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His right knee buckled before he found his balance. Bass caught him without a word.

Jesse waited for the room to settle. “Still here?”

“Unfortunately,” Bass said.

“Then stop pulling on my sleeve.”

Bass eased his grip. Nate counted softly, guiding Jesse through the shift of his weight. His right foot dragged when he tried to lift it, and his whole body seemed determined to shake itself apart.

One step. The length of a man’s palm, perhaps. An ugly little thing.

Then his foot reached the next board.

Eden smiled at him across the room. She had promised not to cheer unless asked, and she kept her promise, though he could see what it cost her.

“There,” Jesse said. “Now may I sit down before my brothers grow sentimental?”

“I was about to recommend it,” Nate said.

They lowered him into the chair beside the bed. His leg throbbed. He had not realized how much effort a single step could demand, and if anyone asked him to repeat it, he intended to plead a sudden loss of hearing.

Bass remained behind the chair, his hand on the wooden back.

“You all right?” Jesse asked him.

“Me?”

“You’re the one gone quiet.”

Bass cleared his throat. “You did well, Jess.”

That was all. From Bass, it was plenty.

Eden came forward once Nate was satisfied Jesse would not tumble out of the chair. She rested her hand on the arm, close to his. “How does it feel?”

“Like somebody swapped my leg for a fence post.”

“An improvement on your usual descriptions.”

“I’ve been practicing.”

Her laugh was worth the effort of standing. He reached for her hand and found it, his right fingers closing slowly around hers.

This time he did not need her to steady his grip.

A knock sounded at the front of the clinic. Tater appeared a moment later with his hat in his hands, moving a little stiffly from the bruised shoulder he’d earned during Pike’s visit.

“Marshal Davis says Crowley and Pike are being transferred from the town jail under guard. Whit’s finished taking Rusk’s statement. All three are in custody.”

Jesse glanced at Bass. “All three?”

“All three,” Bass said. “The marshal will need you to give yours when Nate allows it.”

“He’ll allow it before Christmas if I bribe him.”

“No,” Nate said.

Tater grinned. “Also got a wire for Miss Whitcomb. Rose said to tell you she didn’t pry.”