The Mammoth Hunters - Jean M. Auel [246]
“My mother used to do that when my little sister was cranky,” he said.
They looked at each other, hungering for the sight of each other and filling their eyes, not saying anything, but noticing every feature, every shadow and line, every detail of change. He’s lost weight, Ayla thought. He looks haggard. She’s worried, upset about Fralie, she wants to help, Jondalar thought. O Doni, she’s so beautiful.
Tasher dropped the bone, and Wolf snatched it.
“Drop it!” Ayla commanded. Reluctantly, he put it down, but stood guard over it.
“You might as well let him have it now. I don’t think Frebec would like it too well if you gave the bone to Tasher after Wolf had it in his mouth.”
“I don’t want him to keep taking things that aren’t his.”
“He didn’t really take it. Tasher dropped it. Wolf probably thought it was meant for him,” Jondalar said reasonably.
“Maybe you’re right. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to let him keep it.” She signaled, and the young wolf dropped his guard and picked up the bone again, then walked directly to the sleeping furs Jondalar had spread out on the floor, near the flint-working area. He made himself comfortable on top of them, then began gnawing on the bone.
“Wolf, get away from there,” Ayla said, starting after him.
“It’s all right, Ayla … if you don’t mind. He comes often and makes himself at home. I … rather enjoy him.”
“No, I don’t mind,” she said, then smiled. “You always were good with Racer, too. Animals like you, I think.”
“But not like you. They love you. I do …” Suddenly he stopped. His forehead knotted in a frown and he closed his eyes. When he opened his eyes, he stood up straighter and stepped back a pace. “The Mother has granted you a rare gift,” he said, his tone and demeanor much more formal.
Suddenly she felt hot tears in her eyes, and a pain in her throat. She looked down at the ground, then stepped back a pace, too.
“From the sound of things, I think Tasher will have a brother or sister before long,” Jondalar said, changing the subject.
“I’m afraid so,” Ayla said.
“Oh? You don’t think she should have the baby?” Jondalar said, surprised.
“Of course, but not now. It’s too soon.”
“Are you sure?”
“No, I’m not sure. I haven’t been allowed to see her,” Ayla said.
“Frebec?”
Ayla nodded. “I don’t know what to do.”
“I can’t understand why he still belittles your skill.”
“Mamut says he doesn’t think that ‘flatheads’ know anything about healing, so he doesn’t believe I could have learned anything from them. I think Fralie really needs help, but Mamut says she must ask for it.”
“Mamut is probably right, but if she really is going to have a baby, she might ask.”
Ayla shifted Tasher, who had stuck a thumb in his mouth, and seemed content with that for the moment. She noticed Wolf on Jondalar’s familiar furs that had been, until recently, next to hers. The furs, and his nearness, made her remember Jondalar’s touch, the way he could make her feel. She wished his furs were still on her bed platform. When she looked at him again, her eyes held her desire, and Jondalar felt such an instant response, he ached to reach for her, but held back. His reaction confused Ayla. He had started to look at her the way that always brought a rush of tingling feeling deep inside. Why had he stopped? She was crushed, but she had felt a moment of … something … hope, perhaps. Maybe she could find a way to reach him, if she kept trying.
“I hope she does,” Ayla said, “but it may be too late to stop the labor.” She started to leave, and Wolf got up to follow her. She looked at the animal, and then at the man, paused, and then asked, “If she does ask for me, Jondalar, will you keep Wolf here? I can’t have him following me and getting in the way at the Crane Hearth.”
“Yes, of course I will,” he said, “but will he come here?”
“Wolf, go back!” she said. He looked at her with a little whine in his throat, seeming to question. “Go back to Jondalar’s bed!” she said, raising her arm and pointing. “Go to Jondalar’s bed,” she repeated. Wolf lowered his tail, crouched down, and went back. He sat down on