Page 39 of Eleanor’s Earrings

Eleanor considered that.

Nathaniel nodded. “Exactly.”

She tried not to laugh.

He lowered his voice. “For what it is worth, I liked your gratitude.”

Her face warmed. “That was unnecessary.”

“Honest.”

“You should practice restraint,” she said

“You should stop kissing me unexpectedly.”

“You kissed me! I merely forgot to push you away.”

“A dangerous precedent.”

Eleanor stepped closer before good sense intervened. “Are you complaining?”

Nathaniel’s expression changed. “No.”

The answer was quiet.

For a moment neither moved.

Then Lydia’s voice came from behind the wagon.

“I knew avoiding him would fail.”

Eleanor closed her eyes.

Nathaniel looked toward the sky as though asking for patience.

Lydia added, “You lasted longer than Rebecca guessed.”

Eleanor spun around. “You were wagering?”

“Not money.”

“That does not improve it.”

Nathaniel asked, “What was the wager?”

Eleanor pointed at him. “Do not.”

He raised both hands.

Lydia grinned. “Martha’s last honey biscuit.”

Nathaniel looked genuinely offended. “That is serious.”

Eleanor walked away before she committed violence.

The sisters had also developed a method for deciding whose turn it was to fetch water.

It involved Eleanor asking.