Page 98

“The page. I won’t take offense.”

She glanced at the book. “I was thinking.”

“Dangerous pastime.”

“Occasionally.”

He shifted his right hand beneath the coverlet. The fingers bent when he asked them to now, if slowly. He tried his thumb and got a small movement for his trouble.

Eden caught it.

“Did you do that on purpose?”

“Wouldn’t brag about an accident.”

“Shall I tell Nate?”

“Tell him tomorrow. He’ll want to examine it, and I’m tired of letting him.”

She closed the book around her finger to keep the place. “Then tomorrow.”

He liked that. No celebration fit for a county fair. Just a promise to tell Nate in the morning.

A bruise had begun to darken near her wrist. Crowley’s doing. Jesse remembered her wrenching free before she sent the pitcher flying. He wanted to ask whether it hurt, but he’d asked twice already.

“I’ve been thinking about Buck,” he said instead.

“Has he done something dreadful?”

“Not lately. That I know of.”

“Then I imagine he’s disappointed.”

“Did Tater let you feed him?”

“He tried to eat my sleeve after the apple was gone.”

“That’s gratitude, Buck’s way.”

“He will need better manners before you teach me to ride.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” Jesse paused. “Might have to work on mine first.”

Eden’s smile came slowly. “You have time.”

He looked at the book in her lap. Tomorrow, she might be at the window again. Next week, if her family called her back to Missouri, there would be an empty chair. The thought stung, but he’d promised himself he would not make her decision for her.

“Read me something,” he said. “Preferably the part where the fellow finally gets sense.”

“I haven’t found that chapter.”

“Keep looking.”

She opened the novel.

A knock came at the half-open door before she could begin. Bass stepped in, hat in hand.

Jesse knew that face. His oldest brother had news he didn’t want to share.