“Uh...” Tokala stammered.
“No, not at all,” Kahona interrupted, glaring at his son. Atola who was excited about her budding plan was oblivious to this. “Just some stuff about the new horses.”
“Okay then. You can fill me in about all that later.” She clapped her hands in delight and said, “I feel so hungry now that I finally know what I want to do. I am going to make us a feast!”
Her father and brother nodded, as they exchanged tight smiles. Tokala opened his mouth to speak but his father raised his finger to his mouth making a shushing gesture. Tokala sighed and sat back, resigned. Kahona turned to the sky and smiled. It was a smile that hid several secrets.
Chapter Eighteen
Six Months Later
“So, how is your friend, Elaina?” Chito asked with a small smile.
A smile crept up Running Wolf’s face and he quickly cleared his throat to hide it, “What are you talking about?”
“I am only asking about your friend, my dear friend. Your friend you visit every single day. Your friend who has been living in our village for over six months. Your friend who you have abandoned your vision quest for.”
Running Wolf rolled his eyes, “Here we go again.”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong, my friend. I really am not teasing you. After what I saw yesterday, it all made sense. What I cannot believe is why it took me so long to figure it out. I guess it’s because a moron like you has still not figured it out.”
“What is it again?” Running Wolf groaned. “What did you see?”
“You kissing your guest. You both were so engrossed in the activity, of course I could not disturb you,” Chito announced with a mischievous grin.
“That’s… uh...” Running Wolf fell short of words.
“You are in love with her, brother,” Chito chuckled.
“That’s not… not...” Running Wolf started saying but his eyes widened.
Chito grinned, “You’ve never been in love so it’s understandable that you won’t know it when it hit you.”
“I’ve wanted to share my feelings with you for so long, my friend.”
“But you had no idea how I would react,” Chito smiled and Running Wolf nodded, “Well, the Chief and I agree that she is good for you. And it’s been a while. Surely, if she was a threat,something would have happened by now.”
“The Chief? Oh, don’t tell me you told him what you saw?” Running Wolf groaned and covered his face.
“Well, next time don’t be so obvious. What did you expect me to do? You had been spending so much time there, saying you were repairing your shack, how big is that shack? Because you have been repairing it for months. The Chief and I know there must be a solid reason behind you choosing to repair that place. You abandoned it after Fala’s death.”
Running Wolf nodded slowly. Chito smiled and patted his friend’s back, “On both our behalves, I came over to check if you needed help, and found that you had it all under control.”
Running Wolf chuckled. He looked up at the sky and smiled, “I think I love her, brother. I am utterly crazy about her. I cannot go a moment without seeing her, talking to her, hearing her laugh. I feel like I've known her forever. And her little girl, Jessica has me wrapped around her little fingers. I would like us to be a family, Chito. I cannot believe finally said that aloud.”
Chito was all smiles as he watched his friend. The last time he saw his friend talk with so much eagerness was when he found out Fala was with child. “But something bothers you.”
“She has been hurt, my friend. She carries scars from her past and has not been able to open up to me completely. And I really do not blame her. I have my own scars which I have still not bared to her.”
“You need to get it all out in the open if you are going to be together, Running Wolf. You have no idea if she has a man waiting for her. Hmm… have you laid with her yet?”
Running Wolf glared at his friend. Nonetheless, he shook his head and Chito grinned, “Ah, so you both have been too busy just exchanging kisses for months then. You really are slow.”
Running Wolf ignored his friend as he said, “You are right, we do need to open our scars. We agreed to go slow andunderstand our feelings. And now, I understand where I am and what I want. I want to be with her. I love her. I can only hope that she feels the same way about me.”
Chito patted his friend's back, “I am pretty sure she does, my brother. Now, I’m thinking, why don’t you do something special for her?”
Running Wolf quirked a brow, “Special?”
