Even more incredible was the financial support the town had shown. Joe’s donation jar at Knockers had brought in enough to pay for Winona’s rescue flight and her hospital bills. She didn’t know it yet, but she wasn’t going to owe a dime. That wasn’t Jason’s news to share, so it would have to wait until later.
He brought her up to date on the security system. “You’ll be able to see on your phone who’s at the doors. If anyone breaks in through a window or a door, it will notify both you and the Scarlet PD. You can leave the clinic’s front door unlocked during business hours or, if you’re alone, set it up so that you have to buzz people in.”
“And how much is this costing the clinic?”
“Nada. I couldn’t even get the man to show me the invoice.”
“Why are the Wests doing this? They already gave the clinic a huge donation.”
“They’re good people.” That’s what everyone had told him, and it had turned out to be true. “I think they feel partly responsible for your being injured.”
“That’s nuts.”
The nurse walked in with papers and a smile. “Let’s get you out of here.”
She went over the discharge instructions with both of them. No baths, but showers were okay provided she kept the incisions dry. Leave the dressing on the incisions for another week. No weight on her injured leg until she was given the okay. A prescription for pain meds. Call her doctor immediately if she got a fever higher than 101 or if her leg became more painful or swollen or there was redness.
“I’ve got it all printed out for you. You can pick up your prescription at the pharmacy downstairs. And here’s your ride now.”
An aide pushed a wheelchair up to the door. “It’s not a limo, but it will do.”
Jason helped Winona into the wheelchair and set her belongings and the discharge papers on her lap. “I’ve got your crutches.”
Fifteen minutes later, Jason was helping Win into the passenger seat of his truck. “Watch your leg.”
He stowed her crutches behind the seat, covertly sending a text message to Chaska telling him they were on their way. Then he climbed into the driver’s seat. “Next stop, Scarlet Springs.”
“Oh, thank goodness!”
They talked for the entire hour-long drive, Jason more at home in her presence than he’d felt with a woman before.
A promise is a sacred thing. So is the love of one’s half-side.
Soon they left the city behind, drove through Boulder and up into the canyon, passing the spot where Hank drove off the highway and getting closer to town.
Jason tried not to give anything away, but he couldn’t get the smile off his face.
Then, there it was—the town limit sign for Scarlet.
He slowed, gave her every chance to spot it on her own.
“It looks like most of the snow has melt… What?! Oh! Do you see that?”
Scarlet Springs Town Limit, Pop. 1,469, Elevation 8,936
Home of Wolf Whisperer Winona Belcourt
“I do.” He chuckled, slowing even more.
It was only a temporary change written on paper and taped to the sign, but it was the thought that counted. And the thought was sincere.
They left the canyon behind and headed into town, Winona’s head turning this way and that, taking in all the balloons and cardboard and paper signs stuck in the windows of homes and businesses and at the ends of driveways.
We love you, Winona!
Winona is our hero!
Heal well, Winona!