Breaking Free: A Colorado High Country Crossover Novel

by Pamela Clare

  As the ground leveled out, Jason picked up his pace, the border less than a half-mile away. He watched for movement, listened for footfalls or heavy breathing.

  There you are, cabrón.

  A dark shape moved through the night, a gray-on-black shadow running toward the vehicle barrier that marked the US-Mexico border. The fucker was angling for one of the gates intended for use only by the O’odham. If Jason didn’t stop him before he made it through, he would lose him.

  Jason ran. “¡Alto!” Stop!

  But he was too late.

  The suspect slipped through the gate into Mexico and kept running.

  Fuck that.

  Enraged, Jason pushed his way through the gate, closing in on him.

  Then the suspect turned, raised his weapon.

  But it wasn’t a man at all.

  “Elena!”

  Jason jerked awake, his pulse pounding. He found himself in his tent, the day’s first light filtering through the mesh flap. He was in Colorado. Camp Mato Sapa.

  Hell.

  He sat up, drew in a breath, a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. Elena had been his world. He’d believed that what they had was real, that they would get married, raise a few kids. How could he have been so wrong?

  Let it go.

  That was easier said than done.

  These past six months, he’d been trying to figure out who he was without Elena. Now, he might have to figure out who he was without the Shadow Wolves.

  He closed his eyes, focused on the world around him.

  The morning’s chill. A raven’s throaty caw. The lingering scent of rain in the air. The solid earth beneath him.

  There was no point in trying to go back to sleep, so he crawled out of his sleeping bag, slipped into his jeans, and put on his boots and fleece-lined denim jacket. Then he left his tent, took a leak, and washed his face and hands with water from his water bottle, the cold helping to clear his head.

  McBride poked his head outside his tent, looking half asleep, stubble on his jaw. “Jesus, Chiago. It’s six-thirty.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  “You okay, man?”

  Jason didn’t know how to answer that. “I’m going to make coffee.”

  He got his fire-starter kit out of his pack and walked down to the picnic area. Once he had a good fire going, he walked to the Mess Hall, where the door had been left unlocked in case anyone needed anything during the night. In the kitchen, he found both ground coffee and the big, enamel coffee pot.

  He had to give the Belcourts and their friends credit. At least they made real rez coffee instead of that designer soy mocha latte shit.

  Jason filled the pot with water, carried both pot and coffee out to the fire, and set the pot over glowing coals. When the water had begun to steam, he poured two cups of grounds straight into the pot then waited for it to boil.

  A vehicle pulled up and parked.

  Winona.

  “It looks like someone already started a fire. Go sit where it’s warm, Grandpa. I’ll carry the food inside and then make you some coffee.”

  Jason stood. “The coffee is already brewing.”

  “Oh! Jason. Hey.” She huddled against the cold in a blue puffer jacket, jeans hugging her hips. “Thanks.”

  “Sorry to startle you. Good morning, Grandfather.”

  The old man smiled. “It is a good morning. I have a great-grandson.”

  “Congratulations.” The old man’s pride made Jason smile. “Can I carry something?”

  “Thanks. That would really help.” Winona opened the liftgate. “All of this needs to get to the kitchen. Kat can’t make it today. Her youngest, Noelle, has a fever.”

  “Sorry to hear that.” Jason walked to the rear of the vehicle.

  Winona stood close enough that Jason could smell the feminine scent of her shampoo. “Before the day gets busy, I wanted to thank you.”

  “For what?” He hadn’t done more than anyone else.

  She looked at him through those big, brown eyes. “Kat said you stepped up and played a leadership role yesterday after we left for the hospital. You kept everyone focused and made sure construction moved forward. That means a lot to us—to me.”

  “You’re welcome.” He lifted a stack of egg crates out of the vehicle, trying not to notice how her words warmed him. “Have you heard anything from the hospital?”

  “Not this morning, but Chaska sent me a text late last night saying little Shota is fine and Naomi is doing better.”

  “That’s good news.”

