He closed his eyes, focused on the world around him.
The morning’s chill. A raven’s throatycaw. The lingering scent of rain in the air. The solid earth beneath him.
There was no point in trying to go back to sleep, so he crawled out of his sleeping bag, slipped into his jeans, and put on his boots and fleece-lined denim jacket. Then he left his tent, took a leak, and washed his face and hands with water from his water bottle, the cold helping to clear his head.
McBride poked his head outside his tent, looking half asleep, stubble on his jaw. “Jesus, Chiago. It’s six-thirty.”
“Tell me about it.”
“You okay, man?”
Jason didn’t know how to answer that. “I’m going to make coffee.”
He got his fire-starter kit out of his pack and walked down to the picnic area. Once he had a good fire going, he walked to the Mess Hall, where the door had been left unlocked in case anyone needed anything during the night. In the kitchen, he found both ground coffee and the big, enamel coffee pot.
He had to give the Belcourts and their friends credit. At least they made real rez coffee instead of that designer soy mocha latte shit.
Jason filled the pot with water, carried both pot and coffee out to the fire, and set the pot over glowing coals. When the water had begun to steam, he poured two cups of grounds straight into the pot then waited for it to boil.
A vehicle pulled up and parked.
Winona.
“It looks like someone already started a fire. Go sit where it’s warm, Grandpa. I’ll carry the food inside and then make you some coffee.”
Jason stood. “The coffee is already brewing.”
“Oh! Jason. Hey.” She huddled against the cold in a blue puffer jacket, jeans hugging her hips. “Thanks.”
“Sorry to startle you. Good morning, Grandfather.”
The old man smiled. “Itisa good morning. I have a great-grandson.”
“Congratulations.” The old man’s pride made Jason smile. “Can I carry something?”
“Thanks. That would really help.” Winona opened the liftgate. “All of this needs to get to the kitchen. Kat can’t make it today. Her youngest, Noelle, has a fever.”
“Sorry to hear that.” Jason walked to the rear of the vehicle.
Winona stood close enough that Jason could smell the feminine scent of her shampoo. “Before the day gets busy, I wanted to thank you.”
“For what?” He hadn’t done more than anyone else.
She looked at him through those big, brown eyes. “Kat said you stepped up and played a leadership role yesterday after we left for the hospital. You kept everyone focused and made sure construction moved forward. That means a lot to us—to me.”
“You’re welcome.” He lifted a stack of egg crates out of the vehicle, trying not to notice how her words warmed him. “Have you heard anything from the hospital?”
“Not this morning, but Chaska sent me a text late last night saying little Shota is fine and Naomi is doing better.”
“That’s good news.”
Still looking sleepy, McBride walked toward them, probably searching for coffee.
Jason motioned him over with a jerk of his head. “Hey, Sleeping Beauty, help us get all of this into the kitchen.”
Chapter 4
Winona took off her jacket,poured herself a cup of coffee, and sat at one of the tables in the quiet of the Mess Hall. What a relief it was to have breakfast and lunch behind her! Thank goodness for Jason, Zach, and Kenzie, who had each helped in their own way. She didn’t have to worry about making dinner tonight because Caribou Joe, the owner of Knockers, had donated a coupon for a free meal for every volunteer.