Page 50 of Eleanor’s Earrings

“No.”

“You keep looking at me.”

“I am trying to decide something.”

“That sounds dangerous.”

“It often is.” He stopped and faced her. “I need someone to take responsibility for the rear half of the train when the ground becomes difficult.”

“You have several men who have traveled before.”

“I do.”

“Then why are you telling me?”

“Because I want you to do it.”

Eleanor looked for the joke in his face and found none. “You want me to command the rear wagons?”

“I want you to control the spacing, decide when they halt, and make certain no one falls so far behind that the train cannot help them.”

“Why?”

“Because people listen to you.”

“Many people do not.”

“They will after the first time you make them regret ignoring you.”

She folded her arms. “Are you appointing me because the men objected to women speaking at the council?”

“No.”

“Because you feel sorry for eight sisters traveling alone?”

“I stopped feeling sorry for your sisters somewhere between the bolting ox and the river rescue.”

“Then why?”

Nathaniel's expression grew serious. “Because you are the best person for the job.”

Eleanor could not think of anything to say.

That happened so rarely that Nathaniel smiled. “Do you accept?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“No argument?”

“I can argue if it will make you feel more comfortable.”

“This is uncomfortable enough.” He gave her the whistle.

For the rest of the morning, Eleanor rode in the second wagon and watched the rear portion of the train. She quickly discovered that Nathaniel had not given her an honorary position. A wagon with small children kept crowding the one ahead because the driver was impatient. Another fell behind every time the road climbed. A third stopped without warning whenever the family's cow wandered too far from the line.

Eleanor moved the families with young children closer together so they could share help. She placed the slow wagon behind the Whitakers, where Rebecca could watch its team. She told the owner of the cow to tie it to the rear of his wagon or trade it for an animal with better judgment.

“The cow cannot help being curious,” the man protested.