Page 43
His mouth tightened. “Didn’t do much.”
“You sat upright.”
“With Nate holding me.”
“Were you planning to do it alone on your first attempt?”
Jesse gave her an irritated glance. “You always have something to say?”
“Not when I’m mending. Usually.”
Nate checked his brother’s pulse. “You did enough for today. I’m going to speak with Whit.”
“Then go speak.”
Nate paused beside Eden. “Can you stay until I return?”
She waited for Jesse’s objection. None came.
“I can.”
As soon as Nate shut the door, Jesse cleared his throat.
“You can bring the chair back.”
Eden moved it beside the bed. “Mr. Pickett, I thought you didn’t want me here.”
“Didn’t say that.”
“You’ve said it several times since I arrived.”
“Didn’t mean every time.”
“Then I shall need a way to tell the difference.”
He studied her for a moment. “Call me Jesse. That’s a start.”
She sat, the cuff forgotten on her knee. “All right, Jesse.”
His gaze dropped to her sewing. “Whose is that?”
“Carolina’s. She tore it on a cupboard latch.”
“She’s got enough work without mending, I reckon.”
“So I’ve discovered.”
He picked at the edge of his blanket. “Your brother. Josiah.”
“Yes?”
“Did he get married?”
“The ceremony was the day I left. He ought to be married by now, unless he misplaced his shoes again.”
Jesse’s brow furrowed. “His shoes?”
“He was forever misplacing them. I found his wedding pair beneath the kitchen table.”
