A compliment? He cleared his throat. “I didn’t have much choice.”
She studied him for a few moments, her clear eyes seeming to see straight to his soul. “We all have choices.”
The direct gaze didn’t last. Ella flushed and lowered her head. Cody frowned. The move looked subservient. For some reason, it left him uneasy.
Ella spoke to the ground. “She’s quiet now. Perhaps we should take her inside.”
He nodded. Ella made no move to return the baby. Instead, she climbed the stairs, leaving Cody to follow behind. He entered the pew after her, then sank into his seat. Jonah climbed into his lap. Isaiah eyed Ella, suspicion in his gaze, but he stayed silent.
Cody tried to listen to the sermon. Even so, his attention strayed to Ella. She held Addie close, rocking her gently while listening to the pastor. The baby looked more peaceful than she’d been since her parents died. His throat closed on itself. Travis’s advice on taking a wife came back to him. He’d thought about it off and on but hadn’t come to a decision. Now, watching Addie being cared for by a woman, he saw firsthand the benefits of giving his children a mother. While he didn’t like the idea of a stranger coming into his home, it would be in the best interests of Isaiah, Jonah, and Addie.
He held Jonah a little closer. His breaths came in shallow spurts. A sense of peace mixed with fear in his heart, and he wasn’t sure which was stronger.
It was time to take a wife.
CHAPTER 5
Ella snuck glances at Cody throughout the meal. Their interaction in the church yard had been surprisingly amiable. She’d seen the vulnerability in his eyes while he tried to calm his new daughter. There’d been no hint of the gruff demeanor from before. It had put her enough at ease to share things with him that she hadn’t intended to.
“Hey! That’s mine!”
The childish shout was piercing. Ella’s gaze turned to Isaiah. He had a spoon clenched in his fist, his eyes shooting daggers at his brother. Jonah quivered under Isaiah’s anger, a light whimper indicating his distress.
Cody heaved a sigh. “What’s the matter?”
“He took my spoon!”
“Your spoon is in your hand.”
Frowning, Isaiah stared at the utensil. Jonah whimpered again. Ella slipped an arm around him. “It’s okay. There was just a misunderstanding.”
The child blinked at her for a moment, then crawled into her lap. She froze. Jonah laid his head against her chest and stuck his thumb in his mouth.
Hesitating only a moment, Ella wrapped her arms around him. Her gaze met Cody’s.
He gaped a full thirty seconds before collecting himself. “Jonah never goes to strangers.”
With a chuckle, Travis mopped up some stew with his bread. “Ella has always been good with children. It’s one of her God-given gifts.”
Warmth surged through her cheeks. “It’s nothing, really.”
Cassie touched her arm. “That’s hardly nothing, Ella. Children have an intuition about people. I’d say Jonah’s trust in you is a great sign of your character.”
A rush of warmth went through her as Jonah looked up at her with big brown eyes. “It’s okay, sweetie,” she murmured. He rewarded her with the smallest of smiles. Adorable. She’d always loved children, always wanted to be a mother. Not that that was likely anymore—but the maternal instincts remained. She pressed a soft kiss to Jonah’s head.
Cody still stared. Ella fought the urge to fidget. The rest of their meal finished in an uneventful manner, the attention finally diverted from her and Jonah. When Cassie brought out dessert, Cody’s eyes lit up. “Is that caramel cake?”
His sister smiled. “It is indeed. Ella helped me make it.”
He darted another look at Ella. Her cheeks grew warmer. Cassie served the cake. Between bites of her own dessert, Ella couldn’t help peeking at Cody. His genuine smile softened the rugged planes of his face. “Thanks, ladies. This is delicious.”
Isaiah poked at his cake in a listless manner. Ella’s gaze traveled over a flush on both his cheeks. They seemed unusually bright. She discreetly elbowed Cassie and nodded toward the child. “Is he all right?” she whispered.
Cassie studied Isaiah, then stood. “Isaiah, would you like to lie down in our guest room?”
Eyes drooping, the little boy nodded. He didn’t put up a fight when Cassie took his hand and led him from the room.
Cody’s shoulders slumped. “He’s sick, isn’t he? And I missed the signs.”
