CHAPTER 27
The Jeffersons hired a comfortable carriage for the ride back to Harmony Springs. Ella watched their interactions with interest, wondering anew at their history, but she kept her questions to herself. Prying wasn’t her style.
Cody’s comfort mattered most. He struggled to move without wincing and was clearly in pain, but he insisted on walking to the carriage himself, refusing the proffered wheeled chair. Ella shook her head but respected his wish for some independence.
After several hours in the carriage, Ella experienced a nausea she’d never before known. She tried to ignore it. It pushed back with a vengeance.
“Stop the carriage!”
Dorothy pounded the roof. The vehicle soon came to a halt.
Ella stumbled out. She dropped to her knees and lost the contents of her stomach on the dusty roadside.
Someone crouched beside her, a hand on her back. “You all right, darlin’?”
She glanced up, her husband’s blue eyes looking at her in concern. “Cody, you shouldn’t be out of the carriage. You need to rest.”
“I’m not about to let you be sick out here by yourself. Not when I’m responsible for your condition.”
That made her smile. She put a hand on his cheek. “It could simply be motion sickness. I felt some nausea on the train ride from Boston too.”
He helped her stand. Ella caught the grimace as he turned to their conveyance and told him firmly, “You stay inside if I need to stop the carriage again.”
“Hopefully, we won’t need to.”
She climbed in after him.
Lydia gripped her hand. “Are you ill?”
“Just some motion sickness. I’ll be fine.”
Thankfully, no further incidents occurred during their trip. As dusk fell, they reached the ranch. Ella thanked the Jeffersons for their generosity. “Are you sure you won’t come in for a cup of tea or some other refreshment?”
Lydia smiled. “Thank you, Ella, but we need to settle into our new home. We’ll call on you before long.”
“Please do. I’m happy you’re both staying.” She hugged each lady. “Thank you for everything. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t heard my cry for help.”
Dorothy patted her hand. “I firmly believe the good Lord intended us to be there for you. And He brought us together for a reason. More than just being in the right place at the right time.”
Ella tilted her head. “What do you mean?”
The older woman’s gaze fluttered to her daughter-in-law before going back to Ella. “Let’s just say friendship is something we all need. Some more than others.”
“What—?”
Lydia took Dorothy’s arm. “We should let them get to their family.” She smiled at Ella. “See you soon.”
Ella stood beside Cody as the carriage drove off. “I wonder what happened to Lydia. I get the sense she’s been deeply hurt.”
He slipped an arm around her waist. “I’m sure you’ll find out when the time is right.”
The front door burst open. Isaiah flew out of the house. “Mama! Papa!”
He made a beeline straight to Ella. She knelt down to catch him as he careened into her. Sobs shook his little body. “I thought you weren’t coming back.”
Ella held him close. “I’m sorry I scared you, sweetie.”
“Did the bad man get caught?”
