Chapter 13 #2
A new lightness filled the air as they looked at each other. Cody put out his hand, and Ella took it. “Thanks for being willing to have hard conversations, Ella. It was tough, but it means a lot that you broached the subject.”
That took trust, and he prized her trust in him. He knew it wasn’t easily earned.
She smiled. “Thanks for telling me about Liza.” Her nose wrinkled. “Even if she doesn’t have the good sense God gave a duck.”
Cody grinned, not bothering to hide his amusement. “A duck, huh?”
“I stand by that statement.”
“I like it.” But not nearly as much as he liked the new Mrs. Brooks.
On Saturday evening, Miss Hattie surprised Ella and Cody with an invitation to watch the children so they could have supper in town.
She bustled into the house, making Ella jump, and waved her and Cody out.
“Off now, you two. It’s high time you had a date.
Just because you’re married, it doesn’t mean there’s no need for romance. ”
Ella’s cheeks heated. She pressed her hands there. Cody chuckled, holding an arm out to her. “I guess we’re going to town.”
“Have fun!” Hattie called after them, Addie on her hip.
Cody led Ella to the barn. “Horses or wagon?”
“Riding sounds nice.”
“Riding it is.”
When they got to the barn, Cody halted. “I don’t have a side saddle.” He scanned her long skirts. “Maybe the wagon would be more prudent. I’m sorry, Ella.”
She chuckled. Moving closer to him, she tilted her head back to meet his gaze. “It’s fine. The wagon is nice too. I don’t mind.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, he smiled. “Good. I’ll have to see about getting a side saddle for you soon.”
“Only if we can afford it.” Ella’s brows rose. “Now, can you teach me how to hitch the horses to the wagon?”
“My pleasure, darlin’.”
To her own delight, Ella proved to be a quick study. Within five minutes, they were ready to go. When they reached Cassie’s restaurant, Cody tied the horses to a hitching post and offered Ella his arm. She slid her hand into the crook of his elbow. “Chivalrous.”
“According to Miss Hattie, this is a date. I have to be chivalrous.”
She smiled. “It’s nice seeing a new side of you.”
“My mother made sure to teach me good manners. The orphanage might have taken some of it out of me, but then Miss Hattie took over once I started ranching.” He smirked. “She made sure I knew how to treat a lady.”
“And now she’s making you use those skills.”
Cody chuckled. “So it seems.”
They made their way into the café. Cody pulled out a chair for Ella, seating her as properly as any man in Boston had. She raised a brow. “You do know what you’re doing.”
He settled into his own chair. “I’m rusty. It’s been ten years since I’ve had a date. At least I know you won’t leave me.”
The words sounded teasing, but his eyes held a hint of vulnerability. Ella laid her napkin on her lap without releasing his gaze. “I’ll hold to our vows.”
He nodded slowly. “As will I.”
Cassie appeared at their table, breaking the connection between them. “Howdy. I’m happy to see you two. And a little confused. What are you doing in town?”
“Miss Hattie decided we needed an evening together.” Ella smiled at her friend. “So here we are.”
“That woman knows what she’s doing. Playing matchmaker, she is.” Cassie grinned.
Cody rolled his eyes. “Not much point in that. It’s not as though we can be unmatched after marrying.”
Cassie pushed his shoulder. “Not matchmaking for marriage. Matchmaking for love.” She waggled her eyebrows. “By summer’s end, I’m telling you.”
Ella blushed.
Cody looked between her and Cassie, brow furrowed. “Huh?”
“You’ll see, brother. Now, what can I get you two?”
Cody looked at Ella. “Are you ready to order?”
She nodded. “Coffee with cream and shepherd’s pie sounds wonderful.”
“I’ll have the same, minus the cream.”
Cassie smiled. “See, you’re already acting like most married couples, ordering the same food.”
Ella tipped her head. “Is that a thing?”
“I think she made it up.” Cody raised his brows. “Didn’t you, Cass?”
She shrugged. “All I know is, Travis and I do the same. Therefore, it must be a married people trait.”