  Still looking sleepy, McBride walked toward them, probably searching for coffee.

  Jason motioned him over with a jerk of his head. “Hey, Sleeping Beauty, help us get all of this into the kitchen.”

  Chapter 4

  Winona took off her jacket, poured herself a cup of coffee, and sat at one of the tables in the quiet of the Mess Hall. What a relief it was to have breakfast and lunch behind her! Thank goodness for Jason, Zach, and Kenzie, who had each helped in their own way. She didn’t have to worry about making dinner tonight because Caribou Joe, the owner of Knockers, had donated a coupon for a free meal for every volunteer.

  She sipped the coffee, needing a jolt of caffeine. She hadn’t had nightmares last night, but, even so, she hadn’t gotten much sleep. She hadn’t wanted Grandfather to be alone, so she’d slept on Chaska and Naomi’s sofa. The sofa wasn’t uncomfortable, but it wasn’t her bed. With so much to do and so few hands to help, she’d gotten up extra early, getting the guest room ready for Naomi’s parents, doing her rounds at the clinic, and loading up her Subaru with provisions for the day.

  Everything seemed to be going well. Jason had told her the cabins would all be watertight by this evening, just as Naomi had hoped. Winona prayed he was right.

  She folded her arms on the table, rested her head, and closed her eyes. That’s all she needed—just a few minutes of rest before the coffee kicked in.

  Just a few minutes…

  “Winona?”

  She gasped, springing to her feet on a burst of adrenaline and knocking over her chair with a clatter.

  Jason reached across the table, caught her by the arm to steady her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  Heart thrumming, she tried to get her bearings. “I … I must have fallen asleep.”

  He released her, concern on his face. “Are you okay?”

  Way to embarrass yourself—again.

  “I’m fine.” She righted the chair. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize. I came to tell you that we’re done. All of the rough-framing is complete, and the cabins are wrapped and dried in.”

  “Already?” How long had she been asleep?

  “Come see.”

  She slipped on her jacket and followed him outdoors. Even from the Mess Hall’s porch, she could see them—ten cabins with walls and roofs covered in house wrap. “You said you would finish, and you did. I’m so grateful, Jason—to all of you. Naomi is going to be so happy.”

  Team members and volunteers alike gathered around the cookfire, drinking coffee, warming themselves, smiles on their faces. Grandfather was with them, sitting close to the fire, talking with Megs.

  Winona made her way toward them, stopping first to get the Knockers coupons out of her vehicle. She climbed on top of a picnic bench near Grandpa, the crowd of about thirty falling quiet. “You did it. Pilamayaye. Thank you. I can’t believe how much you accomplished this weekend. I know that if Naomi were here, she would be amazed, too. We are all deeply grateful for your help. What you’ve done will enable us to operate next summer and make a difference in the lives of Lakota children.”

  She held up the Knockers coupons, explained that they were good for a free meal. Then she invited anyone who was leaving right away to make sandwiches for the road using leftovers in the fridge. Anyone who wanted to camp here for another night and drive home in the morning was welcome to do that, as well. “Thank you all again.”


  She snapped a photo with her cell phone to show Naomi, then hopped down to the ground. She shook each volunteer’s hand, thanked them, and gave them their coupons. The out-of-town volunteers began taking down their tents and packing their gear into their vehicles, while Team members gave her hugs and headed back into town. Within an hour, everyone had gone except Zach and Jason.

  Jason approached, carrying several long boards. “Where do you want the scrap lumber and the extra sheathing?”

  “I think everything should go in the garage, along with all the tools and the leftover house wrap.”

  The oversized, steel garage at the north end of the property had been built to hold the school bus Naomi planned to buy next spring. For now, it served as a tool shed.

  While Zach, Jason, and Grandpa cleaned up the area around the cabins, Winona packed up the leftover food, washed the remaining dishes, and wiped down the kitchen. By the time she had finished, Zach and Jason were packing their gear in the back of Zach’s SUV.

  “Are you heading home?” She fought to ignore a stab of disappointment.

