Chapter Eleven
Elaina was so engrossed in staring at the beautiful smile on her daughter’s face as she slept that she was oblivious to the footsteps that approached her. It was not till she heard someone clearing his throat that she turned around. Her eyes widened in delight when she saw that it was Running Wolf. Absently, she brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ears.
“Hello Running Wolf,” she said softly as she stood up.
He returned her smile and nodded at the sleeping Jessica, “It seems your little one has had her fill. She looks very peaceful.”
Elaina nodded shyly, “Yes, she is. She ate a lot and after that, it did not take a lot to get her to sleep.” Elaina tilted her head just then as she realized that he had something in his hands, “What is that?”
“Oh,” he said and in that moment, Elaina saw a flash of emotion she could not explain in his eyes. “I brought this for you. Here you go.”
Elaina took it from his hands, thinking it was his usual supply of fruits or meat. Her eyes widened when she saw the pile of deerskin inside the bag. “What...” she stuttered. She looked up at him, surprised.
He shrugged, “It gets very cold during this time, and especially up here where you live. You have a baby now. You are going to need as much warmth as possible.”
Elaina lowered her head as she bit her bottom lip. She always did that whenever she was trying to fight back tears. She looked up at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears. Softly, she said, “Thank you so much, Running Wolf. Thank you for caring for my child and me. I know that us being here is nothing but a nuisance to you, yet, you are still more than generous with us.”
“It’s nothing… it really...” Running Wolf started saying when Elaina grabbed his hands. Her heart was bursting with unbridled gratitude. She was unable to hold in how grateful she was to him. Who would have thought that she would be able to find her footing after the terrible tragedy that took away the man she loved? She had still not found her footing completely but she had been lucky to find this good man who was more than concerned about her and her child. He was a support she could lean on. She could not bring herself to lean on him completely yet, but she was eternally grateful to him.
“Thank you, Running Wolf. Thank you so very much. Without you, I have no idea where my child and I would be. Frankly, I doubt I’d even have Jessica with me right now. Thank you.”
He stared at her with dazed eyes and he slowly looked down. Her eyes followed his. They went as wide as saucers when she realized that she was holding his hands. She must have grabbed them absentmindedly.
“Sorry about that. I’m just really, really grateful,” She smiled nervously as she crossed her arms.
He looked down at her with yet another unidentifiable expression in his eyes. He shook his head and quickly said, “Uh, it’s fine. It’s fine. Um… I should go, right? I need to go. Yes, that’s what I have to do. Well, I will see you later, then?”
“Yes,” Elaina nodded slowly. “I guess so. We will see each other later then.”
“Right...” he nodded but he made no attempt to move.
A voice calling Running Wolf’s name caused them to turn in the direction of the caller. Elaina swallowed hard as Running Wolf’s friend, Chito came into the yard. Running Wolf seemed to sense her anxiety because he turned to her just then and gave her a reassuring smile. Elaina nodded and gave a small smile.
“Running Wolf, old friend, I knew I would find you here,” Chito said as he approached both of them. His eyes moved from Running Wolf to Elaina and they hardened at the sight of her.The hatred in his eyes changed to shock when he looked closely at her. Jessica chose that moment to let out a mumble as she turned in her sleep.
Elaina quickly sat beside her child on the wide bench. The little girl was nestled in a bed of deerskins. She patted the baby’s back softly as she went back to sleep.
“She’s given birth? The freaking pale face has had her baby?!” Chito exclaimed.
Elaina hissed, glaring at him, “Would you be a little quieter? My child is trying to get some sleep and you should know that your noise isn’t helping.”
A stunned Running Wolf and Chito stared at her as Elaina’s mouth gaped in surprise. She had no idea where she had drawn up such fierceness from.A mother’s protectiveness, in that moment, she remembered the words her grandmother had told her when she had chosen to live in guilt after her parents’ death.
Elaina shook her head and cleared her throat, “My apologies but I would appreciate it if you both leave now. I would like to tend to my child.”
“Sure, that is fine,” Running Wolf nodded as he grabbed his friend's arm.
But Chito refused to be moved. He gasped, “She can talk?! She can freaking talk?! When did this happen? Talk? But...”
“Let’s go, Chito. I will tell you all you want to know,” Running Wolf told his friend as he applied more pressure in pulling him out of the yard. Just before he got out of the yard, Running Wolf turned. He bowed his head slightly and he said apologetically, “This will not repeat itself again. Forgive my friend’s words.”
Elaina smiled and nodded. Chito was already on another rant as he was being dragged away, “You are apologizing to her? Why on earth are you doing that? Why?!...”
Their voices drifted away as they headed off and Elaina sighed as she ran a hand through her hair. She settled down onthe bench tiredly and groaned. She could only hope with all her heart that she had not gotten Running Wolf into trouble. It was the last thing that she wanted to do.
*
“What on earth was happening there, Running Wolf? You freaking lied to me!” Chito hissed as they made their way from the house. Chito kept looking back at the house and Running Wolf continuously pushed him forward.
