Mrs. Williams chattered constantly, which suited Ella fine. Her jaw throbbed and all she wanted to do was return to her cottage and relax in her own space.
“Would you like to come to dinner, dear?”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m tired, and I have a project I was working on for my employer. I’m behind after getting trapped.”
“Of course, dear. Another time. Do you like my son?”
“Marlene.” Mr. Williams chided his wife. “Leave the poor girl alone. She’s exhausted and I bet her jaw hurts. You’re lucky you didn’t get a black eye to go with your fat lip.”
“Steven!” Mrs. Williams protested. “You’ll have Ella conscious of her appearance.”
“I saw myself in the mirror,” Ella said.
Mrs. Williams peered at her in concern. “From what Dillon said it sounds as if you were lucky not to get buried wi
