Chapter 1: It’s really not like that.
Chapter Text
He was older now, Albert was in college, at a whole new state, Willie was married, even Nellie was gone, Walnut Grove wasn’t how it used to be. Even so, James still hadn’t been there when it was even smaller. When his sister Laura was little, or even when Mary was little. It sounded so different when Laura talked about it. While it was no New York, it was certainly bigger. There was one other person like him, someone who hadn’t know it as it had been, who hadn’t grown up there, or spent their lives there. Nancy.
He wasn’t sure why he caught himself thinking about her so much, she was a brat, and awful girl. Her first week there she had picked on his little sister of all people.
There was no denying she was pretty, even if it was just on the outside.
Mrs Plum had assigned homework, a special project due the next Monday. It was a partner project, where she would randomly assign partners, and the two would have to present their work together.
“Jenny Wilder and Jeb Carter.” She listened. “Finally, Nancy Oleson and James Cooper Ingalls.”
James was torn between dread and a slight excitement. He had admitted his feelings to no one, and they were small, so he hoped they would pass anyway. With this project, he could figure out if he truly liked her or not.
“Class, you may sit with your assigned partners and begin discussing your project.” Mrs Plum instructed.
James waited for a moment, seeing if she would move, or even look at him, but she stayed perfectly still, and he took that as the signal to gather his things.
He plopped himself beside her, and she sighed almost distastefully. “James.” She began. “Literature is my finest subject. So we will analyze my choice of literature, and my findings.”
“Well I have to help somehow.” He said.
“Of course you’ll help, you’ll write down all my good ideas.” She smiled smugly.
He rolled his eyes. “I’m not doing that Nancy, we can do whatever piece of literature you want, but we are going to include some of my ideas.”
“Fine. But more of mine and less of yours.”
“Whatever.” James sighed. “What’s your pick?”
“Little women.”
He knew he should have expected something sissy and boring, but still, this was awful, and this next week was going to be torture.
And torture it was. Nancy wouldn’t stop gushing about the book like she was some forgotten scholar. James was bored out of his mind. Class projects had always been fun, but this one was terrible.
Willie had noticed that not only were James and Nancy talking a lot, but Nancy, who was usually the meanest to him, had started being extra snarky and demanding with James. While Willie was thankful that Nancy wasn’t being as much trouble as she usually is, her sudden shift had him worried. He looked on from his spot on the restaurant porch where he had been sweeping, seeing the two working on the project together.
Willie knew he’d have to ask James about it at some point, but asking in front of Nancy was not the move.
“Are you sure you're writing all my ideas?” Nancy asked, hands on her hips.
They were outside for recess, and Nancy had dragged him away from playing ball to work on the project.
“Yeah yeah.” He murmured. “See?” He showed the paper to her, all her ideas written in an organized list.
Nancy studied it for a moment, as if she was surprised he had actually done it. “Good job, now write it into a report tonight, and come show me tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? But tomorrow is Saturday! I’m supposed to go fishing with my Pa!”
“Oh well, and you better have it nice and neat. I’ll be waiting.” She gave him that infuriating smug smile and skipped away as happy as ever.
That night, he sat at the table, the lantern his only spruce of light. Everyone else had gone to bed, but he was up late perfecting the report, maybe even hoping to impress her. He looked up from his work when he heard the rustle of a night gown, his Ma coming up to check on him.
“James? It’s late, you better get to bed.”
“I’m just working on this report Ma.”
“Can’t you do it later? It’s not due until Monday.”
“Nancy wants it done tomorrow.”
“Ah.” Caroline smiled. “You're working awfully hard on it.”
“Yeah… I guess.”
She smiled at him, knowingly, and he knew what she was thinking.
“It’s not like that Ma!” He tried to reason.
“It isn’t? I haven’t seen you do homework on a Friday night… ever.” She added. “But I am surprised it’s Nancy of all girls.”
“I- I don’t like her like that! I just don’t wanna get a bad grade!”
