Chapter 6

Harv was chatting with Charles at the mill when he spotted Eliza Jane walking towards Nellie's with determination. He said good-bye to Charles and strolled over to meet her.

"Afternoon Eliza Jane," he said with a tip of his hat and a wide smile.

"Good afternoon Harv."

He was taken aback by her businesslike manner. "So are ya gonna join me for supper tonight?" he asked.

"That all depends," she replied.

"Depends on what?"

"On why you came back to Walnut Grove. I want the truth Harv; why are you here?" She stood in the middle of the street, her hands folded over her books, tapping her foot as if Harv were one of her students.

Harv wasn't quite sure what to make of this forceful woman before him. Eliza Jane had always been shy and sweet, something he found especially attractive. Not sure how to proceed, he stumbled over his words. "I…a…I came to see Rose and get outta the city for a while."

She wasn't convinced. "I know that's what you told Almanzo and Laura, but is that the only reason?" She continued tapping her foot.

"Well…I…a…I wanted to see you too," he admitted.

"Why?"

Harv shook his head. "What do ya mean why?"

"I mean, why did you want to see me?" Remembering all her past heartaches, she continued. "So you could make a fool out of me again? Maybe leading me on once wasn't enough for you," she said in anger. Her face turning red hot and her breaths coming faster, she felt herself losing control. "Or do you just feel sorry for me like everyone else? Poor, lonely Eliza Jane who will end up an old maid. She can't find a man or keep a man, and God knows no one would marry her." She was rambling now, all her insecurities and fears tumbling out of her mouth like pouring rain off a rooftop. Too angry and hurt to stop, even when people in town began to stare at the couple.

Harv didn't know what to do. He wished everyone would stop staring. The tears streamed down Eliza Jane's cheeks as she released her pent up frustration. "Well that's not going to happen again Harv Miller. I won't…"

He grabbed her arms and shook her. "Stop it Eliza Jane! Everyone's lookin at ya," he whispered, hoping the embarrassment would stop her outburst until they could go somewhere more private.

"Let them look!" she screamed. "Don't you think I know what they say about me behind my back?" She couldn't regain her composure if she tried. She had gone too far. "Go ahead Harv, make them feel sorry for pathetic, homely Eliza Jane Wilder once again," she said, extending her right arm out. "Tell them all why you came back to Walnut Grove!"

Harv stepped back and tossed his hat on the ground. He looked at all the spectators. This definitely was not how he had planned it. He plucked a tiny object out of his pocket and bent down on one knee. Eliza Jane looked at him in confusion. He held up the object so Eliza Jane could see it. She gasped. Looking into her eyes he explained, "I came back to ask you to marry me," he said flatly, no longer sure what the answer would be.

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Laura and Almanzo were at home blissfully unaware of what was going on in the center of town. Rose had just woken up from a nap and they were all sitting on the bed together.

"I was thinkin of goin into town this afternoon to check on Eliza Jane. Do ya wanna come along?"

"I wish I could Manly, but I have got to finish my sewing and start supper before you get back."

"All right then." He leaned over and kissed Beth. "I'll see ya later." He picked Rose out of her mother's arms and kissed her. "You be good Rosie Posie."

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Eliza Jane was too dumbfounded to respond to Harv's statement. Exhausted from her outburst, she could barely feel Harv's hand around hers. Her face went pale and she began to fall backwards. Harv jumped up to catch her and Charles ran to help him.

"Let's get her inside Nellie's," suggested Charles.

The two men helped Eliza Jane walk over to the restaurant and sat her down in a chair.

"What can I do?" asked Nellie when she saw them come in.

"Why don't you get her a glass of water," said Charles.

Nellie nodded and came back with a glass a few moments later. The color slowly came back to Eliza Jane's face as she sipped the water and breathed deeply. Once he was sure everything was okay, Charles went back to the mill. Nellie disappeared into the kitchen to give Harv and Eliza Jane some privacy.

"Are ya sure you're okay?" asked Harv.

"Except for being embarrassed, I'm fine."

"I think we need to talk," he said. She nodded. "Can I start?"

"Certainly," she said, looking into his eyes and hoping she hadn't imagined Harv proposing to her.

"Do you remember our talk in St. Louis?" She nodded. "I told ya I didn't know much about love, and I still don't. When I left Walnut Grove I thought it was for the best, because I just didn't feel like I was in love with ya. But once I was in Minneapolis, I missed ya somethin terrible. I didn't know how much our evenins together meant to me, until I left. So I started writin, hopin ya would give me some sign that you were lonely or wanted to see me…but ya never did. So when I found out you were comin to Walnut Grove, I sent Laura and Almanzo a letter complainin about the city, knowin they would ask me to visit. Sure enough they did."

"Missing me is one thing, asking me to marry you is another, Harv."

He put up his hands to silence her. "I know, I know. But ya havta realize I've had a lot of time to think about this. Once I knew I was comin, I started thinkin long and hard about what I would say to ya." He stood up from his chair and knelt down beside her. "I can't say that bein in love meant I saw stars or felt all nervous inside, but I can tell ya that I don't wanna go back to Minneapolis without ya. I can't stand bein away from ya all the time. I miss ya too much. I wanna be where you are. I don't know what the future holds Eliza, I just know that I want ya to be with me so we can see it together."

