When they parted, Cody couldn’t think straight. He dropped his forehead against hers and let out a long breath. “What’re you doing to me, darlin’?”
“I could ask you the same thing.” Her voice sounded breathy, barely above a whisper. “I must admit, now that I know how wonderful your kisses are…”
Cody lifted his head and stared down at her, a smile playing on his lips. “Go on.”
Her cheeks bloomed pink. “I just…like them…” She groaned, dropping her face into her hands. “Never mind. You can go away now and let me wallow in my mortification.”
His laugh enveloped them both. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in for a tight embrace. “No need for mortification, Ella. I like your kisses a whole lot too.”
“Mama?”
They turned as one. Jonah stood at the door. The little boy hurried toward Ella, arms extended. She swept him into her arms, placing a kiss on his cheek. “Hello, sweetie.”
“Hi, Mama.”
Cody’s heart expanded in his chest as he watched his wife and son. They felt more like a family every day. He might be bumbling his way through, but he’d made the right choice, both in keeping the children and in marrying Ella. How dull life would be without them.
He placed a hand on Ella’s back. “I’ll take him back downstairs so you can get ready.”
She pressed another kiss to Jonah’s cheek before relinquishing him.
Cody settled the child on his hip. “You ready for a day outside, buddy?”
Jonah grinned and nodded. They made their way to the kitchen, where Isaiah sat feeding Addie little bites of oatmeal. Cody set Jonah on a chair beside his brother, then went to the stove to make a bowl for Ella. He poured in a generous amount of honey. His nose wrinkled as he stirred it together, but if his wife liked her oatmeal sweet, he’d make sure it was sweet—even if he didn’t understand the appeal. Plain oatmeal suited him just fine. He added milk and set the bowl on the table, then poured a cup of coffee for her. Just as he finished, Ella came into the kitchen. Her gaze landed on the breakfast he’d prepared before lifting to meet his. The smile she sent him blazed a trail of heat down his spine.
Isaiah set Addie on the ground. “She’s done. Can we plant now?”
“Almost, son. Let your ma—uh, your aunt—eat her breakfast first.”
Addie babbled her agreement.
Isaiah shook his head. He grabbed Jonah’s hand. “C’mon. Let’s play in the yard.”
The boys darted to the front door. Addie watched them go with a cry of protest. She pushed up to her hands and knees, rocking back and forth. Cody’s eyes widened as she wobbled precariously. He started her way, but Ella put a hand on his arm. He glanced at his wife, confused, before looking back at the baby in time to see her face plant onto the floor. The little girl yelped.
Cody tried again to get her, but Ella’s grip on his arm tightened. He froze. “What’re you doing? Addie needs help!”
“No, she doesn’t. Watch.”
Addie rolled to her back with a pout. She gurgled, then flipped to her stomach and pushed herself into a crawling position again. When she tried to slide her knee forward, she fell again.
Ella moved a few steps closer. She picked up the baby and kissed her cheek. “There, there, love. Try again, yes?” She set Addie back on the floor.
Addie looked around a moment before getting to her hands and knees once more.
When she fell again, Cody sucked in a breath. Ella sat on the ground, repeating her short bit of comfort before encouraging the girl to keep trying. His hands clenched into fists. It killed him to watch the child fall. It chafed that his wife wouldn’t let him provide the protection Addie needed. Surely, she could learn to crawl in less dangerous circumstances.
Eventually, Addie crawled a few feet before falling to the floor and staying there. She rolled onto her back and reached for her toes, gurgling and cooing.
Ella stood, a smile on her face. “Such a big girl, Addie. You’re doing great.”
“Great?” He looked at his wife, anger simmering. “She fell more than she crawled.”
She planted a hand on her hip. “That’s how she’ll learn, Cody. Coddling her won’t help. Sometimes, we have to fall before we can soar.”
“She got hurt trying!”
“Hurt? She’s fine. Look at her.” Ella waved a hand at their daughter.
