Ella glanced at the pan. She would have to fry all the batter before she could search for eggs. “Maybe. I’ll have to gather them from the coop after I finish these.”
“I can get ’em.” Isaiah drew himself up tall. “Papa Cody says I’m a good helper.”
“Is that so?” Ella smiled at the boy before reaching for a basket beside the stove. “All right. Here you go.” She handed it to him.
Jonah slipped from his chair. “I he’p too?”
“If your brother doesn’t mind.”
Isaiah took Jonah’s hand. “C’mon, Jonah. We’ll see who can get the most eggs.”
They boys took off out the door. As soon as their footsteps faded, Ella returned to making pancakes. She had a sizable stack finished when noises from the children’s room caught her attention. Addie must have woken. Ella laid a towel over the pancakes to keep them warm. She made her way upstairs.
Addie sat in her crib. A cherubic smile filled her little face when she saw Ella. “Ma…ma…ma.”
“Hello, sweet girl.” She lifted Addie from the crib, inhaling her sweet baby scent. “Did you sleep well?”
Addie babbled as Ella changed her. Her little toes danced in the air. She giggled at nothing, waving her hands and trying to catch Ella’s sleeve. “Oh, no you don’t.” Ella scooped her up, planting kisses on her daughter’s cheek. “You’re getting more and more adventurous, aren’t you?”
A loud squeal was Addie’s reply. Ella chuckled. “Let’s get you some milk.”
Addie clapped. Ella sang a lullaby as they went back to the kitchen. She placed her daughter in a highchair and set about making a bottle. When it was ready, she gave it to Addie along with a torn-up pancake.
Voices alerted her to the fact that the boys were back. They burst into the kitchen, rosy-cheeked and out of breath.
“Mama Ella, the chickens didn’t lay as much as usual.” Isaiah handed her the basket. “They looked tired.”
Disappointment slithered through her. Though his initial greeting must have been unintentional, she couldn’t prevent the hope that had grown inside, the hope that he’d finally call her Mama. She suppressed a sigh.
“Sometimes that happens.” She peered into the basket and counted. “Twelve eggs is perfect for today. Do you want to crack them into the pan?”
His eyes lit up. He nodded, scurrying toward a chair to push in front of the stove.
Ella washed the eggs, then brought them to her son. “Let me know if any shells fall in, okay?”
“Okay.” A look of intense concentration filled his face as he cracked the first egg and let it drop into the pan.
The front door opened. Men’s voices murmured from the hallway. Ella wanted to rush to her husband and find out what was going on, but she knew she needed to wait. No sense worrying the children.
Cody and Travis came into the kitchen. The boys grinned at their arrival. Isaiah finished cracking the eggs, then launched himself at Cody and peppered him with questions about the “white stuff” in the garden. Ella busied herself stirring the eggs.
Soon enough, they all sat down to eat. The boys scarfed down their breakfast, thanked Ella for the yummy food, then skipped off to play outside. Cody moved, getting into a position to see the children as they romped about the yard. Ella smiled. She loved his protectiveness.
Travis took his final bite of food. “Thanks, Ella. Breakfast was tasty.”
“Your wife taught me well.”
“She’s good at that.” His smile faded. “We’ve had another note.”
Her stomach turned. “Another? Is that what you pulled from the tree?”
“You saw that?”
“I did.” Her gaze darted to Cody. “What did it say?”
Her husband shifted and wouldn’t meet her eyes.
She held out her hand. “I know you want to protect me, but I need to know.”