Harv stood up and pulled a handkerchief out for her. She dabbed her cheeks that were stained with tears. She knew she must be dreaming — no man had ever said those things to her before. She couldn't speak. She could barely move after such a speech. He waited for a few moments before putting his hand on her shoulder. She suddenly felt warm all over.

"Ya don't have to answer me right now," he said. "I know it's a lot to think about.

She pushed the chair back and stood up so she could meet his eyes. "It is a lot to think about, and I appreciate you giving me some time. A part of me wants to say yes this very moment, but I just can't do that. I have to make sure this is the right choice…for both of us."

Harv nodded. "I'll leave ya alone for a while. If ya wanna have supper tonight, I'll be down here about 5:30." She nodded. Harv walked upstairs to his room, leaving a confused and flustered Eliza Jane behind. She sat back down in her chair, putting her head in her hands. She cried — tears of joy and tears of frustration. Now that it seemed she was finally getting what she wanted, she wasn't sure she had been wanting the right things.

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Almanzo walked into the Mercantile and greeted Mr. Oleson. He saw Mrs. Oleson standing in the doorway between the store and their house. He could see the lavish décor from where he stood.

"What can I get for you today Almanzo?"

"Some coffee, some tea, a sack of flour and a handful of nails please Mr. Oleson."

"Comin right up," he replied. Mr. Oleson disappeared into the store room.

The eternal busy-body, Mrs. Oleson sauntered up to the counter and looked at Almanzo with eyes full of mischief. "I was surprised to see you here Almanzo. I figured you would be over at Nellie's place checking on your sister."

Confused he asked, "What's wrong with Eliza Jane?"

"Oh nothing much," she replied in a snide tone. "She and Harv Miller just had a fight in the middle of the street that's all." Mrs. Oleson flashed him an evil grin.

Almanzo didn't wait for his supplies or any further explanation. He raced across the street to Nellie's place to find his sister. When he opened the door, he found Eliza Jane crying. He ran to her and placed his arms around her.

"Eliza Jane, what's wrong?" There was no answer, just muffled cries. "What did Harv do?" he asked with a twinge of anger.

She looked up and stared at her younger brother for a moment. How afraid he must be right now, to find her like this. She pulled a handkerchief out of her bag and wiped her face. Composing herself once again, she took a sip of water and then began.

"Harv asked me to marry him," she admitted.

Surprised and totally confused Almanzo asked, "Then why are ya cryin?"

She giggled. "Because I made a total fool out of myself in the middle of the street earlier, accusing him of coming back to break my heart again…and then when he asked me to marry him, I was so shocked I nearly fainted."

Almanzo scooted into the chair next to her. "So what did ya say?"

"I told him I would need to think about it." She looked at the handkerchief still in her hands. "I want to say yes Almanzo, but I just don't know if I can."

"I don't understand — if ya love him, then why wouldn't ya marry him?

"Oh Almanzo, you of all people should know why couples in love don't get married sometimes." He nodded, thinking about how close he and Beth came to never getting married. "Part of it's just that I've waited so long for a proposal that I'm not even sure I want to be married anymore. I've survived this long without a man in my life…why do I need one now? I know what people think. I wish it didn't bother me, but I don't want to get married just to make people accept me — that wouldn't be fair to me or to Harv."

"Do ya wanna come back home with me and stay at our place for a while?"

"No thanks. I need time alone to think about what I want. Harv's only here for another week, so I'm sure he would like an answer by then. Besides, we might have supper together tonight." She stood up from her chair.

"Are ya sure you're gonna be okay?" he said, standing close to her.

She placed her hands over his arms. "Almanzo, you have to stop being my protector. I love you for trying to make sure I don't get hurt, but it really is time we led our own lives. This is something I have to do by myself." She pulled him into an embrace and they said good-bye. She watched as he walked back over to the Mercantile — his hat still in his hand — to pick up his supplies. She knew she would miss him more than usual when she returned to St. Louis. The last thing Eliza Jane saw before going to her room was the stage pulling up.

A short, balding man with glasses made his way up the steps to Nellie's place. The bell rang when he opened the door. He looked around the establishment, finding it to be quaint and tidy. Nellie came out from the kitchen a few moments later.

"May I help you, Sir?" she asked with a smile.

"Why yes, I'm in need of a room. Do you have any available?"

"Yes we do. How long will you be staying?"

"About a week, I believe."

"That's fine," Nellie replied, handing him the key. "Your room is number 9, it's the fifth door on your left."

"Thank you Miss…"

"Oh I'm sorry, pardon me for my rudeness. I'm Nellie Dalton. My husband, Percival and I own the hotel and restaurant."

"Thank you Mrs. Dalton."

"You're welcome Mister..."

"Mortimer Carstairs. But please call me Mort, everyone else does."

Nellie smiled. "Well Mort, I hope you have a nice time in Walnut Grove."