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

been devastating for Naomi and everyone in Scarlet Springs. But so much hard work, so many volunteer hours and donations, and so much love had gone into rebuilding Camp Mato Sapa.

Ten new freshly painted cabins dotted the landscape, all of them solar-powered. The ropes course had been rebuilt. A new tipi stood near the fire circle at the center of the camp, and on the other side of the fire circle stood an O’odham wickiup. With Chaska’s help, Jason had even built a stone maze so the O’odham kids could have the real-life experience of walking one—getting lost, hitting dead ends, recovering, changing direction.

God, she loved him.

Kat glanced around. “It will be a lot of work getting this place ready for your wedding. Are you nervous?”

Winona glanced down at the diamond solitaire engagement ring Jason had given her when he’d proposed on her birthday in February. “Nervous and excited both.”

As soon as the children had boarded the bus and headed toward the airport, the cleaning crew would clean the cabins for wedding guests, and the party tent with its dance floor would replace this sunshade. It wasn’t going to be a big wedding—just friends and family. But there was still a lot to do.

“Are his sisters coming?”

“He didn’t invite them, not after they ignored his invitation for the kids to come to camp. One, the oldest, said she wanted her kids raised with mainstream culture.”

“That must have felt like a smack in the face.”

“Yeah, he was hurt. He had a long conversation with Grandpa and Chaska about it one night. He had to face that his sisters have chosen their own path. If he can connect with his nieces and nephews later, he will.”

“I’m sorry.” After a few minutes of silence, Kat changed the subject. “Is your dress finished?”

“Yes, and I love it. I can’t wait until Jason sees it.”

Winona had initially wanted to wear her grandmother’s doeskin dress with its beautiful antique quillwork, but Grandpa said it was stained. Also, the thought of wearing doeskin in summer heat didn’t hold much appeal. So, she’d tried to find a gown that contained elements of Lakota culture. She’d searched for Native wedding gowns, but she’d found only dresses that looked like they belonged at Woodstock or on the set of a Spaghetti Western. She’d felt consigned to getting a more conventional white dress—until Naomi had connected her with a Lakota woman who made bespoke clothing and was an expert with beadwork.

The result was one of a kind. Sleeveless and made with white silk tulle and guipure lace, its bodice was decorated with Lakota beadwork in purple, green, blue, black, and white that matched the long, quilled earrings she would wear. Strands of white beads attached to the bodice would drape across her upper arms.

“He’s not going to be able to take his eyes off you.”

The line had dwindled, which was Winona and Kat’s signal to help the cooks get lunch on the buffet line. Hungry seven- to twelve-year-olds were a tough bunch.

Kat stood, went to pick up her youngest. “Noelle Yanaha! Have you been eating dirt? You silly girl. Come, Kai. It’s time for lunch.”

Winona got to her feet, her hand resting on her belly. Six months to go before she’d be able to hold her little one.

Jason fumbled with his bolo tie as he tried to use the clip Winona had given him. He’d done this a thousand times but was suddenly all thumbs.

“Let me.” Chaska took the tie clip, examined it. “Naomi made this.”

“It was a gift from Win when I left Scarlet.”

Chaska got the tie in place and slipped on the tie clip, then straightened Jason’s collar. “You look good, man.”

“Thanks.” Jason reached for his jacket.

Chaska helped him into it, then smoothed one of Jason’s lapels. “I wasn’t sure about you at first. Yeah, I knew you were a Shadow Wolf, but there are lots of big, bad men with impressive resumés who don’t treat women well. I thought you were engaged and sleeping with my sister. I was wrong. You’ve been good for Winona. I’ve never seen her so happy.”

“I will do my best to be the man she deserves.”

“I know you will.” Chaska rested his hands on Jason’s shoulders, met his gaze. “You’re a good man. I am proud to call you brother.”

Those words meant more to Jason than Chaska could know. “You’ve been Winona’s rock since she was a little girl. Thank you for taking good care of her.”

The door opened, and Old Man walked in, wearing a white shirt and a bright red quilled vest with yellow designs that had been handed down from his grandfather. In his hands was his Medicine Wheel hair-tie with the bald eagle feather. “Chaska, can you help an old man? This arthritis in my fingers is givin’ me trouble. I can’t look sloppy at my granddaughter’s wedding.”

Grandpa was officiating the ceremony.

Chaska took the small ornament and fixed it into his grandfather’s hair, adjusting the feathers. “You’re good.”

From below came the sound of Ren’s voice followed by men’s laughter. Ren, Gabe, and Zach were standing with Jason today. They’d gotten to know one another pretty well last night at the lodge that Old Man had held for him.

Old Man glanced in the mirror, then looked Jason over, nodding approvingly. “You’re lookin’ sharp. You’re a true warrior. You’re gonna be a good half-side to my Winona and a good father to her children.”

Funny he should say that… “Thank you.”

Grandpa didn’t yet know that Winona was pregnant. Winona had only shared that with Naomi and Kat. She’d wanted to keep the baby secret until she was out of her first trimester, when risk of a miscarriage was highest. Jason had been fine with that decision, but for entirely different reasons. He didn’t want anyone in Scarlet believing that he was marrying Winona only because a condom had broken.

“I’ll get my sacred elements, and then it’s time to get up to the camp, eh?”

Ren met them at the bottom of