  It’s not like you and Jason hit it off.

  No, they hadn’t. She’d blundered into him, and then she’d freaked the heck out when he’d woken her. Besides, Kat had said he was taken.

  Zach shook his head. “I thought Chiago should experience Knockers at least once in his lifetime. There’s no place else like it.”

  “So, we’ll see you tonight then.” Her disappointment ebbed. “I’m going to drive Grandpa home so he can have a nap and then check on the animals at the sanctuary. I’ve got a golden eagle who’s always hungry.”

  “Do you mind if we tag along?” Jason asked. “I’d love to see an eagle up close—that is, if you don’t mind.”

  Winona’s spirits lifted. “I don’t mind at all.”

  Jason followed Winona’s vehicle down a winding road toward Scarlet Springs, McBride in the passenger seat, watching him. “What?”

  “Have you got a thing for Win?”

  Jason kept his expression impassive. “I’m not looking for a relationship.”

  “That wasn’t a denial. So, you and Elena are truly done.”

  “Yeah.”

  “I’m sorry, man.”

  “Don’t be.” Jason hoped McBride would let it go.

  “Chaska is a pretty good tracker, by the way. He helped the Marshal Service with a couple of cases in the past.”

  Jason couldn’t resist. “You couldn’t handle it yourself after spending a whole week learning to cut sign with the Wolves?”

  McBride snorted. “All I learned in that week is that you guys are really good, and I have no fucking clue what I’m doing.”

  The drive to Scarlet took less than a half-hour. Winona pulled into the driveway of a large Victorian house, climbed out of her car, and walked to Jason’s window. “I need to carry the food inside and get Grandpa settled.”

  “You take care of your grandfather. Let us handle the food.” Jason parked, and he and McBride carried the boxes of leftovers inside, setting them on the kitchen counter. Winona disappeared upstairs with her grandfather, the soft sound of her voice drifting down to him.

  Jason glanced around. “Nice house.”

  It was bigger than any home in Sells.

  “This is Chaska and Naomi’s place,” McBride told him. “He works for an aerospace engineering company building rocket parts or some shit. She’s an artist—jewelry mostly.”

  Engineering and jewelry-making—two skills that could surely be put to better use on the reservation.

  Winona came downstairs. “Grandpa thinks I fuss over him, but he’s ninety-three.”

  McBride leaned back against the counter. “I bet he loves the attention.”

  “Let me put all of this away.” She stuck the leftovers into the fridge, then walked to the back door. “We can get to the clinic faster through the back gate.”

  As it turned out, the rear entrance to the clinic was only a short distance from Chaska and Naomi’s backyard.

  Winona opened the door with a key card, reached inside, and flipped on a light. “This was a hectic summer because of the fire, but things have slowed down now.”

  She gave them a tour, showing them the treatment rooms, the two operating rooms, and the indoor rooms lined with cages for smaller animals.

  Jason was impressed. “You run this by yourself?”

  “No.” Winona laughed. “I have an army of volunteers who clean cages and handle a lot of the feedings. I also get several interns from the university each summer. That’s my busiest time.”

  She opened a door and turned on the lights. “We’ve got a raccoon and a beaver back here. The raccoon was hit by a mountain biker and has a broken leg. The beaver got tangled in barbed wire, and the lacerations on her little webbed feet were infected.”

  Jason stayed back so as not to scare the animals. Winona checked them, speaking to them in what he assumed was Lakota, her voice sweet, her devotion to the animals shining on her face—and stirring something inside him.

  McBride bent down to get a better look at the beaver, which sat, tail between its legs, chattering to itself. “Hey, buddy. What’s the biggest animal you’ve ever treated?”

  She closed the raccoon’s cage. “That would have to be a bull moose last fall. He had a volleyball net tangled in his antlers and was dragging it everywhere, along with every branch and twig it caught. Eventually, he couldn’t move at all. A game warden freed him, but he was hungry and badly dehydrated. I had to tranq him to get close enough to treat him.”

  Jason had to ask. “Who pays for the animals’ care—the state? It’s not like wild animals have owners.”

