Chapter 21
Ella chewed her bottom lip, watching her husband and Travis from the kitchen window. Morning light bathed them in a golden glow. Last night had yielded limited information, which prompted Travis’s return today.
Cody pointed to a tree near the garden. Travis walked to it and pulled something from the trunk.
The two men huddled over it. Even from this distance, Ella saw her husband’s body go rigid.
His face whipped toward the house before turning back to Travis.
Whatever their topic of conversation, it looked animated.
“Mama, I hungwy.” A tug at her skirt accompanied the little voice.
She dragged her gaze from her husband and looked down at Jonah. “Good morning, sweetie. You want your breakfast?”
“Pancakes? Pwease?” Eagerness shone in his dark eyes.
Ella picked him up. “We can have pancakes.” And it would provide her with a distraction.
Jonah laid his head on her shoulder as she walked to the kitchen.
He yawned, then stuck his thumb in his mouth.
Ella set him in a chair, poured him a glass of fresh milk, then began preparing breakfast. Isaiah wandered into the room when she ladled the first bits of batter into the pan. “Good morning.”
“Mornin’, Mama.”
Ella’s heart leapt. She tried not to overreact, watching as her son rubbed his eyes. Perhaps dropping her name from mama had been a sleepy mistake.
“Are you hungry? We’re having pancakes for breakfast.”
“Yeah. Can we have eggs too?”
Ella glanced at the pan. She would have to fry all the batter before she could search for eggs. “Maybe. I’ll have to gather them from the coop after I finish these.”
“I can get ’em.” Isaiah drew himself up tall. “Papa Cody says I’m a good helper.”
“Is that so?” Ella smiled at the boy before reaching for a basket beside the stove. “All right. Here you go.” She handed it to him.
Jonah slipped from his chair. “I he’p too?”
“If your brother doesn’t mind.”
Isaiah took Jonah’s hand. “C’mon, Jonah. We’ll see who can get the most eggs.”
They boys took off out the door. As soon as their footsteps faded, Ella returned to making pancakes. She had a sizable stack finished when noises from the children’s room caught her attention. Addie must have woken. Ella laid a towel over the pancakes to keep them warm. She made her way upstairs.
Addie sat in her crib. A cherubic smile filled her little face when she saw Ella. “Ma…ma…ma.”
“Hello, sweet girl.” She lifted Addie from the crib, inhaling her sweet baby scent. “Did you sleep well?”
Addie babbled as Ella changed her. Her little toes danced in the air. She giggled at nothing, waving her hands and trying to catch Ella’s sleeve. “Oh, no you don’t.” Ella scooped her up, planting kisses on her daughter’s cheek. “You’re getting more and more adventurous, aren’t you?”
A loud squeal was Addie’s reply. Ella chuckled. “Let’s get you some milk.”
Addie clapped. Ella sang a lullaby as they went back to the kitchen. She placed her daughter in a highchair and set about making a bottle. When it was ready, she gave it to Addie along with a torn-up pancake.
Voices alerted her to the fact that the boys were back. They burst into the kitchen, rosy-cheeked and out of breath.
“Mama Ella, the chickens didn’t lay as much as usual.” Isaiah handed her the basket. “They looked tired.”
Disappointment slithered through her. Though his initial greeting must have been unintentional, she couldn’t prevent the hope that had grown inside, the hope that he’d finally call her Mama. She suppressed a sigh.
“Sometimes that happens.” She peered into the basket and counted. “Twelve eggs is perfect for today. Do you want to crack them into the pan?”
His eyes lit up. He nodded, scurrying toward a chair to push in front of the stove.
Ella washed the eggs, then brought them to her son. “Let me know if any shells fall in, okay?”
“Okay.” A look of intense concentration filled his face as he cracked the first egg and let it drop into the pan.
The front door opened. Men’s voices murmured from the hallway. Ella wanted to rush to her husband and find out what was going on, but she knew she needed to wait. No sense worrying the children.
Cody and Travis came into the kitchen. The boys grinned at their arrival. Isaiah finished cracking the eggs, then launched himself at Cody and peppered him with questions about the “white stuff” in the garden. Ella busied herself stirring the eggs.
Soon enough, they all sat down to eat. The boys scarfed down their breakfast, thanked Ella for the yummy food, then skipped off to play outside. Cody moved, getting into a position to see the children as they romped about the yard. Ella smiled. She loved his protectiveness.
