“Ready to stop?” Thomas asked. Mud smeared his arms up to his elbows as he stood calf-deep in cold water. His pants were rolled up to his knees.
“We were never ready to start,” Mary grumbled. She and Gregory were similarly dirty and standing in the water. Gregory moved over to her and gently rubbed her shoulders. I watched her sag against him.
“Yes, I think we have enough for today,” I said.
Cattail tops filled both baskets, and a very large stack of leaves waited beside them. If Thomas carried me, it would leave more for Gregory and Mary to carry.
“I know I’m slow, but I think I’d like to walk back,” I said. Hopefully the walk would loosen up my back muscles.
No one argued with me, and we worked together to tie the leaves into bundles. Gregory and Thomas carried the majority. I managed the last two bundles while Mary carried the baskets. When we had everything in our arms, Mary and Gregory took off, running ahead. Thomas and I walked through the trees.
Again, I wondered if I was doing enough to make the buildings into a place where people would want to live. Were pillows, mats, and clothes enough? Would it sway the rest of the pack when they returned?
“Have you heard from them?” I asked. He didn’t ask who I meant.
“They don’t contact me. But I did let them know about Ann and Leif’s daughter. I think they sent the new family, too, by sharing that news.”
“How’s your head? It hasn’t seemed to bother you since they left.”
His gaze softened as he glanced at me.
“It’s been better since they left. One or two of them tests my hold daily but the rest of the time it’s tolerable.”
“Do they know about me?”
He shook his head.
“You asked me not to say anything. I won’t. But others might. It’s only a matter of time.”
I frowned, worried. What would happen when they found out?
“I can feel your concern, Charlene. It will be all right. Even if they do find out, they’ve separated into smaller groups to spread out and cover more territory. They won’t be able to cause trouble until they’re back together, here.”
That worried me more. With Bine living in town and most of Thomas’ pack leaving daily to look for work, it left very few to help Thomas if the need arose. At least he kept Gregory close. Then I realized there was one person I hadn’t seen at all since Claiming Thomas.
“Where’s Grey?” I asked.
Thomas sighed and looked off into the trees. “He worries as much as you do. He’s left the pack so there’s one less rope to hold.”
“What?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“It’s not as bad as it sounds. He’s with Winifred. They’re preparing him to be an Elder.”
“Elder Grey?”
He nodded. Though his expression was blank, I felt the wave of sorrow that consumed him.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. Grey is doing what he has always done, sacrificing his future for the future of someone else. Only this time, his sacrifice will benefit all of us, not just me.” He caught my confused look. “Being an Elder means you serve the people, never yourself. He can never have a Mate once he becomes an Elder. If he even thinks about it, he’ll die. He’ll never have cubs...”
I’d lived with them long enough to know a Mate and cubs were at the top of every man’s mind. To give that up to protect not only his brother but me and the future of his people was humbling.
I shifted the bundles in my arms and reached out, gently touching Thomas’ shoulder. “Tell Winifred to thank him for me.”
Thomas nodded. We walked together in silence for several meters before I heard a rustling ahead. Gregory and Mary ran toward us. Mary wore an amused smile. Gregory ran just a few steps back and to her side, keeping an eye on her.
They stopped in front of us, and without a word, Gregory took Thomas’ load. Mary held out her arms for mine.
“You don’t have to,” I said.
“Tub’s half full,” she said, “and there’s more water hot on the stove. If you hurry, you can have the tub first. Take too long, and it’s mine.”
I surrendered what I carried and looked up at Thomas as they took off running. There was only one way to hurry back.
Thomas opened his arms.
I leaned back in the hot water, sighing yet again. It was heaven. My sore back didn’t feel sore anymore, and my hair no longer smelled like marsh.
Voices carried through the door. Rilla, Ann, and Leif were still working on baskets. Mary, Gregory and Thomas had been watching what they did, trying to learn, when I’d closed the door. When we’d returned, all of the leaves gathered from the day before had almost been used. Rilla was working on mats for sleeping since it was an easier weave, and Ann and Leif were making the baskets.
I knew I should get out of the water, dress, and join them, but I couldn’t quite make myself move. My fingers weren’t pruned enough. I closed my eyes and relaxed further.
Someone tapped on the door.
“Charlene,” Thomas said. “If you fall asleep in there, I will come in.”