  She led them from the room. “The sanctuary runs on donations. I get some grants from the federal and state governments, but most of it comes from ordinary people who want to help injured wildlife. Let’s go outside.”

  They stopped at a snug enclosure that held a red fox.

  “You can smell why I don’t keep this guy inside. Red foxes have a musk gland that would make the entire building stink.”

  Jason had wondered what the odor was. “I believe that.”

  McBride wrinkled his nose. “Good decision.”

  “The aviary is over here.” Winona led them to a tall enclosure with thick, wooden perches—and an enormous golden eagle.

  Jason stared. “It’s … huge.”

  McBride was also impressed. “I’ve never seen one up close like this.”

  “I measured its wingspan at just under seven feet. When the warden first brought it in, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to save it. Broken wings are tricky. We’ll be releasing it into the wild in the next few weeks.”

  McBride rested a hand on her shoulder. “Well done, Win.”

  The eagle eyed them from its perch, sharp talons gripping wood. Then it flew from one side of the aviary to the other.

  “Isn’t it beautiful?” Winona gazed up at the raptor.

  “Beautiful.” But Jason wasn’t looking at the eagle.

  Jason followed Winona through the parking lot toward the entrance of Knockers, already able to hear the band. Given the pub’s name, he’d thought it must be one of those places where women wore short shorts and skimpy belly shirts. He was glad to be wrong.

  “The name honors the Tommyknockers, little gnome creatures that supposedly inhabit the mines here,” Winona had told him on the way here. “My friend Lexi believes one saved her life.”

  Jason knew better than to disrespect another culture’s beliefs and legends. There was more to this world than could be understood or explained.

  McBride held the door open for both of them. “The food here is good, and the brews are fantastic. But the atmosphere is what makes it.”

  It was like stepping into happy chaos. The place was packed, a band on stage, the dance floor crowded, people milling about near the front door waiting for tables to open.

  Winona had to shout for him to hear her. “This is the heart of Scarlet Springs.�
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  She didn’t wait for the hostess, but grabbed a couple of menus and led them toward the rear of the restaurant. “Joe always sets aside a table for the Team. It’s his way of thanking us for saving lives.”

  As soon as they reached the table, Jason understood why the Team sat here and not toward the front. Not far from the table was a climbing wall with brightly colored handholds that went up to the ceiling.

  A climbing wall in a pub?

  You’re in Colorado, man.

  Right.

  Jason recognized some of the faces—Megs and Ahearn, Sasha, Creed Herrera, Bahir Acharya, and Conrad and Kenzie. There were new faces, too.

  When the Team spotted Winona, heads turned.

  A woman with red hair called out and waved. “Win!”

  “Everybody, scoot closer. Move!” Megs stood, moved her chair. “Pretend we like each other or something.”

  Winona introduced Jason to the people he hadn’t yet met. “This is Lexi, my friend. She’s the Team’s accountant and volunteers at the clinic. This is Austin Taylor, her husband. This is their little girl, Emily, in case you couldn’t tell by the red hair. This is Eric Hawke, our fire chief, and his son, Caden. Eric’s wife, Vicki, runs Knockers’ deep dish pizza business and is expecting their second.”

  Jason shook their hands in turn. “Good to meet you all.”

  “Any news about Naomi and the baby?” Lexi asked.

  “I heard from Chaska just before we came here. The baby is fine. Naomi is pretty uncomfortable from the surgery, but her blood pressure is better. Her dad and step-mother just got into town from Pine Ridge and are at the hospital now.”

  “Do you have photos? Have they named him?”

  Winona’s smile was tinged with sadness. “They named him Shota.”

  Lexi’s eyes went wide. “Oh, Win! That’s perfect!”

  “Isn’t it?” Winona passed her phone to Lexi so she could see the photos. “Isn’t he adorable? I got to hold him for a few minutes.”

  As if the word baby were magic, several women who worked at Knockers hurried over to their table to see the photos, passing Winona’s phone around.