Chapter 7 #2
A steaming cup sat on the table, one she’d poured for herself after filling Cody’s canteen.
She found a bit of sugar in the pantry and a small jug of milk on the counter, both of which she utilized to create a comforting brew.
Ella took her drink to the parlor. She sank into the sofa and slowly sipped the hot liquid.
Closing her eyes, she tried not to think about anything but the present moment and the flavor of coffee on her tongue.
The familiarity of the morning ritual calmed her.
She finished the drink and washed her cup, then trudged upstairs to change into some warm clothes.
Since she had no money of her own, Cassie had lent her several outfits.
Ella would have to ask her new husband for funds to build a proper wardrobe for the harsh Montana winter.
A part of her shrank at the thought. Even if Cody hadn’t admitted to some financial trouble, asking for money never felt right to her.
Over the years, she’d had no choice but to seek funds from her parents.
There was precious little she was allowed to do to earn income for herself.
She had just finished slipping on some warm shoes when a cry came from the children’s room.
Ella hurried there, pushing open the door.
Addie slept in her crib, and Jonah had his thumb in his mouth, eyes closed.
Her gaze landed on Isaiah. The little boy moaned, his head moving from side to side.
She sat on the side of the bed and held a hand to his forehead.
It felt a little too warm. Ella touched his arm, rubbing up and down.
His eyes opened. They appeared glassy and dull. Her heart went out to him.
“Hello, Isaiah. Remember me? Your Uncle Cody and I got married yesterday. That makes me your Aunt Ella.”
The boy’s breaths came in little pants. “You…held Addie…at church.”
Her brows rose. That was what he remembered? “That’s right. How do you feel?”
His eyelids fluttered shut. “My head hurts.”
She brushed some of his hair back. He flinched and opened his eyes again. Ella removed her hand. “Why don’t you come downstairs with me? I’ll make you something to help you feel better.”
Isaiah eyed her, suspicion burning in his gaze, but he allowed her to pick him up and carry him to the kitchen. The room felt pleasantly warm with a fire blazing in the stove, the one Cody had lit to make the coffee. Hopefully, that meant Isaiah’s bare feet were also warm.
She placed him in a chair, then set about making some of Cassie’s recommended willow bark tea.
While the tea steeped, she sliced a piece of cheese from a wheel in the icebox, then tore a hunk of bread from a loaf.
She put both on a plate and set it before Isaiah.
“Here. Eat. You need to regain your strength.”
Isaiah’s gaze remained on her as he nibbled the simple fare. How could such a small child radiate such mistrust? Ella reined in a bark of laughter. She, of all people, knew what it was not to trust. Maybe little Isaiah was a kindred spirit.
She went back to the tea. After discarding the leaves, she scooped a generous portion of sugar into the cup and brought it to the table. Ella kept it by her at first, waiting for the tea to cool a bit before offering it to Isaiah.
He finished his bread and cheese. Silence pulsed heavy in the room. Ella searched her brain for something to say, landing on what she hoped was a safe topic. “Do you like living here?”
The boy’s brown eyes hardened. “No. I want my house back.”
Oh. Wrong question. Isaiah crossed his arms over his chest, defiance flitting over his face. Ella scrambled for something to say. “Do you like horses?”
The anger in his eyes intensified. “I hate horses! They killed my mommy and daddy!”
Pain radiated behind Isaiah’s anger. She wanted to reach out and comfort him, but that would likely be the wrong move.
Instead, she tested the tea with the tip of her finger.
It had cooled enough for him to drink. She set it in front of him.
“I’m sorry about your parents. You must have been very sad to lose them. ”
He blinked at her. Tears welled in his eyes as his lips trembled. “I miss them.”
Nothing in the world could have stopped Ella from pulling him into her lap.
She embraced the child, heartened when he buried his face in her shoulder and clung to her.
Maybe she’d be able to gain his trust after all.
When he pulled back, she offered the cup of tea.
“Drink this. It will help your head feel better.”
Isaiah took the cup and lifted it to his lips. He took a big gulp. All at once, his eyes bugged out, and the liquid spewed from his mouth. Ella gasped as the lukewarm tea seeped into her dress. Isaiah stared at the cup as though it was a snake. “It’s yucky!”
Apparently, the sugar hadn’t helped. “It might not taste great, but you need to drink it so you feel better. It will help.”
“No!” Isaiah shrieked and shoved the cup away. It fell into Ella’s lap, soaking the material of her dress. A tiny bit of liquid also splashed onto the boy. He proceeded to wail at the top of his lungs. If his head hurt before, it must be splitting by now. Ella felt a headache of her own coming on.
Isaiah’s cries were soon joined by others from upstairs.
Ella bit her lip, trying to keep a groan from escaping.
She could barely hold onto Isaiah as his little body thrashed in a tantrum.
Afraid of dropping him, she looked helplessly toward the stairs, Addie’s and Jonah’s cries tearing at her heart.
What had she been thinking, marrying Cody and agreeing to mother these children? She clearly couldn’t care for them the way she thought she could.
Over Isaiah’s screams, Ella heard the front door open. Terror shot through her. She stood abruptly and whirled to face the kitchen entry.
An older woman stood there, hands splayed on the hips of her green dress. Her white hair was tucked into a neat bun. She tutted, blue eyes taking Ella’s measure. “Well, dearie, it looks as though I’ve arrived just in time.”
Ella backed up until she butted against the table. “Wh-who are you?” The woman didn’t look sinister, but why was she in their house?
Isaiah stilled and sniffed, his chest heaving with heavy breaths. Ella held him closer, her eyes never leaving the stranger.
The woman chuckled. “There’s no need for such worry, young lady.
I’m Hattie O’Dell, but you can call me Miss Hattie.
Everyone does. My family lives on the ranch several miles down the road.
Young Hank came a’calling, saying you needed some help with the animals.
” She nodded at Isaiah. “When I heard the set of lungs on this young’un, I figured you might need some help in here too. ”
At the mention of Hank, Ella sagged against the table in relief. “That…would be nice.”
Miss Hattie sized her up. “You aren’t from around here, are you?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Hmm.” The woman bustled into the room and took Isaiah from Ella. “You skedaddle upstairs and see to those other young’uns. I’ll take care of this one.” She eyed Ella’s dress. “And you might want to change. You’re bound to get a chill if you don’t.”
This woman might be older, but she appeared to be a bundle of energy and wasn’t afraid to take charge. After such a strange morning, Ella was in no frame of mind to argue. She simply nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
Thank You, Lord, for sending help. I need it.