Chapter 8 #2
She did so without argument. Cody guided it into the pitcher, making sure her hand was submerged.
He chanced a glance at his wife. Her throat worked, and she sniffed several times in a row.
She looked at the floor. “I could smell the biscuits burning. My only thought was to get them out fast. I forgot to use something to protect my hand.”
Her voice was quiet. Tight. Cody hated that she sounded so small, as though she expected a reprimand.
Words poured out of him. “When I brought Cassie home from the orphanage, I wanted to make her a special welcome dinner. Never mind the fact that I knew nothing about cooking. I tried making biscuits that evening.” He chuckled under his breath.
“It didn’t go well. I also forgot to use something to protect my hands, and I burned them so badly, Cassie had to take me to the infirmary in town.
Not exactly the best welcome for my little sister. ”
Ella stood stock still beside him, though her gaze traveled up to his as he spoke.
He leaned closer as he put the pitcher back on the table. “Things like that happen, Ella. And it’s okay. We live and we learn.” When had his voice turned so gravelly?
She drew in an unsteady breath. “You’re not…upset with me?”
He shook his head, trying to control the anger that sprang up at whoever had scarred her. “As I said, these things happen.” He guided her to the table. “Sit.”
Hang it all. He’d gone from gravelly to gruff. To his surprise, Ella didn’t flinch. She simply sat in the chair, water dripping from her hand onto her skirt. He fetched a towel and pressed it against her wound. “Dry your hand. Gently.”
She did, her gaze following him as he opened a cabinet and brought out a small basket. He walked back and took the seat next to her, then selected a jar from the basket. “Let me see your hand again.”
Ella held it out, the tiniest bit of hesitation in the motion. Cody took it gently in his. Her smooth, soft skin brushed against his callused hand. Dipping the fingers of his other hand in the jar, he began smoothing the ointment over her burned fingers.
She studied his movements. “Is that honey?”
He nodded. “My ma always said honey could cure a burn better than anything a doctor had. She kept a jar full at all times. I picked up the tradition when I had a home of my own.” Cody gave her fingers a final swipe, then rummaged through the basket for the small white bandages inside.
“It looks like only three of your fingers are burnt, along with a bit of your upper palm. I’ll wrap the fingers individually so you have use of them. ”
Ella watched him. He had finished wrapping her fingers and turned his attention to her palm when she finally spoke. “You have memories of your parents?”
He stilled. “I do. They died when I was ten, so my memories are well formed. Cassie was only five. She barely remembers them at all.”
“May I ask what happened to them?” Ella’s voice was barely a whisper.
Cody swallowed hard. He didn’t like remembering the accident, but if he wanted his wife to trust him, he needed to share things with her.
“We were in a wagon, riding west to claim land. My pa wanted a ranch of his own, and the government was giving out land almost for free, so long as a family could care for the land and make it profitable.”
“The Homestead Act.”
Surprised, he nodded. “You know about that?”
“I’ve heard of it. Never knew anyone who took advantage of it, though.”
“Pa did. We were coming from Missouri. My parents had their eyes on the Montana Territory. I couldn’t understand why they wanted to leave the United States, but I was excited about the adventure.
We’d almost made it here to Harmony Springs when…
” His throat closed. Even now, twenty years later, the memory sparked intense pain.
“We were traveling along a deep ravine. The wagon hit a rock and tipped. My pa fell first. There was no saving him.” Cody’s throat felt thick, as though a heap of molasses had gotten stuck inside.
“Ma knew the wagon was going to go over the edge. She told me to get out as fast as I could while she grabbed Cassie. My feet hit the ground, and I hurried around the wagon. Ma must have realized she couldn’t get both herself and Cassie out in time, so she chose to save my sister.
She looked at me…and it was as though time froze.
She knew she was going to die. Her face was sad but determined.
She threw Cassie to me just as the wagon plummeted down the ravine.
” His stomach turned. “I didn’t have time to process what happened.
Cassie screamed in my arms, crying hysterically. I had to be strong for her.”
Ella’s soft gasp puffed against his neck. She reached up with her free hand and laid it against his cheek. “I’m so sorry.”
Tears blurred his vision. “It was a long time ago.”
Her fingers trailed down his jaw before leaving his face.
“That doesn’t make it hurt any less. You watched your parents die, Cody.
That’s something that will scar a person for life.
” She covered his hand with hers. “I see why caring for your little ones was so important to you. They experienced a similar loss, and you saw yourself in them.”
He looked down. “Something like that.”
“You’re a good man, Cody Brooks.”
That brought his gaze back up to hers.
Ella’s lips turned up in a gentle smile. “Everyone keeps telling me that, and I know soon enough, I’ll believe it myself. You have a selfless spirit.”
Her gentle praise thawed something long frozen in his heart. A touch of heat entered his cheeks. “I’m just trying to do the right thing.”
One side of Ella’s mouth lifted higher than the other. “Exactly.”
Cody’s face went hot. He brought his attention back to her hand, wrapping her palm in a few deft movements. “There you go. It might sting for a bit, but you’ll be good as new in no time.” He stood, taking the basket back to its cabinet. “Supper smells good.”
Ella stood, running her uninjured hand down her skirt. Her smile became self-deprecating. “Miss Hattie made the stew, so I imagine it’s delicious.”
He paused, glancing back. “Miss Hattie was here?”
“She came this morning and was a lifesaver. I don’t know what I would have done without her help today. She’s with the children now.”
As if on cue, Hattie came bustling into the kitchen. “I don’t know how long it takes to pull biscuits from the oven, but…oh!” Her eyes landed on Ella’s bandaged hand. “Did you burn yourself, dearie?”
Ella nodded.
Hattie’s gaze moved to Cody. “There you are! I was wondering when you’d be home.” She clucked her tongue. “It’s nigh suppertime, you know.”
He chuckled. “Hello, Miss Hattie.”
She wrapped him in a warm embrace. “Now that you’re here, I’ll be taking myself off to my family.”
“Won’t you stay for dinner?” Ella asked.
Hattie smiled. “Thanks for the offer, but I need to get back. My grandkids ain’t used to me being gone for so long.
I’ll come back for a bit tomorrow. I can teach you to do laundry.
” She headed for the door. “The young’uns are in the parlor with their toys.
I’ll be seein’ you both soon.” With a wave, she left the house.
Cody took some bowls from another cabinet. “Why don’t I serve the stew with you?”
Ella’s eyes widened. “But…isn’t that my job?”
“I’m thinking you could use some help.” He motioned to her hand.
She stared at him as though he was some foreign creature. Slowly, she shook her head. “You want to…help?”
The incredulity in her tone spoke volumes. Cody rested a hand on her shoulder. “I take it you’re not used to a man offering assistance.”
She ducked her head. “Not like this.”
A smile pulled at his lips. “You might as well get used to the idea, Mrs. Brooks. This marriage of ours is a partnership. I intend to pull my weight and hope you do the same.”
Ella blinked rapidly, her mouth dropping open. He’d shocked her.
His smile broke free. “So…you want to ladle while I hold the bowl?”
Snapping her mouth shut, she nodded. “Yes. That will be fine.” Her words sounded breathless, as if she couldn’t quite figure him out.
It broke his heart that being treated with kindness and respect warranted confusion for Ella. He vowed to do whatever it took to make her feel at home on the ranch. It would be good for her. It would be good for the children.
And it would be good for him.