“I could get used to this—you making me breakfast every morning in your underwear.”
He did have the finest ass in the entire world.
He chuckled. “I wouldn’t mind that.”
Over cheese omelets, breakfast potatoes, and coffee, they talked about the day.
“We should have dinner at Knockers tonight.”
“What’s with you and Knockers?” She would rather stay home with him.
They’d spent the past two days holed up in her house, Winona doing her best to savor the time she had left with him. Already, a week had gone by, the days slipping like sand through her fingers. It was Sunday, and he would be leaving early on Thursday to make it back in time for the hearing on Friday.
Four days. Four days was all Winona had left with him. After that…
“Hey, I like the beer—and I thought I’d give the climbing wall a try.”
“Really?” The thought of him rock climbing—well, it didn’t turn her off. “Okay then. You’re on.”
They talked about other things he might want to do before he left town. Visit Rocky Mountain National Park. Get a tour of Team HQ, affectionately referred to as The Cave. Visit Naomi’s shop, Tanagila’s, to see the jewelry she made.
Winona held her coffee mug. “Are you afraid?”
“About the hearing?” He leaned back in his chair, picked up his mug, sipped. “Nah. I broke the rules. I killed a man on the wrong side of the border, and I endangered myself. If they terminate me, I will have earned it.”
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.”