“’Cuz he’s hurt. C’mere.”
Isaiah guided his brother to the right spot. Addie bounced in Ella’s lap, one arm straining toward Cody. Ella stood and waited for Jonah to finish his hug, then slipped to Cody’s uninjured side and let the baby rest her head on his chest.
Cody put one hand over Addie’s back and used the other to draw Ella closer. He let his head drop against hers with a sigh. “It’s good to be home.”
The family insisted on celebrating Cody’s birthday the Saturday after their return from Helena. Besides Ella and the children, Travis and Cassie, Tori, Miss Hattie, and the ranch hands all crowded around the kitchen table for a special dinner. Cody tried to help his wife serve dinner, only to be shooed to the table by a plethora of women.
Tori steered him to his seat. “From what Ella tells me, you are always trying to help. Let us show you some care today.”
He dug in his heels. “I’ve been doing nothing but lying around all week.”
“To recover. And this is a day celebrating you. Now sit!”
Her tone raised his brows. He looked over her head at Ella. “Is she always this bossy?”
Ella laughed. “Pretty much.”
“And proudly so.” Tori tossed her red curls, shooting Cody a wink. “Best get used to it, brother.”
He chuckled and allowed her to push him into the chair.
Joey crossed his arms, a twinkle in his eye. “I don’t recall you ever takin’ orders from anyone. Family life changed you, Boss.”
“For the better,” Eddie injected. “You smile more.”
“And you spend as much time with them as you can.”
“And—”
“Okay.” Cody held up a hand, cutting off the twins’ praise. His face felt unnaturally warm. “Point taken, boys.”
Ella served him a plate of chicken pot pie. The savory aroma of gravy and vegetables made his mouth water. His wife rubbed a hand against his back, leaning close. “I, for one, am grateful you’re a family man.”
Cassie and Tori brought over more plates. When everyone was served, they joined hands for grace. After a simple but heartfelt prayer, Cody looked up with a smile. “Amen.”
“Amen.”
Chatter ensued. Cody’s knee bounced while his hand drummed against the table.
Travis eyed him with a grin. “Not used to being the center of attention, huh?”
Cody chuckled. “Is it that obvious?”
His friend laughed. “Oh, yeah.”
Taking a bite of his meal, Cody forgot his trepidation. “Ella, this is wonderful. You make the best chicken pot pie.”
She flushed with pleasure.
Cassie arched her brows. “Hey, now. What about me?”
He shrugged. “What can I say? You’ve been usurped.”
“Well, since it’s Ella, I won’t complain.” Cassie grinned at his wife. “I don’t mind taking second to you.”
Travis engaged him in a good-natured argument over their wives’ cooking. The meal flew by. Tori and Hattie served dessert. Ella had made his favorite—caramel cake. He smiled, remembering the first time they’d had dinner together at Travis and Cassie’s. He’d been impressed with her baking then, and she’d only improved over time. Somehow, the cake tasted even better now. He complimented her extensively, making her ears rosy.
“Present time!” Isaiah hollered, bouncing in his seat.
