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Eden faced forward. “Then Jesse mustn’t be pressed for answers he can’t give.”
“Nate agrees,” Emily said.
Maddy shifted beside Eden. “Your brother recovered, didn’t he?”
“He did.”
“All the way?”
“He has a limp and still gets headaches, but he married the woman he loves.”
Maddy considered that. “I reckon that’s worth a great deal.”
“Yes,” Eden said. “It is.”
The wagon stopped before a modest clinic. A broad-shouldered man stood near the door with a rifle tucked against his arm. He straightened at their arrival.
“Tater,” Emily called. “This is Eden Whitcomb.”
He took off his hat. “Ma’am.”
“Is Jesse awake?” she asked.
“Sleeping last I heard. Doc’s with him.”
Emily touched Eden’s sleeve. “We’ve made up the little room upstairs for you. It’s nothing fancy, but there’s a bed, a washstand, and a wardrobe. Carolina will see you have hot water.”
“That sounds lovely.” After six days of travel, Eden would welcome a bath and a clean dress. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome to stay as long as you need.”
Eden glanced toward the clinic door. She wanted to meet Jesse before she did anything else. Afterward, she would go upstairs, unpack her trunk, and write to Mama.
“I would like to speak with Nate first.”
The clinic door opened. A large man filled the doorway, his dark hair untidy and his shirtsleeves rolled to the elbow.
“Bass, this is Eden.”
Bass Pickett studied her with the wary expression of a man who had spent too many nights expecting bad news.
“Miss Whitcomb.”
“Mr. Pickett. I’m sorry about your brother.”
“Thank you.” He stepped aside, then stopped her with another question. “Emily told you how bad it is?”
“She told me what she knew when she wrote. I’d rather hear the rest from his doctor.”
Bass held her gaze another moment before moving aside.
Inside, a kettle simmered on the stove. A young woman sat near the wall with her shawl drawn close, but Eden didn’t have time to wonder who she was. A woman wearing an apron came through the passage from the rear rooms.
“I’m Carolina Pickett. Nate’s wife.”
“Emily told me you’re a nurse.”
“I am.” Carolina glanced at Eden’s reticule and valise. “You’re welcome here, but Nate directs Jesse’s care. I need to know you understand that.”
