Page 53 of Eleanor’s Earrings

His expression changed as he watched her. “After she died, I stopped imagining any house at all.”

“You could begin again.”

“Could I?”

The quiet question settled between them.

A wolf called in the distance. Eleanor moved closer to the fire without thinking. Her shoulder touched Nathaniel's.

Neither moved away.

They remained that way until his watch ended.

When Eleanor returned to the wagon, Caroline opened one eye. “Long lesson.”

“Go to sleep.”

“Did he teach you anything useful?”

Eleanor lay down and pulled a blanket over herself. “Yes.”

She had learned that Nathaniel Cooper had once dreamed of apple trees.

She had also learned that she wanted him to dream again.

Resting gave Eleanor far too much time to notice Nathaniel. She noticed his boots when he walked beside the wagon. His voice when he spoke to the drivers. His habit of rubbing the back of his neck when frustrated. She also noticed that he checked on her every hour while pretending he had another reason.

On the fourth visit, she peeked out from under the wagon before he could.

“What is broken?”

Nathaniel stopped. “Nothing.”

“Which animal is lame?”

“None.”

“Has Mr. Daugherty started a fight?”

“Not yet.”

“Then why are you here?”

He looked at her. “I was checking the wagon.”

“You checked it forty minutes ago.”

“It may have changed.”

Eleanor stared.

Nathaniel’s mouth twitched.

“You used my argument.”

“I found it effective.”

“That was theft.”