Chapter 10 #2
Confusion wrinkled Ella’s forehead. She stared at him unblinking before breaking eye contact. “Of course.” He barely caught her mumbled words. She began to milk again, proving that she had indeed gotten the concept down.
Cody backed out of Sadie’s stall. “I’ll work on Becky.”
Ella nodded without a word. The silence between them hung heavy. Cody chastised himself for his stupidity. His wife clearly needed to heal from whatever happened in her past, and he’d nearly messed up.
That could not happen again.
Ella strolled down the street toward the seamstress’s shop on Saturday afternoon.
Cassie had volunteered to watch the children so Ella and Cody could get some things done in town.
Thankful for the reprieve, they’d decided to split up so they could finish faster.
Cassie promised them a hearty lunch once they got back to her house.
Cody gave Ella the choice of whether to visit the mercantile for some groceries or the seamstress shop to check on the clothes they’d ordered.
Awed at the fact that he gave her a choice, she picked the seamstress shop.
Mrs. Greyson grinned when Ella came through the door. “Mrs. Brooks, how lovely to see you. Are you here to pick up the outfits?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m not finished with all your dresses, but some are complete. The children’s and Mr. Brooks’s clothes are done and wrapped. Would you like to see the dresses before I wrap them?”
While she didn’t mind one way or another, Ella sensed Mrs. Greyson would gain some happiness by showing off her work. “I’d love to.”
The older woman beamed. “Excellent. Let me get those for you.” She bustled to a rack. “Here’s the first one.”
Ella smiled in approval, taking in the navy dress. Simple and practical. “It’s perfect.”
“I’m glad you like it.” Mrs. Greyson replaced it and pulled another dress out. “This one will be stunning on you.”
Ella blinked. The light-blue fabric boasted tiny white flowers throughout, bringing to mind a meadow on a summer’s day. It was lovely, but not a fabric she chose. “That’s not my dress.”
“Of course it is, dearie. Mr. Brooks selected it himself. Along with this one.” She took another dress from the rack. The color matched that of a holly leaf, with lace trimming the collar and long sleeves. Ella pressed a hand to her lips, disbelief coursing through her. “My husband chose those?”
“That he did. He’s got a good eye.”
Slowly, as if in a trance, Ella reached out and touched the green fabric.
It felt smooth as butter under her touch, but it also possessed a solid durability.
Beautiful and practical. Not something she would have expected from Cody, but his thoughtful gesture chipped away another section of the wall surrounding her fragile heart.
“I didn’t know.”
Mrs. Greyson grinned. “That’s the best part. He let it be a surprise.” She sighed, a hand over her heart. “Love is a beautiful thing, isn’t it?”
Ella wouldn’t know, but she forced a smile and didn’t correct the woman’s assumption.
Mrs. Greyson must have taken that as agreement. She gathered up the three dresses. “I’ll just wrap these and get the other packages. Is your wagon outside?”
“It will be shortly. Cody said he’d meet me here once he’s finished at the mercantile.”
“Perfect. Give me five minutes.” The woman hurried to the back of the shop, dresses in hand.
Ella wandered the aisles, but she didn’t see the fabric.
Her mind turned to her husband and the way he gifted her two dresses.
What struck her most was that she’d noticed both fabrics when choosing dresses but thought them too pretty for ranch life.
Yet they were the ones he picked for her.
What had been his motivation? A little shiver went through her.
Howard had sent her gifts of clothing on occasion, usually when there was a big event they were expected to attend together.
Never once had he chosen something she liked, but she’d worn it anyway to appease him.
Cody, after knowing her such a short time, picked something she would have chosen for herself. She didn’t know what to make of that.
She couldn’t deny the kindness he possessed.
He might hide it from the world behind a stoic exterior, but living with him proved his heart was true.
She already knew him to be a good, protective man.
Travis and Cassie trusted him. And there was their interaction in the barn yesterday, a memory that still took her breath away.
Sparks had churned between them when she noticed how close their faces were.
For a moment, she’d been sure he was about to kiss her.
Equal parts panic and anticipation filled her, and Ella still couldn’t say which had been stronger.
When he backed away as if struck, disappointment and relief flooded her.
Never before had she felt both emotions at the same time. Her reaction confused her.
A little sigh left her lips. For so long, she’d been a romantic, hoping for a love that stood the test of time.
Howard broke her of that dream. She’d thought she had no choice but to marry him.
Then that fateful night happened when she took her future into her own hands.
Running away might have been foolish, but it led her here.
And Harmony Springs was taking hold of her heart as surely as…
Ella jolted from her thoughts as a rough hand grasped her arm. Someone spun her around with a grunt. “I ought to have known you’d be flittering away your time in a dress shop.”
Her heart plummeted to her stomach. She knew that voice. When she raised her eyes, fear clawed her insides. “Father. What are you doing here?”
