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She met his gaze. “You’ll hear from the court.”
Whit gave a short nod of approval and followed the marshal into the hall.
Bass came to Jesse’s bedside. “You all right?”
“Eden?” Jesse asked instead.
“She’s right here.”
Eden took Jesse’s left hand, and he held it hard. Her skin was warm. Her wrist would probably bruise where Pike had grabbed it, and he hated that. She had chosen her own moment and freed herself.
Bass looked at the sheet half-pulled from the bed and the pitcher in pieces. “What happened?”
“Accident,” Jesse said.
Eden laughed, a shaky little sound. “A very well-timed one.”
“Nate will be furious,” Bass said.
“He’ll have to get in line.”
A moment later Nate came running from the front room, Carolina close behind him. He stopped at the sight of the broken crockery.
“Tell me that isn’t blood.”
“Water,” Eden answered.
Nate checked Jesse first, then Eden’s wrist. He had a dozen questions, but Jesse could see his brother was relieved enough to save the worst of them for later.
Tater appeared in the doorway, rubbing his shoulder.
“You all right?” Jesse asked.
“Pike shoved me against the counter when I wouldn’t let him through. Knocked the wind out of me.” Tater winced as he moved his arm. “By the time I got my feet under me, he’d gone down the hall.”
Nate stepped toward him. “Let me see that shoulder.”
“Ain’t necessary, Doc. Nothing’s broken.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
Tater sighed but let Nate examine him.
“Bruised,” Nate said after a moment. “You’ll be sore for a few days.”
“I’ve had worse from Buck when he wants an apple.”
Jesse managed a grin. He was glad Tater hadn’t been seriously hurt.
Outside, a horse broke into a gallop. Voices rose in the street.
Bass went to the doorway. Simon was crossing from the mercantile, waving a sheet of paper.
“Whit!” he shouted. “The road!”
Bass hurried out. Jesse listened to a rush of boots on the boardwalk, then Simon’s voice, urgent and breathless.
“They caught Rusk at the south draw. He rode straight into the watchers when he heard the bell.”
