The ants crawled along their own invisible path, storing their food for the winter. They would go deep inside their underground homes. The winter was coming, fast. The muskrat and the beaver were building thick walls to their homes. All the forest creatures were making preparations beyond the usual. Ziibi saw this, and so did her father. Both read the signs of nature and both were troubled. A long winter would bring death by starvation to any who were ill prepared. Blizzards would blow, like none she had ever known and spring would be a long time in coming. Her father came and stood beside her. He too looked at the ants. He said, “I have given your winter’s portion to Zhede. Wabisi and Noko have much to teach you about the healing and care of women. And the child of your spirit. He paused and said, “I have seen the way Maang watches you. I will not risk your safety.”

Strange embarrassment filled her. She wanted to ask, but could not manage to do so. Did her father think she encouraged Maang’s attention?

Bitterly her father said, “Maang and his family deceived me. I should have been more clever, but I was obsessed with keeping my eldest daughter away from Ajijaak. I did not value him. He has become a worthy man. Give him time, my girl and he will discover his great affection for you.”

Ziibi was stunned by her father’s words. He would not say such a thing lightly or without careful thought. Honestly, she did not know if Ajijaak would ever recover from the way he lost Winisik, in fact she knew he wouldn’t. A part of him, maybe most of him would be tied to her in this life. Could she join herself to such a man? If the man was Ajijaak, she knew without question she could.

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*

The night before they would head to their winter lodges, Ajijaak was by the fire holding his son. Ziibi saw joy mixed with his pain. The joy would grow in time and the pain would ease, but it would never leave him. The little boy was asleep. Ajijaak snuggled him close. He was a good father and she felt sure he would continue to be. Fear clutched at Ziibi’s heart. If Ajijaak ever chose another wife, how would she let the both of them go? Unaware, Ajijaak was watching her, she hid her face in her hands.

Ever the silent one, Ajijaak lay his son beneath the pallet of blankets and came to her. The fire light played across her dark hair. He placed his hand on her head. When she looked up at him, her eyes were full of tears. His hand slid down and cupped her chin. He squatted down beside her. Their eyes met. His thumb rubbed against her cheek. Gently, put his forehead against hers. She was aware he was holding back his passion. She could feel his breath on her face. Quietly she asked, “What am I to you?”

He pulled away from her and signed, “A temptation and a life I want to share.”

With a slight tilt to her head, she told him, “It is still too soon. We have been a part a long time. We need time to learn each other.” He nodded. The smile she gave him was as reverent as was the smile he returned to her. In her heart, she felt the stirring of their future children.