The next morning….
"Charles, are you sure this is a good idea? I look ridiculous!" Caroline said, smoothing the front of her brown skirt. The light blue shirt hung on her awkwardly, and she'd spent several minutes tucking it in trying to get it to look just right. But the shirt hem was much too long. And so she decided to take a chance and leave it un-tucked. Perhaps no one would notice…
"You look beautiful. Like a summer's day." Charles said, kissing her cheek.
"Charles, people will think I've gone crazy! This is a man's shirt!"
"But it looks a hundred times better on you! Who cares what other people think, Caroline? They're the ones who are crazy if they can't see how beautiful you are."
She leaned to kiss him when she was caught off guard by the sound of her daughters entering the room. "Wow!" Laura exclaimed. "Look at you!"
"You really think I look all right?" Caroline asked.
"Well, now doesn't a man's opinion account for anything?" Charles said, pretending to be offended.
"But Charles you always say that I look beautiful, no matter what I wear. I wanted an honest opinion!" Caroline said.
"How's this for honesty?" Charles asked, pulling her close for a kiss that caused her cheeks to flush. "Charles… the girls…"
"Better get into the wagon or we'll be late for church! And Reverend Alden won't like that one bit!"
The girls squealed and ran out the door, their feet crunching on the gravel as they made their way to the wagon.
"Don't worry about a thing, Caroline." Charles said reassuringly. "You'll be the prettiest one in church."
"I don't know…" She said worriedly as he put his hand on her back to escort her out the door.
"Come on Pa, we'll be late!" Carrie called as they made their way to the wagon.
"Coming!" He called.
Although there were no townspeople anywhere near their home, Caroline had never felt more self-conscious. And the short ride to church seemed incredibly long. It was warm out, but she wished she'd worn a coat. At least then she wouldn't have to be seen wearing…
"Here we are, Caroline." Charles said. "Girls go on in and find us a good seat, okay?"
"Okay, Pa!" Laura called to him. She climbed out of the wagon, helping her sisters to the ground. And then they took off running, causing Caroline to smile.
Charles extended his hand and helped Caroline out of the wagon. "All right, let's see what kind of sermon Reverend Alden has for us today."
They walked hand in hand to the front of the church; nodding in greeting to people they knew. And the more people who greeted them, the more self-conscious Caroline became.
And, just as she feared, the Olson's arrived, stopping to say hello.
"Good morning all!" Nels said extending his hand to Charles.
"How the heck are you, Nels?" Charles asked as the men shook hands.
"Never better." Nels said. "Business is good and-."
"Oh, speak for yourself!" Harriet snapped. "Business is not good! I told you and told you that if you'd only listed to me and ordered the more expensive kind-."
"People would be buying their goods in Mankato and not here!" Nels said. "Now it's Sunday and I'm not going to have this discussion with you anymore, Harriet! I…"
"Oh my Heavens!" Harriet screeched.
"What's wrong now?" Nels asked, clearly annoyed by the way he had his hands on his hips.
Harriet walked over to Caroline and looked her up and down. "What are you wearing?"
"Harriet…" Nels warned.
"But Nels…look at her! I mean, really..."
"Come on Harriet!" Nels said, just as the church bell began to ring.
"Thanks, Nels." Charles called to his friend as Nels escorted Harriet, Nellie and Willie into the church.
The church bell continued to ring. "Well, the Lord's calling us so we'd best get inside."
But as Charles took her hand and they headed for the steps of the church, Caroline began to cry.
"Caroline, honey what's wrong?"
"I can't do this!" She cried.
