Second Chance

LHOP inspired fiction by Cheryl C. Malandrinos

Part 7

Charles tugged on Laura's braids. "You're the oldest right now, so I expect you to help your Ma while I'm gone."

"I will Pa," Laura replied, being sure not to cry. Ma had asked her not to. It was hard enough on Pa as it is, she had said.

"Carrie, you make sure you mind your Ma and help Laura with the chores," Charles said as he hugged her.

"I will Pa."

"And you…" Charles smiled at baby Grace, "You don't go growin too much while I'm gone." He planted a kiss on Grace's tiny face.

Charles glanced up at his wife. The look they shared spoke the words they couldn't say in front of their children. Caroline always missed him so much when he was away and worried about his safety. Charles was unsure how far he would have to go to find work or how long he would be gone. So many farmers were out looking since the railroad starting putting the pressure on to break up the Grange. He hugged her tightly and said he loved her.

Caroline nodded and gave him a quick smile. "I love you too. You'll write when you're settled?"

"Of course I will."

Charles picked up his pack and put his hat on his head. "I've got to get going. I love ya."

As Charles turned to go he saw Isaiah Edwards approaching from the hill. "What in the world is he doing here?" Charles wondered. "Did Grace say anything to you Caroline?"

"No Charles."

"Good morning Isaiah," Charles said when his friend was in hearing distance.

"Charles." Isaiah came to stand beside him. "Mornin Caroline, girls."

"I wasn't expecting to see you today," said Charles.

"Well, the missus and I talked it over. It don't make much sense me stayin in Walnut Grove when there's no work to be done… so I figered I would tag along with you if you don't mind. John can take care of things here."

Charles' eyes lit up at the news. "Mind…of course I don't mind. I'd appreciate the company. These trips can be awful lonely."

"I…a…I asked John to come by and check on you ladies while we're gone. I hope that's okay."

"Why of course; we would love to see him," Caroline replied with a smile.

"Well, got a long trip ahead of us. What do ya say we get to movin on Charles?"

Charles slapped Isaiah on the back. "Sure thing friend."

The men headed up the hill away from the house. They turned back every once in a while to wave at Charles' family. They soon disappeared over the horizon leaving Caroline and the girls praying for their safety and hoping they would come home soon.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Mary sat at the table in her room trying to read. She couldn't concentrate at all. Her thoughts went back and forth between John Jr. and Walnut Grove and her growing attraction to Adam Kendall. She closed the book and stood up from the table. She began to pace the floor in the small space between the table and the left side of her bed.

When she thought about Walnut Grove and going home before, it had always been with a small amount of sadness because she knew she would have to face John Jr. and make a decision whether to accept his proposal. Now that sadness was magnified by the thought of leaving Adam behind in Iowa. She had come to depend on him more than she realized. She wasn't sure she was ready to say goodbye when the time came.

A knock at the door brought her back to reality. "Mary are you in there?" Adam called.

"Yes, I'm here. Please come in Adam."

He opened the door and entered the small room. "You didn't come down for class. Is everything okay?"

"I'm fine. I was just reading and lost track of the time." Mary laughed. "My Ma and Pa were always telling me to turn the lamp out and go to bed when I was home. I can get so lost in a book sometimes. It's nice to be able to read again. I missed it."

"It's your turn to help with the baking tonight," Adam reminded her.

"I know. I won't forget."

"Do you want some company? I'll have some free time later."

"Well…sure…if you don't have anything else planned."

"I'll see you around 4:30 in the kitchen."

"Okay."

Adam closed the door leaving Mary alone with her thoughts again. 'Could Adam be attracted to me too?' she wondered.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

John Jr. was at the Ingalls farm repairing a broken fence. He had been out at the place quite often since Charles and Isaiah had left three weeks ago. John wasn't really needed at home. Carl and Alicia took care of the chores and Grace was busy with the housework so often that John had more free time than he knew what to do with.

"John," Caroline called to him from the front door, "It's time for dinner."

"Okay Mrs. Ingalls, I'll be right in."

John put down the hammer and walked over to the lean-to, which was off the kitchen, to go get washed up before eating. It was Saturday, so Laura and Carrie were home for dinner time. They had helped Ma with the baking and then set the table. After saying grace they all dug in and started to chat.

