Ella felt self-conscious holding his hand so boldly, but she focused on providing what little comfort she could. “Tell me.”
“‘I love thee to the level of every day’s most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.’” He fell silent for a moment. “She used to say the proof of real love lay not in big gestures and grand hopes, but in the little joys and trials of everyday life. That it had to be built on a foundation of trust, respect, and faith.”
Some unrecognizable, deep emotion welled up inside Ella. She attempted to compose herself before speaking. “I think I would have liked your mother. She sounds like a wise woman.”
Cody’s hand tightened over hers. “She was.”
They sat without speaking for a minute before Cody set the precious book aside and tugged Ella to her feet. He kept hold of her hand and gave it a squeeze. “It’s late. We should probably turn in.”
She raised her free hand to his chest. “Thank you, Cody.”
“For what?”
“For trusting me with that story. I feel as though I know you a little better now.” In an attempt to insert some levity, she smiled. “Cassie is right. You’re a big softy.”
Cody’s jaw slackened, and he stared at her for a moment. He shook his head. “I’m going to have words with my sister over that comment.”
Ella laughed softly as he extinguished the light. “It won’t change the fact that she’s right.”
“Humph.” Cody began walking, guarding her from bumping into furniture in the dark room. “Just make sure that stays between us.”
A smile curved her lips. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“Good.”
Hand in hand, they climbed the stairs to their room. Ella took a deep breath as Cody spread his blankets over the floor. She gathered her courage and touched his shoulder. “You shouldn’t be sleeping on the floor.”
He stilled.
Ella soldiered on. “We can share the bed. It’ll be much warmer.”
Cody’s eyes searched hers. “You’re really okay with that?”
“Yes.”
“All right.” Neither of them moved. Cody gestured to the bed. “Ladies first.”
Ella took a deep breath and slipped under the covers. She chewed on her lip when Cody got in beside her. The bed suddenly felt much too small. Their bodies touched no matter how close to the edge she lay.
Long minutes passed. Old fears welled up. Cody’s breathing evened out, but his hip remained firmly pressed against hers. Despite their earlier connection, Ella stifled a groan. All she could think of was the last man she’d trusted…and how terribly it had all turned out. Maybe she should turn onto her side. Then perhaps their bodies wouldn’t touch so intimately.
Before she could, Cody moved in his sleep, flipping to face her. His arm flung over her, his hand coming to rest against her waist. Ella forgot how to breathe. Her husband’s face rested inches from hers, his warm breath puffing against her cheek. She waited for the inevitable panic to set in.
It never came. Instead, a soothing warmth crept through the entirety of her body.
But that was impossible. Whenever Howard so much as looked at her, she’d felt anxious. His touch had been even worse. He possessed none of the gruff, rough exterior that Cody did. Quite the opposite. Howard could charm anyone with his charisma and flowery words. Cody was more likely to growl. But when it came to who she would trust more, the answer was easy—as proven by the fact that she’d married one to escape the other.
Her confusion grew. She should be terrified right now, yet all she felt was relief. Cody might be sleeping, but his arm curled around her spoke of a protectiveness that she was coming to realize was essential to who he was. Hadn’t he been protecting her since the moment they met?
Ella forced her body to relax. She was in Harmony Springs. She was safe. No one could harm her now…
Howard’s angry face appeared in her mind, his handsome features twisted in the malevolent scowl he’d worn the last time she saw him. She could still feel his hand biting into her arm while his other delivered a blow to her face. Her body convulsed, as if the knowledge of what came next was about to happen again.
Cody murmured something in his sleep. He nestled closer, his body flush against hers. Ella gasped. His warmth seeped into her cold memories as much as her cold bones. Instinctively, she turned into his unconscious protection, letting her forehead rest against his solid chest. Why he didn’t terrify her, she couldn’t say. His strength should be enough to send her running. Yet all she knew was that his simple act of moving toward her calmed the storm inside. He banished memories of Howard’s cruelty just by holding her.
The final ropes of tension faded away. Ella let herself forget everything except the safety she felt in this man’s arms. As she lay ensconced in his embrace, her eyes drifted shut, and her mind quieted enough for her to sleep.
CHAPTER 10
