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That earned a reluctant huff, but Jesse kept watching the rain strike the window.

“We prayed for them before they left,” Eden said. “Marmee gathered everyone together.”

“Good.” He rubbed his left hand over the blanket. “Been doing some of that myself.”

“For your brothers?”

“Mostly.” His mouth tightened. “Don’t seem to be helping much with the worrying.”

“I don’t believe the Lord expects us to stop caring about the people we love.”

“Wouldn’t hurt if He made it a little easier.”

Eden smiled. “No, I suppose it wouldn’t.”

Jesse glanced toward her. “Reckon you’ve been praying for them too?”

“I have. And for you.”

His expression softened. “You’ve got plenty to keep you busy, then.”

“I don’t mind.”

He reached toward her, then rested his hand on the blanket when the movement pulled at his ribs.

“Will you pray with me?” he asked.

Eden set Jesse’s notebook aside and took his left hand.

“Father, please watch over my brothers tonight. Give them wisdom and bring them home safely. Remind us that even when we’re frightened, You haven’t left us, and thank You for bringing Eden into our lives.” Squeezing her fingers, he whispered, “Amen.”

Eden cleared her throat and choked out an amen. Outside, the rain continued. Jesse held her hand another moment before releasing it.

“Now,” he said, “what’s that foolish woman in our book gotten herself into?”

Eden reached for the book. “Shall we see what your heroine has done since yesterday?”

“Thought she was your heroine.”

“You’ve argued on her behalf twice. That makes her yours.”

“She’s got poor judgment.”

“And yet you defend her.”

“Somebody has to.”

Eden opened to the page they’d marked. She had read only a few lines when Jesse spoke again.

“Eden?”

She kept her finger between the pages. “Yes?”

“Did you eat?”

“I did.”

“More than the heel of a loaf?”