“James, it's alright.” Caroline said softly. “I’m proud you're even able to stand her with how she is.”
“I dunno why I feel this way.” James sighed in defeat. “I don’t wanna like her, but I can’t help it!”
“Loves strange things sometimes.” Caroline smiled.
“I’m worried if everyone finds out, they won’t like me anymore.”
“If they don’t like you because of who you like, then they're a silly person anyway. Don’t let them influence how you feel.” Caroline said firmly. “Now, get to bed, you can finish the report before you take it to Nancy tomorrow.”
“Yes ma.” James murmured, finally feeling the effects of sleepiness wearing on him.
——-
“Nancy dear, can I come in?” Harriet cooed through the door.
“Yes mother!”
The door opened, and hardest stepped inside with a cheery smile on her face. “I’ve just come to say goodnight my dear.”
“Goodnight mother.” Nancy said back, but her voice was low, thoughtful even.
“Nancy dear, is something wrong?”
Harriet sat on the edge of the bed beside her, her face morphing into concern.
“No Ma, just thinking.” Nancy finally looked up.
Harriet had noticed she had been off lately, quiet, distant, and while Harriet liked to believe she was perfect, even she knew Nancy could be snarky, and that had especially been lacking.
They had thought she was sick, but she ate normally, slept normally, and didn’t look pale or anything.
Instead of pressing, Harriet moved on, hoping to get the answer out a different way.
“Mrs Plum was by the mercantile today, she told me about the class project you're doing.” Harriet smiled again. “She said you picked Little Women, what a charming piece.”
“Yes mother, I’m very excited about presenting it.”
“That’s good.” Harriet nodded, I’m sure you did fine work, can I see how you’re doing so far?”
“I don’t have the report, it’s with my partner.” Nancy mumbled slightly.
“Oh, well who’s your partner?”
“James.”
“Ingalls? I’m surprised a boy would go along with such a book, much less an Ingalls.”
“What’s wrong with him being an Ingalls?” Nancy questioned.
“What a ridiculous question to ask, their family is nothing but a bunch of farmers and peasants!”
“But Albert is training to become a doctor, and James said he’s doing well.”
“Albert isn’t a real Ingalls, he doesn't count.” Harriet said hastily.
Nancy’s eyes narrowed. “Then I guess I’m not an Oleson.”
Harriet realizing her mistake, covering her mouth and backtracked. “Well dear, they picked up Albert off the side of the street, and we picked you up from a fine establishment, I didn’t mean it like that darling!”
“It’s Fine mother.” Nancy sighed.
Finally Harriet couldn’t stand it anymore and out right asked her. “Nancy dear, what’s wrong? You’ve been so quiet and reserved lately, I’m worried.”
“It’s nothing, mother.” Nancy couldn’t admit it, she didn’t want to, and certainly not to her mother.
“Fine.. fine, but you’ll come to me if you're troubled huh?” Harriet asked.
“Yes mother I will.” Nancy huffed.
—-
The next day on the way to the Mercantile with the report in hand, James Passed by Willie, who was headed to the ice house.
“Hey James.” He called out, and James went over.
“What’s up with you and my sister?”
“W-what? Nothing! We’re just doing a report together.”
“A report? You're doing a lot more talking for it to just be a report.”
“She’s… just demanding about it.”
“Why are you so nervous? I’m not accusing you of anything, though, it would be pretty funny if you messed up the report on purpose.” Willie laughed, but trailed off when he saw the rosy blush forming on James cheeks.
He gasped. “No you don’t!”
James looked up at him, panic in his gaze. “Shh! Don’t tell anyone!”
“You like my sister!” Willie said in a hushed whisper.
“Well I’m not very happy about it either!”
Willie’s eyes widened in realization. “That’s why she’s been so quiet…” he murmured.
“What?” James asked.
“Nothing… nothing. I won’t tell anyone, I promise.”
James took a deep breath of relief. “Thanks Willie.”
