She heard herself say, "You know, after what happened to me, I think I pretty much gave up on humanity in that moment. Your kindness to me, a complete stranger and someone completely different from you and your people, it made me realize that good people still exist. The world has not been overrun by the bad yet. So thank you for restoring my faith in humanity."
He rubbed the back of his neck as he said, "It seems there are a lot of things you have to thank me for."
"Oh there is no doubt about that. I agree with you." Elaina smiled. Ever since she set her eyes on her baby, it was becoming easier to smile, just like before it all happened.
"It is nice having a conversation with you. It's wholesome," he blurted out. He looked stunned at his words and Elaina chuckled,
"I have a feeling you are surprised to hear those words from your mouth." He opened his mouth to protest but she beat him to it, "You strike me as someone who thinks carefully over his words before he speaks."
"Well…" he rubbed the back of his neck. "I won't deny that. I always have to measure my words carefully before I speak."
She nodded slowly, "I understand that. Is that your nature or is it as a result of who you are? You some kind of royalty or something?"
He threw his head back and laughed. Elaina's eyes followed him, curious to know what he found funny. The corners of his eyes crinkled when he laughed and the dimple on his right cheek deepened. Elaina smiled. As if he could not look any more breathtaking. Her eyes widened and she gasped at the thought.
His face turned serious immediately, "Are you okay? Does something hurt? Can I help?"
She shook her head vigorously, "No it's fine. Uh… why were you laughing?"
"It's just, you've been asking a lot of questions. It's nice to hear you speak after not hearing you for so long. But it also seems like you are making up for all the time you missed. But hey, I'm not complaining. You have a beautiful voice."
Elaina felt her face redden as she blushed. She quickly looked away as she ran a hand through her hair. She faked a yawn as she said, "I think I am going to try to get some sleep. Thank you so much once again, for everything you've done."
"That's fine. It's my duty as the one who found you. Now, can I ask a question?"
She turned back to him, swallowing hard. Was he going to ask her why she was red? She hoped not. He probably did not know what it meant. What if he thought she was sick and tried to feel her for a fever? She gulped and managed to say, "Sure, you can."
"What's your name? I know your daughter's name but I don't know yours."
"It's Elaina," she said softly.
"That's a beautiful name," he smiled. "I'll go home now."
"Thanks!" She called after him.
As soon as he left, Elaina fell to her knees and slapped her head lightly. She kept muttering, "What is wrong with you, Elaina? Breathtaking? He can't be. He can't be breathtaking. And why on earth did you blush? Why are you so crazy? What on earth are you thinking? Why are so many crazy thoughts in this small head of yours?"
She covered her face with her hands and groaned.
Her daughter's cries broke through her daze. Gratefully, she jumped up and hurried into the house. Yes, this was what she needed to do. Focus her thoughts on her daughter rather than thinking about the handsome dark Indian men with largehands.
She shuddered.Okay, you've gone crazy, Elaina. Utterly and completely crazy. He is just the man who saved you, nothing else. You have got to stop blurring the lines. He is just your savior, nothing more.
She nodded.Yes, that's it. I am just grateful. Nothing more, nothing less.
*
Running Wolf caught himself smiling as he made it over a large mound that was like a fence separating the two properties. He shook his head and hastened his footsteps. The thought of Elaina's smile caused him to stop. A flurry of thoughts flashed through his head, among them being why he was no longer himself when he was around Elaina. Elaina, it was a fitting name for her. He sighed as he thought of the sadness in her own eyes. It would take a while before it was gone completely. When she made that statement, he had desperately wanted to ask what she meant by it but he would not dare. He did not want to give her reason to run away or to close up. She had been very friendly and open ever since her daughter's birth. He had to be careful not to tip the pot over. He had enjoyed speaking to her and was sincerely looking forward to their next encounter.
Running Wolf arrived at his home and he settled down by the fire. As he watched the dancing flames, he was reminded of his pain. In the fire, he could see a laughing Fala singing to their baby. He sighed as he watched her give him his food with a flourish. She turned to him just then and called his name. He watched as he walked to her and collected the basket she was carrying.
"You should not overexert yourself. I will not be able to help you during childbirth but at least I can help you in any way possible now."
Those were some of the last words he said to her that evening. Running Wolf shut his eyes, trying very hard to fight the ghosts of his past. Having to push through life without Falaand his baby had been hard. It was still hard but he was pushing through one day at a time. And then, there was Elaina and her new baby. They were like a breath of fresh air in his otherwise muddy life. He would miss them very much, that was for sure. In such a little time, they had given him a purpose. He had been given a reason to fight on by both of them. Being able to care for them, protect them and just be there from afar, it was just what he needed to pull himself out of the rut. He was not completely out of it yet but he felt like he was in a much better place.
Running Wolf stood up and walked to the center of the red earth compound. He stared up at the moon that was slowly starting to show. For a long time, rather than the peace he usually felt, the sight of the moon had only left him drained. Today, he felt recharged. Life was slowly regaining its color. Having a reason to live, it was underestimated a great deal but it was so very important.
He smiled up at the moon. Peace, it was an overwhelming feeling.
