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“You crossed half the country. Must’ve left something behind besides your family.”
She took a moment before answering. “My life had become rather small. I didn’t notice until Josiah was getting better.”
Jesse studied her. “Missouri’s a big place.”
“A person can live in a big place and still spend every day in the same room.”
He knew exactly which room she meant. He’d already begun to hate these four walls.
“Do you miss home?” he asked.
“Of course.”
“Then why stay?”
“Because I chose to come. I’d like to discover what comes of that choice.” She glanced at his injured hand. “Would you mind if I prayed for you?”
Jesse shifted against the pillows. “Reckon Nate’s already been doing plenty of that.”
“I imagine he has.” She closed the book on her lap. “I’d still like to, if you don’t mind.”
He considered telling her it wasn’t necessary. Instead, he settled back against the pillow.
“Go ahead.”
Eden bowed her head. She didn’t raise her voice or reach for his hand.
“Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing Jesse through such a terrible ordeal. Please ease his pain and give him strength for the days ahead. Help him find patience when his recovery seems slow, and remind him You haven’t left him alone in any of this. Give Nate wisdom as he cares for him, and grant this family peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
“Amen,” Jesse murmured.
She opened her book again, as though praying beside a man she’d only recently met were the most ordinary thing in the world.
Jesse studied her for a moment. She hadn’t promised he’d walk again or told him everything would turn out fine. She’d simply asked the Lord to help him through tomorrow.
He could understand that sort of prayer.
No plea for him to marry her. No claim God expected him to accept her. Jesse had no idea what to do with a woman who could sit in a room without demanding something from him.
Another knock sounded from the front room, heavy enough to rattle the door.
Bass.
Jesse knew those boots. His stomach tightened.
Nate appeared in the doorway. “Bass is here. He’s asking to see you.”
“Tell him I’m asleep.”
Nate didn’t move. “I’ll tell him you don’t want company.”
Jesse gripped the cloth with his burned fingers.
The last time he’d seen his oldest brother, he’d been healthy enough to work a full day and argue over the price of cattle. Now Bass would find him pale and bruised, his arm lying beside him like somebody else’s.
“Wait.”
Nate stopped.
