A chorus of agreement came from the boys. Ella’s gaze found Cody’s. He wore a frown.
“I don’t feel right leaving now.” His voice lowered for her ears only. “Especially if it wasn’t Hank.”
He followed them to the house. Ella strode into the kitchen. “Boys, go wash up at the pump. Isaiah, can you help your brother?”
“Uh-huh.” They took off for the kitchen door, Cody on their heels. Ella watched, knowing he wouldn’t rest until he knew they were all safe. It was one of the things she loved about him.
She froze. Loved? Was that even possible after such a short time? Her mouth grew slack as she stared at her husband. He stood on the porch, leaning against a post, watching the boys, unaware of the sudden churning in her gut.
Addie squawked. Cody turned, his gaze landing on the baby. He wiggled his fingers at her, prompting a giggle that had Addie reaching out her chubby arms for him.
“Hey, what’s this?” Isaiah’s voice floated into the kitchen. It was followed by a scream.
Cody’s gaze jerked back to the yard before he ran down the steps. Ella followed, her heart dropping to her feet. Jonah scurried toward her, eyes round with fear.
“Isaiah, don’t move!” Cody’s voice held a commanding tone, but there was a waver in it.
She came to an abrupt stop when she saw the danger before them.
A basket lay on its side, the lid flipped off. Two large snakes had their beady eyes locked on Isaiah, tongues flicking and tails rattling. The boy whimpered. His little body shook.
One of the coiled snakes hissed and reared back. Ella watched in horror as Cody dove for Isaiah just before the reptile struck. Her husband tackled their son to the ground and curled his body around the boy. The snake’s fangs sunk into Cody’s thigh. He grunted, then let out a cry when the second snake struck his calf.
Ella grabbed Jonah’s hand and rushed to the kitchen. She placed Addie on the floor beside him, her movements jerky. “Watch your sister!” She ran for the rifle hanging above the front door. Weapon in hand, she raced for the yard again.
Cody had somehow rolled away from the reptiles, but one of them poised to strike again. Her lesson with Cody came sharply into focus. Raising the rifle, she aimed for the coiled snake. The gunshot sounded loud in her ears, but she hit her target. The second snake hissed, slithering away before she could reload.
Ella dropped the gun, ran across the clearing, and fell to her knees at Cody’s side.
His face was pale. A sheen of sweat covered his brow. Isaiah sobbed in his arms. Cody lifted his eyes to Ella’s. “Take Isaiah.”
She pulled the boy into her embrace. His tears tore at her heart. “Is…Uncle Cody…going…to be…okay?”
Cody pushed himself up until he sat on the ground. His breathing sounded labored. “I’ve been bitten before and survived.”
Was he swaying? Fear built inside her. “We need to get you to the house.”
Isaiah wiggled out of her arms. He grabbed Cody’s hand. “Stand up.”
“Not yet, son.” Cody grunted, the sound pained. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, folded-up knife. His gaze settled on Ella. “Cut my pant leg so the bites are visible.”
Without thinking, she accepted the knife and set to work.
Cody’s breaths grew shakier. “We need something to tie around my leg.”
There wasn’t enough material on his pants for that. Ella jerked up the hem of her dress to reveal the bottom of her petticoat. With one slice of the knife, she cut through the fabric and tore a long strip out, then returned her gaze to Cody. “Where do I tie it?”
“Around my thigh, above the wounds. Tight.”
She wrapped the material mid-thigh and pulled it taut.
Cody grimaced, but he shook his head. “Tighter, Ella. Don’t be afraid of hurting me.”
Isaiah whimpered. She put a hand on his shoulder. “Can you take care of Addie and Jonah for me while I take care of Uncle Cody?”
The boy’s eyes were wet with tears. He nodded, casting one more look at Cody before bolting toward the house.
Ella inhaled deeply before focusing her attention on Cody’s leg. She yanked the fabric together as hard as she could.
