Rain looked surprised—and pleased. “I’ll head back with you.”
Rain cleared a path for Winona, Jason following behind. People waved and called out to her as she passed, heads turning her way.
Winona moved steadily toward the back. “It’s busy for a Sunday night.”
“Is it?” Rain gave Jason a wink. “I suppose it is.”
Jason wasn’t surprised to see the Team table full. He recognized most of the faces now. Chaska and Naomi were there, the baby in Naomi’s arms. Old Man Belcourt sat next to them. He acknowledged Jason with a nod.
His words still hadn’t left Jason’s mind.
Megs had saved Winona and Jason a couple of seats on the end of the table where it would be easier for her to maneuver.
Jason helped her stow her crutches out of the way. “Are you good?”
Thiswasa lot for someone who’d just gotten out of the hospital.
Win smiled. “Yeah. Thanks.”
Rain handed Jason a menu. “By the way, Win, your money is no good here tonight. That goes for you, too, Chiago. Heroes eat for free at our house.”
Everyone on the Team wanted to hear how Winona was doing, but the place was packed, and Win almost had to shout.
Megs turned to a table of particularly rowdy men. “Hey, pipe down, would you? We’re trying to have a conversation here!”
Clearly touched by people’s concern, Winona answered their questions and then said what he knew she’d wanted to say for a week now. “Thank you all for rescuing me—and for saving the wolf. I never thought I’d need a rescue. I wouldn’t have my leg if you hadn’t gotten there so quickly, and I wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for Jason. You’re the best, and I’m proud to work with you.”
Cheers. Raised bottles.
“Wearegood.” Megs smiled to herself and drank.
Then the band fell silent, and Joe took the stage, a woman with strawberry-blond braids standing beside him in overalls.
“If I could have everyone’s attention for a moment, Libby, our talented brew master, wants to tell you about her latest creation.” Joe stepped aside.
Winona blew out a relieved breath. “Whew. For a moment, I thought he was going to say something about me.”
Jason tried not to grin.
The woman in the overalls—Libby—took the mic. “I hope everyone is having a great night. I’ve got a new double cream stout for you. This one has a mix of eleven different malts with undertones of chocolate and just a hint of sage and pine. I’ve named it Wolf Whisperer Double Cream Stout in honor of our own Winona Belcourt.”
Cheers. Wolf howls. Applause.
Winona looked utterly taken aback. “Thanks, but I don’t even drink.”
Laughter.
Then Joe took back the microphone. “For those of you who don’t know, Winona is a wildlife vet. She runs a sanctuary for wild animals here in town. She was trying to rescue an abandoned wolf when she stepped into an illegal bear trap. She almost lost her leg and her life. But we’re happy to welcome her back to Knockers tonight.”
Cheers. Applause.
Some people even got to their feet.
Winona glanced around, eyes wide, surprise on her face. She met Jason’s gaze. “I don’t deserve this.”
“Yes, you do.” He kissed her forehead. “Listen.”
Joe was still talking. “Now, this leaves Winona with some big hospital bills—”