by Pamela Clare
She had to ask. “Is there any chance you’ll go to prison?”
Jason shook his head. “No. This isn’t a criminal proceeding. The man I killed was caught red-handed smuggling drugs into the country and had just shot a federal agent. I only fired after he pointed his rifle at me.”
“Thank God.” She let out a breath, relieved. “I’d hate to have to figure out how to bake you a cake with a file in it. I’m not very good with cakes.”
Jason’s head fell back, and he laughed.
Jason parked in a spot Rain had reserved for Winona and helped Winona climb down from his truck.
“They saved me a parking space?”
“I knew it would be harder for you to walk a long distance, so I called ahead.”
“That’s so sweet.”
Yeah, angel? Just wait.
They walked to the front door, which Jason held open for her, conversation, laughter, and music spilling into the cool October air.
Rain saw them first. “Make a path, please. Let Winona through.”
People saw Winona on her crutches and stepped aside.
Rain hugged her. “I’m so glad you came through this. Are you going to the Team table, or do you want a table close by?”
“We’ll sit at the Team table.” Winona smiled. “Jason is going to try climbing tonight.”
Rain looked surprised—and pleased. “I’ll head back with you.”
Rain cleared a path for Winona, Jason following behind. People waved and called out to her as she passed, heads turning her way.
Winona moved steadily toward the back. “It’s busy for a Sunday night.”
“Is it?” Rain gave Jason a wink. “I suppose it is.”
Jason wasn’t surprised to see the Team table full. He recognized most of the faces now. Chaska and Naomi were there, the baby in Naomi’s arms. Old Man Belcourt sat next to them. He acknowledged Jason with a nod.
His words still hadn’t left Jason’s mind.
Megs had saved Winona and Jason a couple of seats on the end of the table where it would be easier for her to maneuver.
Jason helped her stow her crutches out of the way. “Are you good?”
This was a lot for someone who’d just gotten out of the hospital.
Win smiled. “Yeah. Thanks.”
Rain handed Jason a menu. “By the way, Win, your money is no good here tonight. That goes for you, too, Chiago. Heroes eat for free at our house.”
Everyone on the Team wanted to hear how Winona was doing, but the place was packed, and Win almost had to shout.
Megs turned to a table of particularly rowdy men. “Hey, pipe down, would you? We’re trying to have a conversation here!”
Clearly touched by people’s concern, Winona answered their questions and then said what he knew she’d wanted to say for a week now. “Thank you all for rescuing me—and for saving the wolf. I never thought I’d need a rescue. I wouldn’t have my leg if you hadn’t gotten there so quickly, and I wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for Jason. You’re the best, and I’m proud to work with you.”
Cheers. Raised bottles.
“We are good.” Megs smiled to herself and drank.
Then the band fell silent, and Joe took the stage, a woman with strawberry-blond braids standing beside him in overalls.
“If I could have everyone’s attention for a moment, Libby, our talented brew master, wants to tell you about her latest creation.” Joe stepped aside.
Winona blew out a relieved breath. “Whew. For a moment, I thought he was going to say something about me.”
Jason tried not to grin.
The woman in the overalls—Libby—took the mic. “I hope everyone is having a great night. I’ve got a new double cream stout for you. This one has a mix of eleven different malts with undertones of chocolate and just a hint of sage and pine. I’ve named it Wolf Whisperer Double Cream Stout in honor of our own Winona Belcourt.”
Cheers. Wolf howls. Applause.
Winona looked utterly taken aback. “Thanks, but I don’t even drink.”
Laughter.
Then Joe took back the microphone. “For those of you who don’t know, Winona is a wildlife vet. She runs a sanctuary for wild animals here in town. She was trying to rescue an abandoned wolf when she stepped into an illegal bear trap. She almost lost her leg and her life. But we’re happy to welcome her back to Knockers tonight.”
Cheers. Applause.
Some people even got to their feet.
