Aednat and the Wolf

Chapter 20 Ice

Aednat stood at the large window in the dining room. She had on a thick turtle neck sweater, her right hand on her shoulder and her left arm over her tummy. She had just finished setting the table as she stood absently watching the snow fall. David walked quietly behind her and kissed her neck behind her ear as the reached around her placing his hands on her belly. He slipped one hand under her shirt and sweater palming her belly.

"Your hands are freezing!"

"You're so soft and warm. I have some other very cold parts!"

"And you call me bad!" she turned her head and leaned back to kiss his neck.

"A penny for your thoughts."

"I feel funny, it's hard to describe...I feel...danger!"

"We are going skating this afternoon," David whispered. Aednat turned to face him smiling.

"I'm good at skating, I'm from Greenland."

"What's bothering you?"

"No idea...I'm good as skiing too," she whispered changing the subject.

"You said you don't want to try the jump."

"I like to ski, UP and down hills."

"We call that cross country. Rosie likes that too."

"I don't own skates or skis."

"We will rent then at the ice rink in Iron Mountain, skis too on Wednesday."

"Why don't we skate on the lake?"

"We have three feet of snow on the lake. We won't get the ice boat out either on the lake. The ice rink just opened this November. Never been there before."

"Davey!"

"Yes Sweetheart."

"I'm cold." David wrapped her in his arms. "I'm scared too." He kissed her forehead.

"We came here to get away from the danger, that's why we extended our stay. I'm here for you, always." She smiled at him looking into his eyes.

"Breakfast is about to be served," she whispered leading him to the closest table. Platters of pancakes, scrambled eggs and sausages were in the process of being set out. "You made all those pancakes?"

"Yes I did." David had just seated Aednat when Rosemary, Stacy, Joanne and Gloria joined them and began to help themselves. Ted cleared his throat loudly, and the loud talking stopped.

"We haven't blessed the food," Ted said then lead the prayer and breakfast resumed.

"I'm starving," Rosemary said.

"Did you ask him yet?" Stacy said in a loud whisper. Rosemary and Aednat stopped eating and put their utensils down and smiling with mischief said together, "Davey!"

"Could we take Stacy, Joanne and Gloria in our car to the ice rink, PWEEZE," Aednat said with both of them pouting.

"Aren't we all going?"

"The 'old folks' want to stay, Dad said we can use the wagon," Rosemary added. "And they want to ride with us." All five girls were smiling brightly at David.

"If it's OK with your parents, I don't see why not." The little group squealed with delight and Rosemary and Aednat landed a quick kiss to his cheek. Ruth had been watching.

"They really roped you in that time," she laughed, "and you don't even skate."

"That's OK Mom," Rosemary said, "Me and Nit will teach him."