Page 128 of Eleanor’s Earrings

The man crossed his arms. “She can pay now.”

Eleanor's anger settled into something colder. “Very well.”

Nathaniel turned to her. “How?”

“I do not know yet.”

She gathered everyone who had witnessed the original bargain. Mrs. Bell told the trader that anyone who cheated a woman of her mother's earrings would not receive a penny from her family. The Turners agreed. Mr. Coleman said he would tell every westbound train about the man's conduct.

Soon a crowd stood around the red wagon.

The trader looked less certain. “I have not broken the agreement.”

“Then you will have no objection to honoring it,” Eleanor said.

“With payment.”

Caroline came to stand beside her. “How much do we still owe?”

Eleanor named the amount.

Her sisters exchanged glances.

Charlotte took a small purse from her pocket. “I have four dollars Father gave me for personal expenses.”

“No,” Eleanor said.

Rebecca added two coins. “Mine too.”

Martha placed money beside it. Lydia, Grace, and Lucy did the same.

“You cannot give me everything you carry,” Eleanor protested.

“You gave us the earrings,” Grace said.

“They were mine to give.”

“And this is ours,” Lydia answered.

The combined money was still not enough.

Mrs. Turner stepped forward. “We owe the Whitakers for flour after the river.” She handed Eleanor several coins.

Mr. Coleman paid part of the labor debt Rebecca had earned repairing harness. Mrs. Bell contributed the money she had intended to spend on tea.

“I will complain without it,” she said.

Within minutes, Eleanor held the entire repayment.

Her throat tightened. “I cannot take all of this.”

“You are not taking it,” Caroline said. “You are receiving what the family and the train owe.”

Eleanor looked at Nathaniel.

He smiled. “Community is inconvenient that way.”

She counted the money into the trader's hand. “My earrings.”