Isaiah peered up at him. “Did you ever change?”
“Not really.” Cody looked the boy in the eyes. “But I’m changing now. With you and Jonah and Addie. With Aunt Ella. All of you have changed me in a good way.”
“So you’re not different anymore?”
Cody chuckled. “I wouldn’t say that. It’s still hard to talk to people. A lot of folks probably think I’m different. But I’m okay with that.”
Isaiah nibbled his lip. “I guess I can be different too. For now.” Uncertainty crossed his face. “What if I want to call you Papa like Jonah?”
Cody grinned. “I’d like that.”
“It don’t mean I will.” A spark of defiance touched Isaiah’s eyes, but just as quickly, it vanished. “I’ll think about it.”
Cody gave him a one-armed hug. “Whatever you decide, I consider you my son, and your aunt does too.”
Isaiah nodded. He hopped to his feet. “Can we get that treat now?”
“Sure.”
When they entered the kitchen, Ella smiled at them. “Ready for some hot cocoa?”
Isaiah clapped. “Yeah!” He found a seat beside Jonah.
Ella ladled cocoa into a mug and set it in front of the boy. She poured more into another and offered it to Cody. “You must be cold from playing in the yard so long.”
He accepted the cup. The scent of chocolate hit his senses, sweet and dark. He inhaled deeply, then took a sip, opting to remain by the stove. “This is delicious. Thanks, darlin’.”
A pretty pink color bloomed in her cheeks. She busied herself pouring another cup. After taking a drink of her own, she motioned to Isaiah. “Everything all right with him?”
Cody lowered his voice to match hers. “He’s feeling a little left out. Doesn’t want to be the only one calling us Uncle and Aunt.”
“Poor boy.” Ella took another sip. Her lips pursed and her head tilted as she studied their son. “Do you think he’ll ever call us Mama and Papa?”
“I’d like to think so, but of the three kids, he has the clearest memories of his parents. It hasn’t been that long since they passed. He’s probably processing everything. Jonah doesn’t have the same inhibitions.”
“Hmm.” His wife set her cocoa down. “Then I suppose we’ll have to love on him all the more, let him know he’s just as much a part of this family as the others.”
Cody let his gaze trail over her face. “You’re a good woman, Ella.”
She blinked. “For loving a child?”
“Yeah.” He stepped closer. “And for putting up with me.”
A slow smile spread over her lips. “You’re not so bad.” She gave him a playful push. “Now let’s sit down with our children and enjoy this cocoa. Maybe we can play a game after.”
Cody enveloped her hand in his, leading the way to the table. “That sounds perfect.”
CHAPTER 17
Spring in Montana was different from spring in Boston. Ella preferred the western version. The days grew warmer, and the fields turned green. The Rocky Mountains retained their snowy tops, glittery and proud against the bright blue sky. The new warmth reinforced just how cold winter had been.
On a particularly quiet evening, Ella curled up on a porch chair, staring at the peaceful vista before her. In the distance, the sun made its descent toward rippling mountains. Orange rays shot high, melding into the darkening blue sky. A cool breeze tickled her face, just enough to make her shiver. Ella took a sip of her tea. The tang of lemon coated her tongue, and the warmth of the liquid evened out the spring chill.
Hummingbirds flitted in a whirl of wings around the newly blooming flowers. An occasionalmoosounded from one of the pastures. Other than that, silence permeated the ranch. The stillness was a direct contrast to life in Boston. The city bustled at all hours in a cacophony of noise and busyness. Here in the country, Ella felt as though she could simply breathe.
She raised the tea to her mouth again. Her eyes remained on the sky, watching as the orange softened into light pink. The breeze intensified. Ella shivered again, but she couldn’t bring herself to go inside. Not yet. She would happily brave a little cold if it meant basking in such peace.
The door creaked open. Heavy footsteps crossed the porch. Before she could turn, a warm weight settled over her shoulders. She looked at the woolen blanket, then lifted her gaze to her husband. “Thank you.”
