Chapter 26
Two days later, Ella sat by Cody’s side in one of Helena’s hospitals. The staff were considerate and caring. Even so, a pall hung over her as she held her husband’s hand, waiting and praying that he would wake up.
Extreme blood loss. That’s what the doctor said. Between the shot to his upper chest and the one to his side, Cody had bled enough to faint after his fight with Howard. Then it had taken another half hour to get him to the hospital to begin the treatment that might save him.
Now all they could do was wait.
Marshal Quincy had revived after a full day in the hospital. The gash on his head looked worse than it was. They’d found the stable boy asleep in a stall, having given in to exhaustion right after providing sugar cubes for the horses.
Howard lay in an adjoining room. Ella’s shot had proved true.
She hadn’t aimed to kill, but to disarm.
The bullet passed through his right shoulder, disabling him.
He’d cursed her—loudly—as Travis found his footing and arrested him.
Later that day, the jailer brought Howard to the hospital.
The wound had gone putrid. Shortly after, he lost consciousness.
Ella didn’t dwell on his situation. She was too concerned with her husband’s survival.
Reaching out, she smoothed a hand down his arm.
“Happy birthday, Cody.” Tears stung her eyes.
She sniffed. “It feels wrong that you’re spending such a wonderful day fighting for your life.
” Leaning closer, she placed a hand on his chest. “Please wake up. Our children need you. I need you.” A tear dropped onto his shirt.
“We’ve only known each other for three months.
We have a whole lifetime ahead. But you need to get better. ”
Two hands came to rest on her shoulders. Through hazy eyes, she glanced up to see Travis standing behind her. His face looked mottled, but otherwise, he’d survived the scuffle with Howard unscathed. He squeezed gently before sitting beside her. “Any change?”
“None.” Her jaw worked. “He’s going to be okay, right?”
Travis took her hand. “Cody’s always been a fighter.”
“That’s not an answer, Travis.” Fresh tears burned her eyes.
He sighed. “I know. I wish I had an answer, Ella.”
She rested her head on his shoulder and let her tears fall. Travis wrapped his arm around her. They sat silently, keeping watch over Cody.
After a while, Travis stood. “You haven’t eaten all day. You need sustenance.”
“I’m not hungry.”
His brow twitched. “If not for yourself, think of your baby.”
Her gaze shot up. “How’d you know about the baby?”
“Cody prayed aloud whenever we stopped to rest the horses. Usually I couldn’t hear him, but at one point, I grabbed his canteen to refill it, and I heard him mention the baby.”
“It’s a suspicion at this point. We don’t know for sure.” Ella’s hands went to her stomach.
Travis’s gaze followed the motion. “But you have a feeling, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“I thought so.” He gave her a half smile. “I’ve learned to never discount a woman’s intuition.”
Someone knocked at the door. They turned to see Lydia standing just outside, a covered box in her hands. “I brought some food from the café down the street. I figured you wouldn’t want to leave his side.”
Gratitude swept through Ella. “Thank you, Lydia. That’s very kind.”
“And timely.” Travis shot her a look as he stood. “I’ll leave you ladies to talk. There’s some business I need to discuss with the deputy marshals.”
Ella’s brow furrowed.
A faint smile tugged at Travis’s lips. “Later, Ella. For now, focus on Cody.” He motioned for Lydia to take his seat.
Ella turned her attention to her new friend. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Lydia handed her the box. “Eat. I’d wager you haven’t had anything yet.”
Sheepish, Ella said a blessing over the simple fare and picked up the provided fork. “I haven’t.” Her stomach rumbled as the scent of roast beef and potatoes filled her nostrils. “It seems I’m hungrier than I realized.”
“I know the feeling—so invested in someone’s condition, you forget to eat.”
Lydia’s hazel eyes took on a faraway glaze. Ella touched her arm. “Are you all right?”
Blinking, Lydia shook herself. “Sorry. Lost in a memory.”
“Did you…lose someone?”
Sadness flickered on her face. “I did.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Ella put her fork down. “Would you like to talk about it?”
Lydia produced a sad smile. “Maybe some other time.”
They wouldn’t see each other again after parting ways. Ella didn’t say it, but Lydia must have seen the sentiment on her face.
Her smile grew soft. “It seems we might have the chance to become good friends. Sheriff Doyle tells me you’re from Harmony Springs. That’s where my mother-in-law and I are headed.”
Ella gasped. “Truly? Are you visiting family?”
