Page 47

“And here you are, listening to a man complain.”

“I’ve had practice with that.”

“Josiah?”

“Among others.”

He let out a short laugh, careful of his ribs.

Eden bent over the cuff again, though she had lost track of which stitches needed replacing.

“Eden.”

“Yes?”

“Like your laugh.”

Her needle caught in the cloth. She lifted her head.

Jesse’s cheeks had colored above the bruises. “Don’t start.”

“I haven’t said anything.”

“Good.”

She freed the needle. “For what it’s worth, I like it when you laugh too.”

This time he didn’t answer. His grin did the work.

After a while his eyelids grew heavy. Eden gathered her sewing, meaning to leave him to rest.

“When I get out of here,” he said, “you ought to meet Buck.”

“The horse with the stolen oats?”

“Same one. He’d like you.”

“You’ve no way of knowing that.”

“He likes women who bring apples.”

“Ah. So, there’s a price for this introduction.”

“Two apples, if you want him on his best behavior.”

“I shall have to save up.”

Jesse gave another of those small, careful laughs.

Eden moved her chair back within reach of the bed. “You rest. I’ll finish this cuff before Carolina returns.”

His good eye followed the chair.

“Stay there?”

“Right here.”

For once, he accepted her answer without an argument. Eden picked up her needle, smiling to herself as he settled to sleep.