"Hey John, we received another letter from Mary the other day," Laura said.

"How is she?"

"She sounds great. She's learning all sorts of things. She can read and write now, she makes her bed and cleans her own room, and she even helps with the baking. She told me they were going to teach her how to sew next."

"That's good to hear."

"Has she sent you a letter?" Laura asked.

"Laura, eat your dinner please," Caroline interrupted.

"Yes Ma."

"It's alright Mrs. Ingalls. No she hasn't. I was hoping she would, but not yet."

"She's very busy with her school work right now John. She hasn't written to anyone other than her family. I'm sure it's nothing."

"I'm sure you're right Mrs. Ingalls. Well, I should get back to work. I want to finish before the end of the day."

John got up from the table and went back outside. When he finished repairing the fence he left without saying goodbye.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----

Adam was already in the kitchen when Mary got there. As she entered the room she heard his laughter. "Well I hope you weren't laughing at me," said Mary jokingly.

"No, I was just telling Susan that the last time I was in the kitchen was the day one of the students mistook the cheyenne pepper for the cinnamon. Do you remember it Mary?"

"That was my first day here. You said that you had some of the hottest apple pies in the school's history."

"Seems to me that was also the night you threw your dinner at me," Adam teased.

Mary blushed when she thought of the incident. "Well, I was a different person then."

"Yes…you were."

Mary felt her cheeks get hot again. She wondered if there was a hidden meaning in his words.

"I don't think anybody here is going to eat tonight if we don't stop talking and start cooking," Mary admonished.

"You are right Miss Ingalls. Let's begin."

"Begin what?"

"The cooking," Adam answered, confused by her question.

"Oh, right."

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

The church congregation in Walnut Grove was having a picnic after services that Sunday. As Caroline and the girls rode in their wagon into town, they could smell Caroline's fried chicken and apple pie. It made them think of Pa; apple pie was his favorite. They had received a letter from him a week ago. He was in Rochester, MN. He and Mr. Edwards had found work. A man driving a wagon had come across them a day after they left Mankato and had offered them a ride in exchange for doing some work at his homestead. This led to some other jobs around town and they soon found themselves in Rochester working for a freight company.

As Caroline stopped the horses, she saw Grace, John, Carl and Alicia on the steps speaking with Reverend Alden. Laura got out of the back of the wagon, took baby Grace from Carrie and watched while Carrie jumped off. Caroline came down from the wagon seat and grabbed her Bible. They walked up the steps to the church and greeted Reverend Alden and the Edwards family.

"Good morning Caroline. Good morning girls. It's wonderful to see you again," said Reverend Alden with a big smile.

"Good morning Reverend," they all replied.

The Edwards and Ingalls families walked into church together and filed quietly into their benches. Reverend Alden spoke about the hardships that had befallen the small town of Walnut Grove and asked that everyone pray for the members of the community that were away trying to support their families. As Laura looked around, she saw that many of the fathers were missing today. The congregation stood to sing, Onward Christian Soldiers before they were dismissed.

Grace and Caroline decided to picnic together with their families. It was nice to see them all together again. The ladies unfolded the tablecloths and got dinner ready while the children sat along the shore of the lake.

"Look at how they've grown Caroline," said Grace.

"I know. It makes me so proud to watch them. I wish Mary were here."

Grace nodded. "Have you heard from her lately?"

"We got a letter this week."

"How is she?"

"She's doing well. The letters that come from the school say she is an excellent student. She's going to learn to sew."

"Oh my, I never thought she would be able to…" Grace stopped herself. "I'm sorry Caroline. I wasn't thinking."

"It's alright Grace. I wonder how she does it all too. I'm so glad we sent her there. But I wish she could come home soon."

"You miss her don't you?"

"Yes I do."

Grace and Caroline finished laying out the food and then sat down. "Caroline?"

"Yes?"

"Does Mary… ever mention John in her letters?"

Caroline knew Grace was hurting for John. Only another mother could understand her plight. She knew the answer wouldn't be the one Grace or John was looking for, but she couldn't lie either. That would just give them false hopes. She stopped fidgeting with her hands long enough to answer. "No, she doesn't."