“Way to go, Belcourt,” Herrera mumbled with feigned disgust.
Ahearn took over from there, recounting what the guy had said—and what Chaska, Nicole and the others had said in response. “The guy was an asshole. I’ll give you that. But it’s not our job to put him in his place.”
This opened the door for Megs, who spent the next five minutes reminding them all of the high professional standards required to remain a primary Team member. It wasn’t enough to be an expert climber and EMT. Team members had to behave in a way that reflected well on the institution.
“Belcourt, it’s not your job to defend the women or Ahearn here, whoisan old man, by the way.”
Laughter.
Ahearn shrugged.
“Turner, it’s not your job to take down the patriarchy. I know how sexist the climbing community can be. I was dealing with these testosterone-addled idiots before you were born. Be as sassy as you want to be on your own time, but when you’re wearing a Team T-shirt, keep your very clever comments to yourself.”
Megs paused, glanced around. “Am I understood?”
Heads nodded.
“Good. Let’s try not to have this discussion again this year.” Megs turned to Chaska. “We’ve got a guest tonight. Belcourt, would you do the honors?”
Chaska motioned to Naomi. “This is Naomi Archer. Some of you were part of her rescue Tuesday morning. She’s staying with Win and me for now.”
“Hey, Naomi. Happy to see you doing well.”
“Nice to see you again, Naomi.”
“Welcome to The Cave.”
Chaska could tell that Naomi felt a little overwhelmed. He tried to imagine it from her point of view—coming face to face with people who had saved her life when she’d been helpless and mostly unconscious.
She looked around the room, her voice tight as if she were fighting tears. “Thank you for all you did for me. You came out of nowhere and saved my life.”
She was answered with a chorus ofyou’re welcomes.
An image of Naomi lying unconscious and wounded flashed into Chaska’s mind, and for the first time it struck him how terribly close she’d come to dying alone out there—a terrible end for a woman who’d been left by a dumpster as a newborn.
You were led to her.
Maybe he had been.
Naomi spentmost of Friday sleeping, so tired that she was awake only long enough to take pain pills, go to the bathroom, and eat.
“You’re healing,” Winona said when she came home for lunch to find Naomi dragging herself into the kitchen for a glass of water. “Your body is working hard. You probably overdid it yesterday.”
“I guess so.”
She woke Saturday morning rested but strangely anxious, a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach, worries chasing one another through her mind before she opened her eyes. Would the State of Colorado approve her application for compensation? Would they be able to fix her Honda? How long could she stay here before Chaska and Win would grow tired of her? When would they catch Clem and Arlie?
She found Chaska and Win in the kitchen. They had just returned from a run in the forest with Shota and were waiting to eat breakfast with her.
“Do you like waffles?” Win asked. “Because I love waffles.”
Chaska leaned back in his chair, a resigned look on his face. “What my sister is saying is that she wants me to make waffles.”
“I love waffles, too.”
Chaska got to his feet. “Okay, then. Waffles it is.”
Naomi found it hard to keep up with their banter, and more than once missed something one or the other of them said to her. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m distracted.”