smiled. "I told you a long time ago that you'll always be a teacher."

Laura nodded. "Yes, I remember."

"Mama," Rose called out. "Is it alright if I sit with Jenny? She wants to hear all about our house."

Laura smiled. "Go ahead. We'll let you know before we leave." She turned back to Caroline.

"Ma, is everything alright? Pa doesn't look well. He's thin and looks a little pale."

Caroline looked at Laura, her face grave. "Let's go out the back door, Laura," she said and the two of them walked outside, the men in the front yard and the younger women in the Ingalls' bedroom, talking, with Rose fussing over Jenny's boy.

"Your Pa isn't well, Laura. He thought he might have been working too hard at the hotel, so he went to visit the doctor in town."

"What are you trying to tell me, Ma?" Laura asked.

"We left the city. Doc Harmon told him to leave the city so we came back to the little house when we found out that Lassiter had quit the premises when he couldn't make back his money."

"He's resting up here. It's the only place where he's been happy. Albert has been looking in on him since he's become the town doctor."

"Will he be alright?"

Caroline nodded. "Seems to be so far. Little weaker and thinner than he was, but we take this day by day. Doc Harmon says he doesn't know how many days he has left."

Laura shook her head and they hugged each other. "Don't tell him I told you, Laura."

"I won't, Ma. I won't say a thing. Not even to Albert."