Page 162 of Eleanor’s Earrings

Caroline hugged her first. “You are happy.”

“I am.”

“And frightened?”

Eleanor considered. “Less than I expected.”

Rebecca examined Nathaniel. “If you become unreasonable after the wedding, we will outnumber you.”

“You outnumber me now.”

“Good. You understand.”

Grace wanted to know where Nathaniel would sleep after they married. Lucy wanted to know when they would marry. Lydia wanted to know whether Eleanor planned to kiss him again before the ceremony.

“These are not family questions,” Eleanor said.

“Everything is a family question,” Lydia replied.

Nathaniel looked at Eleanor. “I am beginning to understand what I agreed to.”

“Too late.”

He smiled. “Good.”

They decided to marry at the next suitable stopping place where Mr. Daugherty could perform the ceremony without delaying their journey.

Later, Eleanor and Nathaniel walked beyond the firelight for a few private moments.

“Mrs. Bell says a trail courtship may be forgotten by Oregon,” Eleanor said.

“Mrs. Bell says many things.”

“Will you forget?”

Nathaniel touched the single garnet now fastened beneath her right ear. “Not if you argue with me every morning.”

“I will do my best.”

He kissed her, slowly and tenderly.

When Eleanor returned to the wagon, Caroline sat with Thomas Reed over Father's route notes and his survey map.

“The next crossing is not where your father's plan places it,” Thomas said.

Caroline frowned. “How far has the trail shifted?”

“Enough that following the old map could cost us two days.”

She moved closer to the map. “Show me.”

Thomas pointed to the altered route. Caroline asked three questions in quick succession, and he answered each with growing interest.

Eleanor looked at Nathaniel.

“Should we warn her?” he whispered.

“About the map?”