Breaking Free: A Colorado High Country Crossover Novel by Pamela Clare (well read books .TXT) 📗

But when I left you, it felt … wrong. I got back to Sells, and everything was the same—except that nothing was the same. I realized I would never again feel whole without you.”

Winona understood. “I felt the same way—as if part of me was missing. But I don’t understand. You said you would never leave your people.”

“I didn’t leave them. I brought them with me. They’re here.” He placed her hand over his heart. “They’re with me no matter where I go. I’ll keep in touch, visit when I can, and do my best to be a voice for them in the outside world.”

“What about the Shadow Wolves? What about the Pack?”

“I resigned last Friday. The Wolves understand.”

She swallowed, her throat tight. “You gave up a job you loved and moved away from your brothers—for me?”

“I had to make a choice. I chose you.”

“Are you going to ask Sheriff Pella for the job he offered you?”

“You’re looking at the newest Deputy US Marshal for the Colorado territory.”

“What?!” Winona sat up, stunned.

“That’s what I’ve been working on all this time. Staying with a federal agency enabled me to keep my salary and pension. McBride came through for me. He helped broker a deal that gives me time off for ceremonies and enables me to track for other agencies in the state as the need arises. If Megs wants me on the Team, I’m in.”

Winona struggled to keep up. “It’s like having all my wishes come true at once.”

Jason sat up, and took her hand. “I probably should have called and talked with you about it, but I didn’t want to disappoint you if things fell through. I just signed the final contract yesterday. Then I packed my shit into my truck and drove here.”

“Thank you.” Her heart melted to think he’d been in such a rush to be with her again. “It’s the best surprise ever.”

“I love you, Winona, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to be the one you reach for at night. I want to be the one who holds you when you’re sad or scared or sick. I want to be the father of your children.”

Tears filled her eyes. “Jason.”

“I know this is all pretty sudden, so if you’re not ready to live together, I can find my own place here in—”

She pressed her fingers to his lips, tears of happiness on her cheeks, her heart soaring with the eagles. “Welcome home, half-side.”

Epilogue

July 10

Winona sat on a bench beside Kat, sheltered by the new sunshade, the two of them watching while Jason, Chaska, Gabe, and the camp counselors guided a rowdy group of O’odham children through the recently rebuilt ropes course. Naomi snapped photographs for the kids to take home, little Shota in a carrier on her back.

Winona watched while Kat’s oldest showed the other kids how it was done, fearlessly crossing the high rope, a smile on her little face. “Alissa takes after her father when it comes to climbing, doesn’t she?”

“You have no idea.” Kat shook her head, her two younger children playing nearby. “She is absolutely fearless at the climbing gym. Last week, she climbed our chimney. I went looking for her and found her sitting on the roof, her legs dangling over the side. I ran for Gabe to help her climb down, but by the time we returned, she was already down.”

Winona laughed. “I’d have had a heart attack.”

Kat laughed. “I told Gabe he needs to build a climbing gym for the kids in our basement—with lots of padding on the floor.”

It was the last day of the first camp session this summer and the first session set aside exclusively for Tohono O’odham kids. Jason and Naomi had worked hard to set this up, building the curriculum around O’odham himdag with storytelling, basket weaving, tracking, gardening, and traditional games. Jason knew some of these kids and their parents personally, and it meant the world to him to give something special to his community.

He and Naomi had also set up agreements with O’odham artists—basket weavers, potters, and others—to sell their goods at Tanagila’s. Winona had made several weekend trips to Sells with Jason to sign agreements and select stock. It had opened a new income stream for O’odham artists who otherwise had to rely on tourist traffic and the casino to sell their work.

Over at the ropes course, the children lined up for their turns, some of them excited and others clearly afraid, Jason speaking to them in O’odham, while the counselors, Chaska, and Gabe spoke English, doing their best to build the children’s confidence. That was the entire point of the ropes course.

The first brave kiddo crossed, a bright smile on his face when he reached the other side to cheers from his fellow campers. Jason cheered, too, helping him to the ground and detaching him from the rope. Winona couldn’t understand what he said, of course, but she could see the pride on the little boy’s face.

Kat smiled. “He’s going to be a wonderful father. Is he excited?”

“He’s thrilled. He puts his hand on my belly and talks to the baby every morning when he wakes up.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Much better.” Winona was starting her second trimester, and the nausea that had plagued her all day for three months was almost gone. “Your advice helped. I nibbled crackers all day and slept a lot.”

Kat rested her hand on Winona’s, sympathy in her gaze. “It’s not easy bringing new life into the world.”

Another boy crossed the ropes to cheers, but the next child in line began to cry. Jason took her hand, drew her aside, speaking quietly to her while another child went in her place. Soon, she was smiling again.

“It’s been almost exactly a year since the fire.” Kat glanced around them. “Look at this place now.”

A year ago, the wildfire had burned through here, turning the camp to ash and almost taking Chaska, Grandpa, and Gabe from them. It had