Chapter 12
He should take days off more often.
Cody looked around at his unconventional family.
They sat on the parlor floor, a blanket spread out beneath them with a picnic basket in the middle.
Ella had suggested the indoor picnic. The children were intrigued by her idea.
Isaiah even grew excited, making suggestions about the kind of food they should have on their “picnic.”
A fire roared in the grate nearby, keeping them cozy. Addie sat contentedly in Cody’s lap. Jonah glued himself to Ella. Isaiah kept a bit of distance, throwing Ella guarded looks on occasion, but he seemed to be enjoying himself overall.
His wife wore the flowered blue dress Cody chose for her.
As she doled out food, he admired her. Yes, she possessed a rare and natural beauty, but she also had a strength of character that made her stunning.
Might real love eventually find them? Though his heart seized at the thought of being that vulnerable again, another part of him deeply desired the connection that came from loving a woman.
He also knew it was too soon to contemplate that. Ella might trust him, but their arrangement was a practical one, and his own heart stood in need of healing. He’d be content with friendship for now.
Ella handed him a plate. The scent of savory roast beef, spicy mustard, and tangy pickles filled his nostrils. Mouth watering, he took a big bite.
“Mmm.” He raised the sandwich in Ella’s direction. “Very good.”
She took her own bite. A look of pleasant surprise crossed her face. “It is.”
“You thought it wouldn’t be?”
Isaiah piped in before Ella could. “She makes yucky tea, but her food is good.”
A smile took over the surprise on Ella’s face. “Thank you, Isaiah. That was a sweet compliment.”
“Don’t get used to it.”
Cody ruffled Isaiah’s hair. “Is that any way to talk to your mama?”
Isaiah froze. Defiance filled his eyes. “She’s not my mama.”
Whoops. Cody tried to smooth things over. “I didn’t mean any disrespect to your first mama, Isaiah. She loved you very much, and I think she’d be happy to know that your Aunt Ella is taking care of you now that she can’t.”
Tears welled in the child’s eyes. “I miss her.”
Cody shifted Addie, about to reach for Isaiah, but Ella spoke first. “Isaiah, I know I’ll never replace your mother.
I don’t want to. She has a very special place in your life.
You’ll always love her.” She held out her hand.
“But if you don’t mind, I’ll do my best to make her proud by raising you and your brother and sister with lots of love and happiness.
We can make a family together. I think your mama would like that, don’t you? ”
Isaiah stared at her hand. Cody held his breath, wondering if the boy would accept it or throw a tantrum. Slowly, Isaiah reached out and slipped his little hand into Ella’s. “You think Mama is happy we’re here?”
“I didn’t know her, but I do know most mothers want what’s best for their children. If your parents asked Uncle Cody to be your guardian, they must have known he’d take good care of you. So yes, I do think she’s happy you’re here.”
With a little cry, Isaiah threw his arms around Ella’s neck, burying his face in her shoulder. She blinked. The look on her face grew tender. She encircled Isaiah’s body with her arms, gently rocking him.
Jonah pressed into her side, gazing up at her. She smiled at him, earning a rare, answering smile from the toddler. He got to his feet and tilted his head. One chubby hand reached out, resting on her shoulder. “Mama?”
Cody’s mouth dropped open. Jonah hadn’t said a word since Jake and Harriet died. Then what he’d said registered, and Cody’s heart pounded.
Ella stared at the child, shock written on her face. “What did you say, sweetie?”
“Mama.” He whispered the word. This time, it sounded less like a question and more like a statement.
Isaiah peered at his brother, frowning. “She’s not our mama.”
Jonah frowned back. “My mama.”
Isaiah looked as though he wanted to argue the point.
Cody put a hand on the boy’s back. “It’s all right if Jonah chooses to call Aunt Ella that, Isaiah. It’s up to him. You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
“But she’s our aunt.”
Ella interjected softly. “I can be both. If Jonah wants to call me Mama, that’s fine. If you want to call me Aunt Ella, that’s fine too. I love you both the same, no matter my title.”
“Humph.” Isaiah let his hands drop from Ella’s neck, though he didn’t go far. He plopped down on the floor beside her. “That’s weird.”
Cody’s lips twitched. “That’s life, buddy.”
A knock sounded at the door. Ella’s glance darted in that direction before finding Cody’s. Pure panic filled her face.
Cody stood, balancing Addie in one arm and placing his other hand on Ella’s back. “It’s all right. If it’s him, I’ll send him packing.”
