Cody chuckled, a nervous tick in his chest. “That’s all I meant.”
“Hmm.” Ella tilted her head. She bit her lip again, then moved toward him. “I’m thankful for your friendship, and I’m thankful you married me. I can’t imagine being tied to anyone else.” She shuddered. “Especially not Howard. We would have been married by now if I stayed in Boston.”
Cody put an arm around her shoulders as a shiver ran through her. “We should get back inside. You’re cold.”
She smiled at him. “I’m fine. Just trying to process this entire conversation.”
And he’d never answered her question. As they walked inside, he took a long breath to fortify himself. “Ella, I don’t want to be the reason you don’t get your heart’s desire.”
She looked at him, unwrapping the blanket from her body. “What?”
“Children. I think…I think I’d be open to that. With you. Eventually.”
“Oh.” Her cheeks turned pink yet again. “I guess…that’s…”
Ella’s face turned redder by the second. Out of nowhere, she burst into laughter. Cody jumped. Ella bent over, hands on her knees, almost howling with amusement. It was contagious. Before he knew it, Cody was laughing too. Their mirth lasted several minutes. Only after they reined it in did he speak again.
“I suppose laughter is good medicine?”
She wiped a tear from her cheek, still smiling as she nodded. “That was the most awkward conversation I’ve ever had. But Cassie was right. We needed to have it.”
“Why is she always right?”
Ella laughed again. “A sister’s prerogative?”
A new lightness filled the air as they looked at each other. Cody put out his hand, and Ella took it. “Thanks for being willing to have hard conversations, Ella. It was tough, but it means a lot that you broached the subject.”
That took trust, and he prized her trust in him. He knew it wasn’t easily earned.
She smiled. “Thanks for telling me about Liza.” Her nose wrinkled. “Even if she doesn’t have the good sense God gave a duck.”
Cody grinned, not bothering to hide his amusement. “A duck, huh?”
“I stand by that statement.”
“I like it.” But not nearly as much as he liked the new Mrs. Brooks.
On Saturday evening, Miss Hattie surprised Ella and Cody with an invitation to watch the children so they could have supper in town. She bustled into the house, making Ella jump, and waved her and Cody out. “Off now, you two. It’s high time you had a date. Just because you’re married, it doesn’t mean there’s no need for romance.”
Ella’s cheeks heated. She pressed her hands there. Cody chuckled, holding an arm out to her. “I guess we’re going to town.”
“Have fun!” Hattie called after them, Addie on her hip.
Cody led Ella to the barn. “Horses or wagon?”
“Riding sounds nice.”
“Riding it is.”
When they got to the barn, Cody halted. “I don’t have a side saddle.” He scanned her long skirts. “Maybe the wagon would be more prudent. I’m sorry, Ella.”
She chuckled. Moving closer to him, she tilted her head back to meet his gaze. “It’s fine. The wagon is nice too. I don’t mind.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, he smiled. “Good. I’ll have to see about getting a side saddle for you soon.”
“Only if we can afford it.” Ella’s brows rose. “Now, can you teach me how to hitch the horses to the wagon?”
“My pleasure, darlin’.”
