Interference

Chapter 3

Harv drove Eliza Jane home in Almanzo's wagon. Most of the drive was quiet. When Harv dared to speak to Eliza Jane, her answers were decidedly cool.

"So how do ya like livin out west?" Harv asked.

"It's better than New York."

"You must miss your folks."

"Yes, but I would rather live at the bottom of a well than move back east again," Eliza Jane replied and then looked up at the sky.

"If you don't mind my askin…" said Harv, "Where did you get that fiery red hair?"

Eliza Jane looked him in the eye for the first time since they left town. "Why do you want to know?" she asked with suspicion.

Harv swallowed hard. "Well…a…just cuz it's mighty attractive on ya."

Eliza Jane smiled and made a point to soften her tone before answering. "Thank you. I got it from my mother."

Harv stopped the wagon in front of the Wilder's house. Eliza Jane looked surprised.

"How did you know this was my place?" she asked.

"Looks just the way Manzo described it."

Eliza Jane blushed. "Oh, of course; how silly of me."

Harv stepped down from the wagon and reached up to help Eliza Jane.

"Thank you Mr. Miller."

"You're welcome Miss Wilder."

Eliza Jane started towards the house, but turned around to face Harv again.

"Mr. Miller, since we're going to be driving together so often…perhaps we could dispense with the formality."

Harv smiled. "Whatever ya say. You can call me Harv."

"Very good." She smiled back. "You may call me Eliza Jane."

"I'll do that." Harv glanced down at his feet. "I guess I should get to doin those chores. I'll be in the barn if you need anythin, Eliza Jane."

"Thanks. I'll let you know…Harv."

Eliza Jane walked up the front stairs and opened the door. She closed it behind her and leaned up against it to catch her breath. She placed a hand across her racing heart. 'A man has just called me Eliza Jane,' she thought.

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When he was finished, Harv said goodbye to Eliza Jane and then drove back into town. Almanzo was sitting down at a table when he entered the restaurant.

"Hullo Almanzo. I'll just wash up and then I'll join ya for supper."

Almanzo nodded. "How did it go at my sister's place?"

"Fine, just fine," Harv said as he walked up the stairs.

Ten minutes later, Harv came back down to the restaurant and joined his friend. Harv told Almanzo that he decided to rent a team and a wagon so Almanzo would be able to use his horses at the new place. The two men ate supper and talked about the day.

"Almanzo, does Eliza Jane have a beau?"

Manly laughed at Harv's question. "My sister?" He shook his head. "No, she's never had a beau."

"Why not?"

"Too bossy," Almanzo said with a twinge of annoyance. "No man wants to be pushed around by his own wife. It's bad enough she still treats me like a kid."

Almanzo piled a forkful of mashed potatoes in his mouth. He stopped and then swallowed the mound whole as he looked up at Harv.

"Are you interested in Eliza Jane?" he asked Harv.

Caught off guard by the question, Harv stumbled through his answer. "No…no of course not. I…a…I just thought she might be jealous."

"Jealous? Jealous of what?"

"You and Laura. You said it yourself Manzo…she isn't keen on you two gettin married. Gotta be a reason."

"I figured it was just because Beth and Eliza Jane never got along."

"Then why is she mad at you too?"

"Well, I am the one marrying Laura."

Harv shook his head. "I think she's afraid of bein alone."

"You could be right Harv; but what am I supposed to do about that?"

"Find her a beau."

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A few days later, Laura and Almanzo drove out to the lake in his buggy. It was Sunday, so they took advantage of Manly's day off to enjoy a picnic.

"Do you think Harv's right?" Manly asked her.

"It's possible, I suppose. But after what happened between the two of you, I don't think Eliza Jane would admit it."

"Well suppose Harv is right about her not wanting to be alone; who in town would make a good suitor?"

The two of them ran down the very short list of eligible men in Walnut Grove. None of them seemed right for Eliza Jane.

"How about Harv?" Laura suggested.

"He's already said he's not interested."

"But was that the truth?"

"Why would Harv lie about somethin like that?"

"Because, he might not be comfortable admitting to you, that he likes her."

"Why on earth not?"

"Were you comfortable telling my pa you had feelings for me?"

"No…but that was your pa," Almanzo qualified.

"And you're Eliza Jane's brother and Harv's friend. I can think of at least a hundred people he would rather tell than you."

"Say you're right Beth…why hasn't Harv asked her out to supper or anythin?"

"He might be afraid you wouldn't like it."

"I guess."

"Can you at least talk to Harv and ask him if he'd be willing to take Eliza Jane out to supper every once in a while?"

"I don't see why not."

"She was used to having you around and now you don't go over there at all. She must be lonely."

"I've been busy. With workin at the Feed and Seed and tryin to get our crops planted, there hasn't been much time for visitin," Almanzo said defensively.

