“You can’t blame yourself for that. That’s on the bastard who put it there.”
“Yeah.”
They sat side by side, Jason looking every few minutes at the board, watching Winona’s patient number, following her progress. She was in surgery now.
He closed his eyes, sent up a silent prayer.
Creator, save her life and her leg. She did nothing but try to help one of your creatures. Please be with her through the surgery. Save her leg. Amen.
It was more fearful gibbering than a prayer.
Then Chaska came out with it. “What does my sister mean to you?”
How could Jason answer that? “I care about her—more than I’ve ever cared about any woman.”
Jason’s answer made Chaska frown. “I heard you’re about to get married.”
Shit.
After everything that had happened today, Jason couldn’t help but laugh, understanding now why Chaska had seemed so angry at the apartment. “I broke up with my fiancée when the DEA busted her for drug trafficking six months ago. She’s in prison and out of my life.”
“Oh. Shit.” Chaska let out a breath. “I’m sorry—but I’m relieved to hear that.”
All things considered, Jason was impressed with the man’s restraint. He’d thought Jason was attached—and shagging his sister.
Chaska took a sip of coffee and seemed to consider his next words. “If you care about her so much, what’s your plan?”
“I’ll stay here and help her however I can until I have to go back to Sells.” He could see Chaska wasn’t going to be satisfied with anything less than the whole truth. “I’m on unpaid administrative leave. I have a disciplinary hearing next month.”
He gave Chaska the short version of the story, telling him more than he probably should about the shooting.
“I’d have shot the son of a bitch, too. Does Winona know?”
“She does. She also knows that I won’t leave the reservation—and why.”
For a moment, a heavy silence stretched between them.
Then Chaska’s gaze locked with Jason’s. “My sister is a true human being. She has a pure heart. She’s generous to everyone—two-legged, four-legged, winged. She doesn’t know how to do anything but love. I cherish her more than my own life. I’m asking you as her brother, as someone who loves her—please don’t hurt her.”
* * *
One hour went by.Then two.
Winona’s status on the board still hadn’t changed.
In surgery.
Then Deputy Marcs walked up to them, distress on her face. “Chaska. Jason. I am so sorry about this. Winona is the last person…Damn.”
She blinked tears from her eyes.
Chaska acknowledged her concern with a nod. “Thanks.”
“I hate to bother you, Jason, but I need a statement. I’ve already spoken to Ranger Henriksen. We can go to the cafeteria so that we don’t trouble Chaska or—”
“No.” Chaska shook his head. “I want to hear it.”
Jason recounted the entire story for Deputy Marcs from their decision to pursue the wolf to the moment the helicopter arrived. The terrible irony of what had happened wasn’t lost on him. “Winona wanted to find the wolf before it was caught in a leg trap. She was afraid it might be injured. And because of that…”