Chapter 3

On Thursday afternoon, Caroline left work early so she could get ready for her date with Charles. She walked home with her children, Grace's hand in her grasp. Albert and Carrie were racing to see who got home first. Laura strolled beside her mother, her long hair blowing in the crisp wind.

"You've been awfully quiet Laura. Is everything all right?"

She nodded. "Yes Ma."

"Are you sure? It looks like you have something on your mind."

"It's nothing."

"Almanzo hasn't been around lately."

"No, he's busy getting everything stored for winter. And he had to make a few repairs to the barn before the snow comes."

"You can invite him for dinner after church on Sunday if you like."

"Thanks Ma. I might do that."

The little house on Plum Creek appeared before them. Caroline knew something was bothering her daughter, but she figured she would wait until she was ready to talk about it. They went inside and Laura disappeared up into the loft.

"Albert," said Caroline.

"Yeah Ma."

"Could you get started on your chores right away? That way you'll be done when your pa gets home."

"Sure Ma."

"Maybe you could take Carrie and Grace out to help you."

Albert shrugged. "If that's what you want." He gathered up the girls and headed towards the barn.

Caroline climbed up the ladder into the loft. "Are you hungry?" she asked Laura.

"No," she replied without looking up.

"You're not ill are you?"

"No, I'm fine."

"All right then, I'll leave you alone to do your homework." Caroline stepped towards the ladder.

"Ma, can I ask you something?"

"Of course," said Caroline as she took a place next to Laura on the bed.

"When you and Pa were courting, were there times when you thought he wasn't interested in you? I mean, did he ever start acting funny, like he didn't want to be around you?"

"Are you and Almanzo having problems?"

"Well, not exactly. It's just…" This was so embarrassing, how on earth could she say these things to her mother. It's not like she could blurt out what Almanzo had said to her the other night. What would her mother think of him?

Caroline stroked Laura's hair. "It's all right."

Slightly reassured, she began again. "It's just that Almanzo hasn't been coming around because he doesn't want to be alone with me. He says being with me makes him feel things."

"Oh, I see. And you don't feel any different when you're alone with him."

"Of course I do. Oh, Ma when we're together it's like the world is spinning. My heart races and I get butterflies in my stomach."

Caroline smiled. She thought back to her early relationship with Charles. "Every young woman feels that way when she's with her beau. It's thrilling and scary all at the same time."

Laura nodded. "But it hurts that he doesn't want to spend time with me."

"Oh Laura, I'm sure it's not that. Almanzo is a bit older than you, but it doesn't seem like he's been in love before. I think this is all very scary to him too."

"I can't imagine Almanzo being scared of anything."

"We're all scared of something. I think your situation is a bit unique because the two of you were friends for a while before you began courting, and Almanzo has always been aware of how your pa felt about the difference in your ages. I'm sure Almanzo doesn't want to do anything that would upset you or your pa. Now, if Almanzo thinks he needs to cut back on the amount of time you spend together to make sure nothing inappropriate happens, then I would think you would love and respect him for it, not judge his motives."

"But Ma, that's the worst part — I accused him of being in love with someone else."

Caroline shook her head, understanding Laura's insecurities. "What happened?"

"He got angry, real angry. I said I was sorry and I told him why I felt that way, but I'm afraid our relationship won't ever be the same now."

"We all say things we regret Laura. We jump to the wrong conclusions and hurt the people we love. Just be sure to tell Almanzo how much you admire his decision and help him to stand by it. And remember that you're not the only one who's scared by what's happening between the two of you. Loving someone makes you feel vulnerable because you're asking for a person's love without knowing if he'll give it. But to have such love is wonderful, and it's always worth the risk."

Laura hugged her mother tightly. "Thanks Ma."

Caroline smiled at her daughter. "I never really answered your question, did I?" Laura shook her head. "There was a time when your pa and I felt very different about the future. I wanted to stay in a town with schools and a church nearby, but your pa wanted to travel west. He asked me to come with him, and I refused. So he left without me. I thought it was foolish for me to believe he had ever loved me, because if he had he would have stayed in Wisconsin with me. As time went on, I was sure he was never interested in me at all."

"Really?"

Caroline nodded. "But he came back one day and he told me he didn't care where we lived as long as we were together. And the funny thing is it was at that moment I realized I would move anywhere on this earth as long as I could be with your pa." Caroline wiped away a stray tear. "I'm sure if you and Almanzo are meant to be together there will be a moment like that for you too, where you realize no matter what happens in life you'll be fine as long as you have each other."

Caroline stood up and straightened her skirt. "Now I have to get ready for tonight. Everything is on the stove and you can cook it when you're ready. I don't think we'll be back too late, but you never know with your pa." Laura looked at her with skepticism. "Well you don't think Almanzo is the only romantic man in the world do you?"

They laughed and Laura watched as Caroline descended from the loft. Ma always had the right answers. Laura hoped she would have as much wisdom when she had children of her own.

Laura sat in Ma's rocking chair finishing up the day's sewing. Grace had gone to sleep easily and Carrie was undressing for bed. Laura chuckled at Albert who was reading the newspaper, trying so hard to look older than he was.

They heard a knock at the front door. A surprised Laura found Almanzo on other side.

"Howdy Beth."

"Uh…hi Manly. What are you doing here?"

Almanzo wondered why her parents weren't in the front room. "I thought we could talk, if it's okay with your pa."

"Ma and Pa aren't here. They went out tonight."

"Oh, I can come back some other time then," he said, turning to leave.

Laura grabbed his arm. "Don't be silly. You came all the way out here at this hour; the least I can do is listen. Albert, will you go in and read Carrie her bedtime story?"

"She's old enough to read it herself."

"I know, but Pa usually tells her a story before she goes to bed. Please Albert."

"Oh all right."

"Thanks. I'm just going to step outside with Almanzo for a minute."

Manly allowed Laura to walk in front of him, and then nodded his thanks to Albert before pulling the door shut. His hat in his hand, Almanzo seemed uncomfortable, rocking back and forth and staring at the top of his hat. Laura remained silent, waiting for him to tell her the reason behind his unexpected visit.

"I wanna apologize to ya for the other night. I'm sorry I lost my temper like that. My father always told me not to let my temper get the better of me. I guess I shoulda listened."

Laura was astonished. Why was he apologizing to her, when it was she who was in the wrong? She rubbed his arms and smiled at him.

"It's sweet of you to come and apologize, but it's me who should be apologizing to you. I should have had more faith in you…trusted that you loved me. I acted horribly."

Almanzo smiled as he embraced her. He had missed feeling her body next to his. He held her close, saying nothing. He could smell the faint scent of lemon verbena.

"Manly, I need you to know something else too." She looked up into his face. "I respect that you need to keep your distance and I'll stand by you."

"Well I sure hope ya don't think I wanna give up huggin and kissin altogether," he joked.

Their lips met and sparks ignited between them, but this time Laura had to admit she felt different. The world was still spinning and her heart still raced, but more than the passion of their kiss, she felt a deep love for Almanzo. She belonged to him as he belonged to her, and she knew no matter what the future held, she wanted to be right by his side.