Page 111 of Eleanor’s Earrings

Then Lydia said, “But the lace tablecloth absolutely was.”

The camp laughed again.

Eleanor threw a pinecone at her.

Lydia ducked.

It struck Nathaniel.

He looked down at it.

Eleanor covered her mouth.

Nathaniel picked up the pinecone. “Was that deliberate?”

“No.”

“You are smiling.”

“I am not.”

The entire camp shouted, “You are!”

Eleanor laughed so hard she could not defend herself.

Chapter Fourteen

April 14, 1854

West of the Creek

Eleanor avoided Nathaniel for most of the next morning.

This was difficult because he was the wagon master and seemed to be everywhere. He rode past the Whitaker wagons before departure. Eleanor inspected the lame ox. He joined the rear division as the train began moving. Eleanor walked beside Caroline. He stopped near the first wagon at midday. Eleanor found an urgent need to count spoons.

“We have twelve,” Lydia said.

“I am checking.”

“You checked yesterday.”

“Spoons can disappear.”

“Only if they are trying to avoid Mr. Cooper too.”

Eleanor looked at her.

Lydia smiled sweetly. “We still have twelve.”

Lucy approached while Eleanor put the spoons away. “If you marry Mr. Cooper, will you leave us?”

Eleanor nearly dropped the chest.

“Why would you ask that?”

“Mrs. Turner said wives belong with their husbands.”

“Mrs. Turner should discuss fewer things near children.”