She raised those luminous green eyes to his. “I think it’s a valid point, and likely part of the truth. I just can’t help feeling there’s more to it.”
“Then we need to be vigilant.” Travis pushed up from the wall. “I’ll contact a friend of mine on the Boston force. He might be able to dig around, find out if something’s off.”
Ella let out a soft breath. “Thank you, Travis.”
He nodded. “In the meantime, try to enjoy your freedom. If your father learned anything in his time here, it’s that your husband won’t let him push either of you around. I think he finally got a lesson he couldn’t ignore.”
Ella gazed up at Cody, a gentle smile on her lips. “Indeed.”
That single look stayed with him the rest of the day. Who knew gratitude could be so warming? In Ella’s eyes, he found the respect he hadn’t known he wanted.
Afull week after her father left, Ella was able to relax. There had been no word from him. They hadn’t heard from Travis’s friend on the force either. Nothing to corroborate her anxious thought that there might be more to the story.
Life settled back into a comfortable routine. Jonah continued to call her Mama, melting Ella’s heart more with each use of the word. Isaiah appeared to be conflicted over his brother’s choice, but he stopped correcting Jonah after a few days.
One afternoon, horse hooves sounded in the yard. Ella peered out the window, smiling when she recognized Cassie. She met her sister-in-law at the door with an embrace. Ella gave her a warm smile. “I’m surprised you’re here. Did you shut down the café for the afternoon?”
Cassie removed her coat and hung it on a hook. “No. I have a couple ladies who work with me, and one of them took over when I said I wanted to come see you. I hope I’m not intruding.”
“Not at all. Would you like some tea?”
“Yes, please.”
Ella led the way to the kitchen. “Your timing is perfect. The kids got sleepy after lunch and are napping. We’ll be able to have a conversation without interruption. At least until they wake up.”
“I hear you’ve had a bit of a breakthrough with Jonah.”
“We have. He’s calling me Mama now. It’s the only word he’s said so far, but…” Her throat worked with raw emotion.
Cassie put a hand on her arm. “But you feel more like a mother now that he’s given you the title?”
Ella nodded through her tears. “I’d been wondering what I could offer these children, hurting as they are. Jonah’s acceptance of having me as a mother was more than I could have hoped for. Even Isaiah is resigned to my presence here, though he’s struggling with the reason for it.” She paused with a hand on the kettle. “He’s broken, understandably so. His road to healing will be a long one. I just hope I’m patient enough to help him through it.”
“You will be. There has been so much improvement already in the children. They are hurting and they will struggle, but that’s life. You and Cody are hurting, too, for different reasons. Family is a place where those hurts and struggles can be shared and eased in a healthy way, through love and grace.”
Though a pang of sadness pierced her heart, Ella smiled. “I hope you’re right. In my experience, family is a source of hurt.”
Cassie waited until Ella put the kettle on the stove, then wrapped her in a hug.
Ella sighed, leaning against her friend for a few moments. When they pulled back, she wiped at a tear. “You and your brother didn’t have an easy time of it either.”
“No. But we knew our parents loved us. That makes a difference.” Cassie took one of Ella’s hands, giving it a squeeze. “Which is why Isaiah, Jonah, and Addie are blessed to have you. My brother wasn’t sure what to do with the kids on his own. He was all thumbs when it came to their care. Since you’ve come along, he’s more at ease with them. It’s as if the pressure of being a single parent paralyzed him. Now that you’re here, he’s risen to the challenge because he knows he’s not alone anymore.” She wiped a tear of her own. “Thank you for being here for him. He needed you as much as you needed him.”
A flush heated her cheeks. “I don’t know if I’d go that far. Cody would have worked with another woman if necessary for the sake of the children.”
“Oh, I’m sure he would have. But I don’t think it’d have yielded the same result. You’re good for each other.” A twinkle filled Cassie’s eyes. She leaned forward and lowered her voice to a whisper. “I’m calling it now. You two will be in love by summer’s end.”
Love? Heat zinged through her stomach, making it lurch. Ella sputtered. “Th-that’s a bit of a leap. Cody and I are just finding our way to friendship. Love is a whole different feeling.”
Cassie snorted. “Not really. In an ideal world, you would be married to your best friend. If you and my brother are getting to friendship already, especially considering your rocky start, the chances of you finding love are excellent.” She tilted her head. “Don’t tell me you never dreamed of love.”
“Of course I did.” The kettle whistled. Ella busied herself preparing the tea. “What girl doesn’t hope for love?”
That hope had been smashed by life.
Cassie leaned against the counter. “And now that you’re a woman?”
Ella poured steaming water into mugs. “By default, if I fall in love, it must be with my husband. I don’t know if I hope for that. It feels…” She struggled to find the right word. “Strange.” Her eyes widened, and she turned to Cassie. “What I meant was…”