“James! Stop talking to Willie and come over here with that report!”
Nancy called from the mercantile porch.
James looked at Willie, before he ran off.
“About time.” Nancy sighed, snatching the report from him.
“I worked on it all night.” James said.
She read it as she walked inside and he followed. “This is decent.” She finally said. “I’m so brilliant aren’t I?”
“I guess..” James shrugged.
“Here.” She reached into a jar, pulled out a handful of sourballs. “You’ve earned it.”
“Thanks.” He said quietly.
Nancy turned to go back to her room, but stopped, and turned back to him. “Since you did so well. I’ll invite you to Sunday lunch after Church.”
“I don't know about that Nancy, my folks may not like it.”
“It’s rude to say no to an invite. I’m sure your parents wouldn’t want you to be rude.” Nancy insisted. “And you do know the most important rule of all?”
“No? What is it?”
“When you're invited to a lunch after church, you have to sit when that person is at church, and at the table. It’s the first rule of etiquette.”
“Really? I’ve never heard that before.” James said.
“That’s because you’ve never been invited to a real lunch.” Nancy smiled, and walked off to her room.
James walked home with more nervousness and confusion stirring in him than ever before. Charles had taken Cassandra and Grace over to Laura house to help Almonzo fix a wagon wheel, so luckily it was just Ma and Grace when he got home.
“Ma?” He called as he opened the door.
“James, your home.” She smiled.
“Ma, Nancy invited me for Lunch after Church on Sunday.”
“She what?” Caroline’s smile faded into a look of confusion.
“She also said there’s some rule in etiquette that if you are invited to a lunch after church you have to sit with the person that invited you.” James sat at the kitchen table beside her.
Then Carlin’s caught on, Nancy was lying, but she wouldn’t tell James that, her smile returned.
“Well she’s probably trying to thank you for doing the work.”
“And that dumb rule?”
“It’s a sign of respect for James.” Caroline said. “Sometimes you have to follow other people’s rules, even when we think that they’re silly.”
“Oh.” James thought for a moment. “So can I go?”
“You’ll have to ask your father when he gets back, he shouldn’t be long now.”
“Alright.”
“In the meantime you can feed Grace the bottles in the kitchen.”
——
James was so nervous, his palms sweaty. He was so scared to ask his Pa, what he got laughed at. Ma kept looking at him, waiting for him to ask, but he was just so nervous.
“James, how did Nancy like the job you did on the report?”
His Pas voice pulled him out of his nervous spiral of thoughts, and he answered. “Uh… it went well Pa.” He said quickly. “She invited me over for Sunday lunch.”
Charles’ eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Because of the project?”
“I guess so.” James shrugged. “She said it was rude if I declined.”
“Well, I guess that leaves you with no options then, huh?” Charles said. “Think you can handle the Olesons for an afternoon?”
“I hope so.” James murmured.
Caroline and Charles gave each other a look from across the table. They knew exactly what was going on.
——-
Harriet though, was not so understanding.
“You invited who?!” She demanded.
“Mother!” Nancy yelled back.
“I should have known! You're getting too friendly with that Ingalls boy! Well I won’t hear of it! You tell him at church tomorrow that he has no business being over here!”
“Mother, that's not fair!” Nancy whined.
“What’s all the yelling?” Nels came In.
“Your daughter! She’s invited that Ingalls boy over here!”
“James? How come?”
“I invited him because of his help on our project.” Nancy explained.
“Well that’s very nice.” Nels had a proud smile on his face.
“That’s not the whole truth of it! She invited him over because she has feelings for James!” Harriett pointed a finger at her.
“What's wrong with that? The Ingalls are a nice family, and James seems very agreeable.”
“He’s an Ingalls!”
“You're the one who said it didn’t count anyways!” Nancy yelled, stomping off to her room. While Nels had no context, the comment enraged Harriet.
She hadn’t meant it like that, she just hadn’t thought it through, now Nancy was twisting her words against her.
