Interference
Author's note: For this story I used some of the dialogue from the "Laura Ingalls Wilder" episodes. Sometimes a writer has to admit there is no better way to express something than the words of another writer.
Author's note: It would actually take Charles and his family over four hours to travel from Walnut Grove to Sleepy Eye. Assuming Laura and Almanzo were over an hour away from Walnut Grove when they met up, and then traveled at least an hour back to pick up Eliza Jane; it would be late afternoon before they reached Sleepy Eye to join Laura's family at the blind school. I have shortened the travel time for the purpose of this story.
Chapter 12
When Eliza Jane finished reading Harv's letter, she tucked it back into the envelope and slid it into her hand bag. She thought Harv sounded happy. He was working at one of the three general stores in Minneapolis. He had found himself a small tract of land and would plant his first crop next spring.
Eliza Jane remembered what Harv told her about how much he enjoyed being able to pick up and move whenever the mood struck him. She didn't know what that was like. She was always busy playing the responsible older sister.
As thoughts tumbled around in her head, she came up with an idea which would help Laura and Almanzo, and herself at the same time. Eliza Jane got up and ran towards home.
When she reached the farm, she dashed into the house screaming her brother's name. "Almanzo! Almanzo!" she yelled.
When there was no response she rushed back outside and headed to the barn, but that was empty too. She hitched up the team and was about to climb up when she saw Almanzo moseying down the hill.
"Almanzo!" she cried and ran to meet him.
He became alarmed when he saw her running. "What's wrong Sis?" he said, grabbing both her arms.
"Nothing." She shook her head and paused to catch her breath. "It's just…" Could she actually say it? "Harv wrote me the other day. He's moving to St. Louis and he wants me to go with him. We're getting married!" she exclaimed.
A wide-eyed Almanzo hugged her. "I can't believe it!" he laughed. "I'm so happy for ya!" He hugged her again.
"Did the stage leave already?" she asked.
"It left about an hour ago. Why?"
"Don't you see, I'll be leaving. Walnut Grove will need a new teacher. You'll have the house. Laura can teach and you can still get married."
"I've gotta catch her." Almanzo raced into the house and took Laura's ring out of the box he kept on his dresser. He tucked it into his pocket and ran out to the wagon. He screamed, "I love you!" to Eliza Jane as he prodded the horses into a gallop.
"I love you too!" she called after him. Eliza Jane watched the trail of dust left by the speeding wagon. She bowed her head and shuffled into the house. Once inside, she went to the kitchen to make a cup of tea and to think about what she had done.
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Almanzo knew he was pushing the horses hard, but he didn't care. He had to get to Laura and tell her how much he loved her. He couldn't believe what a fool he had been. How could he ever think of living life without Beth? "Hah!" he screamed to the horses, smacking them with the reins. "C'mon now! Move!" He just had to catch her.
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Charles, Caroline and the girls were in their wagon on the way to the blind school in Sleepy Eye. It was Mary and Adam's anniversary, and they promised they would drive out after seeing Laura off.
They talked about the different emotions the day's events would bring, and both hoped Laura and Almanzo's life together would become as much of a reality as Mary and Adam's.
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Almanzo could make out the small shape of the stage coach far ahead. He slapped the tired horses again, knowing they deserved a good rest. As he got closer and closer to the stage he could feel his heart pounding in his chest. 'Just a little farther,' he thought.
He pulled up alongside the coach and told the driver there was an urgent message for one of his passengers. Laura gasped when she recognized the driver of the wagon. Almanzo pulled his horses to a stop and jumped off . He ran to the stage.
"Laura, I gotta talk to ya," he said in between breaths. He swallowed hard. "Eliza Jane is goin to St. Louis. She's gettin married."
An angry and confused Laura answered, "You drove all the way out here to tell me that?"
"No, I came to tell ya that I love ya. I'm sorry I was such a stubborn fool. Please come back to Walnut Grove," he pleaded.
Laura wasn't sure what to do. "Manly, I want to teach. I love you…really I do, but I love to teach too."
"Beth, you can teach in Walnut Grove now that Eliza Jane's leavin…and we'll have a house too. We can get married right away."
"I thought you said I couldn't teach."
"I did." He shook his head. "Sometimes my pride gets in the way of my judgment." He reached into his pocket. "Look, I brought the ring. Please say yes!"
Laura chuckled. "Well how can I refuse after you almost killed yourself and your horses trying to catch me." She smiled.
He put his arms up and she climbed out of the stage. He kissed her gently and then whispered in her ear, "I'm never gonna be foolish enough to let ya get away again."
They hugged and he waved the driver on. The couple who had been sharing the stage with Laura congratulated them.
"My bag!" exclaimed Laura.
"Forget your bag. Let's go tell your folks."
"They're in Sleepy Eye for Mary and Adam's anniversary."