"I'm not finding fault Manly," Laura replied as she ran her fingers through his hair. "But maybe next weekend we should invite Harv and Eliza Jane with us on a picnic."

"Let me talk to Harv first."

"You know, even if Harv isn't interested in Eliza Jane, it would be nice for her to get out more."

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A few days later Almanzo worked up the courage to ask Harv to join Eliza Jane, Beth and him on a picnic the following Sunday. He almost felt guilty about interfering, after the heated exchange he had with his sister over her own interference.

Harv said he would pick up Eliza Jane and bring her to church and then they would follow Almanzo and Laura out to the lake after services. It seemed to Almanzo that Harv considered this request just to be another part of his job. Almanzo doubted he had plans to become Eliza Jane's first beau.

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Sunday morning dawned sunny and bright. It was the end of May, and the weather would be warm enough for them to enjoy a leisurely drive without wraps or overcoats. As promised, Harv showed up early that morning to bring Eliza Jane to church. When Eliza Jane came to the door, Harv whistled. Eliza Jane put a hand to her cheek and blushed.

"You look mighty purty this mornin," said Harv.

"Why thank you," Eliza Jane answered with a wide grin.

"We should get goin," Harv said and put his arm out in front of her.

She wrapped her arm around his and they walked to the wagon. Harv helped Eliza Jane up into the wagon and they started out towards town. Eliza Jane was content that morning as she wandered through her mind. The new sage green dress she bought last week had caught Harv's eye. She wore a matching hat trimmed with lace and small pink flowers. It had cost her dearly, but Harv's reaction made it worth it.

"Are you okay?" Harv asked after a few minutes of silence.

"I'm sorry, did you say something?"

"I asked if you were okay. You're awful quiet."

"I'm fine really. I was just thinking."

"About what?"

"Nothing really," she answered and then smiled at him, hoping he would drop the matter.

Eliza Jane kept the conversation going until they reached town. She was determined that Harv wouldn't catch her daydreaming again. As Harv stopped the horses, Eliza Jane saw Laura and her family pulling up to the church. Harv helped Eliza Jane get down from the wagon and she excused herself to go talk to Laura.

"Good morning Laura," she said with a smile.

"Good morning Miss Wilder."

"I wanted to thank you for inviting Harv and me to join you this afternoon."

"I'm glad the two of you could come…and I thought it would be a good chance for you and Manly to catch up. He's been so busy working that he hasn't had time to visit."

"That would be nice." Eliza Jane paused and looked back at Harv. "I guess we'll see you after church then," she said and walked back to Harv without waiting for Laura's response.

Laura's mother, Caroline walked up alongside her daughter. "What did Miss Wilder want?"

"To thank me for inviting them today."

"Maybe she's changed her mind about you," said Caroline.

"I don't think so," Laura replied, watching Eliza Jane enter the church on Harv's arm. "She's not any nicer to me at school. I think she blames me for Almanzo leaving the house."

"Well, let's go inside. I'm sure the Reverend Alden will have some words of wisdom for you."

Laura followed her mother inside and took the seat behind her parents and baby Grace. Her younger sister, Carrie was already fidgeting in the seat. Laura gave her a stern look, which made Carrie try to control her nervousness. Laura looked across the aisle and saw Manly sitting with Eliza Jane. Harv Miller sat in an extra chair along the wall.

As always, Reverend Alden gave a thought provoking sermon. The congregation sang "Bringing in the Sheaves" before being dismissed.

After services, Laura followed her family outside, and waited next to their wagon for Almanzo. Reverend Alden stopped Eliza Jane and Harv as they walked out.

"How long do you expect to be in town Mr. Miller?" he asked.

"Don't quite know Reverend. Depends on how long Almanzo needs my help."

"Well I hope you'll consider making Walnut Grove your permanent home," Reverend Alden said with a smile.

"I hope you do too," Eliza Jane interjected.

Both men looked at her and she turned a bright shade of red.

"Well, wouldn't it be nice to leave city life behind? I know Almanzo loves having you here," she said, trying to recover from her embarrassment.

"I guess I never thought too much about it. Never been one to stay in a place for too long," Harv replied. "Good day Reverend."

Harv walked down the stairs with a less confident Eliza Jane behind him.

Once Manly was ready, Laura joined him in his buggy and the two couples headed out to the lake. Eliza Jane wrung her hands as Harv drove along.

"Is somethin wrong?" he asked.

"No, I'm fine."

"Well you better be careful not to rub the skin off your hands," he replied with a glance towards her lap.

Eliza Jane laughed along with him. "I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression earlier. I just wanted to let you know that I hope you like it here enough to stay."

"That's alright. I know you didn't mean nothin by it. I do like it here, but I haven't given no thought to callin it home."