“Yes, I do. I will go and try talking to her now. Goodbye Chito?”
Chito shook his head, “I will leave alone. Get her off this land as soon as possible, Running Wolf.”
Running Wolf sighed as he watched his friend leave. Shaking his head, he turned around and headed in the direction he knew she had gone.
Running Wolf’s long strides weakened when he heard sobbing. He looked around the tree quietly and his eyes widened at the sight of her on her knees, crying. He felt the sharp pain in his chest, the one he had felt earlier. Running Wolf hit his chest with a fist gently as he approached her quietly.
She stiffened at his approach. He watched her wipe hertears, with her back to him. She stood up and turned around. Seeing her red eyes, Running Wolf suddenly had the overwhelming feeling to pull her into a hug. What?! Running Wolf shook his head as he realized the thought that had just run through his head. Hug her? Was he crazy? He had to be going crazy. There was no other reason for that thought. She was a pale face and she was pregnant. Yes, that was the only reason he wanted to help her, the baby. Why did such a crazy thought pop into his head?
She was looking at him curiously and he cleared his throat, “I am here to offer a solution to your situation, a temporary one. It is left to you to agree or not. Whatever you decide, choosing what I offer or not, you will have to leave these parts. Either now or later, it is all up to you. The choice is yours to make in the long run.”
The red headed woman stared at him with new interest as she waited for what he had to say. Running Wolf cleared his throat once again and began.
Chapter Eight
Elaina sighed as she stoked the fire. She settled beside it and spread her hands in front of it. Feeling warmer, she drew her legs up under her. She looked down at her belly and thought,I am sorry I didn’t keep my promise, little one. You won’t have your father when you come out to this world.
A tear rolled down her cheek when she felt the baby’s soft kick. She was reminded of the relief that had washed over her the first time after her accident when the baby kicked. Though the stranger Running Wolf had told her that her baby was fine, she had not been convinced until she had felt that familiar feeling. That had been a little moment of peace that she had appreciated more than anything. That had been three weeks ago. Since then, so many things had happened. For starters, she was now living alone in a shack farther away from the Indians village. No one came to these parts so it was perfect.
She was truly grateful to Running Wolf. He had no idea but by allowing her to stay here, he was protecting her from the soldiers that were after her. She knew without a doubt that they were still searching for her. Grimsson had killed her husband just to have her. She was more than convinced that he was not going to stop there. More than anything, she feared for the life of her child. Grimsson could use her baby as a bargaining chip or worse still, kill her child just so she won’t have any memory of James.
She shivered at the thought. No matter what happened, she had to protect her baby. She would not let anything happen to her. Grimsson had killed James, but he would not hurt her baby. She would kill him before he had his way. She ran a hand over her face and sniffed. She had to stop crying and develop a thick skin if she was going to be able to protect her baby. While she was with the Indians, they were safe. But as soon as she has her baby, they would have to leave this place and once again, they would be exposed to the dangers out there. They wouldhave to face trouble head-on as soon as they were out of here.
The sound of a hooting owl caused her to jolt in her seat. She looked around and swallowed hard.It’s fine, it’s fine, she kept saying within herself. She thought she heard the sound of approaching footsteps and rose to her feet. It was about time she went inside, she concluded. She quickly drenched the fire and headed into the shack. She slipped the piece of wood that served as her lock in place and settled under the deerskin that served as her blanket.Everything is fine, you are safe out here,she kept telling herself repeatedly. It was the only choice she had. Thinking that there was danger out there was not going to help her in any way.
Since she moved to the village weeks ago, Elaina had not uttered a word asides James’ name. She was too tired to speak and she was afraid of being found. And she was not even worried. She was too exhausted to worry about anything but her baby. Her baby was her world now.
“Live well, for me, for yourself and for our baby! Love again!” James’ last words to her caused her to sniffle.
Live well, she had no choice. For her child to live well, she had to live well too. She would keep that promise. But to love again? That was never going to happen. The only space left in her heart was for no one else but her child. All her love was for her child. She could not bring herself to love anyone else, or start anew with another person that was not James.
Elaina sighed. It hurt thinking of James, a great deal. Would she ever get over the pain? That was the last thought in her head before she drifted off.
*
Running Wolf quickly darted behind a tree when he saw her looking in his direction. She looked away and he gently stepped out of his hiding place. He tilted his head as he watched her. The fire cast a golden glow on her face.
“She is too close to the fire,” Running Wolf muttered under his breath as he watched her place her hands over the fire. He ran a hand through his hair as he said, “Is the shack too cold? Why else would she be out here when she should be sleeping at this time? I really should do some work on the shack.”
But is it necessary? She will soon be leaving after all,a voice said in his head. Running Wolf frowned and looked back at her. It had been weeks of her staying on the property and for the past weeks, he was always hovering around, watching her and ensuring that she was in no danger. Chito was not going to like it one bit. He knew that all too well. Still, he could not leave her to fend for herself in a strange place. So what if he left bundles of wood in the wood box or baskets of fruits close to the door? There was nothing wrong with that, absolutely nothing wrong. It was not like he was talking to her. He was keeping his distance but helping from afar. Yes, no one said anything against doing that, right? So what if Chito would have a field day? He would just have to use the same reasoning with him.
An owl hooted loudly just then and he watched her look around in fear. His eyes followed her as she drenched the fire and hurried into the shack. He sighed in relief. He preferred that she was inside at this time. She was safer in the shack than out here in the open.
Satisfied and knowing he would be able to sleep now, Running Wolf headed back to his tepee. He laid his head on the deerskin pillow and closed his eyes. Her face hovered in his head and he felt the pounding in his chest once again. Running Wolf’s eyes flew open and he ran a tired hand through his hair. Of course he was worried about her. She reminded him a lot about Fala. That was the reason for his interest and the worry he felt for her. There was nothing else there. She was a pale face but she was still a pregnant one. He could not just ignore that fact.
He turned on his side as he tried not to think of her sleeping in the shack so close to the forest. She had been sleepingthere for a while now. It was safe as safe could be. She would be fine. Yes, she would be fine. He really had nothing to worry about, he decided. What he needed to do now was sleep. Yes, he had to sleep.
The next morning, Running Wolf found himself in front of the elders of his tribe.
“Why do you delay your vision quest, Running Wolf?” his Chief asked. “You should have left two weeks ago.”
“I have just been very busy,” Running Wolf told them firmly.
“Busy with what? Perhaps with your new guest?” One of the elders quirked a brow.
“What did you say?”
“Did you honestly think that we would not know about the pale face you brought into our lands? That it would go unnoticed by us?” The Chief hissed.
