Jason shook their hands in turn. “Good to meet you all.”
“Any news about Naomi and the baby?” Lexi asked.
“I heard from Chaska just before we came here. The baby is fine. Naomi is pretty uncomfortable from the surgery, but her blood pressure is better. Her dad and step-mother just got into town from Pine Ridge and are at the hospital now.”
“Do you have photos? Have they named him?”
Winona’s smile was tinged with sadness. “They named him Shota.”
Lexi’s eyes went wide. “Oh, Win! That’s perfect!”
“Isn’t it?” Winona passed her phone to Lexi so she could see the photos. “Isn’t he adorable? I got to hold him for a few minutes.”
As if the wordbabywere magic, several women who worked at Knockers hurried over to their table to see the photos, passing Winona’s phone around.
Grandpa beamed, his gaze meeting Jason’s. “I can remember people makin’ a fuss like this when Chaska and Winona were born. They grew up there—on the rez. The years pass so fast—like wind over the grass.”
A pretty woman with tattoos of skulls and roses on her arms rested her hand on Grandpa Belcourt’s shoulder. “Congratulations, Grandfather. You must be so happy.”
Grandpa Belcourt chuckled. “I’ve been waitin’ for my grandchildren to settle down for a long time.”
The woman turned to Jason. “I’m Rain Moffat, co-owner and general manager. If there’s anything you need, let me know.”
“Jason Chiago. I’m here with McBride.”
“We came to cash in our coupons for free meals.” McBride waved his around, a grin on his face.
“Right on. Do you know what you’d like to order?” Rain took their drink and dinner orders, and, finally, there was a moment of relative quiet.
Winona leaned across the table. “The first time Chaska brought me here, I was completely overwhelmed. I didn’t know anyone. I’d never seen a climbing wall. Everything was so new.”
Jason could understand that. “Why did you leave Pine Ridge?”
“Chaska left to study engineering at CU and fell in love with climbing. I missed him—we’d never been apart before—and I wanted to study to become a vet. CSU in Fort Collins has a great veterinary medicine program, so I followed him here.”
“Don’t you miss being home with other Lakota?” Jason had seen how respectful she was toward her grandfather and other living creatures. It made no sense that she could turn her back on the reservation.
“Sure, but Scarlet Springs is home, too. We visit Pine Ridge when we can, and Grandpa spends part of the year here with us.”
“My place doesn’t have the air conditioning,” Grandpa explained. “I like the air conditioning.”
Jason understood that.
A shadow fell across the table.
McBride got to his feet. “Hey, Jack, good to see you, man.”
“How have you been? It’s been a while.” A tall man with gray hair and sun-browned skin shook McBride’s hand.
“Is the rest of the family here?”
“It’s just me and Janet tonight. My wife had a craving for Vicki’s pizza.” The man—Jack—turned to Winona. “I’m happy to run into you, Winona. Can I have a moment of your time?”
Winona looked surprised. “Of course.”
She stood and followed Jack.
“What does Jack West want with Winona?” Megs asked.