Chapter Nine
Elaina watched him go and felt a smile on her lips.
Her hand flew to her mouth and she covered it.
So yes, she found his attitude cute but that was not enough reason to smile.
Why was she even finding him cute? Elaina shook her head and turned back to the stream that was flowing in front of her.
Looking at it, it gave her peace and clarity and that was something she needed to refresh every day.
Whenever she found herself falling down the rabbit hole that was her mind, it was best to always sit here and clear out all the cobwebs.
She felt a sharp pain in her stomach and winced.
Elaina rubbed her belly softly. Please be fine in there, little one.
If anything happens to you, you will break mother’s heart.
Elaina managed to stand up and she headed back to the shack slowly.
She was suddenly overwhelmed with fatigue.
It was not too out of place as she had been experiencing it a lot during this last month of the pregnancy.
She settled down in front of the shack and tried her best to rub her back.
It was no easy feat and it only made her hurt more.
Elaina shut her eyes and when she finally opened them, she was surprised to see faint darkness.
She rubbed her eyes. Had she slept for that long?
Her eyes darted around and they rested on a basket of fruit a short distance away.
She did not need to check to know that her wood box would be full.
He really was a good man. Not only was he giving her a place to stay, but he truly did care for her from a distance.
She sighed. She wished she could thank him for all his help.
Elaina filled a bowl with fruit and found her way to the shack. Once she was in a comfortable position, she started nibbling, enjoying the fresh juice.
“The little pleasures of life, my darling. We should savor them, respect them, experience them and enjoy them while we can. Life is too short. We have got to make the most of it!” James' words came back to her.
He was a man who had a sweet tongue. That speech had been because of her unwillingness to marry him. She loved him, no doubt but she had wanted them to wait a while longer till he was more stable.
“We have no time to waste, my love. We have each other and that’s all that matters.”
She had known that was not the only thing that mattered but she had been carried away by his words and the next week, they had tied the knot.
It seemed like so long ago it happened but it was not. So many things in her life before that night seemed so far away. Recalling the events from before that night was a painful task because they were only reminders of all she had lost.
Elaina slipped into bed and set the bowl aside. She shut her eyes tight, trying to fight the memories of her past and the pain bubbling in her chest.
Don’t think about any of it, Elaina. Just sleep. Sleep and forget it all. It is the best option you have.
Unfortunately, sleep was not going to happen for her that night. Elaina felt very uncomfortable and no matter how much she adjusted, she still could not sleep. She sat up, making the decision to sit outside of the shack. The cold air would do a whole lot of good, she thought.
Before she could stand up, a pain sharper than earlier burnt through her causing her to scream at the top of her lungs. Elaina felt something sticky between her legs and looked down to see liquid. Her eyes widened as she realized her water had broken. No, no, no, she shook her head.
She had another contraction and she screamed again. She found herself holding on to the walls of the shack as she tried to bear the pain.
“Indian men do not help women during childbirth so be prepared to handle that yourself,” that was what Running Wolf’s friend told her.
She was all on her own and she was scared out of her wits.
*
Running Wolf dusted his hands as he returned to his tepee. Now, that was covered and she had enough wood to last her for some time, he could focus on other matters. He was done with his good deed for the day.
Running Wolf set the fire and got to work stewing the rabbit in his possession.
Once he had devoured it all, he resigned to his bedding, feeling full and ready for the long night ahead.
His eyes had barely closed when he heard a loud scream.
They flew open and he sat up. What on earth was happening? It had to be the pale face!
Running Wolf grabbed an axe and hurried out of his home.
There was another scream and he paused mid-step.
He knew that sound. It was as a result of labor pains.
He had heard it from his wife months ago just before she left.
He swallowed hard. This was something he could not get involved in.
There was no role he could play in this situation. This time, she was on her own.
He turned and started back to his tepee, but a voice nagged at the back of his head.
What if she is unable to bear it like Fala?
Can you stand another death? He swallowed hard and continued on.
Her scream came again, and his step paused.
She has no one. Are you really going to leave her by herself?
How exactly is that going to end? A piercing scream floated to the night sky, accompanied by a great pounding in Running Wolf’s chest. This time, he did not hesitate.
He turned around and took off toward the shack where Elaina lived.
He had to help her. There was no doubt in his mind.
Running Wolf ran the distance to Elaina’s shack and as he expected, he found her squirming in pain. He crouched beside her and held her hand, whispering, “It’s going to be fine. I am here to help you. Just tell me what you need. Please, you have to speak. I know you can. I heard you before.”
“Clean cloths,” she gasped between breaths. “Hot water, knife. The baby is coming!”
She squeezed his hand hard as she screamed again. Running Wolf stroked her hand. If it was anyone else, she would have probably broken his hand.
It did not take long for Running Wolf to get together all she asked for.
By that time, her contractions were closer and the pain was stronger.
Running Wolf stayed with her and watched in amazement as she pushed out the baby.
He was waiting to grab the baby as it came out.
Looking down at her little face, Running Wolf gasped, unable to hold back the rush of affection that ran through him at that moment.
He had the overpowering urge to protect the child from the dangers that lurked in the world.
The baby’s sharp cries filled the night air, reminding him that she had a mother that wanted to hold her too.
Running Wolf quickly cut the umbilical cord.
Then, he gave the baby to Elaina who kissed her forehead, whispering, “My little Jessica.”
Running Wolf stepped out to give Elaina space to feed her. Upon his return, the sight he saw, of the baby sleeping in the arms of her sleeping mother caused warmth to fill his heart. He gently took the baby away from Elaina and the baby grabbed his thumb, refusing to let go.
“I won’t let go of you either,” Running Wolf whispered.
