*Note: I am a great fan of these books but those who have read the series know that Laura is a child at the beginning of the series. I have taken the liberty of making Laura eighteen years old so that she can tell her story of learning how to become a loving wife on the prairie. I am also using the visuals of the actors that portrayed the members of the Little House community in the television series.*
"Good morning, Half Pint. Happy birthday!"
Laura let her father hug her but found it hard to look him in the face after what she'd just seen. When she looked into his smiling face, all she could think of was the expression of joy on his face when her mother did that something special to him. "Thanks, Pa."
"Feel any different?"
"No, Pa."
"Well, you will. A whole new world opens up to you today."
"Really? Will Mary go through this?"
"Yes, before she marries Adam." Pa sat down to the table, his eyes on Caroline's backside as she bent to light the fire in the stove. "Learning how to become a loving wife is something that every woman must learn."
"I see." She paused, thinking. "Do men have to learn how to become loving husbands?"
"Oh, yes. Almanzo will be learning just as you are." Her father's eyes sparkled. "But it's the woman's job to keep her husband happy and sometimes, different things will be required of you, so that's why you'll have to learn."
"Ma, did you learn the same way."
"Oh, yes, darling." Caroline sat down on Charles' lap, grinding her hips down against him in a manner that her child could not see. "It was the best learning that I've ever done."
"When do I start?"
"This morning. I'll fix you lunch and you and I will head over to the General Store. Harriet and Nels have offered to give you your first lesson."
"Okay."
"Caroline, don't forget to stop by the lumber mill." Charles said, his mouth full of scrambled eggs.
"Oh, yes! I forgot." Ma smiled at Laura. "I have to pay a visit to Mr. Hanson. Do you want to go with me?"
"Yes, Ma."
"Good. Well, get to your chores and we'll go as soon as everything's done."
Excited beyond belief, Laura ran out to complete her chores, finishing in record time. Pa watched her dash about, laughing as she shoveled manure like a crazed woman, forked fresh hay into the stalls and poured feed into the troughs. She carried water from the creek and filled the water troughs, then turned the cows and horses into the pasture so that they could enjoy the tender shoots of thick, spring grass.
She went back down to the creek and washed her hands and face. Her mother gave her a cloth to wipe her face with and helped her brush the dust from her dress. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes, ma'am."
And so Caroline and Laura set off in the wagon, heading toward town. The ride was bumpy, but enjoyable and the untouched countryside rolled by, every inch bearing the promise of the oncoming spring season. The undulating valleys gave way to hard dirt roads and buildings that popped out of the wilderness. This was Walnut Grove, the town that she loved and had grown up in. Ma steered the horses over towards Hanson's Mill and pulled the wagon over to an empty spot under the trees. Laura jumped down and waited patiently as her mother set the hand brake and stepped down.