"Let's go there."
"To Sleepy Eye?"
"Why not?" He shrugged. "We can pick up Eliza Jane on the way."
They ran to his wagon and jumped in. Laura still couldn't believe what was happening.
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Everyone sat around the kitchen table at the blind school. Charles and Caroline were overjoyed when they heard the news. Carrie and Grace giggled with delight over Laura and Almanzo's reconciliation.
"You two better pick a date," said Charles as he plowed his fork into a piece of pie.
"How about today?" said Almanzo.
"What?" a surprised Laura replied.
Almanzo looked over at his betrothed. "We'll get a preacher. What do ya say?"
Laura looked around the table. "I don't know," she said looking at her pa.
"Don't look at me. After all this fuss, I might change my mind and make you wait until you're eighteen." Everyone laughed.
Mary reached across the table and grabbed Laura's hand. "Please say yes, Laura. It would be nice for all of us to be together."
"Charles, isn't this Reverend Alden's week in Sleepy Eye?"
"I think you're right Caroline."
That was all Laura needed to hear. "Well all right; let's do it!" Almanzo and Laura looked at one another, full of anxiety and joy.
"I'll go find Reverend Alden," said Charles.
"All right. We'll get ready." Caroline smiled at Laura. 'What a wonderful day this is turning out to be,' she thought.
A short while later, Charles and Reverend Alden walked through the front door. Caroline hugged him. "Oh Reverend Alden, I'm so happy you're here. I know Laura is thrilled to have you perform the ceremony."
"I'm happy about it too Caroline, but where does the time go. It hardly seems possible that Laura could be old enough to get married." He smiled his sweet smile at her. "I do have one request though…" Caroline gave him a puzzled look. "May I speak to Laura privately before the ceremony?"
"Certainly," answered Caroline. "I'll show you were she is."
Caroline and Reverend Alden walked down the hallway to Mary and Adam's bedroom. Caroline knocked and waited for Laura to respond.
"Come in," she said through the door.
They entered and Laura walked over to hug Reverend Alden. Caroline excused herself and left the two of them alone, closing the door behind her.
Laura looked up at the spiritual minister to Walnut Grove. She had spent many years listening to his sermons. More than once she had spoken to him and asked for guidance on how to live her life. It seemed fitting he be the one to guide her into her married life with Almanzo.
"I was just telling your ma how hard it is to believe you're old enough to get married." He smiled at her. He walked closer and took her hands in his. "Laura, I have to confess something to you." A worried expression covered Laura's face. "A Pastor is sometimes like a parent. He should never have favorites. But I have to admit, you and Mary have always been very special to me."
Laura smiled up at him. "You're special to me too, Reverend Alden. It wouldn't be the same without you. You've been there through the good times…and the bad." She stopped and wondered if she should mention it on a day like this one. It was still so hard for her to talk about. "Do you remember what you told me after Baby Freddie died?"
Reverend Alden closed his eyes and nodded. "Yes. I told you that the closer you were to God, the better chance you would have of Him hearing your prayers."
Laura chuckled. "I ran up to the mountains hoping God would answer me."
"But he did answer you Laura. He told you that He wanted you here with your ma and pa, and your brother with Him."
A tear fell down Laura's right cheek. "I know, but it's so hard to accept God's will sometimes." She dabbed at her cheek with a handkerchief.
"If it were easy, everyone would be a Christian." Reverend Alden smiled. "Always remember Laura, that no matter where you are, if you pray, He will listen." Laura nodded and offered him a smile. He embraced her. "Do you think you could be any closer to God than you are right now?" he asked.
Laura looked up into his face and shook her head. "Let's pray together," he said.
They stood together holding hands. They bowed their heads as he began, "Dear Lord, bless this woman and her future husband that they will always live in a way that honors You. Bless them with health and happiness, and strength in times of sorrow...and may You always draw them close to You. Amen."
He stepped back to admire the young woman before him, still astonished at the passing of time. "Are you ready?" he asked.
Laura took a deep breath. "I've waited for this moment for a long time Reverend Alden. I'm more than ready."
"I'll go get your pa."
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In a classroom at the blind school in Sleepy Eye, Laura Elizabeth Ingalls and Almanzo James Wilder exchanged vows. Caroline couldn't help but cry tears of joy after everything Almanzo and Laura had gone through. Charles was proud of his Half-pint. He knew she would make Almanzo a good wife. And he was pleased she stood up for herself, and would now be a wife and a teacher too.
Eliza Jane watched as her younger brother pledged his life and his love to Laura, and was overjoyed that she helped make it happen. She knew it was time for Almanzo and her to lead separate lives. She was ashamed she had deceived him, but she knew Almanzo would never let her go off to live her own life, even if it was what she wanted. She saw it as a chance to do something for Almanzo, and for Laura…and it made her happy.