The chicken turned out drier than it should, and the mashed potatoes were lumpy. Even so, Travis and Cassie complimented her on her attempt.
“It’s not easy learning to cook.” Cassie slathered more gravy over her potatoes. “You’re coming along great, Ella.”
“Thank you.”
“Would you like to learn to make caramel cake tomorrow?”
That request seemed oddly specific. Ella took a bite of chicken before answering. “That would be nice. But why that particular cake? I’ve heard caramel is difficult.”
Cassie speared some peas. “Cody always comes for dinner on Sundays. Caramel cake is his favorite. I thought it might be nice for him to have something he likes, since things have been rough lately.”
The thought of Cassie’s brother made Ella want to squirm in her chair. He’d been so stoic last week, and when he raised his voice in anger, it terrified her. Despite both Cassie and Travis assuring her that Cody was a good man, she found him intimidating.
“Ella?”
She brought her attention back to Cassie. “Yes?”
“Are you all right?”
The concern in Cassie’s eyes helped Ella relax. “I’m fine. It’s just…the thought of seeing your brother again is a little frightening.”
Cassie gave her a sympathetic smile. “I know you didn’t get off on the best foot. But I promise, he’s a good man. He would never hurt anyone.”
Visions of Howard marched through her mind. She shoved them away. “It’s nice to know there are some decent men out there.”
“No doubt.” Cassie propped an elbow on the table, resting her chin in her hand. “So what do you say? Would you like to help me with the cake before church? Be honest. I don’t mind if the answer is no.”
Ella’s shoulders relaxed. She hadn’t even noticed the tension there until it was gone. “I would be happy to help.”
“Wonderful. It should help having another adult around when the children are here.” Cassie shook her head, her eyes shifting between amused and troubled. “They can be a handful.”
Curiosity festered in Ella’s mind. “What children?”
“Cody’s, of course.”
She blinked. “Your brother has children? I didn’t realize he was married.”
“He’s not. A few weeks ago, he became the guardian of three little ones after their parents died in a tragic accident. The poor man is in over his head, but he’s determined to care for them the best he can.”
Ella let that information sink in. She hadn’t expected that of him. “It must be hard raising children alone. Has he considered an orphanage?”
Cassie’s eyes shadowed. “No.” She pushed some potatoes around her plate, not meeting Ella’s eyes. “Cody and I grew up in an orphanage. He vowed not to let Jake and Harriet’s children face that fate.”
Something squeezed in Ella’s chest. She’d visited a few orphanages in Boston over the years. The children always seemed sad, even in the institutions that boasted enough money to properly care for them. Reaching out, she put a hand over Cassie’s. “I’m sorry. That must have been hard for you both.”
“It was. The people who ran the institution were not kind. They were poor substitutes for our parents. Cody made it his mission to protect me. He gave me portions of his food, defended me from bullies, and even did many of my chores. My brother has always been a protector. It’s his nature.”
A protector. Ella’s heart softened a little toward the man. He’d even protected her, a complete stranger. He tried to save her in the alley—though he could have gone about it in a different manner.
“It sounds as though your brother is a rare man.”
Cassie smiled softly. “He is.”
They resumed their meal, and only then did Ella realize Travis hadn’t said a single word during her conversation with Cassie. Ella peeked at him. He poked at his food, looking distracted. A sudden sense of foreboding washed over her. “Travis?”
“Hmm?” He glanced her way. “Yeah?”
“Is something wrong?”
