What was she about to tell him? That she’d fallen in love with him? Good grief! How would that help either of them?
He was leaving.
He waited, his brow furrowing with concern when she didn’t finish her sentence.
“I think the drugs are kicking in. I lost my train of thought.”
He kissed her forehead. “You should sleep. I’ll be right here.”
* * *
“I won’t let you fall.”Jason walked beside Winona as she moved down the hallway, trying out her new crutches. “You’re doing it.”
“I’m not sure how I’m going to get around the clinic like this.”
Her nurse walked on her other side. “You’re a vet?”
“A wildlife vet.”
“Cool. Ever take care of anything like a bear or a cougar?”
“Yes. I’ve got an injured bear cub now.”
“Wow!”
They reached the end of the hallway.
“Do you want to sit and rest for a minute?” the nurse asked.
“I just want to get back to my room.” Winona turned and headed the other way.
It seemed to Jason that she was more uncomfortable this morning—and grumpier. The nerve block had worn off long ago, and pain pills were now her only source of relief. She was also worried about the cost of the helicopter flight and her hospital bill.
He walked beside her. “One step at a time.”
He and the nurse had just gotten her back into bed when her door opened and Chaska walked in with Grandpa Belcourt, who was dressed in a fine ribbon shirt, an eagle feather in his hair, a leather bundle under one arm.
Winona smiled. “Chaska. Grandpa.”
Grandpa glanced around. “This room looks like a flower shop.”
A half dozen bouquets sat wherever there was space—on the counter by the sink, on the table beside her bed, on the windowsill. The West family had sent one. Joe and Rain from Knockers had sent another. Lexi and some clinic volunteers had also sent one with a card telling Winona not to worry about the clinic. Zach and Natalie had sent one, too. He couldn’t remember who’d sent the others.
“I can wait in the hall.” Jason turned toleave the room so Winona could have some private time with her family, but Chaska stopped him.
“Stay with us. Old Man wants to pray.”
Grandpa Belcourt unrolled the bundle, drew out a braid of sweetgrass and an eagle feather. He was about to light the sweetgrass when the nurse’s aide walked in.
“I’m sorry, sir, there’s no smoking … or … uh… no smoke allowed.”
Chaska was ready for this. “This is part of our religion. It’s how we pray.”
The nurse’s aide seemed confused. “We have chaplains available if you’d like spiritual support.”
Jason wasn’t in the mood for this. “This man is an elder and a Lakota spiritual leader. Go read the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, and then come talk to us about hospital rules and chaplains.”
The nurse’s aide left, red in the face, probably off to fetch the proverbial cavalry.