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“Yes.”

“Simon Pickett. I’m Emily’s brother-in-law and Jesse’s brother.” He offered his hand. “This is Madison Buttons, my sister-in-law. Maddy, when she hasn’t exhausted our patience.”

“That leaves me Maddy nearly every day,” the girl said.

Eden shook Simon’s hand. “I’m pleased to meet you both.”

He moved to help a fair-haired woman step down from the wagon. One hand settled over the gentle swell beneath her coat.

“Eden?”

“Emily.”

Emily hurried forward and took both Eden’s hands. Emily’s eyes were tired and red-rimmed, but her grip was firm.

“Thank you for coming.”

Eden had imagined greeting her properly after so many months of correspondence. Instead, the question that had followed her across the prairie came out first.

“Is Jesse alive?”

“Yes.” Emily tightened her hold. “He woke. He’s spoken with Nate, though he tires easily and doesn’t always know what’s happened.”

“Does he recognize his family?”

“Some of us. Sometimes.”

“Is he angry?”

Emily blinked. “Very.”

“Good.”

Simon lifted an eyebrow.

“Anger takes strength,” Eden explained. “My brother spent months furious with the world after his accident. We weren’t always grateful for it, but it gave him reason to keep trying.”

Emily released a shaky breath. “Then perhaps there’s something to be grateful for today.”

“There is. Though I suspect Jesse won’t thank us for saying so.”

“He most certainly won’t,” Simon said.

Maddy grinned. Eden found herself returning it.

Simon fetched her trunk while Emily led her toward the wagon. The journey had been long enough, but Eden would have ridden another six days to escape standing on that boardwalk wondering about Jesse.

As Simon guided the team down the street, she caught sight of a building with its shutters closed and a faded sign swinging above the entrance.

“Is that Miss Marcy’s?” she asked.

Emily’s hands tightened in her lap. “Yes.”

Eden gave the place one more glance. Jesse had gone there a healthy man. Whatever had happened behind those doors, he had paid dearly for it.

“Have they caught the men?”

“Not yet,” Simon answered. “Whit Hartman and Marshal Davis are working on it.”