Chapter 6
Cody stole glances at Ella throughout their silent drive to the farm.
She sat ramrod straight on her seat, Addie held secure against her chest. This woman—his wife—possessed a curious ability to get through to his children.
She’d been the one to carry Isaiah from the guest room to the buggy after their wedding, and Cody noticed the little boy snuggle closer to her even in his sleep.
Jonah and Addie both fell asleep on her.
It seemed they already trusted their new mother in some capacity. Time would tell if it continued.
His gaze grazed the golden band on his finger.
The preacher had a stash of wedding rings for cases just like these.
Apparently, he’d done more than a few last-minute weddings here in the west. The ring felt foreign on Cody’s hand.
It might take some getting used to—just as it would take time getting used to being married.
Frigid wind blew over the land. Ella shivered, her cheeks red.
Cody placed the reins on the seat beside him, holding them in place with his thigh, and lifted the blanket from his lap.
Without a word, he wrapped it around Ella and Addie.
His new wife clasped her hand around it, holding it firm against Addie’s back. “Th-thank you.”
He nodded in response, taking up the reins again.
“Won’t you be cold without it?”
Cody’s legs already tingled, but his first priority was making sure she and the children were warm. “I’ll be fine. It’s only a few more miles.”
After another couple minutes of silence, Ella spoke again. “Why are there dead cows everywhere?”
“It’s been a harsh winter. Lots of ranchers ran out of cattle food near the end of the year. Then in January, we got a nasty blizzard that wiped out a lot of livestock. There wasn’t enough food to go around. Most of us are struggling.”
She tilted her head, studying him. “Including you?”
“Yeah.” He snapped the reins, urging the horses to pick up their pace. “Things might be tight, but I like to be prepared. My cattle fared better because I had plenty of food stored up.”
“And now?”
“Now…I pray we have a plentiful crop of alfalfa this season.”
Ella fell quiet. That suited him just fine. He didn’t know what else to say to her, anyway.
They crossed onto his land and rumbled toward the house.
He pulled Preston to a halt. After jumping down, he rounded the wagon to help Ella out.
She stood, letting the blanket fall in a heap, and eyed the descent.
With a baby in her arms, it wouldn’t be easy.
Cody reached for her. His hands encircled her waist as he lifted her and set her on the ground.
Her wide eyes blinked up at him. Once again, he felt her shiver.
Only then did he realize he still had his hands around her waist. He let go and turned his attention to getting the boys.
Jonah had awakened and was rubbing his eyes, but Isaiah slept on. Cody helped Jonah down before taking Isaiah in his arms. Was it his imagination, or was the child more feverish? When he turned again to face the house, Ella stood studying it. He surveyed his home, trying to see it through her eyes.
The log house was two stories, with plenty of windows to let in the light.
He’d built it with the goal of providing a nice home for Cassie after he brought her back from the orphanage.
A porch wrapped around the front of the house, where the two of them had spent many evenings together reading or talking.
It wasn’t anything fancy, but they’d made it a home after being bereft of one for so long.
“It’s not much.” Especially not for someone used to Boston society.
Ella glanced his way. “It’s lovely.”
For some reason, his back straightened in pride. He nodded to the door. “Let’s get the kids inside. I’ll show you around right quick, but then I need to care for my horse.”
“All right.”
They walked into the house. Isaiah never stirred.
Jonah stayed close to Cody’s side. He paused in the small foyer.
“Let’s start with the kitchen.” He turned left, leading the way.
“It’s nothing grand, but it’s got a stove and some tables for getting food ready.
We’ve got a small cellar and pantry in the corner. And here’s the table we eat at.”
Ella ran a hand over the stove. “It’s nice.”
Nice was generous, but he didn’t contradict her words. He led her back through the foyer and to the right. “This is the parlor. The kids have their toys in that box by the window.” What else could he say about the room?
“You have books?” Ella went to the single shelf holding his small collection of novels. She ran a hand over them, her eyes lighting up.
“Read any you like.” Why was his voice so gravelly as he said the words?
Ella stepped back from the shelf. “Thank you.”
“Over here’s my office.” He pointed into a small room off the parlor. “It’s got just enough room for a desk and some ledgers.”
His wife peeked into the room. Her gaze roamed it before looking back over the parlor. “It’s cozy. I like it.”