“That’s all you have to say for yourself?” Giving her a shake, his hand dug harder into her upper arm. “How could you, Ariella? Do you have any idea the scandal you’ve caused by disappearing without a word?”
Some of her fear diminished as her spirit rose to the surface.
“Scandal? Scandal? You don’t care about what happens to me in private, but you’re concerned when it impacts your image?
” She jerked away, tearing herself from his grip.
“If you’re so worried about scandal, you should never have engaged me to Howard! ”
A resounding slap sent her reeling backward. Ella’s hand went to her stinging cheek.
Her father advanced, his eyes hard. “That connection is best for our families. Howard was heartbroken by your disappearance. You’re coming back with me and making things right.”
The unladylike snort that escaped her made Father frown. Ella backed away farther, putting a table of cloth between them. “I’m not going anywhere. Harmony Springs is my home.”
Father sneered. “I say what you are going to do, and you’re coming with me.” He rounded the table with alarming speed, once more grabbing her arm. Ella’s fear flared up again. She struggled against his strong grip. “No! Let me go!”
A new voice broke into the fray, gruff and familiar. “Get your hands off of my wife.”
All at once, Father stumbled away. Ella’s hand went to her arm.
Already, she could feel a bruise forming.
Her eyes found her father again. His face was red with anger as he tried to wiggle away from Cody, who held him in a vice grip.
Her husband wore a thunderous expression.
Gone was the soft-hearted bear. With her father, he was all grizzly.
Father recovered his composure. “I beg your pardon, sir.” His voice took on the cordial quality that fooled many a member of society. “You must have the wrong young lady. This is my daughter, Ariella Mountbatten. I’ve come to bring her home.”
“I know who you are, and I know my wife. She’s Ella Brooks now.”
His voice held a note of possessiveness that screamed mine! Under any other circumstances, it would’ve raised Ella’s hackles. Right now, it felt downright protective. She wanted to scurry into the shelter of his arms and never let go.
Her father laughed, a note of scorn in the sound. He glanced at Ella. “You mean to tell me you’ve been here a couple weeks and married this…” His eyes turned to Cody, scanning him up and down. Disdain marred his face. “Farmer?”
“Rancher.” Cody released her father and stepped to her side. He held out his arm.
Ella scooted beneath it, gratified when he looped it around her and pulled her close. She burrowed into him. His strength calmed her. He would keep her safe, of that she was sure.
Father’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t believe you. My daughter would never marry someone so beneath her. And in so short a time!”
Cody growled, the sound dangerous. “Believe it.”
Mrs. Greyson appeared from the back room, her arms full of parcels.
“Here we are,” she chirped. “I’m sorry you’ll have to come back for the remainder of the dresses, Mrs. Brooks.
I hope it won’t be too much of an inconvenience.
” She stopped when she saw Ella’s father.
“Good afternoon, sir. I’ll be with you as soon as I finish with Mr. and Mrs. Brooks. ”
For once, Father was struck dumb. He stared at the seamstress, then at Cody, then at Ella. And his anger erupted. “This is a conspiracy!”
Mrs. Greyson frowned. “Whatever do you mean?”
“This man”—he jabbed a finger in Cody’s direction—“is not married to my daughter. Not when she is engaged to someone else.”
Ella bristled. “Cody is my husband. You might not like the fact, but a fact it remains.”
Her father took a step forward.
Cody matched it, standing in front of Ella to shield her. “You will not touch her again. She is no longer under your thumb.”
The bell above the door jingled. Ella peeked around Cody’s broad back to see Travis enter the shop. She took her place against her husband once more as Travis crossed his arms over his chest. “Trouble here, folks?”
Father turned. His face reddened. “You!”
“Mr. Mountbatten.” Though Travis wore an even expression, his eyes sparked fire. “I’d say it’s a pleasure, but I don’t care for lying.”
“You had something to do with this, didn’t you?” Father poked Travis in the chest. “Didn’t you?”
“Careful, sir.” Travis’s eyes became pools of steel. “Assaulting a law enforcement officer earns jail time in these parts.” He took a step forward, every inch of his expression threatening. “And your people can’t help you here.”
For the first time, something resembling fear crossed her father’s face. He looked around the room again, his gaze landing on Ella. “This isn’t finished, Ariella.” With that, he burst through the door of the shop and thundered down the street.
Ella’s legs gave out. She slid toward the floor, but Cody caught her up in his arms. “Easy, darlin’,” he murmured. “I’ve got you.”
She clung to him, not caring that Travis and Mrs. Greyson witnessed her trembling. “If you hadn’t come in…”
He rubbed her back. “But I did. We’ll get through this.”
Ella closed her eyes, drawing strength from his certainty and praying hard that he was right.