So, she was smart, too.
She nodded. “I rehabilitate sick and injured animals.”
A hand came down on Jason’s shoulder. “Hey, Chiago. Kat said you’d be here.”
Jason turned, found Gabe Rossiter standing behind him, a broad grin on his face. Jason shook his friend’s hand. “Good to see you. I hear you were a hero this summer.”
Gabe laughed. “Is McBride telling stories about me again? I’ll grab some food, and we can sit down somewhere and catch up.”
“No cutting in line,” Jason teased. “You have to go to the back.”
“Ah, man!” Rossiter headed to the rear of the line.
Jason had just finished making his sandwich when he heard Winona gasp.
“Naomi!”
* * *
Winona ranto where Naomi lay in the dirt. “Are you okay?”
Naomi pressed her fingers to her temples. “I feel … funny.”
Then Chaska was there, kneeling beside his wife. “What happened?”
“She just sank to the ground.”
“I’ve had a headache, and then I got so dizzy.”
That’s when Winona noticed the swelling in Naomi’s ankles.
Oh, God.
She met Chaska’s gaze, tried to show him she was serious without upsetting Naomi. “She needs to go to the ERnow.”
Naomi shook her head. “We’ve got all of these volunteers here. I don’t have much time before the baby comes. Someone needs to start making the stew for—”
“These guys can order pizza if they have to.” Chaska fished out his keys, handed them to Winona, and scooped Naomi into his arms. “We’re taking you to the hospital. Nothing is more important than you and our baby.”
Kat ran down the steps of the mess hall toward them. “Is she in labor?”
Winona shook her head. “She got dizzy and sank to the ground. We’re taking her to the ER. Can you watch over everything until I get back?”
“Of course.” Kat waved her away. “Go.”
Winona hurried to the SUV, unlocked the doors, and stood back while Chaska lifted Naomi into the front passenger seat. “Do you want me to drive?”
“I’m fine.” He helped Naomi buckle her seatbelt.
Winona found the button that reclined Naomi’s seatback. “I think you should lie back and rest, okay?”
Naomi nodded, clearly anxious. “Thanks, Win.”
Winona smiled, doing her best not to let her fear show. “What are sisters for?”
She got into the back seat and saw Grandpa hurrying toward them. “Hang on, Chaska. Grandpa’s coming, too.”
Grandpa climbed into the back seat. “Hoka hey! Let’s roll.”