Love Comes Softly

[Yelling]

Ho! Ho! Ho!

[Woman Narrating] It's been almost ayear

since I left my home in the East...

and traveled west

with the man I loved.

I was positive

about my future...

full of hopes and dreams.

Our eyes were always

on the end of the trail...

as if life as I envisioned it

would be just that.

In fact, if someone had told me

that I would find myself here today...

I would have

called them crazy.

I was sure of myself

and where I was headed...

stubborn and full of pride.

I was in control.

Or so I thought.

Quit acting like a kid, Marty.

Get back here.

No. Not until you admit

that I am right and head this way.

- We're going in the right direction.

- We're going north.

Mr. Graham said

to go north.

He said to go northwest.

Don't you think it's strange

we haven't come upon it yet?

Well, we'd be there already if the weight

of these books hadn't slowed us down.

Those books will provide us

with a little culture once we get settled.

- It's too bad we can't eat any of that culture.

- [Groans]

That 200 pounds

of beans and rice...

that we had to toss off the wagon

to lessen the weight...

would taste a whole lot better right now

than the 200 pounds of books we got!

None of this would have happened

if you hadn't talked me into coming out here...

to the middle of nowhere,

Aaron Claridge!

We both know that

you don't do anything you don't want to do.

For once in your life,

be reasonable.

I'm tired...

sick and tired

of the dirt...

and miles that seem to

lead nowhere...

and the layers

of dust on my skin...

aching feet, aching back.

If I never sit in that wagon again,

it'll be all right by me.

Marty.

I see.

It's exactly

like I pictured.

Can you see it?

Just over there.

A cabin, with curtains

in the windows.

A-A-And over here,

a barn.

And a garden where we'll grow

our own food.

Those trees are just

made for swings...

for all those kids who are gonna look

just like their mama.

I don't mind if they look like their father.

We did it.

[Laughs]

We actually did it, Marty.

This just feels right,

doesn't it?

This will be the perfect place

to raise a family.

Pass down the land

to our children...

and give them opportunities

that are limitless.

We can do anything

as long as we're together.

[Both Laughing]

Promise me...

that even if

things get rough...

we'll remind each

other of that, okay?

I promise.

[Aaron]

Dad blame it.

Marty.

One of the horses got away.

- Oh, no, Aaron.

- I'm taking the other horse,

and I'm going after him.

Shouldn't be gone too long.

He's probably just a ways downstream.

I'm coming with you.

No need. I'll be back

with the horse before breakfast.

Make up a lot of pancakes.

I'll be hungry.

- [Whinny]

- Got ya.

[Whinnies]

Hyah!

Come on!

Hyah! Come on!

Let's go!

Hyah!

Come on.

Come on. Let's go.

Hyah! Hyah!

[Whinnies]

[Aaron's Voice]

Marty.

[Horse Whinnies]

Whoa. Whoa.

Miss Claridge.

Ben.

Ben Graham, ma'am.

Met you a couple days back.

Found him

about an hour ago.

Miss Claridge.

Can I get you

some water? Ma'am?

[Muffled Sobs]

Miss Claridge?

Well, I guess you'll be

needing time to...

to think, uh...

My wife will see to

your husband.

The preacher's leaving

tomorrow.

I can bring him back here

first thing in the morning...

to say a few words.

Oh.

[MartyWhispering]

We're fine.

We're fine.

We're fine.

We're fine.

- We're fine.

- [Coyote Howling In Distance]

We're fine.

[Woman Clears Throat]

Hello?

Mrs. Claridge?

Marty?

It's me.

Sarah Graham,

Ben's wife.

You met me

a couple days ago.

Marty...

it's time.

We need to start

your husband's funeral.

We don't want to be

starting it without ya.

I can't do this.

You have to do this.

[Whispering]

I would...

I would appreciate just...

just a moment, please.

We'll wait.

[Sobs]

[Man] Aaron Claridge journeyed west

in search of a dream.

His untimely death means

that one journey is over.

Another has just begun.

[Sighs]

[Sarah] Winter is coming, and there's

no wagon train heading east till spring.

I don't know how you're fixed for money

to board in town, but...

you're gonna have to make

a decision... and soon.

[Sighs]

Well...

you take tonight

and think on it, and...

Ben'll come

and check on you tomorrow.

Thankyou.

[ThunderRumbling]

Excuse me, ma'am.

I'm Clark Davis...

and I'm truly sorry

about your loss.

I have a proposition for you.

I know it's not the right place

or the right time.

[ThunderRumbling]

But I figure if we marry...

it'll help solve

both our problems.

You'll have a roof

over your head...

and all your needs

will be met...

and my Missie,

well, she'll have a mama.

I know it sounds crazy...

and the timing is unlikely...

but you have to understand

the preacher's leaving the area today...

and he's not gonna be back

until spring...

and I ask this

only for my daughter.

I'm thinking...

that she needs a woman's hand

in parts ofher life.

I know it's not

the perfect solution...

but when the wagon train

heads back east in the spring...

I'll pay the passage

so you can go home.

You'll help me get home?

If that's what you want.

I'll leave you

to think on it, ma'am.

[Child]

Get her off of ya!

[All Shouting]

So I had to be chasing after 'em.

The next thing... Hey!

- I tried to stop them.

- [Ben] Hey! Hey!

- [Grunting]

- Missie.

Hey, hey.

Come here.

[Panting]

He started it, Pa.

You get up.

Get up!

Clint says I got a new ma.

He's lying to me.

- Is that true, Clint?

- No, sir.

She poked me right in the nose

for no good reason.

You're a liar.

That is so a good reason.

[Clark]

Hey. Where do you think you're going?

Apologize.

[Panting]

Sorry.

Sorry.

What'd I tell you about fighting with girls?

I ain't fighting with no girl.

It's just Missie.

Get inside.

Go on.

- No worries.

- Come on, Missie.

We need to talk.

[Indistinct]

Oh, God,

I don't want to do this.

- I just wanna go home.

- Now you listen to me.

There is no place

in this part of the county...

to waste your time

cying overwants.

Your life's

about needs now.

You need a roof overyour head

for the winter.

That's what

you bargained for.

We are here today,

gathered in the Lord's name...

to join this man

and this woman in marriage.

Please join hands.

Will you, Clark Davis, take Marty Claridge

to be your lawful wedded wife?

I will.

And will you,

Marty Claridge...

take Clark Davis

to be your husband?

Come on now. Let's go.

Just answer, "I will."

I will.

Then I pronounce you

man and wife.

[Dog Barking]

[Missie]

Buddy. Come here, Buddy.

I'll bring in your trunk.

[Clears Throat]

This is the bedroom you and Missie will be sharing.

I'll get my things moved

into the lean-to.

[Owl Hooting]

[Plates Clinking]

[Door Opens]

Good mornin'.

[Clears Throat]

Saved you some ham. I'm...

I'm not much of a cook,

but it's usually pretty fillin'.

I've never seen

nobody sleep so long.

I thought you might be dead.

[Clark]

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