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“And Nate’s. Give them a minute.”

Another thump, then a pained groan, came from the sickroom. Bass made a move for the door, but Carolina appeared in the passage and barred his way.

“I’ve got a clean basin,” she said. “If Nate needs you, he’ll call.”

Bass planted himself beside the stove, angry enough to split kindling with his bare hands.

Eden stepped to the doorway.

Jesse managed to get one leg over the side of the bed. His left hand gripped the frame, and his injured right leg hung at an angle that made her stomach tighten. He was trying to haul himself upright by sheer determination. Sweat darkened the collar of his shirt.

“Jesse,” Nate said, “if you let go, you’re going to fall.”

“I can stand.”

“You can’t do it alone yet.”

Jesse saw Eden. His face changed at once.

“Get out.”

She stopped at the threshold.

“Would you like me to close the door?”

His hand slipped on the bed frame. Nate caught him beneath the shoulders.

“Out,” Jesse said through clenched teeth.

Eden shut the door behind her.

Bass came away from the stove. “Well?”

“He asked for privacy. Nate has him.”

Bass stared at the closed door as though he might burn through it.

“He should’ve called somebody,” he muttered.

“Yes,” Eden said. “He should have.”

Carolina set the basin down. “He will remember this next time.”

Eden hoped so. Through the door came the scrape of furniture and Nate’s low voice. No more shouting.

She picked up the cup from near the stove and filled it with coffee. She couldn’t even imagine how frustrated he must feel in the clinic bed.

Only yesterday she’d sat with him while he talked about Buck and teased her about the novel she’d brought. For a few minutes, she could forget the clinic bed. He must have wanted that freedom more badly than she understood.

The sickroom door opened. Nate filled the doorway, his sleeves disordered and his face drawn.

“Is he hurt?” Carolina asked.

“No worse than he was. He didn’t get his feet under him.” Nate rubbed the back of his neck. “He’s back in bed.”

Bass started forward.

Nate held up a hand. “Give him some time.”