Travis took his final bite of food. “Thanks, Ella. Breakfast was tasty.”
“Your wife taught me well.”
“She’s good at that.” His smile faded. “We’ve had another note.”
Her stomach turned. “Another? Is that what you pulled from the tree?”
“You saw that?”
“I did.” Her gaze darted to Cody. “What did it say?”
Her husband shifted and wouldn’t meet her eyes.
She held out her hand. “I know you want to protect me, but I need to know.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed three times before he reached into his pocket and put the paper in her hand. Chills overtook her as she read the three boxy words.
Send Ariella Home
The handwriting, like the one on the previous note, was unfamiliar. She dropped it on the table and folded her arms over her chest. “My father really doesn’t want me here.”
A deep growl sounded in Cody’s throat. “We’ll get to the bottom of this, Ella.”
“But these threats are getting more dangerous. You could have died after that snake bite. One of the boys could have been bitten. Now our garden is ruined from the salt, isn’t it?”
“Not necessarily. If we can get the top layer of soil off before it rains, that might save the garden. I don’t think you watered it enough to have an impact. Still, we’ll have to plant another one just in case.”
She threw up her arms. “See? They’re going after our livelihood. I’m guessing whoever pulled down your cattle fence is the person responsible for this too. Yet no one has seen suspicious activity in town. How do we find someone who knows how to stay invisible?”
Several seconds of silence passed before Cody slammed his hand on the table, making Ella jump. Fury burned in his eyes. “We need to find this man, Trav. Immediately.”
Travis crossed his arms. “I agree. We’ll set up a watch over your house. I can find volunteers to help. Folks won’t take kindly to people threatening one of our own.” He stood. “I best get to that.”
“Thanks.” Cody clapped a hand on Travis’s shoulder. “I’ll take a watch tonight.”
Ella bit back a protest. There was wisdom in the men’s plan, but it felt wrong to inconvenience others on her account.
When Travis left, she buried her face in her hands. “This is all my fault.”
“No, it’s not.”
“It is. You wouldn’t be having these problems if it wasn’t for me.”
Cody took hold of her hands, firmly moving them from her face. “You listen to me, darlin’. None of this is on you. It’s on whoever is trying to control you. If you let yourself believe it’s your fault, they win. That’s not acceptable.”
His tone brooked no argument. His words almost convinced her.
Cody studied her face, and a half smile tipped up his lips. “And until you can believe it, I’ll believe for both of us.”
Tears stung her eyes. She slipped one hand from his to place it on his cheek. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Hogwash.” He squeezed her knee. “It’s me who doesn’t deserve you.”
“What!” Her mouth fell open. “Of all the ridiculous, crazy notions…!”
Cody chuckled. He tapped her chin. “Exactly.”
“Oh.” She leaned back in her chair. A reluctant smile formed. “You’ve made your point.”
“Good.” He kissed her forehead, then rose. “Now, I’m going to see about clearing some land for another garden. Thanks be to God, we still have plenty of seed.”
“Can I help?”
“Sure. We’ll make it a family affair.” Cody held out his hand. “As long as we’re together, that’s what matters.”
She slid her hand into his. Her faith in the matter might not match his, but perhaps with enough time, it would.
Aweek later, Cody sat by the barn loft window, rifle slung over his shoulder. All was dark and quiet. Somewhere near the house, Travis kept watch with Hattie’s youngest son, Patrick.
It felt strange sneaking into his own barn, no lantern to light the way.
The cows gave a welcoming low when he entered.
He patted each one before making his way into the loft.
Now he waited, eyes peeled for any strange movement.
The moon provided sufficient light. From his vantage point, he could see the house and garden.
It was the third time he’d watched through the night.
Travis had a steady rotation of volunteers to keep vigil at the ranch.
No incidents had occurred yet. Cody was both thankful and frustrated by that.
He wanted whoever threatened his family caught.
Either Ella’s father or former fiancé were somehow behind the incidents.
Maybe Blackwell was the one hiring the miscreant.
Unfortunately, unless they caught the culprit, they couldn’t prove it.
He focused out the window, straining to see any movement. His eyelids drooped. He grunted, rubbing a fist over them, willing himself to stay awake. By his estimation, there were still five hours before sunrise.
Lord, please let us catch the culprit soon.
A long exhale seeped out. Cody adjusted his position, hoping to get more comfortable.
