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“Usually.” His smile faded. “I don’t want to make another mess by asking too much of you.”

“You can ask a question without making a bargain, Jesse.”

His gaze held hers. “When this is over, I’d like to take you riding. Properly. Buck can show you the river bend.”

“You’ve promised me a lesson already.”

“I remember.”

“I’ve met Buck. I’m not convinced he has the manners for an outing.”

“He’ll behave if I ask.”

“He ate the carrot right out of Tater’s hand.”

“That sounds like excellent manners to me.”

She smiled. “Then I suppose we’ll have to see.”

He looked at her for another moment, a different question plainly troubling him.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Would it be too soon to ask if I might kiss you?”

Her breath caught. At twenty-one, she had imagined a first kiss in more romantic surroundings than a doctor’s sickroom. Yet the man holding her hand was the first in a long while to ask what she wanted and meant to hear the answer.

“Not if you ask nicely,” she said.

His mouth curved. “May I kiss you, Eden?”

“Yes.”

She leaned closer, careful of his injured ribs. He tried to meet her halfway and winced.

“Stay where you are,” she whispered.

“Giving orders already?”

“Only sensible ones.”

She bent and kissed him.

It was brief and tender. His lips were warm, his hand gentle around hers. When she drew back, Jesse wore the most pleased and astonished expression she’d ever seen on a man’s face.

“Well,” he said.

“Well?”

“I had more to say before that happened.”

“Have you forgotten it?”

“Every word.”

Eden laughed. Jesse caught her hand before she could move away and brushed his thumb across her knuckles.

“I’m glad you came to Flat River,” he said.