“Did I ever tell you about my hopes for my own fairytale prince?” Ella combed her fingers through his hair. “Before I lost faith in love, I was a romantic. I dreamed of a knight in shining armor coming to rescue me from my dreary existence, sweeping me off to a faraway kingdom and showering me with all the affection no one else would give. We would talk for hours. He’d love poetry and be as much of a romantic as me.” She blinked back the moisture that welled in her eyes. “Do you know what he looked like in my dreams? Blond hair. Blue eyes. Tall and strong. Capable of protecting me and someone I could love with all my heart.
“When Miles began courting me, I thought he could be my knight. He looked and acted the part. When I found out he only wanted my money, it broke something inside of me. I became disillusioned and cynical. After a while, when Howard showed interest, I thought the fairytale might be possible after all. He didn’t fit the mental image of my knight, but he played the part well. He charmed me thoroughly and made me believe in love again. I was so naïve. His abuse beat me down until I was a shell of myself, frightened of my own shadow.”
Her hand came to rest against his cheek. She stroked his skin gently. Three days of beard growth scratched her fingers and palm. “Then you swooped in and literally rescued me. You frightened me and growled like a bear, but underneath that gruff demeanor, you showed a patience and gentleness that broke through my walls. You protected me, loved me, sheltered me. Because of that, I believed in love again. And the best part?” She rested her forehead against his. “You showed me that real life is so much better than a fairytale.”
“I agree, darlin’.”
Ella’s head flew up.
Cody’s eyes were closed, but he wore a small smile. Slowly, he blinked them open.
A sob ripped through her throat. Ella flung her arms around him, careful to avoid his injuries. She buried her face in his neck. “You’re awake!”
His hand came to rest on her back, rubbing in small circles while she cried in relief. She struggled to regain a semblance of composure. When she did, she lifted her head and cupped her husband’s face. “How do you feel?”
“My body hurts like the dickens. What happened? Where am I?”
“St. John’s Hospital. You’ve been unconscious for two days.” She gave him a quick explanation of the events leading to his hospitalization. As she spoke, recognition sparked his eyes.
“Howard.” His gaze darkened. “He’s been arrested?”
“Yes.”
Cody relaxed. “Good.”
Ella debated telling him about Howard being down the hall but decided against it. When Cody regained some strength, she’d give him the whole story.
A doctor came in. When he saw Cody awake, the man’s brows flew up. “Well, this is a happy turn of events. Let’s check your vital signs, young man.” He turned to Ella. “Would you mind waiting in the hall?”
She stood, ready to comply, but Cody grabbed her hand. “I want her here. Please.”
The doctor glanced between them. A slow smile spread over his face. “True love, eh?”
Ella melted at the look on Cody’s face.
He gazed into her eyes as he answered. “Yeah. We’re living our very own fairytale.”
She blushed. “Exactly how much of that story did you hear?”
He grinned. “All of it.”
The morning after he regained consciousness, Cody sat up in bed, thankful to be alive. He sipped water as Ella held a cup to his lips. When he had enough, he leaned back. “Thanks, darlin’.”
She set the cup on a small table. “The doctor says we should be able to go home tomorrow. Dorothy and Lydia are headed to Harmony Springs as well. They said they’d rent a carriage to take us all back.”
“That’s mighty kind of them. We’re practically strangers.”
His wife smoothed the blanket over his lap. “Perhaps for now. I have a feeling we’ll get to know them well over time.” She stood, pressing her hands against her back while she stretched. “It’ll be nice to get home. I miss the children.”
“Me too. And it’s a relief to know we won’t have any more incidents now that Howard’s been caught.”
“Yes.” Ella released a long sigh. Did she still blame herself for the events of the past months? He started to ask, but she gave him a gentle look. “No, I don’t blame myself.”
“How’d you know that’s what I was gonna ask?”
She chuckled. “It was written all over your face.”
“Humph.”
