Page 43 of Eleanor’s Earrings

“Use a shorter piece of the hardwood to support the split, then secure Nathaniel's brace around both. The wood takes part of the strain, and the iron keeps it from separating.”

Nathaniel studied the break. “That could work.”

“It will work,” Rebecca said, claiming the idea as family property the moment Nathaniel approved it.

The train stopped for a long noon halt. Rebecca, Nathaniel, and several men repaired the reach while the sisters unloaded the shifted goods.

Thomas Reed helped Caroline gather pages that had blown from Charlotte's inventory and Father's route notes during the accident.

“This map does not match the trail we followed yesterday,” Thomas said.

Caroline took the page from him. “Father drew it from an older guide.”

“The route moved after flooding two years ago.”

“Will there be other changes?”

“Several.”

Caroline looked interested rather than alarmed. “I would like to see your maps.”

Thomas smiled. “I would be happy to show them to you.”

Eleanor filed that exchange away for later.

Near the damaged wagon, Mr. Daugherty lifted a small upholstered chair from the load. “You women are carrying too much. Leave things like this behind.”

The chair had belonged to their mother. Eleanor had already removed its legs to make it fit.

“Put that down,” she said.

“Every pound matters.”

“It does. Which is why I will decide which pounds belong to us.”

Mr. Daugherty frowned. “Sentiment will kill an ox.”

“So will ignorance, but you continue carrying yours.”

Rebecca laughed loudly from beneath the wagon.

Nathaniel turned away, though Eleanor saw his shoulders move.

She reviewed every item herself. They left behind a cracked washstand, a box of books they had all read, two extra kettles, and a small chest Father had built.

Eleanor ran her hand over the chest's carved front. It had stood at the foot of her parents' bed for as long as she remembered.

“We can keep it,” Caroline said.

“No.” Eleanor closed the lid. “The chair is more useful.”

“The chair?”

“Mother sat in it while she taught every one of us to sew. We will need a place to sit in Clover Creek.”

Caroline nodded.

They left the chest beside the road for another traveler to take or burn. Eleanor did not look back when the repaired wagon began moving.