Page 147 of Eleanor’s Earrings

He tightened his hand around hers. “Do not.”

Eleanor smiled.

A moment later Lydia called, “Supper!”

Nathaniel started to rise.

Eleanor stopped him. “Wait.”

“What?”

She kissed him.

When she drew back, he looked startled.

“What was that for?”

“Nothing needed fixing.”

His expression softened.

“Good,” he said. “Do it again.”

By the next morning, Nathaniel could walk steadily enough around camp that Eleanor stopped hovering.

Mostly.

He noticed every time she forgot.

At breakfast he reached for the coffee pot.

Eleanor reached first.

“I can pour coffee.”

“I know.”

“You took the pot.”

“It was closer to me.”

“It was beside my hand.”

“You have an injured shoulder.”

“My left hand works.”

“So does mine.”

Nathaniel looked at Caroline.

Caroline lifted her cup. “Do not involve me.”

He looked at Rebecca.

“No.”

Martha.