“Harriet, calm down, she’s young, this is a little crush, she’s still young.” Nels tried.
Harriet took a deep breath. “No wonder she’s been so… quiet. How could she go against me like this!”
“Harriet, it’s not against you. Just let her invite him over. You may like the boy if you give him a chance.”
Harriet looks at Nels, her jaw tight. “I’ll give him a chance, and he better impress me or he won’t get within 5 feet of my Nancy again!”
Chapter 2: A perfect future
Summary:
James and Nancy have grown closer, and are starting to think more seriously about their lives together
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Sunday before church was always loud, friends who hadn’t seen each other all week caught up before the service, and kids giggled to one another. James walked in, Ma had told him to dress extra fancy for the Olesons lunch, and he wore a white button up, his black trousers, and a bow tie Albert had passed down to him.
He saw Nancy, sitting quietly, the spot next to her open.
He sat beside her, and she looked up. “You actually did it.” She smirked.
“You were the one making such a fuss about it.”
“My mother made a special lunch, I’m sure you’ll love it.”
“I hope so.” James swallowed hard.
“When we present tomorrow I’ll do most of the talking.”
“You don’t have too.” James murmured. “I can do some too.”
“It’s my magnificent work, so it needs to come from me. Besides, you don’t know how to present.”
“Can’t be that hard, you just talk.”
“Oh it’s much more than talking. But I wouldn’t expect you to understand.”
“Nancy..”
“What?” She looked at him, expecting him to say something stupid, or argue about the project.
“I-I’m glad you invited me over.” He couldn’t look at her. Her face burned and he felt so utterly stupid.
“Oh.” She was thrown off. He was glad? Now he couldn’t meet her gaze. She wondered why. “It’s no big deal. We have lots of people over.”
“Yeah.”
The sermon seemed to go on forever. James just wanted to get it all over with. And when the sermon ended. Nancy stood up. “Let’s go. Mother will be talking for a while.”
She led James out, and took him straight to their living room.
“We can wait here for mother and father.” She sat gingerly on the couch, and he sat beside her timidly.
“I quite enjoyed the sermon, what did you think?”
“It was good.” James replied, he had truly tried to pay attention. But it was hard.
“I pay much better attention when I sit with you than Rachel or Willie. Maybe we should sit together every sermon.”
She couldn’t be serious. “Maybe. But I think Casandra would wanna sit with me sometimes.”
“Right.” Nancy nodded. “I reread the paper last night. It had some spelling errors.” She added.
“So? Did you fix them?”
“Of course I did. But it got me thinking.”
‘Oh no.’ James thought, preparing himself to be berated for being stupid.
“I think I should tutor you.”
“Tutor me!?” James cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
“Calm down James, it’s not a big deal. I am older than you, I know a lot more than you do.”
“I’m not letting you tutor me.”
“Why not?” She asked, pursing her lips.
“Because! I’m doing just fine on my own, besides when Albert comes back from school he’ll help me!”
Her plan was backfiring awfully. She had hoped to find ways to spend time with him, without making it obvious that’s what she was after.
“James.” She said her voice was a touch softer. “I’m serious, if you don’t want to make stupid mistakes for the rest of your life then let someone else help you.”
“I don’t want help.” He said again, definitely.
“Well, let’s hope you get another amazing partner for the next project or you're sure to fail.”
There was a moment of silence between them. James slumped, and Nancy’s poster remained perfectly straight.
“You really think it’s that bad?” He finally said.
She nodded. “Just a little extra help, and you’ll be fine.”
“Why do you wanna help me anyways.”
“So I can have somebody to boss around, since Willie isn’t here anymore.”
Now that sounded like Nancy to him. He really wanted to say no, but he also really wanted to say yes. He didn’t want to be bossed around and called dumb all day, but he really wanted to spend time with her.
“Fine.” He muttered. “But only twice a week.”
“Sounds perfect.”