Movement caught his attention. He squinted.
Travis crept along the house low to the ground.
Moments later, the barn door creaked. Travis still crouched ten yards away.
Patrick moved from the shadows, taking cautious steps toward the barn.
Adrenaline bolted through Cody. He crawled toward the loft ladder, quiet and sure.
The door creaked again, sliding open enough to let in more moonlight.
A shadowy figure darted inside. The horses pawed the ground in their stalls.
Preston let out a snort, one that signaled his nervousness.
Even his faithful steed knew something was amiss.
The door shut behind the shadow. Cody gripped the ladder that would take him to the ground floor.
His foot was on the first rung when a sloshing sound hit his ears.
The scent of kerosene filled the barn. Gut clenching, Cody scurried down the ladder, no longer caring about stealth.
When close to the floor, he jumped, landing with a loud thud. The shadowy figure jerked up.
“Hey!” Cody yelled. “What’re you doing?”
Light flickered in front of the man. A match. His features remained obscure in the dim light, but a sickening smile curled his lips. Cody raced toward him. With a laugh, the man dropped his match. Flames sprang up in the mounds of hay.
Horror pulsed through Cody as the fire spread. The arsonist bolted toward the door just as Travis pushed it open. Shouting ensued, but Cody didn’t pay attention to the words. His brother-in-law would take care of the man. Cody needed to put out the fire.
Patrick barreled in next. His sharp gasp sounded over the cackling of the flames.
Cody grabbed an old blanket and beat the fire.
Smoke rose in thick plumes. Preston whinnied, pawing at his stall.
His other horses did the same. The cows bellowed.
Panic filled the barn. For a horrible moment, Cody was paralyzed.
He needed to save his animals. He needed to save the barn.
Patrick pushed him toward the stalls. “Get them out!”
Cody ran. He flung open the doors. Two horses pounded out at once. They rushed for the open barn door. Preston hung back. He butted Cody with his nose, nickering with a wild look in his normally gentle eyes. Cody slapped his horse’s flank. “Go, boy!”
Another firm slap sent Preston flying for the door. Cody turned to the cows. Both let out plaintive moos. “C’mon, girls.”
Sadie lumbered out of the stall, but Becky cowered back.
He grabbed a rope. Looping it around her neck and nose, he tugged.
Becky balked. Despite the heat in the barn, icy fear slithered through his veins.
Smoke surrounded them. Cody coughed. He yanked on the halter again.
This time, Becky moved. He led her through the smoke and flames to safety.
Outside, he removed the rope and pushed her toward the other animals near the house.
At least the cows and horses were safe.
His gaze landed on the large man handcuffed to a porch rail. Travis had nabbed him. Good. Anger flooded Cody’s veins. He took two steps toward the smirking culprit.
Someone grabbed his arm. Travis stood beside him, horse blankets in hand. “He’s not worth it. Don’t do something you’ll regret.” He shoved the blankets into Cody’s hands. “Soak these at the pump. It’ll help extinguish the fire.”
The flames licked higher. If they leapt out of reach, the barn would be lost. He shot a last glare at the tied-up man, then raced to the pump. He threw the blankets to the ground. Pumping furiously, he drenched them.
“Cody!”
Ella flew down the porch steps. Her nightdress flapped around her legs as she ran to him. Her hair hung loose, her eyes wide with worry. She gripped his arm. “What happened?”
“The culprit struck. We couldn’t stop him before he lit the fire.” He pushed her toward the house. “Go inside, Ella.”
“I can help.”
“No!” Fear clutched him. “It’s too dangerous. I won’t risk losing you.”
His wife looked as though she wanted to argue, but she bit her lip. She enveloped him in a quick, fierce embrace. “Stay safe, Cody.”
When she made it to the house, he breathed easier.
Grabbing the blankets, he dragged them back to the barn.
Patrick and Travis each took one. They fought the fire for what felt like hours.
The smoke burned his lungs as surely as the heat burned his skin.
Blisters formed even as they continued their fight.
His vision grew hazy. He coughed more with each passing minute. The flames seemed to diminish, but the smoke wouldn’t quit. Was the fire finally under control? Had they saved the barn?
Cody swayed. He lifted the blanket to beat more flames, but he stumbled. A deep, racking cough wrecked his lungs. Travis yelled his name. It seemed to come from far away. Then he collapsed, hitting the ground hard. Pain shot through him before everything went dark.