Cody laughed. “I don’t think that’s how it works.”
“I’m gonna believe it until proven wrong. I’ll go get that coffee now.” With a toss of her curls, Cassie sauntered off.
Ella leaned an elbow on the table, resting her chin in her hand. “Has she always been so perky?”
“Yeah. She’s been my sunshine in an otherwise dreary couple of decades.”
“You two have a strong relationship, don’t you?”
“For so long, we only had each other. That created a bond most siblings don’t have. When Travis came along, I had a hard time letting Cassie go. I was a thorn in his side until we finally became friends.”
Ella hid a smile behind her hand. “You played the protective older brother?”
“I might have earned my reputation for being a bear during that time.”
Cassie returned with a carafe of coffee. “That he did. Drove me crazy, until I realized why he was doing it.” She ruffled Cody’s hair. “It was his way of showing he wanted what was best for me.”
He ducked. Running a hand through his blond waves, he tried to push them back into place.
Ella smiled as a stray lock curled over his forehead. “You’ve got one more.” Without thought, she reached out and set it into place. Cody went still at her touch. Their eyes locked. For a few beats of her heart, the two of them were the only ones in the room.
When Cassie cleared her throat, they both jerked. She looked between them, an amused smile on her face. “Don’t mind me. I’ll just head back to the kitchen and let you enjoy your alone time.”
Cody’s face looked a little flushed. “It seems Miss Hattie isn’t the only one playing matchmaker.”
Maybe it was the setting or the fact that they were on a date, but Ella felt a surge of courage. “Does that bother you?”
He blinked. “No. Why?”
She lifted one shoulder. “Just curious. Some people get annoyed when others meddle in their personal business.”
“Ah.” He regarded her for a moment. “Like Howard?”
Ella nodded. “Howard, my parents…most people I’ve known, to be honest.”
“Normally, I probably would be annoyed. But I know my sister and Miss Hattie want to see me happy. They’ve told me that often enough. This is their way of helping that along.” He leaned forward. “They want you to be happy too.”
“It’s nice to have people on our side.” Ella let out a small breath.
“I’m all too used to backstabbing and silly politics.
Besides my sister, there’s been no one who really cared for me.
It’s all about image. Nothing else matters.
That’s part of the reason my father was so angry when he came.
He hated that my disappearance caused a scandal for the family. ”
Cody frowned. “Scandal? Why is that scandalous?”
“Wealthy heiress runs away in the middle of the night, leaving her fiancé and family without a word.” She shook her head. “The society papers probably had a heyday with that.”
“Don’t they realize it’s people’s lives they’re reporting on? Sounds like gossip to me.”
“It’s all gossip. Some members of society thrive on the perceived fame. I hated it.”
A little smile spread over his face. “That doesn’t surprise me. You don’t strike me as an attention seeker.”
She shuddered. “I’ll happily stay out of it.”
Cassie arrived with plates of steaming food. She set it before them with a flourish. “Enjoy! If you need anything, let me know. And make sure you come say goodbye before leaving.”
“We will.” Cody gave her a one-armed hug. “Thanks, Cass.”
“Anytime.”
After she left, Cody reached out his hands to Ella. She took them and closed her eyes while he blessed the food. They enjoyed their first few bites without talking, the tangy flavors of beef, gravy, and potatoes bursting on Ella’s tongue. “Cassie’s food is amazing.”
Cody nodded his agreement. He studied her for a few moments, then suddenly put down his spoon. “Ella…”
The door opened. Her gaze flitted up. Her own spoon clattered to the table, a horrified gasp on her lips.
Cody looked at her in concern before glancing over his shoulder. He turned back to her. “What is it?”
“That man. I know him.”
The well-dressed Bostonian spotted her. He moved around tables in fluid, practiced motions until stopping at their table. “Miss Mountbatten.”
She gritted her teeth. “Mr. Blackwell. What are you doing here?”
Cody reached across the table, gripping her hand in his.
Mr. Blackwell held up a folder. “I’m here on behalf of your father. He’s asked me to find a reason to dissolve this marriage.”