Could it be that simple? Could she just let go—and be happy?
She stopped chopping a tomato, closed her eyes for a moment, inhaled the scent of grilling meat. She heard Winona’s cheerful voice as she told Chaska about the antics of the mountain lion cubs today, heard his deep chuckle.
This life, this place, these people—Naomi could come to love this.
You’re in love with him already.
After just one week? She had to be crazy.
The back door opened, jerking Naomi from her thoughts.
She went back to chopping the tomato, felt Chaska come up behind her, his arms going around her waist, his lips pressing a kiss to her neck.
Okay, maybe not so crazy.
“I’m almost finished here. How are the steaks?”
“They’re done. I need to grab a plate so I can bring them in.” He reached past her, took an oval-shaped platter out of one cupboard and disappeared outside again.
Winona came back in, started setting the table. She lowered her voice. “My brother really likes you.”
Naomi dropped the chopped tomato into the salad and handed the bowl to Winona to carry to the table. “That’s what he told me today.”
Winona beamed. “You like him, too, right?”
“Yes, I care about him so much that—”
But then Chaska stepped back inside, three grilled steaks and three potatoes wrapped in aluminum foil on the platter.
Winona hid her smile and went to the refrigerator for salad dressing. She stared in disbelief. “Where’s the milk? I just bought a new carton yesterday. How can it be gone?”
Chaska’s gaze met Naomi’s. “Sorry, yeah, I drank it all. I’ll run to the store.”
It was everything Naomi could do not to burst out laughing.
The food was delicious, the company even better. Naomi told Winona about Rose tricking her and Bob and his pink kimono. She helped with the spirit plate, too, adding a little piece of potato and some of her salad, earning an appreciative glance from Chaska.
They had finished with the meal but were still talking when Chaska’s cell phone rang. He drew it out of his pocket. “It’s Tina. I’d better take this.”
He answered in Lakota and then stepped out the back door.
Winona leaned forward. “What were you going to say before he stepped inside? You like him so much that…”
“I like him so much that it scares me. I think I’m in love with him.”
For some reason, Winona didn’t look surprised. “Don’t be afraid. He feels the same. I’m sure of it, though he’d kill me if he knew I’d told you. He…”
Her words trailed off, her head turning toward the backyard, as if she were listening to Chaska’s conversation. A look of surprise came over her face, her gaze jerking to Naomi. “He’s speaking with our grandfather.”
Naomi’s pulse spiked. “What are they saying?”
“I’m not sure. It’s about your medicine wheel.” Winona looked confused. “What would my grandfather know about that?”
Naomi drew it out, held it, her heart pounding now. “Chaska sent scans of it to him, hoping he might know who made it.”
“Oh. Wow. It sounds like he does.”
Chaska endedthe call and walked back inside, wondering how Naomi was going to feel about this news. She watched him, a hint of wariness on her face. Winona must have overheard and shared at least some of what he’d said with her.