Laura Dayton made her first appearance on Season 5's "The Waiting Game." She lost her husband, Frank, to a riding accident leaving her to raise their child, Peggy, alone. Four months after Frank's death, Adam Cartwright began to show interest in the lovely young widow. Adam paid Laura a special visit to invite her to the Cartwright's "Spring Round-Up" dance. Upon doing so, he discovered that Peggy still believed her father was alive; that he was gone on a long trip. Laura told Adam that Peggy was too young to understand.