Another uncertain expression crossed Lydia’s face, but she quickly hid it, twisting a black curl over her gloved finger. “No. We’re settling there.”
“Oh! That’s wonderful news.”
Lydia grasped her hand. “I hope you and I shall see each other often. It would be nice to have a friend.”
Something in her tone told Ella this woman had suffered much in her young life. Perhaps one day, they’d build the kind of trust that led to sharing confidences. Until then, she would happily accept an offer of friendship. “Cody and I will have you over once we return home.”
If he returns home. Ella swallowed hard, pushing the thought from her mind.
Lydia nudged the fork closer to her. “You need to keep up your strength, Ella. Wasting away won’t help your husband.”
Ella finished her food, then drank a cup of tea one of the nurses brought her.
Though they’d just met, Ella felt comfortable with Lydia. She sensed they could be good friends. Lydia asked how she came to be in Harmony Springs, and the story poured out of Ella. By the end of an hour, she realized she’d done just about all the talking.
“I’m sorry. I don’t usually talk this much,” Ella said, a hint of heat touching her face.
Lydia smiled. “I don’t mind. You needed the distraction.
” She glanced at the clock. “My mother-in-law will be expecting me. I should go.” She stood, putting a hand on Ella’s shoulder.
“Please let me know if you need anything. Sometimes it helps just to have someone present.” The sadness glimmered again.
What was this woman’s story? Some hidden pain lurked in her past. Ella said a prayer for Lydia as the woman departed, then turned her attention back to Cody.
He remained unresponsive. Without anyone else there, she sank into grief. What if he never woke up? Fear slithered up and down her spine. She banished the thought. He had to wake up.
“Did I ever tell you about my hopes for my own fairytale prince?” Ella combed her fingers through his hair.
“Before I lost faith in love, I was a romantic. I dreamed of a knight in shining armor coming to rescue me from my dreary existence, sweeping me off to a faraway kingdom and showering me with all the affection no one else would give. We would talk for hours. He’d love poetry and be as much of a romantic as me.
” She blinked back the moisture that welled in her eyes.
“Do you know what he looked like in my dreams?
Blond hair. Blue eyes. Tall and strong. Capable of protecting me and someone I could love with all my heart.
“When Miles began courting me, I thought he could be my knight. He looked and acted the part. When I found out he only wanted my money, it broke something inside of me. I became disillusioned and cynical. After a while, when Howard showed interest, I thought the fairytale might be possible after all. He didn’t fit the mental image of my knight, but he played the part well.
He charmed me thoroughly and made me believe in love again.
I was so na?ve. His abuse beat me down until I was a shell of myself, frightened of my own shadow. ”
Her hand came to rest against his cheek.
She stroked his skin gently. Three days of beard growth scratched her fingers and palm.
“Then you swooped in and literally rescued me. You frightened me and growled like a bear, but underneath that gruff demeanor, you showed a patience and gentleness that broke through my walls. You protected me, loved me, sheltered me. Because of that, I believed in love again. And the best part?” She rested her forehead against his.
“You showed me that real life is so much better than a fairytale.”
“I agree, darlin’.”
Ella’s head flew up.
Cody’s eyes were closed, but he wore a small smile. Slowly, he blinked them open.
A sob ripped through her throat. Ella flung her arms around him, careful to avoid his injuries. She buried her face in his neck. “You’re awake!”
His hand came to rest on her back, rubbing in small circles while she cried in relief. She struggled to regain a semblance of composure. When she did, she lifted her head and cupped her husband’s face. “How do you feel?”
“My body hurts like the dickens. What happened? Where am I?”
“St. John’s Hospital. You’ve been unconscious for two days.” She gave him a quick explanation of the events leading to his hospitalization. As she spoke, recognition sparked his eyes.
“Howard.” His gaze darkened. “He’s been arrested?”
“Yes.”
Cody relaxed. “Good.”
Ella debated telling him about Howard being down the hall but decided against it. When Cody regained some strength, she’d give him the whole story.
A doctor came in. When he saw Cody awake, the man’s brows flew up. “Well, this is a happy turn of events. Let’s check your vital signs, young man.” He turned to Ella. “Would you mind waiting in the hall?”
She stood, ready to comply, but Cody grabbed her hand. “I want her here. Please.”
The doctor glanced between them. A slow smile spread over his face. “True love, eh?”
Ella melted at the look on Cody’s face.
He gazed into her eyes as he answered. “Yeah. We’re living our very own fairytale.”
She blushed. “Exactly how much of that story did you hear?”
He grinned. “All of it.”