Page 49 of Freedom's Kiss
“What will you name him?” she asked.
“Otter. His name is Otter.” Winnie stared into the little face that scrunched as he worked himself up for a squall. The hair on top of his head was black with a curl that matched her own, but the structure of bones that made up his face matched the proud and strong heritage of his father. “My little Otter. Cunning against the alligator. Swift as the current. A mighty hunter with a playfulness that causes all to smile.”
“It is a good name.” Nokosi kissed her temple.
Otter cried, his arms straining against the material Martha had wrapped him in. His head turned toward Winnie, and he rooted around, his mouth opening and closing in his search for food.
“Hungry, my little warrior?” Winnie directed him to a breast, where he latched on and suckled with such force she winced.
“Word is I’m now a grandfather.” Asa stepped into the lodge, his face beaming with pride. He squatted to be eye level with Winnie, Nokosi, and the baby. His eyes glistened, and Winnie reached for his hand, giving it a squeeze. He hadn’t shown such emotion since they’d first escaped and found refuge among the Seminole. Not since he’d grieved Temperance’s loss. This time, though, his lips quivered from joy and not grief.
Winnie trailed a finger down her son’s plump cheek. “A grandson. Born into freedom.” She met her father’s eye. “Because of you.”
She blinked back her own tears, letting the memories of other young mothers’ cries as their babies were ripped from their arms and sold fill her mind. Then she let gratefulness wash the sights and sounds away, focusing again on the miracle in her arms. Refusing to entertain any thoughts that she or her baby could be separated from Nokosi and returned to slavery. That everything they’d fought so hard for could be reversed in a single moment.
The lodge’s flap pulled back, Isaac filling the entrance, unsure if he should enter or remain outside.
Nokosi’s chest vibrated at Winnie’s back as he spoke. “You are this child’spawanow. It is your responsibility to teach him the ways of the land. To hunt. To fight. To believe.”
Isaac fisted his hand and brought it to cover his heart. “I’ll protect him and teach him well.”
Winnie’s eyes felt heavy and her smile dreamy as she peered at her brother through hooded lids. “We know you will.”
She looked down at her precious bundle, who’d fallen asleep at her breast, and snuggled deeper within the confines of Nokosi’s warmth before drifting off to sleep in safety.
