“I have a chicken soup for you. Mostly broth but a bit of chicken and vegetables so you can, I hope, regain your strength.” She pulled a chair close and laid a napkin on his chest, then held out the bowl and handed him the spoon. He felt an odd twinge of pride that she was going to let him feed himself instead of trying to spoon the soup in herself, like a mother would a child.

He sat up straight and ate half the bowl before he had to stop. “I want the rest, but I need to let this settle.”

“You’d have had room for more if you hadn’t gotten up and had all that water.” She arched her brows at him.

For just one second, he felt like a naughty schoolboy, and he remembered she’d been a schoolteacher. No doubt able to see through floors and walls and read minds, as well.

“Yes, I did. And used the . . . ahem . . . that is, I needed a necessary bit of privacy. I was cautious, made sure my head was clear before I stood.”

She smiled. “And you’re a strong man, an adult, fully capable of making such a decision for yourself. No need to sneak, and I appreciate it that you didn’t try and lie to me.”

“You’ve got a scolding tone that you use very well. It reminds me of the teacher I had.”

“Oh, you had a pretty young teacher who cared for you and watched over you? A woman you liked and respected?” Molly sounded doubtful.

“I had an old bat who never had a kind word to say and could tear the bark off a tree when she was correcting you.”

Molly looked a little hurt.

Which only made it more fun to go on. “I’m lucky I got through a single day without a whack or two with a ruler.”

“No doubt you deserved it.” She squared her shoulders. “Well, there’ll be no ruler whacking in this house, nor in my school.”

She leaned closer to him. “No matter how badly you deserve it.”

Wyatt lay back as Molly set the soup aside. “Can you tell me what’s been going on around here? Is Cheyenne really married?”

“They aren’t back from town yet, but they rode off with that intention. So I imagine by now they are.”

Wyatt’s hazel eyes met hers. “When did that happen? I know I’ve been busy with branding, but you’d think I’d’ve noticed my sister and a man becoming . . . attached to each other.” He shook his head.

“I never saw it coming with Kevin and Win.” Molly told him about the betrayal of RHR hired hand Jeff Wells. He didn’t remember that.

“He didn’t have good cowhand skills. But I gave him a chance. I thought I was doing a good thing.”