Page 65 of Eleanor’s Earrings

“I was watching.”

Eleanor looked around at all seven sisters.

“Do none of you have lives of your own?”

Charlotte said, “Not yet. We are waiting until Oregon.”

Everyone went silent.

Then Lydia began laughing.

“What?” Charlotte asked.

Mr. Avery began another tune.

Thomas Reed approached the Whitakers. He looked at Caroline.

“Would you dance?”

Caroline blinked.

Lydia inhaled.

Eleanor clapped one hand over Lydia’s mouth.

Caroline looked at Eleanor.

Eleanor smiled innocently.

Thomas waited.

Finally, Caroline placed her hand in his.

“I warn you,” she said, “I count steps.”

Thomas smiled. “So do I.”

They walked toward the dancers.

Eleanor slowly removed her hand from Lydia’s mouth.

Lydia whispered, “Oh.”

Rebecca said, “Maps.”

Grace smiled. “They look nice together.”

Lucy sighed. “This trail is becoming very romantic.”

Martha handed her a cup. “Drink your water.”

Nathaniel returned after dancing with Mrs. Turner. He sat beside Eleanor. “Did I miss anything?”

Eleanor looked toward Caroline and Thomas.

“Nothing.”

Nathaniel followed her gaze. “Ah.”