Jasper just stood there, nervous and a little ashamed. Nora smiled and tears came to her eyes when she saw her son and she asked tenderly,
"Jasper?"
He looked up at her with his smoky blue eyes and he said in a voice that was trembling with love,
"I'm sorry Maw"
She just seems to nearly fly across the porch and she wraps her arms around him and says,
"I'm sorry for slapping you son"
He hugs her tightly then says,
"I'm sorry maw, I shouldn't have asked that. I know you haven't forgotten Paw, I guess I was a little jealous"
She smiles and takes his hand in hers then says,
"Land sakes, you have nothing to be jealous of; I'm your mother and I always will be."
He smiles and kisses her then says,
"Maw, it's okay to have Doc Baker or anybody to take you to the dances…."
He looks down and a smile creeps up on his lips then he says,
"Lord knows, paw wouldn't! He hated those dances!"
They laugh together over it and she says,
"No, he wouldn't would he?"
They just laugh and then she says,
"Mrs. Foster invited me over for some coffee, do you want to come?"
He shakes his head and they go to Mrs. Foster's house.
{
The next morning, everybody gathers up to go to church. The Wilders come driving up in their wagon with Jasper and Isaiah in the back with Jenny. The first thing Jasper notices is Frances Millard, the girl from the social. She is in a pretty pink cotton dress and blue bonnet with even darker flowers for decorations, she bashfully smiles when she sees Jasper.
Nora then comes up in her faded gray dress and holding her Bible. She smiles at everybody and Doc Baker sees her and he thinks.
'Something about her….what's different? She looks the same, smiling the same….oh, stop it you old goat. You shouldn't even be thinking that, she's your nurse, you see her everyday!'
Revered Alden comes out and rings the church bell signaling for all of the flock to come in. Everybody goes in and sits down in their places and then the Revered says.
"I haven't got a text for today to start my sermon from, I just feel strongly to preach to notice things. Even the little things. Remember, that Jesus even as he was walking he noticed things…how the children were laughing and wanting to come unto him and he told his disciples to deny them not so I say to not only notice that but to notice the
things in life that you don't think matter. A smile from a friend, laughter from a child and even how butterflies fly in the air…'
Revered Alden laughs and he says,
"Jesus did and he appreciated them, he said, 'Oh, what great things my Father hath made!' Now that might not be a exact quotation, but that is what he meant. Now, let us rise and sing 'In the Garden'"
The congregation rises and they joyfully sing that song and a few others then after the Revered dismisses everyone in prayer. Everybody goes outside to talk amongst each other for a few minutes before they go home. Doctor Baker sees Nora talking to Mrs. Foster and he smiles, he remembers the words of the Revered to notice things, even the little things. He notices her smile and the way she brushes her hair out of her face and even how she stands.
Jean finally leaves and Doctor Baker goes over and stands in front of her and he tips his hat then says,
"Good day Nora"
She smiles and she says,
"Good day doctor"
He then says, "Enough of that, we're not in the office so you call me Hiram"
She smiles and nods her head and says, "Hiram"
She then notices his manly stride and his tender voice and she wonders….
"Would you care to go for a ride today? The weather is fairly nice, I would say"
She silently nods her head and he walks with her to his buggy and it seems like everyone in town notices the good doctor and dedicated nurse going off together.
Jasper watches his mother ride off but Frances touches him and he forgets about everything else. Harriet makes a quizzical look and Nels rolls his eyes at his wife and her ways and Laura and Almanzo look at each other and smile and the Revered says to himself, "It looks like I better get ready for a wedding".