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“Buck will bring you back to earth.”

He laughed, careful of his ribs. “He surely will.”

She thought of the sorrel gelding she’d met and the way Jesse had asked afterward whether Buck had behaved himself. That visit had given them more to discuss than any treatment in Nate’s clinic.

“When you’re well enough to see him again,” she said, “I’m coming along. I want to know whether he steals feed when you’re watching.”

“He does.”

“Then you ought to train him better.”

“He’s trained fine. He knows I let him get away with it.”

“You have a weakness for trouble.”

His eye stayed on hers. “Might be.”

Eden reached for her book, though she’d already read the same paragraph to him twice. He caught her hand before she could open it.

“Eden.”

“Yes?”

“I’m glad you came.”

For once she had no quick reply. His hand was warm around hers, his grip still uncertain, but he held on until she turned her palm beneath his.

“So am I,” she said.

A knock came from the front room. Carolina answered and a moment later appeared at the sickroom door with a folded telegram.

“Eden, this came for you. Rose sent it over from the mercantile.”

Eden released Jesse’s hand and took the paper.

MISS EDEN WHITCOMB. CARE OF EMILY PICKETT. FLAT RIVER.

JOSIAH STRUGGLING. LAUREL OVERWHELMED. MAMA UNWELL WITH WORRY. SHE WANTS YOU TO RETURN IF POSSIBLE. FAMILY NEEDS YOU. — PAPA

She read it again.

Family needs you.

Carolina waited, concern plain on her face. “Is everyone all right?”

“I can’t tell.” Eden passed her the telegram. “Mama wants me home. She says Josiah is struggling and Laurel is overwhelmed.”

“Does she say what’s happened?”

“No.”

Jesse held out his hand. “Let me hear it.”

Eden read the message aloud. She had scarcely finished before a familiar calculation began: the next eastbound train, the time she’d need to pack, what work she could leave unfinished.

“Are you going?” Jesse asked.

“I don’t know.”