Page 33 of Eleanor’s Earrings

Caroline climbed out, still smiling.

Eleanor dressed quickly. The camp had been awake for some time. Bedding, clothes, and food sacks were spread across ropes and wagon tops to dry. The ferry accident had soaked more supplies than anyone had first realized.

The train would remain in camp until midday. Nathaniel had announced the delay after examining every damaged wagon. Eleanor disliked losing miles, but she had learned enough in five days not to argue with wet flour.

Charlotte sat near the second wagon with the inventory book. “We lost part of one flour sack and two pounds of sugar.”

“The sugar?” Martha asked from the fire.

“Water came through the corner of the chest.”

Martha closed her eyes briefly. Anyone who did not know her might have thought she was praying. Eleanor knew she was mourning the sugar.

“We still have enough,” Eleanor said.

Charlotte nodded. “Several families do not.”

Eleanor looked toward the other wagons. Children stood near fires waiting for breakfasts that seemed much smaller than the previous day's.

“How much can we spare?”

“Eleanor,” Caroline said, “we have six months ahead.”

“I know.”

Charlotte consulted the book. “If we share fifty pounds of flour and some bacon, we will still have more than Father's minimum.”

“Then do it.”

Caroline sighed. “You did not ask what I thought.”

“I know what you think. You think I should be careful.”

“I think you should remember there are eight of us.”

Eleanor touched her earring. “I remember every minute.”

Caroline's face softened. “I know.”

They divided what they could spare. Other families did the same after Nathaniel called a meeting and proposed pooling the damaged food. Eleanor kept the record while Nathaniel measured portions.

“Mrs. Turner's family lost nearly everything in the wagon,” Nathaniel said quietly.

“We will give them more.”

“If we make an exception, others may complain.”

“Then do not call it an exception. Her husband will help Rebecca repair the second wagon's brake in exchange.”

Nathaniel looked at her. “You have an answer for everything.”

“No. I simply prefer finding one before other people decide there is none.”

He smiled. “That sounds like having an answer for everything.”

Working beside him felt easier than it should have. Nathaniel listened when she spoke. When he disagreed, he explained why. More surprisingly, he sometimes changed his mind.

Eleanor had known men who believed changing their mind was a kind of death. Mr. Cooper seemed to survive it nicely, though she suspected it caused him occasional internal injury.