—Anonymous The hours seemed to stretch out interminably as Shirleen waited for Blue Thunder to return. She was no longer humming or singing to the old, ailing shaman. He had not awakened, not even for one minute, as she sat there. And she had noticed at times how shallowly he was breathing. Sometimes he stopped breathing for a moment or two, and then resumed again. During those moments when he was not breathing, Shirleen had been filled with a cold panic, expecting him to die at any time. If he died while she was with him, would his people somehow blame her? Would they possibly blame Speckled Fawn for not remaining dutifully at his bedside, leaving another woman there in her stead? Oh, Lord, Shirleen hoped neither of them would be blamed. Speckled Fawn was forfeiting her time with her husband in order to save an innocent child! Shirleen’s child! She cast another glance over her shoulder at the closed entrance flap. Often today she had heard the hide flutter, causing her to believe someone was entering the tepee, only to find each time that it was only the wind.
