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

to buy it as a gift for Winona. It would be something she could touch and hold when he was gone.

Then all too soon, it was Wednesday.

After their usual routine—sex, showers, breakfast—they met with Erin, Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s raptor rehabilitation specialist. Erin captured the bird, put a hood on it, and carefully placed it into a large dog crate before loading it into the bed of her truck. “Today is freedom day for you. You are one lucky eagle.”

With Winona in the passenger seat, Jason followed the CPW truck up to Pinnacles, an area of ragged cliffs that was ideal habitat for golden eagles. “How does it make you feel when an animal you saved goes back to the wild?”

“It’s the greatest feeling.” Winona’s face lit up. “It’s why I do this job. I thank Creator every time. Wait until you see it fly.”

Erin drove to the edge of an open meadow, lifted the crate out of the back of her truck, and carried it into the field. There, she waited while Jason helped Winona down from his vehicle and the two of them slowly but steadily made their way to her.

“Winona, would you like to do the honors?” Erin asked.

Winona looked up at Jason. “Jason should do it.”

Jason was surprised. “I would love to. Thanks.”

He did what Erin and Winona told him to do, opening the door to the crate, lifting the hood from the bird’s head, and getting the hell out of the way.

Nothing happened.

“What if it doesn’t leave the crate?” he whispered to Winona.

“It will. Patience.”

The bird hopped out, took a step, looked around at its surroundings. Then it spread its massive wings and took to the sky, Jason’s heart soaring with it.

He let out a breath, in awe of what he’d just witnessed. “God, Win. Look what you’ve done.”

“Make good choices!” Erin called after the eagle, the three of them watching until it had disappeared in the distance.

By the time they were back at Winona’s place, it was snowing. Jason started a fire in her wood stove, the two of them cuddling on the sofa, scrolling through the photos on their phones, letting the fire warm them.

“Look! We got photo-bombed by a raven at the lake.”

“I love this one.” Jason turned the phone so that she could see. “What were you thinking about?”

It was a photo of her at an overlook, the wind in her hair, an expression of what could only be called longing on her face.

Winona’s answer put a knot in his chest. “I was wishing I could make that moment last forever.”

But they both knew nothing lasted forever.

They kept dinner simple—spaghetti with sauce from a jar and salad—and then Jason packed his duffel bag.

Jason chastised himself for the sadness that had stolen over him. He should be grateful for the past three weeks. He hadn’t seen Winona coming, and she’d given him the best time of his life. Besides, they still had tonight.

While he packed out in the living room, she was busy hobbling back and forth to her bedroom, brushing her teeth, combing her hair. When he walked back into the bedroom, she was lying naked like a seductress on the bed, lit candles everywhere.

And you’re leaving?

He pulled his T-shirt over his head. “You are beautiful.”

They made love after that, their gazes locked as they gave each other pleasure. Afterward, they lay together in a tangle of limbs, Winona’s head on his chest.

Out of nowhere, Winona laughed.

“What?”

“I would never have imagined when I ran into you with the cups and the creamer that you and I would end up as lovers. I was so embarrassed. I’d just made a fool of myself in front of the hottest guy I’d ever seen—and a Shadow Wolf, too.”

He chuckled. “I spent the rest of that day thinking about you.”

“You did?”

“Don’t act so surprised. Why do you think I agreed to go up to the Cimarron in the first place? I just wanted more time with you.”

She sat up, reached beneath her pillow, pulled out a small gift box. “This is for you—a way for you to remember me.”

“For me?” He sat up, opened it, stared. In the box sat an exquisite bolo tie clip, a wolf’s head made of inlaid semi-precious stones. “A wolf for a Shadow Wolf from the Wolf Whisperer of Scarlet? It’s beautiful, Win. Thank you.”

“It’s one of Naomi’s pieces.”

“I can tell. I’ll wear it with pride.” He tucked it carefully back in its box and set it on the nightstand. Then he cupped her face between his palms. “I won’t need anything to help me remember you.”

Then he made love to her again, drawing it out, making their pleasure last, until the two of them were sated and fell asleep in each other’s arms.

Chapter 24

Jason got up before dawn, tiptoeing so as not to wake Winona. He skipped the shower, washed his face, brushed his teeth, and made coffee. Then he ate a quick bowl of cereal, cleaned his dishes, and got the gift he’d bought for Win out of his duffel.

He walked into the bedroom and stood there, watching her sleep, memorizing every detail of her sweet face. She looked so peaceful that he hated to wake her. “Winona, angel, it’s time for me to go.”

This felt wrong. Leaving her felt wrong.

She stirred, opened her eyes. “Jason?”

“Hey. I need to hit the road.”

It was a fifteen-hour drive to Sells.

She sat up. “I’ll make you coffee.”

“I already did that. You can stay in bed.” He sat beside her. “This is for you.”

She looked at him, surprised. “Thanks.”

She opened it, drew out the silver pendant on its silver chain. The wolf track was cut out of polished sterling silver, abalone shell beneath it, giving it a shimmer. “It’s beautiful. Is it from Naomi’s store?”

He nodded. “It’s a wolf track from a humble Wolf tracker for the beautiful Wolf Whisperer of Scarlet. Let me put it on you.”

She turned, lifted her hair out of the way, while he fastened the clasp.

He