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.