Page 71 of Eleanor’s Earrings

Nathaniel approached with a length of harness in his hand. “Which one is Archibald?”

Rebecca looked horrified. “Who told you?”

“Everyone.”

“I hate this family.”

“No, you do not,” Martha said.

Rebecca scratched Archibald behind one horn. The ox leaned toward her.

Lydia folded her arms. “You love him.”

“I tolerate him professionally.” Archibald nudged Rebecca’s shoulder. “Professionally,” Rebecca repeated.

Nathaniel handed her the harness. “The Coleman trace is fraying. I would like your opinion.”

Rebecca’s expression changed immediately. Humor gave way to concentration. She ran the leather through her hands, bent it, tested the stitching, and pointed to a place Nathaniel had not mentioned. “This will fail before the trace does.”

Nathaniel examined it. “You are right.”

Rebecca brightened in a way she never did over dresses, parties, or compliments.

Eleanor noticed.

Someday Rebecca would need a man who understood that telling her she was pretty would please her but asking her how to repair something would win her attention.

That seemed like a difficult order.

Eleanor looked at Nathaniel.

Perhaps difficult orders were not impossible.

Chapter Ten

April 10, 1854

Open Prairie

The fire began with one spark.

Eleanor never learned whose fire sent it into the grass. The morning had been windy, and the prairie had dried quickly after the rain. One moment, families were breaking camp. The next, a thin line of flame raced through the grass toward the parked wagons.

“Fire!” someone shouted.

Nathaniel's whistle shrilled from the front of the train.

“Move the wagons to bare ground!” he called. “Wet blankets and hides on the edges! Do not let the teams face the flames!”

Eleanor ran toward the Whitaker wagons. “Caroline, take the first team! Rebecca, the second! Charlotte, get Grace and Lucy to the creek bed!”

“I can help,” Grace protested.

“Help Lucy.”

That gave Grace a duty rather than an order to hide. She took Lucy's hand and ran with Charlotte.

Martha and Lydia soaked blankets in the water barrel. Eleanor grabbed one and moved toward the fire line with several other women.