On Saturday morning, Cody slipped out of the house before dawn and headed for the barn. Yet again, he’d woken with Ella in his arms, a common occurrence since they’d bonded over his mother’s poetry. The first time it happened, he panicked. He’d felt happy and warm, surrounded by a cloud of lavender, when he realized something wasn’t right. When his eyes opened and he found his wife nestled against him, cradled in his arms, he’d almost leapt out of the bed. His body jerked and woke Ella. To his surprise, she hadn’t seemed bothered by his embrace.
Things between him and his wife alternated between comfortable and stilted in the days that followed. Despite that, she was clearly growing more at ease in his home, taking to her role of mother as if she’d been born to be one. Isaiah gave her a hard time, but Addie and Jonah took to her as naturally as she did to them.
His own feelings were clear as mud. Cody wanted to keep his distance, to keep his heart locked away where it couldn’t get hurt. But his protective instincts proved stronger than his fear. He couldn’t bear the anxiety on Ella’s face when she thought she’d made some perceived mistake. Whatever her former fiancé had done to her, it left deep marks.
With a grunt, Cody grabbed a pitchfork. Maybe some manual labor would ease the confusion in his chest. He mucked the stalls with more vigor than usual. By the time the sun climbed toward the horizon, sweat covered his body and he’d long since shucked his jacket.
The two milk cows clamored for his attention. Cody paused to catch his breath before placing the pitchfork against a wall. “Sorry, gals. I lost track of time.”
“Can I help?”
An involuntary yelp escaped him as he whirled around to face the owner of the unexpected voice. Ella stood a few feet away, wrapped in a thick shawl. She wore an apologetic expression. Cody inhaled long and slow to calm the rapid beating of his heart. “Mornin’.”
“Good morning. You’re up earlier than usual.”
How could he tell her it was both thrilling and disconcerting to wake up with her in his arms every day? Cody couldn’t figure out how that happened. He went to sleep with his back to her in an attempt to prevent that outcome, but when morning came, she lay nestled against him and his traitorous arms held her close. At least she didn’t usually wake before him.
Now she stood, head tilted and green eyes trained on him. He searched his mind to remember her comment. “I guess I didn’t sleep well.”
Ella fiddled with the fringes of her shawl. “Is that my fault?” Before he could deny it, she hurried on. “You’re not used to sharing a bed. That must feel strange.”
It did. He’d never shared sleeping space with anyone before getting married. “A little. I’d wager it’s the same for you.”
She nodded. A soft expression flitted over her face. “I find I don’t mind it like I thought I would.”
Her words knit together a wound deep inside, one he hadn’t realized stood in need of healing. “That so?”
“I mean…well…I feel…” She cleared her throat and spoke in a rush. “I feel safe with you.”
With his prickly nature? “We’ve known each other for two weeks.”
Pink dotted her cheeks. “It doesn't make sense to me either.” She looked at the ground. “Travis’s assurance of your character seems to have worked its magic.”
That said more about her trust in Travis than her feelings for him, but Cody appreciated the sentiment. “I’m glad you’re not afraid of me.”
Her lips quirked. “Not usually, anyway.”
“I’ll take it.”
One of the cows released a loud grunt. Ella jumped.
Cody hid a smile, reaching for a pail near the wall. “Were you serious about wanting to help?”
“Yes.”
“All right. Let’s teach you how to milk the cows.”
Ella eyed the animals as she moved closer to him. “They’re so big.”
Cody smothered a smile. Big? Wait ’til she saw the cattle on the range. “They’re Jerseys, one of the smallest breeds of milk cow.” He pointed to the one in the first stall. “That’s Sadie. The other is Becky.”
“Hmm.” Ella turned her gaze on him. “Those are very feminine names.”
“I can’t take credit. Cassie named them.”
“That I can believe.”
Cody opened Sadie’s stall and nudged a stool near her as he reached for a pail. “Have a seat.”
