Chapter 7
Author's note: While Mary and Adam had actually moved to New York by the time they celebrated Christmas with the Ingalls family in Season 8, I have kept them in Sleepy Eye for the purpose of this story. Adam is still a teacher.
A few minutes before 5:30, Eliza Jane left her room headed towards the restaurant. She had decided to have supper with Harv but she hoped he wouldn't bring up his proposal again.
"Eliza Jane?" she heard in the hallway behind her. She turned and saw Mortimer Carstairs. A gasp escaped from her lips.
"Mort?" she said. "I can't believe it." She strolled over to him and smiled. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to visit Laura," he replied, rocking back and forth to hide his anxiety.
"Laura didn't mention anything about it."
"She doesn't know." He pushed his glasses back onto his nose. "I was in Sleepy Eye so I figured I would stop by and see how she's doing."
"What a coincidence. I'm here teaching because Laura just had a baby girl."
"Bet she looks just like her Ma."
"Rose is a beautiful and happy baby," admitted Eliza Jane. "Have you eaten supper yet?"
"No, I was going downstairs now."
"Well then why don't you join us?"
"Us?"
"How silly of me. Let's go downstairs and I'll introduce you."
They chatted about teaching as they walked. Mort and Eliza Jane shared some of the same students at the small, private school in St. Louis where they both taught. They always seemed to have a lot to talk about. Eliza Jane strolled up to Harv's table with Mort close behind. Harv stood up to greet them.
"Harv Miller, I'd like you to Mortimer Carstairs, a friend of mine from St. Louis. Mort this is Harv."
The men shook hands and exchanged greetings. "Please call me Mort, everyone else does."
"You can call me Harv," he said with a nod.
They sat down and Mort glanced over in Harv's direction. He wondered if this was the Harv Miller she had told him about — the reason she and Mort could never be more than friends.
Nellie came by and took their order. An unusually quiet Mrs. Oleson sat at a back table with her grandchildren. She pretended not to notice the tense threesome, but she kept an eye and ear perked up to hear anything she could turn into local gossip.
"So Mort, how do the two of ya know each other?" asked Harv.
"I met Eliza Jane and Laura at a seminar in Arizona this summer. They graciously let me tag along with them. At the end of the seminar Eliza Jane invited me to St. Louis so I could apply for a teaching position at her school. Her recommendation got me the job."
Nellie brought out their dinners and asked if they needed anything else. "I think we're all set," said Harv.
"I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything," she told them.
"What about you Harv?" asked Mort as he cut into his steak. "How did you meet Eliza Jane?"
"I came to Walnut Grove to help out Almanzo. He bought a farm before he and Laura got married. I took over his job at the Feed and Seed and did the chores at Eliza Jane's place too. I just came in from Minneapolis hopin to catch up with everyone."
"I thought Almanzo and Laura lived in Eliza Jane's old house," said a puzzled Mort.
"They do," Eliza Jane chimed in. "A hail storm destroyed his first crop and he lost the farm. When I decided to move to St. Louis I gave him the house."
"You're quite a woman Eliza Jane," said Harv. She blushed and looked into her plate.
"She sure is," added Mort.
By the time Nellie brought out the coffee and pie the conversation had stalled. Mort knew Harv was still a rival for Eliza Jane's affections and Harv got the feeling Mort wanted more than just friendship from her. Eliza Jane was in the middle, uncomfortable with the attention from both men, and perplexed at how this could even be happening to her.
"What are you doing tomorrow Eliza Jane?" asked Mort.
She glanced at Harv and then turned to answer him. "Well it's the last day of school before the Christmas break so I'll probably dismiss the children early and head over to Almanzo and Laura's place. I promised her I would help her get ready for supper. She's having her family over for Christmas Eve and then we'll all be going to her parents' house on Christmas Day.
"That sounds nice. Can I come with you? Just to visit…not for supper."
"I…uh…I guess so, but how will you get back to town? I'm staying over."
"I'll walk back."
"Don't be foolish. At this time of year…a blizzard could blow up at any minute."
