Interference
Author's note: In the show, Harv Miller got married and moved to St. Louis. These events have been changed to accommodate the happenings of this story and stories to follow.
Chapter 11
Two weeks after his proclamation, Harv Miller boarded a train in Sleepy Eye bound for Minneapolis. Almanzo and Eliza Jane were there to see him off.
Eliza Jane had made Harv promise not to tell Almanzo about their conversation. Manzo thought Harv was moving on to give him his old job back. Not one to pry, Almanzo didn't ask about Harv's relationship with his sister.
"Good luck to ya," said Almanzo. He shook Harv's hand. "I'll wait for ya in the wagon," he told Eliza Jane.
"You'll write once you get settled, won't you?" Eliza Jane asked.
"You betcha," replied Harv.
"I hope it goes well for you in Minneapolis." Eliza Jane dabbed at her right eye with a gloved hand.
Harv hesitated before answering. He took a breath as if to speak, but then reached over and embraced her. "Thanks for everythin Eliza…your friendship and your understandin." He pulled away just in time to see her blush fade.
"All aboard!" the conductor yelled over the noise of the train's engine.
Harv picked up the bag at his feet and boarded the train. He found a window seat and sat down. He looked out at Eliza, who stood there holding in tears. He wished he felt differently. Eliza deserved better.
As the train pulled away, Eliza Jane walked to the end of the platform. She waved her white handkerchief at Harv as she watched her hopes and dreams disappear around the bend.
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School was out for the summer, but Laura and her family were busy getting ready for her trip to Radner. Carrie and Grace finished the patchwork quilt they had been putting together for the wedding. They thought it would keep Laura from getting homesick. Caroline took the new petticoats and nightgowns she had sewed and packed them into Laura's trunk. She thought it was sad she wasn't taking them to Almanzo's new home as planned. Charles hid the keepsake box in the loft, hoping things might change. Laura hadn't spoken Almanzo's name in weeks. It almost made Charles wish for the days Laura couldn't stop talking about him.
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Eliza Jane's summer burbled along the same as many others. Teaching wasn't there to keep her occupied, so she spent her time reading and helping Almanzo with the farm. Almanzo had been exceptionally quiet since his break up with Laura. It made the summer seem to drag on even longer.
Church had become an uncomfortable situation too. Almanzo and Laura couldn't help but run into one another there. After services, Eliza Jane would often stop by to talk with Laura. Almanzo would wait impatiently in his wagon, staring at them.
Eliza Jane begged and pleaded with Almanzo to change his mind and reconcile with Laura, but he remained stubborn, refusing to knuckle under just to make Laura happy.
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It was mid-August before Almanzo broke down and agreed to drive out to the Ingalls farm to see Laura. She would be leaving for Radner at the end of the week. As he drove along, he still wasn't sure what he'd say.
Almanzo saw Laura's face appear in the upstairs window when he pulled in. The lamp light surrounded her head, making her look like she had an angelic aura. He removed his hat before knocking on the door. When it opened, Charles was on the other side. He gave Almanzo a half-hearted greeting and ushered him in. Caroline was sitting in her rocking chair. He greeted her.
"Good evening Almanzo," she said, trying to hide her glee.
"Is Laura here?" asked Almanzo.
"Yeah, she's here," answered Charles. He turned to look at Caroline. She gave him a stern look which begged him to call Laura downstairs.
"Half-pint," he called up towards the loft.
"Yes sir."
"Almanzo's here to see you."
"I'll be down in a minute," Laura replied. She checked her face in the mirror before climbing down the ladder.
"Hi Beth."
She made a point not to call him Manly. "Hi Almanzo."
"Can we talk outside?"
Laura looked at her parents. Charles nodded. "I suppose," she answered.
Almanzo opened the door and Laura stepped into the yard. The warm air was uncomfortable.
Almanzo fiddled with the rim of his hat. He tried to look at her, but had to stare down at his feet to get the words out. "So I hear you're leavin end of the week."
"Yes, I am. I want to get settled and meet some of the people."
Almanzo nodded. "Well…I…a just wanted to wish you luck."
"You drove all the way out here to wish me luck?" Laura rolled her eyes. She hesitated before continuing. "I hoped you had changed your mind."
"Ya did?" said a puzzled Almanzo. He thought she was looking forward to her new life.
"Well of course I did. I loved you. I…I still love you," she admitted.
"I love you too," he whispered. He swallowed hard to get rid of the lump in his throat.
"So then why are we apart?"
"Cuz you're goin off to Radner," he explained.
"I wanted to go to Radner to help the man I love. I didn't want to wait to get married."
"I told ya how I felt about it."
"Yes, you told me…" She fiddled with her fingers. "But I thought you might change your mind."
"I won't," he said with determination, looking right into her eyes.
"And neither will I."
"I guess this really is goodbye then."
Feeling defeated she answered, "I guess it is." Laura fought to keep the tears from falling.
"I'll miss ya Beth."
"I'll miss you too Manly."
Almanzo got up on his wagon and chirruped to the horses. Laura watched him drive away and then ran up to loft to release her tears.
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Caroline waited downstairs until Laura's cries could no longer be heard. She climbed the ladder up to the loft and went to sit at the end of Laura's bed. Laura sat up and wiped her face. Caroline waited for Laura to start.
"I thought he came to tell me he changed his mind."
"So did I," admitted Caroline.
"But he's just as against me teaching now as he was when I first told him."
"I'm sorry. I wish things had turned out differently." Caroline stroked her hair. "I'm very proud of you. You didn't let it stop you from living. In a couple of days you'll be carving out a new life for yourself." Caroline smiled. "I know you'll do well."
"Thanks Ma."
"And don't give up on Almanzo. Your leaving for Radner could be the best thing for both of you."