Winona glanced around, eyes wide, surprise on her face. She met Jason’s gaze. “I don’t deserve this.”
“Yes, you do.” He kissed her forehead. “Listen.”
Joe was still talking. “Now, this leaves Winona with some big hospital bills—”
“They didn’t!”
“—so we’ve been collecting donations at the bar and are happy to present Winona with a check for eighteen-thousand nine-hundred dollars to cover her helicopter flight and medical expenses.”
Jason smiled. “They did.”
Tears spilled down Winona’s cheeks. “But all I did was step in a stupid trap!”
“She’s just home from the hospital, so we won’t ask her for a speech. Thank you, Winona, for your service to this community and the animals that share the mountains with us. This town wouldn’t be the same without you. And a big thank you to Jason Chiago for tracking the wolf and saving Winona’s life. You might not be a resident of Scarlet Springs, but you’re one of us now.”
Cheers and applause
It was Jason’s turn to be surprised.
Megs laughed, probably because of the expression on his face. “You thought you’d get away without Joe mentioning you. That’s cute.”
It was more than that. What surprised Jason the most was how Joe’s gratitude and the warmth of the people’s reaction had made him feel that he, an O’odham man, had a place in their crazy little town.
Then the Timberline Mudbugs retook the stage. “We’re dedicating the next song to you, Winona. We know you’ll be back up here, dancing the two-step soon.”
As Joe made his way toward their table, the band broke into a bluegrass version of Werewolves of London, half the pub howling along.
Winona looked accusingly at Jason and then Chaska. “You knew, didn’t you?”
Chaska nodded. “Joe may have mentioned something.”
Jason admitted it. “I knew, but I wasn’t going to ruin the surprise.”
“That’s why you kept insisting we come to Knockers.”
Then Joe and Rain were there, standing beside them.
Joe handed Win an envelope. “We’re all so glad you’re going to be okay. If you need anything else, Chaska has promised to let us know.”
Rain leaned down, kissed Winona’s cheek. “You didn’t think we’d let you deal with this by yourself, did you?”
Winona gave them a wobbly smile, tears on her cheeks. “Thank you.”
And Jason knew he could never ask Winona to leave this community where so many people loved her.
Chaska stood, motioned to Jason. “I heard you wanted to try climbing. Let’s put you in a harness and get vertical.”
Winona watched as her brother gave Jason an introductory lesson, showing him how to tie a figure-eight retrace, teaching him the etiquette, explaining how to read the routes on the climbing wall. Then she watched with everyone else as he climbed to the top of the wall on the first try.
Cheers rose from the table.
“Way to go, Chiago!”
Megs sat in Jason’s vacant chair. “He moves well.”
Megs had no idea.
“He reminds me of my brother. Chaska took a few lessons—and that was it.”
Megs placed her hand over Winona’s. “He’ll be back, Win.”
Her words cut through Winona’s façade to the ache in her heart, left her fighting not to cry. “How can you be sure?”
“I’ve spent my entire damned life in the testosterone-soaked world of men. I can tell a good
one from an asshole in a minute flat. He’s a good one—and he’s hopelessly in love with you.”
Winona hoped Megs was right.
If Winona could have held her breath to stop time from passing, she would have. She and Jason spent much of their time over the next few days in bed together. When they weren’t making love, they were sharing meals, talking and laughing together, and going for drives in the mountains. It would have been the best staycation ever—if it weren’t about to end.
Winona did her best to memorize every detail of his body, his scent, the timbre of his voice, the velvet feel of his skin, his taste. She also took lots of photos of him and selfies of the two of them together. Jason learning to belay. Jason shirtless at the breakfast table. Jason stretched out and asleep on the sofa. The two of them watching the sunset from the parking lot at Moose Lake.
On Monday morning, he got a tour of The Cave. Megs and Ahearn explained how the Team had started with the death of a climbing buddy. They told him where the organization got its funding, how it bought and maintained its specialized equipment, how it operated.
