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

the stairs, drew Jason into an embrace. “Man, you sure clean up pretty. I’m used to seein’ you in dusty camo.”

Jason hugged him back. “I could say the same about you.”

Gabe shook his hand. “Congratulations. Kat and I are so happy for you both.”

McBride gave him a bear hug. “I’m so damned happy for the two of you. I knew something was up between you from the start. I asked, and you denied it.”

Jason couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, yeah. I remember.”

They climbed into McBride’s SUV and made the short drive up to the camp.

Camp Mato Sapa had been transformed. An elegant party tent stood in place of the sunshade. Chairs sat in rows before a table that would act as an altar and hold Old Man Belcourt’s sacred elements, large bouquets of bright flowers on either side. Caterers bustled in and out of the Mess Hall. Guests took their seats in the party tent, while uninvited guests sat on the ground or held tailgate parties.

Winona had warned him this would happen. “When Lexi and Austin got married, the whole town came, even those not on the guest list.”

Hank, who had just finished his six-month jail sentence, was sitting under the tree with a friend. “That’s the man who tracked me the night I drove into the creek.”

Inside the tent, the West clan sat together. The Team took up a couple of rows, Kenzie and Conrad holding their new baby boy, Bruce, and Erik and Vicki with their month-old daughter, Molly. Doug and Star and their kids had come from Pine Ridge and were dressed in their finest. Joe and Rain sat with their little girl and Bear, who wore a neat, white shirt rather than buckskin. Ellio, Milo, and Dale had driven up with Ren and sat off to one side.

Jason waved to them, grateful to have some of his Pack brothers back together.

“Don’t you look pretty?” Megs said.

“You, too, Megs. A skirt? I’ve never seen you in a skirt before.”

It was denim, but for Megs, it might as well be formal attire.

Megs spread her legs. “It’s culottes.”

Jason hadn’t expected that. “I see.”

Ahearn laughed, shook his head. “I can’t take her anywhere.”

Jason found himself needing space, just a bit of quiet before the ceremony. He walked over to the maze he and Chaska had built, and it hit him. At the age of thirty-eight, he was marrying a woman he loved more than life.

Somehow, he’d found the path to the center.

Winona stood in one of the camp cabins where she’d gotten dressed, barely aware of the photographer snapping photos. She drew a breath, then turned to face the mirror. Staring back at her was a Lakota bride, her dark hair pulled away from her face and spilling down her back, quill earrings hanging to her shoulders, her heritage worn proudly on the colorful beaded bodice of a gown with skirts of white silk tulle.

Naomi arranged Winona’s skirts and stepped back. “Oh, Win, you look beautiful. Chaska and I are so happy for you.”

Kat handed Winona her bouquet of white roses, blue penstemon, lavender, and sage. “Jason is going to be blown away.”

Lexi dabbed her eyes. “I’m so happy for you, Win.”

Winona glanced around at them, her closest friends. “Thanks for everything you’ve done through the years, and thanks for being here today. You’re the best.”

They looked beautiful, too, the three of them wearing the same gown as Winona but in lavender tulle and without the beadwork. Lexi’s had been altered to accommodate her six-month pregnant belly. She and Austin had decided to have another baby after the fire and were expecting a little boy.

Star walked in. “I just have to hug the bride before the cer… Oh, Win! That dress. It’s … stunning. Look at that beadwork.”

“Thank you, Star.” She gave Star a careful hug. “I’m so glad you, Doug, and the kids could be here.”

“We wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

Then Chaska stepped inside. “I think we’re…”

He stopped, stared, an expression on his face she’d never seen. “Look at you, little sister. Jason is a lucky man. Would the rest of you mind if I had a moment? I think it’s time for us to head toward the tent anyway.”

Star, Naomi, Kat, and Lexi left Winona with her brother.

For a moment, there was silence. Then they both spoke at once.

“I…”

“I…”

Chaska laughed. “It’s your wedding day. You go first.”

Winona didn’t want to cry and mess up her makeup, but this was important. Her throat tight, she did her best to share what was in her heart. “Thank you for all you’ve done for me. You took care of me. You made me so many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. You kept me safe. You chased away the nightmares after Mom died. No sister could hope for a better big brother. You will always be the first boy I loved.”

Chaska’s brow furrowed, an almost sad look in his eyes. “You will always be the little girl I cherished, the one who looked at me with her big brown eyes and made me want to take on the world just to see her safe and happy. I am so proud of you, Winona. I’m proud of the human being you’ve become.”

Winona’s heart seemed to swell until it was almost too big for her chest. But it was time to tell him. “Can I share one last secret with my big brother?”

“Of course.”

“I’m three months pregnant.”

Chaska gaped at her, then let out a wild howl, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around. “Congratulations! Shota is going to have a little cousin. This is the best news. Wait until Old Man finds out.”

He set her carefully down. “How are you feeling? What does Jason think?”

Winona smiled, her brother’s reaction pretty much what she’d expected. “I was really sick for a while, but I’m fine now. Jason is excited. He’s taken good care of me.”

“I’m so happy for you both.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Naomi had a hard