Choctaw Sun (Native Sun #2)

Chapter One

The wind howling outside kept distracting the young woman who stood at a wooden table in the log cabin, carrying out the dull task of slicing carrots.

The sound of a crash caused her head to turn in the direction of the window behind her.

She hurried to it and looked out. She could see nothing but other cabins dotting the landscape and miles of prairie.

Reflexively, her hand cradled her belly as she said softly, “Where could he be, little one? When will he get here?”

She turned back to the window and looked out longingly. Letting out a sigh, she returned to the carrots. She picked up the knife but after moments of staring into space, she set it down with a groan and headed to the front of the house.

The woman stood in the doorway, watching the swirling sky.

Worry was bubbling in her heart and she was trying desperately to keep it at bay.

What if he got caught in the storm? What if he was injured?

What if he did not return? What would become of her and their baby?

She caressed her stomach as the thoughts flew through her head.

The young woman shook her head vigorously, her ginger curls bouncing around. You cannot think like that, she told herself. The baby is not even up to a month old. Such thoughts are not good. Positive thoughts, only positive thoughts.

“It’s not so easy,” she said softly as she turned and headed back into the cabin.

She could only resign herself to wait for him.

Going in search of him was not an option.

It would do both of them no good to be trapped out there together.

It would certainly not do her baby any good, she thought with a slow nod.

What she could do was distract herself. Yes, she would distract herself with the cooking and cleaning, she resolved.

Three hours later she found herself back at the door of the cabin.

She ran a hand through her hair in frustration.

She had no idea what she was more pissed about, if it was the storm that kept howling in warning but doing nothing like a toothless bulldog, or if it was the fact that her husband was still not back.

She had decided to camp her ship in anger toward him, rather than worry about him.

She sighed for the umpteenth time that day and turned back into the house.

“Elaina my darling! Elaina!!!” a slurred voice called to her.

Elaina gritted her teeth as she turned around. She crossed her arms as she watched her husband James stumble toward her. He got to the door and grinned as he leaned toward her. James threw his arms around her as he cheered,

“My darling!! You look beautiful as always!! Have I ever told you how much of a lucky man I am?”

Elaina pulled herself out of his drunken grip and hissed, “You are drunk and you reek. Get off me.”

“My darling, that’s not true. I had just a couple of glasses, just a few. Believe me,” he winked as he stroked her cheek.

Elaina hissed and stormed into their cabin. “I regret the few moments I spent worrying about you. You were just busy getting drunk. Didn’t you see that there is a storm brewing? Why didn’t you hurry home from the mine? What if you were in caught in it? How could you do this to me and our baby?”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, darling. It was just a very good day. We all got a bonus and had to celebrate!”

“It seems you forgot you have a family to come home to considering how you went partying immediately after you got off,” she quipped.

“I...” he stuttered. He scratched his head, unable to speak.

She rolled a pair of large hazel eyes. “I’ll get your food. Just sit and think about all the wrong things you’ve done.”

He lowered his head in remorse as she stormed out. She returned a short while later and dumped the bowl of soup and slice of bread before him.

“This should sober you up,” she grunted as she shoved a cup of black coffee into his hand. “Finish it. Not one drop must be left behind.”

“Yes,” he muttered, his head still lowered.

She rolled her eyes and headed back to the kitchen, still furious.

There was another crashing sound just then, reminding her of the brewing storm.

The reminder made her hiss as she remembered that only moments ago, her husband was out there, not out of necessity or urgency but simply because of leisure.

“Why does he never take care of himself? He never thinks things through and only thinks when he is done with his action,” she muttered.

She sighed as she dried her hands. She was angry at him now, true, but the truth was that she worried about him.

They were going to be a bigger family soon, with more responsibility.

How long was he going to keep living carelessly without giving more thought to his actions?

She loved him and she knew he loved her too.

But she needed him to step up and be more responsible and careful.

It was not just them anymore. Soon they would have a little one counting on them for everything.