"I'm gonna bring Eliza Jane out to Manzo's place so you can ride back with me," said Harv, pointing his coffee cup at Mort.
"I'd appreciate that."
Christmas Eve started out cold but sunny. Eliza Jane was happy all of her students made it to school on her last day with them. They had chipped in and bought her a little Christmas gift. Many of the students told her how much they would miss her. It brought tears to her eyes.
"Listen up class," she said clapping her hands. "I know it's early, but as soon as you finish your projects and clean up, you can head home."
A loud cheer filled the air. She walked to the back of the room and tossed another log into the stove. Eliza Jane wandered over to the window and looked up at the sky which was now turning cloudy and gray.
"Finish up quickly now class. I think we're going to be getting a storm." Another cheer rose up from the students at the thought of having snow for Christmas.
Eliza Jane strolled over to Nellie's place, pulling her coat collar closer to her chin. When she entered she saw Harv and Mort sitting down at a table chatting. When she got there they became strangely quiet. She glanced at one and then the other. It seemed she wasn't going to be privy to what they were talking about.
"I'm just going to wash up and change and then we can get going," she told them.
"I'm gonna go hitch up the team," said Harv. He called over to Eliza Jane who was heading up the stairs. "I'd make it quick Eliza. I don't like that sky." She nodded and then quickened her step.
Harv, Mort and Eliza Jane made their way to the Wilder farm. The wind had picked up and the sky had become an even darker grey. The thick clouds told an ominous tale of the weather to come.
"I hope it doesn't start to snow before we get there," said Eliza Jane with concern.
Harv looked up. "I hope Charles has enough sense to stay home."
"I know, but Laura will be so disappointed."
"That's one good thing about a city the size of St. Louis — plenty of shelter in a storm," said Mort. He fidgeted from his place in the back of the wagon, hoping they wouldn't have to find some place to protect themselves from the storm.
"I'm pretty sure we'll make it there before the snow flies. It's gettin back to town that I'm worried about."
Everyone was relieved to see the Wilder farm in the distance. When Harv stopped the wagon in front of the house he saw Almanzo hauling firewood.
"Once I get the team in the barn I'll help ya bring in more wood Manzo."
"Thanks. It looks like we're gonna need it."
Harv turned around. "Why don't ya go inside with Eliza Jane, Mort. Ya might want to bring a warmer coat next time you come to Walnut Grove in the winter."
"Like I said, I'm used to the city," he answered with a twinge of annoyance. Mort extended his arm to Eliza Jane and helped her off the wagon seat. "Come along my lady," he said as he escorted her to the front porch. An angry Harv watched them.
She knocked on the door and opened it without waiting for Laura. Eliza Jane caught sight of her coming down the stairs from the second floor and raced to hug her.
"I have a surprise for you outside. Can I bring it in?"
"Of course," a curious Laura answered.
Laura's couldn't hold back her surprise when Mort walked in. "Oh Mort! How wonderful it is to see you again!" She hugged him.
"I'm glad you feel that way Laura. I probably should have told you I was coming."
Laura shook her head. "Nonsense. What a great Christmas gift. You're staying for supper, aren't you?"
"If you want me to."
"Of course I do." She took his coat. "I can't wait for you to see Rose."
"Eliza Jane was telling me all about her."
"I'll go get her. Sit down and make yourself comfortable." Laura raced back upstairs to get Rose.
The women busied themselves with preparing supper while the men chatted in the front room. Almanzo walked over to the front window every once in a while to stare at the darkening storm clouds, waiting for snow to fall.
"I wonder if Charles decided to stay home," he said.
"He did if he has any sense at all," replied Harv. Almanzo nodded.
The sound of wagon wheels made the men go the front porch. "I guess he doesn't have any sense," joked Almanzo. The men laughed.
"I didn't think ya were comin," Almanzo said to Charles.
"Well I almost stayed home but I have a present for Laura."
"Ya need help unhitchin the team?"
"Na, just get inside and tell your wife to keep her eyes shut."
"Yes Sir."
A few moments later Caroline, Carrie and Grace piled in. "I was hoping we would make it before the snow," said a relieved Caroline." A familiar couple snuck in behind them.
