Chapter Sixteen
Running Wolf stepped back quickly. He knew that if he stayed next to her a moment longer, he was going to end up ravaging her with kisses.
He could not do that, he would not dare.
The last thing he wanted was for her to run away from him.
He watched her hurry off to the shack and sighing, he ran a hand through his hair.
When had this started? Wanting to be close to her?
To touch her? To feel her? Running Wolf shook his head.
He was feeling strong feelings and he had never felt them before, not even when he was with Fala and he had been with her for a long time.
Never had he felt as strongly for her or for any other woman as he felt for Elaina.
They were feelings he could neither describe nor understand.
He looked down at the mess and his heart bubbled with gratitude to the Great Spirit for sparing her life.
He hated to think what would have happened to her if she had been in the shed.
It would have been very difficult getting help from the village.
Sure, for minor health issues, he could handle them without getting anyone else involved.
But an accident? He shuddered at the thought.
If anything were to happen to Elaina and Jessica, he had no idea what he was going to do.
He would probably lose it. He cared about them too much not to go crazy if help was being deprived to them.
Running Wolf shook his head. It was not time to think those kinds of thoughts.
The Great Spirit forbid that anything happen to Elaina and her baby.
He did not know her story but he knew for a fact that she had already been through a whole lot.
He would do all in his power to ensure that she did not get hurt ever again, he promised himself.
Running Wolf turned to the shed and got to work repairing it.
He was focused on the repair for a while, and then, he sensed her presence.
Running Wolf looked up and smiled. He tilted his head as he tried to make sense of the expression on her face.
She stumbled just then and Running Wolf jumped up.
Before he could get to her, she ran back into the shack.
He frowned, puzzled. Maybe she heard Jessica’s cries?
Yes, that had to be it. After all, what else would make her spring into action so quickly?
He surveyed the work left and he could not help but smile. So yes, he loved being around her. There was no point lying to himself about it. Working on the shed would ensure he was around her, even if it was just for a day. Still, he did not mind. These moments were precious to him.
Hours later, Running Wolf stepped back to inspect the work he had done.
He sighed as his eyes darted around the yard.
He needed to set up a tepee behind the shack where Elaina now lived.
It would be better for her and Jessica then the shack.
He wondered what she would think about living in a tepee.
She could only stay in the shack for some time.
Yes, that was what he needed to do. He had to get to work on it as soon as possible.
His eyes rested on the door of the shack.
She had stepped out only a total of three times while he was working.
The second and third times, she had been with Jessica.
He had been able to take a break and play with Jessica.
Could she be hiding from him? The thought crossed his mind but it was only for a moment.
He shook his head. That was impossible. She had absolutely no reason to do that.
If there was anyone who should even be hiding, it had to be him.
She made him feel so nervous and overwhelmed.
It seemed his heart called out to her because at that moment, she stepped out of the shack.
She smiled softly as she approached him.
Running Wolf let out a soft sigh. He had no idea how much he missed that smile until he saw her.
“Hello,” he said softly.
“Hi, Running Wolf.” She turned to the shed and her smile deepened, “You’ve done a really good job. I am really impressed.”
Running Wolf felt a warm tingle in the pit of his belly at her words. He raised his hand to his hair and scratched it, “I’m glad you are satisfied with my...”
“Running Wolf, don’t...” she shouted but it was too late.
He stared at her, confused at her warning.
She covered her mouth with her hand as she laughed.
Running Wolf watched her, trying to grasp the situation.
She pointed to him, and her laughter increased.
She held her stomach as she almost buckled over.
Running Wolf chuckled, still confused as to why he was the brunt of her joke, “As much as I love seeing you laugh, I will still love to know what I did that’s gotten you so riled up.”
Chuckling, she walked toward him. She stopped in front of him and swallowing hard, Running Wolf backed away.
Being so close to her was unnerving for him.
She chuckled and took a step closer to him.
He made to move back again but she raised her hand to his hair.
He sucked in a breath as her touch enveloped him.
Running Wolf looked down at her, watching her face.
The flutter of her eyelashes as she blinked, the slight split of her lips as she smiled, the little dimple on her right cheek. His heart began to beat faster.
He felt her hand moving around his hair. He had no idea what she was doing but he really did not want her to stop anytime soon. Please go on, he whispered in his head. Her smile widened and she pulled her hand away. Running Wolf’s eyes popped at the sight of caked red mud in her hands.
“How did that…?” he trailed off.
She chuckled, “Only you Running Wolf would scratch your hair forgetting that your hand is covered with mud.”
Running Wolf chuckled as he shook his head, “Can you help me with some water so I can clean my hands and get rid of the rest?”
“Don’t worry, I will help you. Sit down. I will get the water. Wash your hands while I clean your hair.”
Before he could protest, she hurried off.
Before he could process the situation, she returned bearing the water.
She set the bucket at his feet and shoved him into the seat gently.
Running Wolf watched her settle on the bench beside him in a kneeling position.
Before he could say anything, she gently shoved his head down so he was facing the water.
“Wash your hands and stay in that position. Do not interfere with my work.”
“I can just do it by myself. There is no need for you to...” he started to turn his head around but she pushed him back into position.
“How can you do it when you cannot see your hair? Just let me do it or give me a good reason why you do not want me to do it. What? Are women forbidden to touch Indian men’s hair?”
Running Wolf found that the only answer he had for her was one he dared not say. How could he tell her that he did not want her touching him because he felt things he had never felt before when she did? He was pretty sure that she would run away and never look back.
“Well?” she tugged on his hair lightly.
He shook his head and muttered, “Nothing.”
He turned to wash his hands and try to ignore the warmth enveloping him from her touch.
She hummed a tune under her breath as she cleaned his hair.
She’s certainly having fun while doing this while I’m going crazy just being this close to her, Running Wolf thought to himself.
She is obviously not as bothered by me as I am by her.
I’ve got to get these unusual feelings of mine in order if I do not want her to cut me off completely.
I would rather have her in my life and be able to see her from a distance than not have her near me at all.
“All done!” she announced with a flourish.
Running Wolf who had finished washing his hands turned his head to her.
Due to her previous position, their noses were almost touching.
Running Wolf’s eyes skimmed over her face and rested on her lips.
He stared at her lips and his eyes darkened with passion as the tip of her tongue nervously skimmed over them.
Slowly, he raised his hand to her lips and his thumb grazed it slightly.
She shuddered under his touch and let out a little gasp.
There was no doubt, Running Wolf thought in surprise. She felt the electricity and warmth between them as much as he did.
“Do you feel it too…? He whispered as he stroked her cheek, “Warmth, I feel it whenever I am with you.”
She jumped up just then and cleared her throat. Her hands nervously brushed through her hair.
“I should go check on Jessica. She must be missing me now.”
Running Wolf smiled softly as he stood up, “Jessica is fine, Elaina. If she was not, we would know already. She is very expressive, you know your daughter.”
He walked to her slowly and she backed away. He stopped and crossed his arms, “All right then, you can go and check on Jessica. I’ll be waiting.”
“Right…. you’ll be waiting?” Elaina scratched her head. “Aren’t you going to leave yet?”
“Oh not yet, I still need to finish the base. I’ll do that when you’re away. I don’t need the mud for that,” He explained with a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
“O… kay then. Well… good working. I should uh… check on… uh… her.” she motioned in the direction of the river and Running Wolf turned his face away so he would not show her his smile.
She hurried off and he turned back to her.
A smile spread across his lips as he watched her back disappear.
How had he not noticed it before? He was not alone.
These crazy, strong feelings he was experiencing, she felt them too.
He smiled affectionately as he remembered her expression when he asked her that question.