“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 ofWerewolves 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.”