Chapter 3 #2
Heavenly aromas of savory bacon and warmed sweet fruit wafted from the kitchen. Ella made her way downstairs. Travis and Cassie worked side by side. When Ella entered the room, Cassie beamed. “Just in time! We’re about to have breakfast. Please, sit.”
Travis held a platter of food in each hand as he walked to the table. “I hope you’re hungry. We’ve got a real feast this morning.”
On cue, Ella’s stomach rumbled. She pressed a hand against it with a shy smile. “I am.”
“Great.” Travis placed the platters on the table, then held a chair for her. He did the same for his wife, then took his own seat and held out a hand to each of them. “Let’s pray.”
He blessed the food, his prayer simple but heartfelt. When he finished, they passed the platters around the table. Travis hadn’t exaggerated when he called the fare a feast. There were eggs, bacon, fluffy biscuits with gravy, and stewed fruit. Coffee rounded out the meal. Everything tasted divine.
Once she felt pleasantly full, Ella leaned back with a second mug of hot coffee. She took slow sips of the strong liquid, lightened with cream. It felt like a tiny slice of heaven.
Travis rested his elbows on the table, a mug of his own in hand. Ella looked between him and Cassie. “How did you two meet?”
They both laughed. Travis winked at Cassie, his grin wide. “You tell her.”
Cassie’s blue eyes swam with amusement. “I was walking to the café, minding my own business, when a man decided to steal my reticule. There was a substantial amount of money inside, enough that I didn’t stop to think.
I ran after him, shouting he give it back.
He was surprised. I don’t think he expected a woman to chase after him.
” She turned a sassy look on her husband.
“Of course, I would have caught him if not for a handsome, charming Irishman who stepped in my way.”
“Stepped in your way?” Travis repeated, barking out a laugh. He gave Ella an amused grin. “By ‘stepped in her way,’ she means I got off the train.”
Cassie smacked her hands together. “He got off, and I ran straight into him. Knocked us both over.”
With a chuckle, Travis took up the story. “We stared at each other for a few moments. I couldn’t breathe. Didn’t know if it was being flung to the ground or instant attraction to the lovely woman who’d thrown herself in my arms.”
Riveted, Ella leaned forward. “What happened next?”
Cassie laughed. “I yelled that the man was getting away. Travis jumped up and raced after the thief.” Her eyes glowed with pride. “He caught him too. Arrested him on the spot.”
“It turns out I’m a knight in shining armor.” Travis grinned. Cassie lightly punched his arm.
Ella smiled. “What a meeting.”
Travis sat back, holding his wife’s hand. “It was. She certainly made an impression on me. I was hooked at once, though it took a bit of convincing to get her to agree to a courtship.”
Cassie waved a hand. “I was busy getting my café started, with no time for a relationship. Or so I thought.” Stars in her eyes, she turned to her husband. “Thankfully, I was wrong.”
Ella’s heart squeezed in her chest. To think I used to dream of a love like that. She stifled a sigh. Now, she’d be happy just to survive on her own.
Cassie’s voice broke into her thoughts. “Ella? Are you all right?”
Ella shook herself. Both Travis and Cassie were scrutinizing her, concerned expressions on their faces. She forced a smile. “What a wonderful story.”
Husband and wife exchanged glances. She pretended not to notice.
Travis cleared his throat. “Are you thinking about your previous relationships?”
How’d he read her so well? Ella swallowed. “Yes.”
Sympathy shone from his eyes. “I’m sorry you’ve had bad experiences in love. But…”
The hesitation in his voice caught her attention. “But what?”
“Things had been bad for a long time. What happened to make you leave home?”
Her throat tightened. Some memories were better left buried. “I’d rather not talk about it. It’s in the past.”
He studied her. She sensed those hazel eyes saw more than she wanted to reveal. Ella looked down at the table.
To her surprise, Travis’s large, rough hand covered hers. “Someday, I hope you heal enough to bring whatever darkness you experienced to light. For now, we’ll respect your wishes.”
Tears burned her eyes. Compassion and understanding were not things she encountered often. “Thank you.”
Cassie patted her other hand. Ella appreciated the silent show of support even as Travis continued. “Did you tell anyone where you were going when you left?”
She shook her head. “No one. Not even Tori.”
“It must’ve been hard leaving her.”
An ache in her heart, Ella whispered, “It was.”
Travis blew out a breath. “At least your family can’t pry your location out of her.”
A spark of hope lit within. “Do you think I’ll be safe here?”
“Montana territory is vast. We’re a long way from Boston.
It’s possible you could remain in Harmony Springs undetected.
But your parents are very influential people with strong connections.
They aren’t likely to give up. And Howard…
” He squinted, anger tightening his cheeks.
“If I read him right, he won’t let you go easily.
” Travis thrummed his fingers against the table.
“Do any of them know where I settled after leaving?”
“I…I’m not sure.” Dread seized Ella as a realization crawled through her mind. “Your letters…they were in my bedroom desk. I didn’t think to take them with me.” Her heart raced. “Do you think they would make the connection if those letters are found?”
Travis pressed his lips together. His eyes told her all she needed to know.
Cassie stood and rounded the table. Sitting by Ella, she slipped an arm around her shoulders. “You have us now. We’re your friends, and we’ll protect you however we can.”
Ella smiled, but it felt weak. Friends notwithstanding, if her family discovered her here, they would find a way to drag her back to Boston. Of that, she was certain.