Breaking Free: A Colorado High Country Crossover Novel, Pamela Clare [i can read book club .TXT] 📗

God.” She let out a breath, relieved. “I’d hate to have to figure out how to bake you a cake with a file in it. I’m not very good with cakes.”

Jason’s head fell back, and he laughed.

Jason parked in a spot Rain had reserved for Winona and helped Winona climb down from his truck.

“They saved me a parking space?”

“I knew it would be harder for you to walk a long distance, so I called ahead.”

“That’s so sweet.”

Yeah, angel? Just wait.

They walked to the front door, which Jason held open for her, conversation, laughter, and music spilling into the cool October air.

Rain saw them first. “Make a path, please. Let Winona through.”

People saw Winona on her crutches and stepped aside.

Rain hugged her. “I’m so glad you came through this. Are you going to the Team table, or do you want a table close by?”

“We’ll sit at the Team table.” Winona smiled. “Jason is going to try climbing tonight.”

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?”

This was a 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.

“We are good.” 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—”

“They didn’t!”

“—so we’ve been collecting donations at the bar and are happy to present Winona with a check for eighteen-thousand nine-hundred dollars to cover her helicopter flight and medical expenses.”

Jason smiled. “They did.”

Tears spilled down Winona’s cheeks. “But all I did was step in a stupid trap!”

“She’s just home from the hospital, so we won’t ask her for a speech. Thank you, Winona, for your service to this community and the animals that share the mountains with us. This town wouldn’t be the same without you. And a big thank you to Jason Chiago for tracking the wolf and saving Winona’s life. You might not be a resident of Scarlet Springs, but you’re one of us now.”

Cheers and applause

It was Jason’s turn to be surprised.

Megs laughed, probably because of the expression on his face. “You thought you’d get away without Joe mentioning you. That’s cute.”

It was more than that. What surprised Jason the most was how Joe’s gratitude and the warmth of the people’s reaction had made him feel that he, an O’odham man, had a place in their crazy little town.

Then the Timberline Mudbugs retook the stage. “We’re dedicating the next song to you, Winona. We know you’ll be back up here, dancing the two-step soon.”

As Joe made his way toward their table, the band broke into a bluegrass version of Werewolves of London, half the pub howling along.

Winona looked accusingly at Jason and then Chaska. “You knew, didn’t you?”

Chaska nodded. “Joe may have mentioned something.”

Jason admitted it. “I knew, but I wasn’t going to ruin the surprise.”

“That’s why you kept insisting we come to Knockers.”

Then Joe and Rain were there, standing beside them.

Joe handed Win an envelope. “We’re all so glad you’re going to be okay. If you need anything else, Chaska has promised to let us know.”

Rain leaned down, kissed Winona’s cheek.