Chapter 2 #2
Did it? He’d said he wanted to take her to the sheriff.
She let her gaze roam the room. This bright bedchamber was decidedly not an office of law enforcement.
It was clean and comfortable, decorated in good taste, with dainty blue curtains at the windows and an ornate vase on the nightstand. Had he taken her to his home?
Panic threatened again, but a cheerful, feminine voice cut it short.
“Oh, good. You’re awake.”
Ella turned her head as a blond woman walked into the room.
A smile graced her face, making her blue eyes twinkle.
She came to a stop beside the bed. “You had us worried there for a bit. A good portion of your dress was horribly wet. Cody was afraid you might take sick or have frostbite. He wasn’t sure how long you’d been in the cold. ”
“Cody?”
“My brother. He’s the one who found you. I’m Cassie.” She plopped in a chair beside the bed. “You’re not from around here.”
“No.” Ella pushed back some blankets and struggled to sit up. Her ribs ached in response. She grimaced, falling back against the pillow.
Cassie stood at once. “Let me help you.” She slid an arm behind Ella’s back and helped her into a seated position.
The ache soon subsided. Ella gave the woman a small smile. “Thank you.”
Cassie sat again. She chewed on her lip for a moment before blurting out, “Is it the bruises?”
Ella froze. How could Cassie know about those? She looked down, noting that she wore a nightdress that didn’t belong to her. A gasp left her lips. “Did you change my clothes?”
Cassie nodded. “You couldn’t stay in that wet dress.
You needed warmth. But I saw…” She trailed off, glancing at Ella’s arms. “Well, I saw your arms. And your sides.” She looked up, meeting Ella’s eyes, compassion lighting her own.
“What happened? Cody thought someone might have attacked you as you left the train station.” She frowned.
“But I didn’t think bruises formed that fast.”
“I…I…” Panic set in again. She swallowed, trying to fight it.
Understanding flashed over Cassie’s face. “It’s all right. You don’t have to say if you don’t want to.”
Ella slumped against the headboard. “Thank you.”
Cassie reached out to cover her hand. “Would you like me to get in touch with anyone for you? Was Harmony Springs your destination, or are you headed somewhere else?”
“This was my destination.”
“Then who are you here to see? I know everyone in this town. Maybe I can reach out to your friends.”
Trust didn’t come easily to Ella, but she sensed in Cassie a friend.
“I only know one person in town, but he doesn’t know I’m here.
He once told me if I ever needed a fresh start, I could come to Harmony Springs, and…
” They’d been out of touch for so long. What if he had moved on from this small town?
“Was he a sweetheart of yours?”
That elicited a laugh. “Oh, no. Not at all. He was like a brother to me. We were friends back in Boston.” Ella clamped her lips shut. She hadn’t meant to divulge her city of origin. But Cassie perked up as soon as she heard the word.
“Boston?”
Ella bit her lip. Too late to deny it now. She nodded.
A smile bloomed on Cassie’s face. “There’s only one man here from Boston. Travis Doyle. He’s the sheriff.”
Relief coursed through Ella’s body. He was still here. “Oh, thank God.” Her hand went to the simple cross hanging around her neck. Perhaps small miracles still occurred, after all. If Travis was here, he would help her.
Cassie’s smile widened. “That must make you Ella Mountbatten. He told me all about you and your sister. Victoria, was it?”
Ella blinked. “Yes—Tori. He told you about us?”
“Yeah. He’s my husband.”
Ella’s mouth dropped. She shook her head, a small laugh escaping. “He was so set against marriage when he was in Boston. I’m happy to hear he found love. You seem like a sweet woman.” A smile tugged at her lips. “Taking care of a stranger and all.”
Cassie chuckled, waving a hand. “I’m the lucky one. We had something of a bumpy road to get to our happily ever after, but we got there.” She tilted her head, studying Ella for a moment. “He hated to leave the two of you behind, you know. Especially you.”
Ella’s lungs constricted. She pressed her lips together. “He had no choice. My parents made sure of that.” Tears stung her eyes while guilt smote her conscience.
Cassie’s gaze slid to Ella’s arms, as if seeing the bruises underneath the sleeves. “He said you were trapped in a bad relationship.”
Her throat burned. All she could do was nod.
Cassie’s eyes softened. “Is that why you left Boston?”
Again, she nodded. Her throat felt tight, keeping any words from leaving. The terror of her last night at home tried to take over. She pushed it aside. Howard was not here. Her parents were not here.
She was safe.
Cassie patted her hand. “My brother went to find Travis. They should be here soon.” She stood. “Until then, why don’t I make you a cup of tea?”
More tears pricked her eyes. “Thank you, Cassie. That sounds lovely.”
In his final letter, before Howard forced her to end their correspondence, Travis made Harmony Springs sound like a haven, a place where new beginnings were possible. A small smile curled on her lips as her eyes drifted shut. Maybe Travis was right.
Maybe.