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Bass took a step toward the doorway. “Can I see him?”

Nate shook his head. “Not yet.”

Bass’s face tightened. Emily moved beside him.

Nate turned to Eden. “He asked whether you were still here.”

“Oh?”

“He didn’t sound pleased.”

“That makes two of us. I haven’t even finished my coffee.”

Nate gave her a weary half smile. “Would you sit with him while I talk to Whit? He needs quiet. Call me if he becomes distressed.”

Eden rose. “Of course.”

Jesse tracked her from the moment she entered. She took the chair beside the window, leaving several feet between them.

“You stayed,” he said.

“I’ve been offered coffee. I don’t abandon a cup lightly.”

“Stage goes east tomorrow.”

“I’ve endured enough stage travel for one week.”

A faint movement touched the corner of his mouth.

“Always argue?”

“Only when there’s something worth arguing about.”

He studied her in silence. Eden waited, content to let him choose whether they spoke.

After a while, his hand moved toward the bedside table. He missed the cup by an inch.

“Would you like the water?” she asked.

His jaw set. Then he nodded.

She brought it within reach. His fingers found the cup, slipped, and tried again. Rather than take it away, she steadied the base. His right hand trembled so badly the water rippled.

“May I hold the weight while you lift it?”

Jesse shut his eye. His answer came barely above a whisper.

“Yeah.”

She supported the cup beneath his fingers. He managed two swallows before he pushed it away.

“Thank you,” she said as she set it down.

He opened his eye. “For what?”

“For telling me what you wanted.”

He made a doubtful sound. “My family’s loud.”