Jason seemed especially impressed by the gear that Chaska had engineered for Team use—and the fact that he’d refused to file patents on any of it. “Chaska is a good man. I doubt many others would make that same choice.”
“We’re lucky.”
Then Jason told them how his only experience with climbers before coming to Scarlet was with people who violated tribal sovereignty to climb on sacred land. “I’m glad there’s more to the world of rock climbing than that.”
Megs nodded. “I know the type. I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with them. Sadly, every group has its assholes.”
That was the truth.
That afternoon, Jason drove to the wolf sanctuary, Winona giving directions from the passenger seat. She wanted to see how the rescued wolf, wolfdog, and pups were doing, and she wanted Jason to meet Shota.
The animals they had rescued were doing well. The pups had grown. The wolf had just been neutered, and the wolfdog and her pups would also soon be sterilized. Animals that couldn’t survive in the wild couldn’t be allowed to reproduce.
Winona petted the pups through the fence, while the mother sulked several feet away. “Aren’t you all sweet? They look healthy. Hey, Mama, it’s okay.”
Jason knelt beside Win. “Hey, guys. Good to see you again.”
“I think the mother was abused,” Heather said. “She’s shy and afraid, but we’ll get her through it. She’s already putting on weight and being more physically active.”
Winona couldn’t abide people who abused animals.
Then Heather led them to Shota’s enclosure.
The moment Shota saw Winona, he ran to greet her.
Heather unlocked the enclosure and let Winona and Jason enter. “I wouldn’t let anyone else do this.”
Jason hesitated. “Are we sure this is a good idea?”
“I’ll be with you.”
“Right. The wolf whisperer.”
Shota ran to Winona, so excited to see her that he almost knocked her over.
She spoke to him in Lakota at first, scratching behind his ears and keeping an eye out for Aput, who might feel threatened. “Shota, I want you to meet someone.”
Her arm around Shota’s neck, she motioned Jason to come forward. “Just walk slowly but confidently. Now, hold out your hand.”
Jason did as she asked, and Shota sniffed his hand. When it was clear Shota didn’t consider Jason a danger, Winona told Jason he could pet the wolf.
Jason ran his hand over Shota’s back, wonder on his face. “My God, I never thought I’d do this. Hey, buddy. You have a little boy named after you now.”
They visited for almost a half-hour, and then Aput made an appearance.
“Time to go,” Heather said.
“I’ll see you again, my friend.” But there was an ache in Winona’s chest that wouldn’t go away.
She had given up Shota, and now she had to give up the man she loved.
On Tuesday afternoon, Naomi felt strong enough to show Jason her shop, Win and Chaska coming along with the baby. “This case is all my work, but everything else in the store comes from Native artists and artisans around the country. My website gives them national exposure. Most of them have seen a big increase in income.”
Jason picked up a sterling silver bracelet with an inlaid image of a monarch butterfly. “The detail here is incredible. You made this?”
Naomi smiled, but it was Chaska who answered, pride in his voice. “She did. My wife is a true artist.”
Jason set the piece back in the case. “So, this is your day job and not the camp.”
“The camp is just my way of trying to give back to the Lakota community.”
It was then Jason spotted it—the silver pendant of a wolf track. When Win was distracted by the baby, he let Naomi know he wanted to buy it as a gift for Winona. It would be something she could touch and hold when he was gone.
Then all too soon, it was Wednesday.
After their usual routine—sex, showers, breakfast—they met with Erin, Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s raptor rehabilitation specialist. Erin captured the bird, put a hood on it, and carefully placed it into a large dog crate before loading it into the bed of her truck. “Today is freedom day for you. You are one lucky eagle.”
With Winona in the passenger seat, Jason followed the CPW truck up to Pinnacles, an area of ragged cliffs that was ideal habitat for golden eagles. “How does it make you feel when an animal you saved goes back to the wild?”
