Page 102 of Eleanor’s Earrings

Eleanor started laughing.

Nathaniel came around Mrs. Bell and held out his hand.

“Truce?”

“For tonight,” Eleanor said.

“That is all I ask.”

She took his hand.

Around them the fire burned low while the last laughter drifted through the wagon circle.

The stories had done what miles and maps could not.

For one evening, everyone had gone home.

Chapter Thirteen

April 13, 1854

Creekside Camp

Eleanor called a family council after breakfast.

In the past, a family council had meant Eleanor explained what would happen and her sisters explained why they disliked it. That morning, she spread a blanket on the ground and asked all seven what they believed they should do.

The sisters stared at her.

“Did you strike your head again?” Rebecca asked.

“No,” Eleanor replied.

“Are you ill?” Lydia asked.

“Not yet, but I may become ill if none of you offers a useful thought.” Eleanor glared at each of her sisters in turn.

Caroline sat across from her. “You want us to decide?”

“I want us to decide.”

Caroline smiled. “That is new.”

“Do not make me regret it.”

Charlotte opened the inventory. “We can leave more furniture.”

“Not enough to save the animal,” Rebecca said. “He needs a lighter position for several days, not fifty fewer pounds.”

“We could trade him,” Grace suggested.

“No one will trade a sound ox for a lame one,” Rebecca said.

Lucy looked worried. “Will someone kill him?”

“No,” Eleanor said quickly.

“They might,” Rebecca said.