It’ll feel even cozier with five of us. He didn’t pretend the house was a good size for a family of five. At some point, he might have to expand it.
“I’ll show you upstairs.” As he led the way up the steps, he glanced back to find that her eyelids were drooping. “It’s been a long day. You’re probably exhausted.”
“I’m fine.” She yawned. A sheepish smile pulled at her lips. “But I am tired.”
They went to the children’s room first. Cody laid Isaiah on the boys’ bed and covered him with a blanket. The child didn’t stir. He showed Ella where the nightclothes were, then prepared to change the kids. When Ella’s gentle hand touched his arm, he turned.
“I’ll put them to bed. You said something about your horse needing care?”
“Are you sure?”
She gave him a timid smile. “Yes.”
“All right. Holler if you need anything.”
She nodded. He headed for the doorway but paused to look back. Ella already had Addie on the bed, looking very capable as she unpinned the little girl’s diaper. Yes, she had things in hand. Cody walked down the stairs, relief flooding him.
He was no longer alone in parenting these children. The burden he’d been carrying for weeks lifted. Sure, it had been replaced with new concerns—such as how he and Ella were going to live and work together—but that felt less complicated than single parenting.
After securing the wagon and taking out Ella’s carpetbag, Cody turned his attention to his horse.
When Cody locked Preston in his stall, the stallion nickered.
“You’re tired, too, aren’t you, boy?” He reached out to pet the horse’s nose.
Preston pressed into his hand with a snort.
“Looking for a sugar cube?” Cody smiled and pulled one from a box by the stall. “Here.”
Cody glanced toward the house, where he had one more room to show his new wife.
The other bedroom. Their bedroom.
A shiver went down his spine, and he swallowed. They hadn’t talked about room situations before getting married. To be honest, he’d forgotten that little detail. But now it presented itself with all its awkward implications. How could he have neglected to remember such a thing?
Preston nudged his back.
Cody cleared his throat. “What? I’m not dawdling.”
His horse didn’t look convinced.
“I suppose I need to face her, don’t I?”
Preston nickered.
Cody chuckled. “Thanks, boy. Leave it to me to get a scolding from a horse.” He patted Preston once more, then hoisted Ella’s carpetbag and carried it to the house.
Utter silence met him as he walked inside.
He climbed the stairs with a growing sense of trepidation.
When he reached the top step, he heard someone singing.
The sound was so foreign, he stopped in his tracks.
Moments later, reason caught up. It was his new wife singing.
He crept toward the children’s room and peeked in.
Ella stood by the crib, rocking Addie back and forth.
Her voice tapered off as she lowered the baby onto the mattress.
She tucked a blanket around the girl, then softly ran a finger down her cheek.
Ella then went to the bed, leaning down to kiss both boys on the forehead.
She lingered by Isaiah, holding a hand over his forehead.
The little boy murmured in his sleep. With one more light, maternal caress, Ella turned for the door.
She stopped cold when she saw him watching.
Cody held up a hand. “Sorry,” he whispered. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Ella studied him for a moment, then resumed her walk to the door. “It’s all right.” She gestured toward the children. “They’re asleep.”
“Good.” Cody beckoned for her to follow him. “I’ll show you our room.”
He said it as casually as he could, but even so, Ella released a sharp gasp.
He dared not glance back lest he catch a horrified expression on her face.
He should turn and give some kind of reassurance, but he couldn’t muster the courage.
Instead, he increased his pace until he reached the room, where he plunked the carpetbag on the bed.
The only bed.
Ella’s footsteps sounded behind him. Well, if she hadn’t run screaming for the hills, maybe that was a good sign.
Cody faced her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think about the room arrangements…”
She stepped forward, shaking her head. “It’s not your fault. That’s not something I thought of either.” She looked at the bed, and her throat contracted. “I suppose we will be sharing that?” Her voice sounded small and nervous.
He shook his head before realizing what he did. “I can bunk on the floor.”
Ella’s teeth sank into her bottom lip. She stared at the planks beneath her boots. “I don’t want to be the reason you can’t sleep in your own bed.”
“I’ll be fine.” Cody squared his shoulders. It would be freezing on the floor, but she didn’t need to know that. “I’ll just grab an extra blanket while you get ready for bed.”