She led them from the room. “The sanctuary runs on donations. I get some grants from the federal and state governments, but most of it comes from ordinary people who want to help injured wildlife. Let’s go outside.”
They stopped at a snug enclosure that held a red fox.
“You can smell why I don’t keep this guy inside. Red foxes have a musk gland that would make the entire building stink.”
Jason had wondered what the odor was. “I believe that.”
McBride wrinkled his nose. “Good decision.”
“The aviary is over here.” Winona led them to a tall enclosure with thick, wooden perches—and an enormous golden eagle.
Jason stared. “It’s …huge.”
McBride was also impressed. “I’ve never seen one up close like this.”
“I measured its wingspan at just under seven feet. When the warden first brought it in, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to save it. Broken wings are tricky. We’ll be releasing it into the wild in the next few weeks.”
McBride rested a hand on her shoulder. “Well done, Win.”
The eagle eyed them from its perch, sharp talons gripping wood. Then it flew from one side of the aviary to the other.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Winona gazed up at the raptor.
“Beautiful.” But Jason wasn’t looking at the eagle.
* * *
Jason followedWinona through the parking lot toward the entrance of Knockers, already able to hear the band. Given the pub’s name, he’d thought it must be one of those places where women wore short shorts and skimpy belly shirts. He was glad to be wrong.
“The name honors the Tommyknockers, little gnome creatures that supposedly inhabit the mines here,” Winona had told him on the way here. “My friend Lexi believes one saved her life.”
Jason knew better than to disrespect another culture’s beliefs and legends. There was more to this world than could be understood or explained.
McBride held the door open for both of them. “The food here is good, and the brews are fantastic. But the atmosphere is what makes it.”
It was like stepping into happy chaos. The place was packed, a band on stage, the dance floor crowded, people milling about near the front door waiting for tables to open.
Winona had to shout for him to hear her. “This is the heart of Scarlet Springs.”
She didn’t wait for the hostess, but grabbed a couple of menus and led them toward the rear of the restaurant. “Joe always sets aside a table for the Team. It’s his way of thanking us for saving lives.”
As soon as they reached the table, Jason understood why the Team sat here and not toward the front. Not far from the table was a climbing wall with brightly colored handholds that went up to the ceiling.
A climbing wall in a pub?
You’re in Colorado, man.
Right.
Jason recognized some of the faces—Megs and Ahearn, Sasha, Creed Herrera, Bahir Acharya, and Conrad and Kenzie. There were new faces, too.
When the Team spotted Winona, heads turned.
A woman with red hair called out and waved. “Win!”
“Everybody, scoot closer. Move!” Megs stood, moved her chair. “Pretend we like each other or something.”
Winona introduced Jason to the people he hadn’t yet met. “This is Lexi, my friend. She’s the Team’s accountant and volunteers at the clinic. This is Austin Taylor, her husband. This is their little girl, Emily, in case you couldn’t tell by the red hair. This is Eric Hawke, our fire chief, and his son, Caden. Eric’s wife, Vicki, runs Knockers’ deep dish pizza business and is expecting their second.”