Page 5 of Eleanor’s Earrings

“Every train does on the first day.”

“He believed we could reach the first planned campsite.”

“Your father was not leading twelve wagons filled with people who packed badly.”

That earned him another brief smile.

He looked at the list. “Plans are useful. They keep a man from wandering without purpose.”

“But?”

“But a plan written at a desk cannot know the depth of tomorrow's mud.”

Eleanor folded the pages. “I suppose not.”

“We will get west, Miss Whitaker.”

“All the way to Oregon?”

“That is generally where the Oregon Trail goes.”

She looked offended for half a second, then laughed.

Nathaniel walked away feeling much too pleased with himself.

“Eleanor,” Lucy said, “how long before we are officially on the Oregon Trail?”

“We are on it.”

“But we can still see Independence.”

“That does not make the road less official.”

Lydia shaded her eyes. “Lucy wants a ceremony.”

Rebecca said, “We could make Nathaniel cut a ribbon.”

Eleanor frowned. “Mr. Cooper has work.”

Nathaniel rode close enough to hear. “What am I cutting?”

“Nothing,” Eleanor said.

Lydia said, “You are supposed to welcome us to the Oregon Trail.”

Nathaniel lifted his hat. “Ladies, welcome to the Oregon Trail. Please refrain from losing yourselves, your livestock, your wheels, or your tempers.”

Eleanor said, “He has already asked too much.” She shook her head.

“Especially the last one,” Nathaniel agreed.

She smiled despite herself.

Lydia sighed. “A beautiful ceremony.”

Chapter Two

April 2, 1854