Once he had cleaned up the baby, he cleaned the shack carefully, so as not to risk waking the woman up.
She was exhausted and of course he could not blame her.
The past weeks had been long and hard, and he could not say anything about her life before here.
Things must have been very difficult for her before she came here. She deserved a break greatly.
Running Wolf stood by the fire, cradling the baby till she fell asleep. He silent a yawn, unable to take his eyes off the little one. Finally, sleep took over and he found a little corner that was comfortable for him and the baby and they settled down to salvage what was left of the night.
Running Wolf jolted awake and saw the shadow over him.
He blinked into focus and saw the pale face.
She crouched beside him, her eyes on the baby in his hands.
It was as if she was oblivious to his presence as she stroked the baby’s hair and cooed at her.
Running Wolf cleared his throat, calling her attention.
She turned to him and her face reddened,
“Thanks for your help last night. Without you, I would have probably been lost. And thank you for keeping her with you throughout the night. You really didn’t have to.”
Her voice made Running Wolf tilt his head as he watched her. It was soft and musical. He found himself wishing it had not been hidden for so long. It was beautiful, just like her. He shook his head, trying to drive away the thought.
“You do talk,” he blurted out. “After almost a month of you being quiet, I wasn’t sure if I imagined what you said when you first woke up.”
She nodded slowly, “I apologize. I couldn’t find my voice, and I didn’t have the strength to search for it.”
Running Wolf looked at her thoughtfully. He found himself getting lost in her eyes again. He averted his gaze and said, “You have a healthy baby.”
“All thanks to your help. I know you weren’t supposed to help me. Won’t you get into trouble?” her face contorted in worry.
“I won’t tell if you don’t,” Running Wolf said with a shrug. The corner of her lips tilted in a small smile, and it pleased his heart.
“Really, thank you for everything. For the shelter, the food, the wood. I’ve wanted to show my gratitude for so long.
I know you need to keep your distance, so I’m totally grateful that you still chose to help me.
” She smiled at him and all he could do was nod.
She stretched her hand out, “I should probably take her now. I bet you have a load of things that you need to do today. Do not let us keep you any longer.”
“Huh? Right, right.” Running Wolf handed the baby to her and she kissed her cheek. He pointed at the boundary, “I... I should go now.”
“Thanks, Running Wolf.”
He froze in his tracks. His heart was pounding in his chest. Why did she have to say it like that?
“That is your name, right? Running Wolf?” she quirked a brow.
“Yes, yes, that is it,” he nodded. He started to back away. “I’ll… see you.... later?”
“Bye, Running Wolf!” she called after him.
Running Wolf quickened his footsteps and it was only when he was a good distance away that he halted.
He leaned against a tree trunk, holding his fist against his chest. He was Running Wolf, the head warrior of the Northern Choctaw tribe.
Never had he felt flustered. Never in his life.
Not even when he was in the smallest box or faced with the biggest problem.
And now, just by the sound of his name from her, he was flustered.
He shook his head. There had to be something wrong with him.
It was the only explanation. Why else would he get so lost in her eyes and her smile?
Running Wolf looked up just then and he saw Chito in the distance, heading to his tepee. He looked at his bloodstained clothes. No way could his friend see him like that. He made a dash for his tepee. He was comfortably in a new breechcloth when Chito arrived.
“Why do you look like you have been running?”
Running Wolf ignored his friend and sat on a tree trunk in front of his tepee.
“How is the pale face?” Chito asked after a moment of silence.
Running Wolf shrugged, “Why the question?”
“Because you are closer to her?”
“Now that is just ridiculous. You talk like we are best friends or something like that,” Running Wolf was quick to say.
Chito opened his mouth to speak but he seemed to think better of it because he shook his head and stared into the distance. “When are you leaving for your vision quest?”
“Oh, I’ll leave soon. That’s not an issue,” Running Wolf replied mechanically.
Chito eyed his friend, “Soon. I have been hearing that word for weeks now. Why do you keep delaying the vision quest, Running Wolf? Is it because of the pale face?”
“That’s ridiculous. Why would I delay it because of her?”
“That is the question I should be asking you. Why are you delaying it because of her?”
“Oh come off it, Chito. You were the one who presumed it’s because of her. I never said she is the reason I haven’t left. I will leave, soon.”
“It seems soon will never come. Apparently, what you understand by soon is not what everyone else understands it as. How did the meeting with the council go?”
“Better than I expected.”
“Really? With Elder Kahona there? The man despises you. It is a surprise you were able to come out of there with a good judgment.”
“Uh huh. He did try to strike a few times but he was not the only one there. He was not allowed to have his way, well completely, that is.”
"Well, that is certainly good news," Chito said with a nod. He tilted his head in the direction of the shack where Elaina resided. "How is she?"
Running Wolf shrugged, "Why are you asking me? She is over there and I am over here."
"Sure, I hear you. I hear you loud and clear. You have absolutely no idea how she is doing."
Ignoring his friend, Running Wolf headed back in his tepee to retrieve his bow and arrow, "Are you coming with? I'm going hunting."
"Where you should be going is on your vision quest."
Running Wolf sighed, "Are we on that again?"
"Of course. We never left it behind. All you keep doing is delaying what you have to do. The agreement was that she fend for herself. I do not understand why you have the need to stay with her and protect her, Running Wolf."
"I just want to go hunting, Chito. It's either you come along, stay here or return to the village. The choice is yours to make. Now, I will leave you be."
"Wait for me, I'm coming along," Chito called after him grudgingly.
Running Wolf hid a chuckle and started down the path. She needed meat, that was the thought in his mind as he ventured into the woods.