They both had to be responsible for their child.

“I know what you are thinking,” a voice said from behind her.

She sighed, not turning around. From behind her, James wrapped his arms around her waist and placed his head on her shoulder.

“You have my word, my darling. Our child is not going to suffer from my carelessness. We are going to be the best parents ever.”

“Are you sure about that?” she asked softly as she leaned into him, enjoying his warmth. “You do so many things without...”

“I am sure, my darling. I will be better, for you, for me, and for our child. Our child is not going to come into a world with a careless father. I promise you.”

Elaina smiled softly as she turned around, “That’s all I want, my love.”

She kissed him softly and they stood, warm in each other's arms, while the storm raged on outside.

*

Elaina felt the moment James got out of bed because she was suddenly enveloped by cold. She instantly missed his warmth. Her eyelids fluttered as she murmured,

“James?”

He leaned over her and kissed her forehead. “Sleep, darling. Don’t worry about me.”

“Where are you going to? The mine? No, that’s not right. It’s Sunday,” she asked softly, trying to fight sleep. She struggled to open her eyes and through the open window across the cot, she could see that the morning was still young. She blinked and struggled up, “It’s still early, James.”

“I know that my dear, that is why I need you to sleep. I will be back soon. Just rest, my darling.”

“Are you sure? Should I heat up some porridge for you? I can...” she started but he placed gentle hands on her shoulders.

“Do not worry about me, my dear. I will be back soon, before noon.”

“Okay,” she said reluctantly, “Still, be careful out there. The storm has finally passed over but we can never be too careful.”

“Yes, my darling. I hear you.” He gave her a quick hug and hurried off.

Elaina sighed as she watched him leave. Under her breath, she said, “Please be safe out there, James. Please take care of yourself.”

A knock at the door later that morning pulled Elaina from the bread she was baking. She looked out the window and smiled when she saw the person on the other side.

“Elaina!” Leila Woods, her dearest friend cheered, throwing her arms around her.

“Hello, Leila. Come right in,” Elaina responded excitedly.

“Well, you my friend are looking absolutely gorgeous. Perks of being in love, huh?”

Elaina chuckled nervously, “I guess you could say that.”

“Where is James, your dear husband?” Leila inquired as she settled on a wooden barrel that had one end sawed and lined with chicken feathers to create a soft cushion for a seat.

“He… he went…. Uh… out,” Elaina stammered. She chuckled quickly, hoping her friend would not notice her hesitation.

“That is so sweet. I bet he is going to return bearing gifts for you, just like during courtship. Remember? There was not a day that went by that he did not go to your grandmother’s bearing wild berries and fruits.”

“Yes...” Elaina said with a slow nod, remembering the past. Her smile faltered as she remembered her dearly departed grandmother. She had been a good and kind woman and she was the one who brought her up, after the accident that claimed her parents’ lives.

“Oh, I am so sorry, Elaina. I did not mean to remind you of your sweet granny, bless her soul,” Leila gasped as her hand flew to her mouth. The other hand grabbed her friend’s sympathetically.

Elaina forced a smile, “It’s fine, Leila. I still miss her dearly but that does not mean I will not talk about her. This way, I can keep her memory alive. It just feels unfair, there are so many parts of my life she won’t get to see.”

“I know, like when you have your babies, right?” Leila smiled sympathetically.

Elaina nodded slowly. She had not told Leila that she was pregnant yet. She and James had both decided that they would wait a little longer before spreading the news.

“So, how is James’ work at the mine? Does he like it?”

Elaina smiled widely, “Oh yes. He has been getting along quite well with everyone there. And it seems they really love him. Thank you so much, my friend. If it was not for your invite that day, I don’t think he would be where he is now, Leila.”

“Oh that’s nonsense. You don’t have to thank me, Elaina. What are friends for? I just hope he isn’t feeling too stressed these days what with the recent happening.”

“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 man in 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.