“What?” a confused Elaina asked. James had not mentioned anything.
“Oh, I doubt it is anything to worry about. It is just that last week, the output mined was greatly reduced when compared to previous deposits, so the supervisor is working them twice as hard.”
“But those things happen, right? They will not always mine equal deposits.”
“Yes, true, but from what I hear, it was not the first or second time it happened. I think he was just angry about the drop in their output. Anyway, I am sure there is nothing to worry about. In a few days, they will return to the status quota. We just have to hold on. I wonder why James didn’t tell you. He has probably been stressed. You both are not having problems, right?”
Elaina shook her head, “No, nothing of the sort.”
She sighed as she stared into a distance. She was worried about her husband being able to cope with the pressure. The job they were referring to was the role of a site manager that James was handling at the mine. Leila’s husband’s friend owned the mine and it was due to Leila’s connection they had met the manin the first place. He had been impressed by James and given him a job. Elaina was truly grateful to her friend. Now, if only James would focus on it and not give up, and work through the hard times. She smiled softly. He made a promise to her, he said he was going to do better. Yes, she would take his word for it.
“Earth to Elaina!” Leila snapped her fingers at Elaina. “You okay?”
“Oh yes, yes. I need to check on the bread. I will be right back.”
Elaina nodded as she excused herself. Moments later, Leila was munching on fresh bread. She swallowed and sighed,
“You have outdone yourself again, my friend. You know, when James has made enough money, he should open a baker’s shop for you. You will be the talk of the town. Everyone will totally buy Elaina’s delicious bread. I promise you.”
Elaina threw her head back and laughed. She watched her friend devour the bread with gusto and she felt lighter than she had felt in a long time. Laughter was truly a good medicine and good friends were important, the thoughts crossed her mind in that moment.
Her hands touched her stomach and she thought,you are one lucky baby, little one, your father is a site manager and your mother might just own a baker’s shop someday. And most of all, you are loved.
Chapter Two
Hair billowing in the wind, Running Wolf stood before the two graves, his head lowered and unaware to the happenings around him. He felt a comforting hand on his shoulder but he did not bother turning around. Whoever it was, there was no way he could be spared his grief. All in one day, he had lost two. It was pain that he would have to carry around for the rest of his life. It was a pain that was heavy to bear but he had to bear it for no one else could do it for him.
How time had flown greatly. One minute they were here and the next they were gone. He sighed as he ran a tired hand through his long black hair. This was a loss that no one had seen coming. It was a loss that came with twice the amount of pain. Was there anything he could have done differently? Surely, there had to be a lot that could have been done to prevent this pain. Surely, they would still be here if things had been done differently. That had to be a possibility, right?
“Running Wolf?” a voice called beside him but he was no longer there. Rather, he was being transported into a time in his memories. It was a time before his loss. Things had not been the rosiest, sure, but they had certainly not been as gloomy as they were in his present.
Four months earlier
Fala sat on the tree stump, watching the path that led to the home she shared with Running Wolf. Her eyes lit up when he emerged around the path. She hurried toward him and made to relieve the load in his hands but he quickly pulled them away from her reach.
“You should not be doing this,” Running Wolf said quietly.
“I do not mind it, Running Wolf.” she tried to take it again but he continued to withhold it from her. She lowered her head and said softly, “Thank you for caring for me.”
He grunted and headed toward their tepee when she called, “I was expecting you a bit earlier, Running Wolf.”
Running Wolf shrugged as he said, “The meeting ran late. Let us go in.”
Fala followed him slowly, admiring the leanness of his back. She sucked in a breath as he turned toward her just then, his eyes, the color of wild honey, staring at her. She felt a jolt that went start to her knees, she always did whenever he looked at her that way. She was lucky, very much lucky to be married to him.
“Is something wrong?” he inquired, a perfect dark brow quirked.
“Uh… no...” she quickly shook her head. “I am right behind you.”
Fala followed him in and placed his food before him. She settled down and watched him eat, completely engrossed in all his actions. It was the same every single time. Being here with him, being his wife, it was surreal and it warmed her heart. Theirs had been an arranged marriage and back then, she had been amazed when she found out that the warrior she always admired from afar would be her husband. He was the most sought after in the village and beyond, so him being with her, her being the lucky one was amazing. She considered herself the luckiest of them all.
She was in love with him, it had not been difficult to fall for him actually. Unfortunately, he did not feel the same way about her. He had only married her out of his duty to the village and the people. It was a reality that broke her heart. Still, she was determined to make him fall for her. They were married and they had a long life ahead of them. She had all the time to make him realize that she was the right one for him. He was a sweetheart and soon, he would realize his feelings for her. Then, her joy would be complete and they would be an absolutely united family. That was a promise she was making herself.
“Are you not going to eat?” Running Wolf inquired of his wife.
She smiled and waved her hands. “Oh don’t mind me at all. Please eat. You need all the strength.”
He paused and said, “You also need as much strength, Fala. You forget that you are no longer living for one. You are two. You cannot afford to do anything that will harm you or the little one. I worry that you do not understand that. You seem too interested in other matters.”