——
Harriet and Nels arrived not long after, and James could feel Mrs Oleson's eyes on him, as if she was judging him down to the way he breathed.
They sat for lunch, and he remembered all that Ma had taught him about table manners, small bites, small portions, no talking with your mouth full, and most of all, thanking your guests.
“James, have you heard anything from Albert? How’s college treating him?” Nels smiled from across the table, his presence a comfort almost the awful tension in the room.
“He’s doing well. He had good grades, he’s excited to come home for the summer though.”
“It’ll be good to have him back.” Nels nodded.
“And you. How are you doing in your studies James?” Harriet asked, her lips curled into an awful fake smile that made him nearly sick.
“I’d say I’m doing alright. I always did math with Albert, and now I’m really good at it.”
“Impressive!” Nels eyed his wife from across the table.
“Impressive indeed. How about literature, it’s my Nancy’s best subject you know.”
“It’s not my strong suit, but Nancy’s taught me a lot. She’s really good at it.”
Nels felt a jolt, there was no way he was talking about Nancy, while there was no direct compliment to her character, someone praising her was not expected. Unless it came from Harriet of course.
“Oh, you think so?” Harriet asked, albeit a bit shocked by the praise as well.
“Yes ma’am.” He nodded.
It took everything in Nancy not to smile, “Of course he thinks so, it’s nothing but the truth. I am the best.”
Nels gave her a quick scolding look, all the pride he had felt seconds ago, gone within an instant.
The Lunch passed, and Harriet gave him a chance as intended, and was thoroughly surprised. While she did hold it against him that he was an Ingalls, she did feel that he had a certain liking towards Nancy. She could see that Nancy liked him, because he gave her a chance.
———
While their throwing sessions remained uneventful at first, they grew closer than expected. And everyone noticed it. Suddenly James wasn’t playing ball anymore, if it wasn’t a tutoring day he was pushing her on the swing, or eating lunch with her. And Nancy was tamer than she had been since forever.
While the children did snicker at them a bit, quickly catching on to what was happening, they kept quiet most of the time, worried if they said something, they might break the spell and Nancy would go back to being Nancy.
Now it was the final week until school let out, Albert had written, said that he planned on coming out that Friday and staying most of the summer.
He read the letter with Nancy, smiling and gushing about all they’d do together.
“You will spend time with me won’t you?”
“What? Of course I will, but I haven’t seen Albert in a long time.”
“You were always clinging to him.” Nancy teased. “Like a lost puppy.”
“Be quiet.” He smiled softly.
“It’s true.”
“Well you don’t have to say it out loud.”
“If I told you something silly would you laugh at me?”
“No, I don’t guess.” James looked at her.
“Im worried about school ending.”
“That is silly. School ending is the best part of school!”
“I’m just worried you won’t spend time with me.” Nancy murmured. Over the months she had gone from a stuck up brat to what her mother called a young woman, and she was glad. Glad she didn’t make fun of people anymore, that she didn’t feel like she had to, to feel good about herself.
Their feelings for each forget were known, but never spoken, nor admitted. They knew, and they were fine with it.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because, who’d wanna spend time with me?”
“Well I do, I’m doing it right now.” James gestured to her.
“Yeah, but I was such a brat. Sometimes I still am.”
“You were.” He laughed. “You're only like that when you get worked up.”
“I have good reasons for getting angry.” She protested.
“Their only good reasons to you.”
She sighed, and laughed slightly. “Willie told me that I’m doing exactly what Nellie did when she first Met Percival. Turning nicer.”
“Well I’m glad you are nicer.” James smiled. “But I hope you don’t worry anymore about me not coming to see you. I promise you I will.”
“You promise?” Nancy had doubts about lacing her voice and he knew he’d have to prove it somehow.
“Come on.” He got up, gesturing for her to follow, his guts churning with nerves.
Slightly confused, she got up, following him. “Where are we going?”
He didn’t answer, but led her behind the school, where she too began to feel nervous.
