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Bass stopped. He’d obeyed that request twice now, though neither time came easily.

Nate turned to Eden. “He wants to speak to you.”

“Does he?”

“He asked whether you’d left town.”

A smile tugged at Carolina’s mouth. Eden paid it no attention.

“May I go in?”

Nate moved aside.

Jesse lay facing the window. The chair had been righted, the floor cleared, and his blanket pulled up to his waist. He didn’t turn when she entered.

“I sent the letter,” Eden said.

“Good.”

He drew a breath. “I made a mess.”

“I’m sure the chair will survive.”

“Ain’t talking about the chair.”

Eden took the seat beside the bed. She waited until he faced her.

“I stood up in my head,” he said.

“What?”

“I woke and forgot. Thought I could put my feet on the floor and walk across the room. Used to do it without thinking.” His left hand tightened in the blanket. “By the time I remembered, I was halfway out of bed.”

Eden pictured the shock of finding the floor beyond reach. She’d watched Josiah endure that discovery, but Jesse’s voice made it new.

“You frightened everyone,” she said.

“Frightened myself.”

He spoke so quietly she might have missed it if the room hadn’t been still.

“I’m sorry I yelled.”

“You wanted me gone while Nate helped. You had every right to ask.”

“Wasn’t asking nice.”

“No.”

He gave her a sidelong glance. “You’re not going to argue?”

“Not when you’ve apologized.”

“Could’ve done it sooner.”

“You could have.”

That drew a short laugh. He pressed his hand against his ribs and waited for the discomfort to pass.