Her hand tightened briefly before relaxing and dropping to her side. “I’ll figure it out. You take care of your cattle.”
Urgency pulled at him, but still he couldn’t seem to make himself move. Ella gave him a little push toward the stairs. “Go change. I’ll brew some coffee for you to take along.”
“How’d you know I like coffee?”
A faint smile touched her lips. “Cassie told me.”
Hank cleared his throat. The man shifted from foot to foot. “Boss, please hurry.”
That propelled him into motion. Within minutes, he’d dressed in all the necessary gear and made his way back downstairs. Ella met him with a canteen in hand and a wrapped bundle. He accepted them. “Thanks. What’s this?”
“Bread, cheese, and dried meat. I found them in the pantry while the coffee brewed. You need to eat if it’s going to be a long day.”
Her thoughtfulness touched something deep inside him, something he hadn’t felt before. There was no time to analyze it, though. He needed to get to the west field. Glancing around, he realized Hank was gone. “Where’d Hank go?”
Ella pointed at the door. “He said something about riding to a neighbor to ask them about caring for the barn animals today.”
Cody groaned. “I forgot about that.”
“Then it’s a good thing he remembered. Now go. We’ll be fine.”
This woman possessed a strength inside that astounded him. What else might be hidden under that cultured demeanor? As he said goodbye and hurried out the door, he was surprised to find he genuinely wanted to know more about the woman he’d married.
Ella’s shoulders ached with tension as Cody rode away at a gallop. She wasn’t sure how she managed to hold herself together when she encouraged him to get to the pasture. As she looked around the kitchen, a knot formed in her gut. The last thing she’d wanted was for her new husband to leave. She was all alone in a strange house, responsible for the welfare of three children. One of whom might still be sick.
She drew in a deep breath. One thing at a time. That was how she’d get through the day. But first, coffee.
A steaming cup sat on the table, one she’d poured for herself after filling Cody’s canteen. She found a bit of sugar in the pantry and a small jug of milk on the counter, both of which she utilized to create a comforting brew. Ella took her drink to the parlor. She sank into the sofa and slowly sipped the hot liquid. Closing her eyes, she tried not to think about anything but the present moment and the flavor of coffee on her tongue.
The familiarity of the morning ritual calmed her. She finished the drink and washed her cup, then trudged upstairs to change into some warm clothes. Since she had no money of her own, Cassie had lent her several outfits. Ella would have to ask her new husband for funds to build a proper wardrobe for the harsh Montana winter. A part of her shrank at the thought. Even if Cody hadn’t admitted to some financial trouble, asking for money never felt right to her. Over the years, she’d had no choice but to seek funds from her parents. There was precious little she was allowed to do to earn income for herself.
She had just finished slipping on some warm shoes when a cry came from the children’s room. Ella hurried there, pushing open the door. Addie slept in her crib, and Jonah had his thumb in his mouth, eyes closed. Her gaze landed on Isaiah. The little boy moaned, his head moving from side to side. She sat on the side of the bed and held a hand to his forehead. It felt a little too warm. Ella touched his arm, rubbing up and down. His eyes opened. They appeared glassy and dull. Her heart went out to him.
“Hello, Isaiah. Remember me? Your Uncle Cody and I got married yesterday. That makes me your Aunt Ella.”
The boy’s breaths came in little pants. “You…held Addie…at church.”
Her brows rose. That was what he remembered? “That’s right. How do you feel?”
His eyelids fluttered shut. “My head hurts.”
She brushed some of his hair back. He flinched and opened his eyes again. Ella removed her hand. “Why don’t you come downstairs with me? I’ll make you something to help you feel better.”
Isaiah eyed her, suspicion burning in his gaze, but he allowed her to pick him up and carry him to the kitchen. The room felt pleasantly warm with a fire blazing in the stove, the one Cody had lit to make the coffee. Hopefully, that meant Isaiah’s bare feet were also warm.
She placed him in a chair, then set about making some of Cassie’s recommended willow bark tea. While the tea steeped, she sliced a piece of cheese from a wheel in the icebox, then tore a hunk of bread from a loaf. She put both on a plate and set it before Isaiah. “Here. Eat. You need to regain your strength.”
Isaiah’s gaze remained on her as he nibbled the simple fare. How could such a small child radiate such mistrust? Ella reined in a bark of laughter. She, of all people, knew what it was not to trust. Maybe little Isaiah was a kindred spirit.
She went back to the tea. After discarding the leaves, she scooped a generous portion of sugar into the cup and brought it to the table. Ella kept it by her at first, waiting for the tea to cool a bit before offering it to Isaiah.
He finished his bread and cheese. Silence pulsed heavy in the room. Ella searched her brain for something to say, landing on what she hoped was a safe topic. “Do you like living here?”
The boy’s brown eyes hardened. “No. I want my house back.”
Oh. Wrong question. Isaiah crossed his arms over his chest, defiance flitting over his face. Ella scrambled for something to say. “Do you like horses?”
The anger in his eyes intensified. “I hate horses! They killed my mommy and daddy!”