“James, what are you doing?” She asked.
“I wanna show you that I’ll be there… I just don’t want anyone else to see.” He blushed nervously.
He took her hand, pulling her a bit closer, and put another on her shoulder.
Then, he kissed her, gently on the lips. The kiss lasted a mere few seconds, but it felt like forever. When he broke away, he pulled her into an embrace, and she rested her head on his chest.
“I’ve never felt so happy.” She murmured.
“Me neither.”
“I’ll be turning 15 this summer.” She said, “I’ll need to start thinking about graduation, and marriage too.”
“Marriage?” He asked.
“To a fine young man of course. Nothing but the best for me.”
They both chuckled, “That’s something I’ll keep in mind.” He murmured back.
They heard Mrs Plum calling for the children to come back inside, and hastily rushed back, hoping not to get caught.
——
James told Ma about the kiss the day it happened, and it took him a while to tell Pa, as he was embarrassed.
Then came the trouble of telling Albert, he hadn’t mentioned anything about courting Nancy, or that he was even seeing anyone, so when Albert came home, he made a point to tell him.
Albert hopped off the stage, looking older, like a man. He was wearing a fine suit, carrying a briefcase.
“Oh Albert!” Caroline smiled, hugging him tightly. “I’ve missed you!”
“Same here Ma.” He said, hugging her back.
Charles patted him on the back, “it’s good to have you home.”
“It’s good to be home, I’ve never missed any place in my entire life!”
“Albert!” Carrie exclaimed, hugging him, and Cassandra followed not long after.
“Hey you two!” He crouched down, “you’ve been good for Ma and Pa haven’t you?”
“Of course we have!” Cassandra smiled.
He ruffled their hair and stood back up. “Where’s James?”
Ma smiled. “He just got caught up in the mercantile, he’ll be over soon.”
Albert nodded.
“Why don’t we get your bags, and have a bite to eat before we go over to Laura’s Place? She’s fixed up a nice room for you.” Pa suggested.
“That sounds good.” Albert nodded.
They had Just sat down when James came through the door and hastily took a seat. “Sorry Albert.” He murmured. “Got distracted.”
“It’s alright, what got you so distracted?” Albert asked.
“Uh… I’ll tell you later.” James hoped he would press further, and luckily he didn’t. Hester Sue came out of the kitchen, her eyes landing on the Ingalls table, and saw Albert was back.
“Albert!” She smiled widely, he lit up when he saw her, and hugged her.
“Hester Sue!”
“Are you back for the summer?”
“Yep, I’m hoping I can work alongside Dr Baker, get me some more experience for the next semester.”
“Well isn’t that just wonderful. I’m glad to see you back. Now what can u get for you all?”
Albert told stories about his college, his dorm, how his studies were going, and everyone listened with interest. Except James who kept daydreaming.
“Well, how about I take everyone home, and you can stay in town and visit for a while, then I’ll come back and we can get you over to Laura’s?”
“Sounds great Pa.” Albert nodded.
James perked up. “Can I stay in town with Albert?”
“I don’t see why not.” Charles responded, already getting up.
James stayed by Albert’s side as he talked to old friends, he and Willie talked for what felt like years. To be fair they were best friends.
When they were finally alone, Albert was the first to speak.
“So what had you so distracted earlier?”
“Oh right.” James looked down. “Just a girl.”
“Oh a girl huh? Are you courting her?” Albert had again on his face, watching as James got all embarrassed and flushed.
“Yeah I guess…”
“Who is it?”
“You're gonna be weird about it.” James mumbled.
“Promise I won’t.”
“It’s… Nancy.”
Albert stopped walking, his mouth agape.
“Nancy? Nancy Oleson?”
“Yep.”
“You’re courting Nancy Oleson?”
“Yes I am.”
“Your kidding,” Albert chuckled, out of pure shock.
“Nope. I’ve been seeing her for a few months now.”
“Is she still… like you know?”
