She smiled as she stroked his chin, “Nope, not anytime soon. And I don’t think I will get tired of it either.”
He smiled and sighed at her soft touch. In a strangled voice, Running Wolf said, “I should leave now.”
“Can’t you stay longer?” she pouted.
Running Wolf took her hands and kissed them, “You have no idea how much of an effect you have on me, Elaina. I think it is really best if I leave now.”
She smiled knowingly and stepped back, “All right, but I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Of course. Not even wild horses can keep me away. Speaking of wild horses, I should introduce you to my black stallion, Wolf.”
“Why am I not surprised that your horse is called Wolf?”she teased him.
“It is what it is,” he shrugged. He looked up at the pinkish sky. He turned back to her and planted a soft kiss on her lips, “Take care of yourself and Jess. And stay safe.”
She nodded, “You too. I’ll see you tomorrow, Wolfy.”
“No, anything but that,” He slapped his forehead. Her laughter accompanied him as he left the yard. Running Wolf looked back at the house fondly and letting out a happy sigh, he turned to the path ahead of him.
Chapter Seventeen
A little more spring in his step than earlier in the morning, Running Wolf skipped along to his home. He was feeling like the happiest man alive by the time he arrived at his tepee. He looked around his surroundings and he knew that someone was there. He was pretty sure it was Chito. Ignoring his friend's presence, Running Wolf settled into the grass that was next to the entrance of his tepee and stared into the distance.
A smile played on his lips as he remembered the beautiful memories he made with Elaina. Just that morning, he had been trying to hold back how he felt for her, and now, he could actually show her how he really felt. He ran a hand through his long black hair and sighed thoughtfully. He missed her already. He missed her soft touch and her taste. Running Wolf groaned. Tomorrow could not come fast enough. He thought of her, probably cuddling little Jessica right then and his smile was back in full force. He hoped they were getting some rest. They needed it. It had been a very long day. His little family.
Running Wolf’s eyes widened.His family?Where on earth had thought come from?Before he had the chance to actually analyze his thoughts, someone cleared his throat.
“Why do you have that silly smile on your face, Running Wolf?” Chito asked as he emerged from the forest that surrounded Running Wolf’s tepee.
Running Wolf sighed and leaned his back against a small tree that stood behind him, “Nice to see you too, Chito.”
Chito sneered as he settled next to Running Wolf, “You still have not answered my question, friend. And where have you been? I have been waiting here for a while. Imagine my surprise when I came to visit my good friend and he was nowhere to be found. I searched the vicinity with no success.”
“Oh you did?” Running Wolf nodded slowly. “Soo… is it just my place you searched? Nowhere else?”
“Of course. Where else would I have searched? Should I have gone into the stream? Is that where you were?”
“Uh...”
Before he could respond, Chito narrowed his eyes, “You were with that woman, weren’t you?”
Running Wolf frowned, “You say it like it is a crime to spend time with her. She might be a pale face, but she is a good person, Chito and that is all that matters in my opinion and I’m pretty good at knowing people. So what if she is a pale face? So what if we do not know where she is from? She has a good heart and that is all that matters, Chito. I really hope you come to this understanding too.”
“Fine, fine,” Chito raised his hands, “I never knew you appointed yourself as her chief caretaker. Anyway, it’s fine. I will keep my mouth shut and let you do as you please, Running Wolf. What happens from this point is up to you.”
“Thank you very much,” Running Wolf said sarcastically.
Chito chuckled, “Aren’t you going to welcome me?”
Running Wolf rolled his eyes, “Like you haven’t already made yourself at home.”
“Oh, my friend, you know you can be as quiet as a lamb, and then as fierce as a lion. In you, the Great Spirit put a mix of both characters.”
Running Wolf frowned, “I am never quiet. For you to say that, then you certainly do not know me. When have I ever been quiet?” Running Wolf scoffed. “You are imagining things and situations, definitely. You must be confusing me with someone else.”
Chito slapped Running Wolf’s back and whispered, “You forget, Running Wolf, that I have seen you when you are with Elaina. You must not have noticed it yourself. Whenever you are with her, my friend, then, you become as quiet as a lamb. Now, I am beginning to think that a lamb is not as quiet as you are.”
Running Wolf shoved his friend away, “You... must be go… ing crazy. I have never been as quiet as a lamb, with her or with anyone.”