Laura was confused. "What do you mean?"
"Do you remember how lonely and sad you were when Almanzo moved to Sleepy Eye, after your pa told him he would have to wait two years to marry you?" Laura nodded. It had been a very hard time for her. "Well, I'm sure you won't be gone long before Almanzo starts feeling the same way. I know you've been apart, but he still gets to see you in town and at church. Maybe some time without you will change his mind."
"I hope you're right Ma." She hugged Caroline.
"Now try to get some sleep. We'll go into the Mercantile in the morning to get the rest of the things you need for your trip." Caroline planted a kiss on Laura's forehead.
Laura snuggled underneath the covers. "Goodnight Ma," she called to Caroline who had started down the ladder. "I love you."
"I love you too," replied Caroline, giving her daughter one last smile before going downstairs.
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The next morning Eliza Jane made her way into town. After stopping by the Mercantile she made her way over to the post office to see if the Wilders had any mail. Mrs. Foster greeted her with a smile.
"Good morning Miss Wilder. I'm so glad you stopped by."
"Good morning Mrs. Foster, is there any mail for us today?"
"Yes there is," she replied with excitement. "A letter came from Minneapolis." Mrs. Foster smiled.
"Oh," Eliza Jane said in surprise. She didn't know if Harv would actually write to her.
Eliza Jane timidly took the envelope and read the front. It was definitely Harv's handwriting. She wondered if he missed her. She missed him terribly and didn't know how much longer she could walk around trying not to answer people's questions about the man everyone considered her beau.
"I hope it's good news."
A startled Eliza Jane picked up her head. "I'm sorry. Did you say something?"
"I said, 'I hope it's good news,'" repeated Mrs. Foster.
"Oh, thank you." Eliza Jane left the post office and walked towards home.
She didn't have the courage to open the letter, so she put it in her hand bag. She reached into the bag a few times on the way home and felt for the envelope. Eliza Jane wondered what Harv had said. She would be crushed if he seemed to be getting along too well without her. Once she got home, she took the envelope out of her hand bag and put it in her writing desk for safe keeping. Maybe her curiosity would over power her fear and force her to open it.
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Friday morning dawned sunny and bright; a beautiful day to travel. Charles put Laura's trunk in the back of the wagon. Once everyone was ready to go, the Ingalls family made their way to Nellie's Restaurant to wait for the stage. Charles looked over at Laura standing on the porch. He couldn't believe this young woman was his little Half-pint. How sad he would be to see her go. He tried hard to hide it. He knew Laura was having a hard time leaving Walnut Grove.
Nellie Dalton waddled out onto the porch. Her swollen belly made her uncomfortable. "Laura," she said. "I know we haven't always been the best of friends." Both women smiled as she stared into the eyes of her former arch-enemy. "But I wanted you to know, I'm really going to miss you." Nellie blinked her eyes several times to keep the tears from flowing.
"I'll miss you too Nellie." Laura laughed. "You know if anyone had ever told me I would miss seeing you, I would have thought he was insane."
"Me too." Nellie smiled.
"I hope you'll write and tell me all about the baby."
"I will," nodded Nellie. She reached over to hug Laura. She had to turn sideways to get her belly out of the way. Laura closed her eyes to hide how moist they had become. She no longer felt jealous.
Nellie excused herself to go back inside and help her husband. Laura watched her for a few moments. How different Nellie had been since her marriage. The sound of the oncoming stage made Laura turn around. She was suddenly anxious. She faced her mother with fear in her eyes.
Caroline pulled her into an embrace. "You'll be just fine," she whispered.
Laura looked up and nodded. "I'll miss you Ma." She hugged her mother and then said goodbye to her younger sisters. She hugged them both and then stepped off the porch to meet her pa who had been busy strapping her trunk to the stage.
Charles cupped her head in his hand and admired her. He shook his head. "Hard to believe this young woman is my Half-pint." He blinked away tears.
Laura could only nod her head. She couldn't speak with the large lump that had formed in her throat. She had never imagined how hard it would be to say goodbye to her beloved Pa.
"I know you'll do a good job Half-pint." He didn't want to say what was in his heart. How could he tell her he wished she would stay?
Laura swallowed hard. "Thanks Pa." She looked down at her feet so her father wouldn't see her tears. "I'll write as soon as I can."
"Good. It will make it easier on your Ma knowing you're settled."
She looked at him and smirked. "Easier on Ma?"
"And on your Pa too," he confessed.
"I'll miss you Pa." Laura began to cry.
He held her against him and stroked her hair. She felt his body struggle to keep from crying. He swallowed hard several times before letting her go. As she stepped back, she saw Almanzo standing on the bridge into town. He faced towards the mill. She thought he might look over at her, but he kept a stoic watch over the turning mill wheel.
Charles helped her onto the stage. They all said goodbye again before the stage driver chirruped to the horses. A somber Almanzo watched the stage head out of town and began his long walk towards home. He still couldn't believe she was gone.
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Far away from town, an anxious Eliza Jane had pulled the letter from Harv out of her desk and gone for a walk in the woods. She found a large rock by the creek bed and sat down. She pulled the envelope out of her hand bag. Eliza Jane stared at it for a few minutes, still unsure she wanted to hear Harv's news. She took a hair pin out of her bun and sliced the envelope. She pulled out the papers inside and unfolded them. She didn't make it any further than, "Dear Eliza," before she folded them again. She put them back in her bag and started to walk home.
Feeling like a coward, she stopped before hitting the main road towards home. "Oh for goodness sake," she said out loud. She marched back to a soft, grassy spot underneath an oak tree and grabbed the letter out of her bag. She unfolded the pages again and began to read.
Dear Eliza,
I've reached Minneapolis and…