"Can I open my eyes yet?" asked Laura.
"I suppose so," answered Caroline.
The first thing Laura saw was the kind and gentle face of her sister Mary. Her husband Adam was beside her.
"Oh Mary! I can't believe you two are here." She hugged and kissed them both. "This is truly going to be the best Christmas ever."
Charles and Almanzo came in a few seconds later. "The snow has started," said Charles.
"Well supper will be ready in a few minutes," said Laura. "Carrie can you come help me set a few extra places at the table?"
"Sure Laura."
The dining room was filled to overflowing with the entire Ingalls clan, the Wilders and their guests. Laura stepped away from the table to start the coffee. On her way back she stopped to view the scene before her. She hoped she would be able to write it all down accurately in her remembrance book. Grace sat next to Caroline playing with her doll. Carrie was telling Ma everything she planned to do on Christmas break. Adam and Mary —inseparable as always — glanced at one another lovingly in between talking to Charles about the blind school's recent financial woes. Almanzo played the proud Papa, bouncing little Rose on his knee.
When Eliza Jane, Harv, and Mort came into view Laura couldn't quite make out what the two men were talking about. Eliza Jane sat between them, looking uncomfortable and anxious. She hadn't had much of a chance to talk to Eliza Jane about Harv's proposal and she knew from Eliza Jane's letters that Mort still felt the same way for her that he did in Arizona. She was almost angry when Eliza Jane had refused to date him, using Harv as an excuse. But she understood Eliza Jane's fears too.
"Eliza Jane," Laura called. "Can you come help me get dessert and coffee ready?"
The older woman looked up at her with thankful eyes. "Certainly Laura." She excused herself and went into the kitchen.
"Carrie, why don't you start cleaning off the table please?" said Caroline.
"Okay Ma."
As Carrie walked back and forth between the kitchen and dining room she overheard bits and pieces of Laura and Eliza Jane's conversation.
"Are you going to marry him?" Laura asked.
"I don't know," replied Eliza Jane.
"Mort still likes you, doesn't he?"
"He hasn't said anything yet, but I have a feeling this visit wasn't a coincidence."
When Carrie dropped a fork the two women turned around, not realizing she had been listening. Laura looked at her with harsh eyes and Carrie was afraid of being scolded. Laura remembered back to when she was Carrie's age — still so young, but trying to be grown up. Laura softened her gaze.
"Now I hope I can trust you to keep this woman talk a secret Carrie." Laura smiled.
Carrie smiled back. "I will Laura," she said and then raced back to the dining room to get more dirty dishes so she would have an excuse to return to the kitchen.
"Laura," called Almanzo from the dining room.
"Yes,"
"I'm goin out to feed the stock."
"All right. The coffee will be ready when you get back."
"Good, I'll need it."
When Almanzo stepped off the front porch, his boot sunk into at least eight inches snow. "Jerusalem Crickets, this ain't good." He went back inside. "I hope everybody likes it here, cuz you'll be spendin the night."
"It's that bad?" said Caroline.
"There's close to a foot of snow out there and now it's comin down even harder. I'm gonna rig a rope from the house to the barn, just in case we need it. Charles, Harv can you bring in some more firewood?"
"Sure," the men said.
"I guess we better get some extra sheets and blankets out," said Laura. "Carrie can you give me hand?" She nodded.
Those left sitting at the table began saying silent prayers that everyone in town would be safely inside their homes. When Mort saw the concerned look on Eliza Jane's face he covered her hand with his.
"It will be all right," he reassured her. She nodded and covered his hand with her other one. He pulled her in closer and planted a small kiss on her cheek. "Trust me."
Eliza Jane couldn't explain why his words were of comfort to her. She had never paid much attention to his idle chatter before, in fact she had often times tried to ignore him all together. But sitting there with the storm raging outside, surrounded by family and friends whom she loved, in a town she deeply missed; her heart softened towards Mortimer Carstairs. His attraction to her made clear by the warmth of his kiss, she glanced up at him to respond, "I do."