“It’s the greatest feeling.” Winona’s face lit up. “It’s why I do this job. I thank Creator every time. Wait until you see it fly.”
Erin drove to the edge of an open meadow, lifted the crate out of the back of her truck, and carried it into the field. There, she waited while Jason helped Winona down from his vehicle and the two of them slowly but steadily made their way to her.
“Winona, would you like to do the honors?” Erin asked.
Winona looked up at Jason. “Jason should do it.”
Jason was surprised. “I would love to. Thanks.”
He did what Erin and Winona told him to do, opening the door to the crate, lifting the hood from the bird’s head, and getting the hell out of the way.
Nothing happened.
“What if it doesn’t leave the crate?” he whispered to Winona.
“It will. Patience.”
The bird hopped out, took a step, looked around at its surroundings. Then it spread its massive wings and took to the sky, Jason’s heart soaring with it.
He let out a breath, in awe of what he’d just witnessed. “God, Win. Look what you’ve done.”
“Make good choices!” Erin called after the eagle, the three of them watching until it had disappeared in the distance.
By the time they were back at Winona’s place, it was snowing. Jason started a fire in her wood stove, the two of them cuddling on the sofa, scrolling through the photos on their phones, letting the fire warm them.
“Look! We got photo-bombed by a raven at the lake.”
“I love this one.” Jason turned the phone so that she could see. “What were you thinking about?”
It was a photo of her at an overlook, the wind in her hair, an expression of what could only be called longing on her face.
Winona’s answer put a knot in his chest. “I was wishing I could make that moment last forever.”
But they both knew nothing lasted forever.
They kept dinner simple—spaghetti with sauce from a jar and salad—and then Jason packed his duffel bag.
Jason chastised himself for the sadness that had stolen over him. He should be grateful for the past three weeks. He hadn’t seen Winona coming, and she’d given him the best time of his life. Besides, they still had tonight.
While he packed out in the living room, she was busy hobbling back and forth to her bedroom, brushing her teeth, combing her hair. When he walked back into the bedro
om, she was lying naked like a seductress on the bed, lit candles everywhere.
And you’re leaving?
He pulled his T-shirt over his head. “You are beautiful.”
They made love after that, their gazes locked as they gave each other pleasure. Afterward, they lay together in a tangle of limbs, Winona’s head on his chest.
Out of nowhere, Winona laughed.
“What?”
“I would never have imagined when I ran into you with the cups and the creamer that you and I would end up as lovers. I was so embarrassed. I’d just made a fool of myself in front of the hottest guy I’d ever seen—and a Shadow Wolf, too.”
He chuckled. “I spent the rest of that day thinking about you.”
“You did?”
“Don’t act so surprised. Why do you think I agreed to go up to the Cimarron in the first place? I just wanted more time with you.”
She sat up, reached beneath her pillow, pulled out a small gift box. “This is for you—a way for you to remember me.”
“For me?” He sat up, opened it, stared. In the box sat an exquisite bolo tie clip, a wolf’s head made of inlaid semi-precious stones. “A wolf for a Shadow Wolf from the Wolf Whisperer of Scarlet? It’s beautiful, Win. Thank you.”
“It’s one of Naomi’s pieces.”
“I can tell. I’ll wear it with pride.” He tucked it carefully back in its box and set it on the nightstand. Then he cupped her face between his palms. “I won’t need anything to help me remember you.”
Then he made love to her again, drawing it out, making their pleasure last, until the two of them were sated and fell asleep in each other’s arms.
Chapter 24
Jason got up before dawn, tiptoeing so as not to wake Winona. He skipped the shower, washed his face, brushed his teeth, and made coffee. Then he ate a quick bowl of cereal, cleaned his dishes, and got the gift he’d bought for Win out of his duffel.
He walked into the bedroom and stood there, watching her sleep, memorizing every detail of her sweet face. She looked so peaceful that he hated to wake her. “Winona, angel, it’s time for me to go.”