“A brat? No, sometimes she is to me, or Willie, but that’s only when she gets mad.”
“Oh. Well, I’d like to meet this new, improved Nancy.”
“You can, later. Me and her are going on a walk this evening.”
“How romantic.” Albert teased.
“Shut up.” James shoved him lightly.
“That’s why you wanted to stay in town with me? So you could go over and see her?”
“Yeah.” James nodded.
Albert laughed, and gestured to the mercantile. “Well go on then, your beloved awaits!”
James had no hesitation, he ran to the Olesons store room, finding her stocking shelves, and she smiled as he came in.
“Hey.” She said. “Wanna help?”
“Sure.”
They stocked shelves side by side, Nancy occasionally scolding him for not doing it exactly right.
“And that should do it.” Nancy said.
“Finally.” James sighed. “You wanna have supper over at my house?”
“Sure, we can go ahead and take that walk too.” She walked over to the counter, her eyes searching for one of her parents, until finally she just called out. “Father!!” She tapped impatiently. “Father!” She called louder.
“I’m coming!” Nels called back with equal annoyance. “What?”
“James is taking me on a walk.”
“What about supper?”
“I’m having it over at his place.”
“If it’s alright!” James added quickly.
Nels sighed. “Did you clean your room?”
“A little.” She mumbled.
“Did you stock the shelves?”
“Yes Father.”
“Well then, I guess that’s a step up from not doing anything at all. You can go.”
“Thank you father!” She smiled, turning back to James. “Let’s go.”
Before James could say another word, she grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the store.
“I’m coming, you know! You don’t have to drag me.”
Nancy let him go and he stumbled a bit before straightening up.
As they walked the countryside to his house, the spotted a wagon coming towards them.
It was Charles and Caroline, with Grace, Casandra and Carrie.
“Whoa!” Charles called to slow the horses.
“Where are you guys going?” James asked.
“We’re going to supper at Laura house, to be with Albert.” Caroline explained.
“We were heading to the house, I invited Nancy for supper, if it’s not too much trouble.”’
“It’s no trouble, you two hop in the back.” Charles said.
Nancy and James looked at one another.
“We’ll walk.”
“Are you sure?” Caroline asked. “It’s a ways away.”
“I’m sure Ma, we’ll meet you there soon.”
“Alright see you kids later.” The horses began to gallop again, and soon the wagon was gone from view.
“James?” Nancy asked, taking his hand.
“Hmm?”
“Are you gonna be a farmer like your pa?”
“I dunno, I haven’t thought about it much.”
“I wouldn’t mind being a farmer's wife.” She said, “But I also want you to think about what you wanna do.”
“I guess I’ve always liked the idea of owning something. Like how your folks own the restaurant and mercantile.”
“What would you own?”
“I dunno, a blacksmith, a livery maybe.”
“Well we have plenty of time to figure it out.”
“Hey Nancy?”
“Yeah?”
“What about you? Do you wanna do anything?”
“I’ve always imagined I’d stay home, take care of our children when we have some.”
“That sounds nice.”
“Course you would have to cook.”
“Really?” James asked, looking at her.
“Of course!” She said, “I can’t cook and I don’t intend to learn.”
James laughed. “Well, I don’t mind cooking for you, if that’s what you want.”
“That’d be perfect.”
The Supper was uneventful, it was mostly Albert giving James knowing glances as he and Nancy sat beside each other. And James rolling his eyes.
Truthfully James had been thinking of he and Nancy’s future together. While it had only been a few months, he knew he wanted to be with Nancy. Of course he was 14, about to be 15, and she was 15, so either way they would have to wait sometime before they could get more serious.
James just had to figure out what he wanted to do, if he wanted to own a livery, as he had said, then he would need to figure out where to start.
Notes:
I am trying to like make Nancy nicer but still be snarky and arrogant sometimes, idk if I’m doing a good job but I think these two are really cute together.
Covington on Chapter 2 Wed 20 Aug 2025 01:14AM UTC
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