Her expression eased. Cody leaned down, handing the baby to his wife. “I’ll be right back.” He looked at the kids. “The three of you stay with Aunt Ella.”
“Mama,” Jonah insisted, snuggling against her side and clinging to her arm.
At least that should put a smile on her face. Cody walked for the door. He put a hand on the sidearm he wore before opening it. Relief made his body sag. “Travis. Good to see you.”
His friend eyed the gun strapped to his hip. “There a reason you’re wearing that in the house?”
“I’ll give you one guess.”
Travis nodded his approval. “You’re taking care of that wife of yours. Good. She’s fortunate to have you at her side.”
Cody’s blood heated anew at the memory of how roughly Ella’s father had handled her. “I can’t believe such an awful man produced a daughter as sweet and kind as Ella.”
“That’s part of the reason she’s so skittish.”
“Makes sense.” Cody stepped to the side, waving Travis in. “Where’s the man staying?”
“He left town this morning.”
Cody’s head snapped up. “He what?”
“That’s why I came. I wanted to let you know.”
“Ella’ll want to hear that.”
He led the way to the parlor. Ella looked up. The same relief Cody felt reflected on her face. “Hello, Travis.”
“Good to see you, Ella. I came by to let you know your father left town on the morning train.”
“Really?” She frowned, hugging Addie closer. “That’s odd. He never gives up that easily. I expected him to remain in town and try convincing me to leave…or threatening me somehow.”
Travis scratched his beard. “It does seem out of character. Maybe he saw the futility of it, seeing as how you’re hitched to this guy.” He jerked a thumb at Cody.
“Hey! ‘This guy’ has a name, thanks.” Cody nudged his friend.
Travis nudged him right back. Cody appreciated the levity Travis brought to the moment. Ella, however, looked worried. She chewed on her lower lip, a sign Cody had come to realize showed her concern. Her mouth opened, then she looked down at the children.
Cody read her thoughts as if they were displayed on paper. She didn’t want to frighten the kids. He stepped toward them. “Isaiah, Jonah, why don’t you play with blocks once you finish eating? Aunt Ella and I are going to talk to Sheriff Travis for a bit.”
“Okay.” Isaiah reached for his plate.
Cody helped Ella to her feet, noting the way she held Addie carefully against her. Jonah joined Isaiah, leaving the adults free to talk. They moved into the hall, away from the little ears.
Travis leaned against the wall, his eyes on Ella. “Are you worried your father might try again?”
“Maybe. I just can’t figure out why he left. And there’s something else, something Cody and I talked about last night.”
Cody slipped his arm around her shoulder.
She gave him a little smile, then focused on Travis again.
“My father refused to let me break my engagement to Howard. He was unreasonable about the whole thing, which makes no sense. There are any number of men I could have married if it was simply about the money. Why insist on it being Howard?”
Travis tapped a finger against his leg. “Pride, maybe? Your engagement was well-known, and the connection was highly enviable. To break it off would have raised more questions than your father wanted.”
“Perhaps.” Ella rested her head against Addie’s. A silent sigh lifted and lowered her shoulders. She wasn’t convinced.
He let his hand move from her shoulder to her lower back. “You don’t think that’s it?”
She raised those luminous green eyes to his. “I think it’s a valid point, and likely part of the truth. I just can’t help feeling there’s more to it.”
“Then we need to be vigilant.” Travis pushed up from the wall. “I’ll contact a friend of mine on the Boston force. He might be able to dig around, find out if something’s off.”
Ella let out a soft breath. “Thank you, Travis.”
He nodded. “In the meantime, try to enjoy your freedom. If your father learned anything in his time here, it’s that your husband won’t let him push either of you around. I think he finally got a lesson he couldn’t ignore.”
Ella gazed up at Cody, a gentle smile on her lips. “Indeed.”
That single look stayed with him the rest of the day. Who knew gratitude could be so warming? In Ella’s eyes, he found the respect he hadn’t known he wanted.
Afull week after her father left, Ella was able to relax. There had been no word from him. They hadn’t heard from Travis’s friend on the force either. Nothing to corroborate her anxious thought that there might be more to the story.
Life settled back into a comfortable routine. Jonah continued to call her Mama, melting Ella’s heart more with each use of the word. Isaiah appeared to be conflicted over his brother’s choice, but he stopped correcting Jonah after a few days.
One afternoon, horse hooves sounded in the yard. Ella peered out the window, smiling when she recognized Cassie. She met her sister-in-law at the door with an embrace. Ella gave her a warm smile. “I’m surprised you’re here. Did you shut down the café for the afternoon?”