Page 7 of Breaking Free
“That’s it.”Jason held fast to one side of the wall frame, McBride the other, as they raised it and set it in place. “Perfect. Hold it there.”
Grandpa Belcourt took Jason’s end. “I’ve got it.”
Jason dropped to one knee, grabbed his hammer and the framing nails, and fixed the wall frame into position, starting with the ends and then moving toward the center. “One wall frame in place, three more to go.”
Given that the fourth member of their team, a young Cherokee named Adam, was sick from the altitude and resting in his tent, Jason was proud of their progress.
It felt good to do something physical, the sun on his face, fresh air in his lungs, sweat on his skin. More than that, the work got him out of his head, giving him something to focus on besides his screwed-up life—or Winona Belcourt.
Damn.
Okay, so maybe she was still on his mind.
Shewasbeautiful, with long, dark hair, delicate features, and sweet curves that her oversized denim shirt couldn’t conceal. She’d gotten flustered when she’d bumped into him, her embarrassment adorable. He’d felt a strange pull between them when he’d shaken her hand, and he’d seen the flush in her cheeks. She’d felt it, too.
Mutual attraction.
Yeah, well, he needed to shut that down now. He no longer did casual hookups, and he had no interest in starting a relationship. His fellow Wolves told him he’d get over what Elena had done and learn to trust again. Maybe that was true, but he wasn’t there yet. Besides, he had no intention of moving away from Sells and abandoning his people or the O’odhamhimdag—their way of life.
He knew where he was meant to be.
Jason tested the wall frame with a shake. “Let’s level this, square it, and brace it.”
Grandpa Belcourt pulled a bandana from the pocket of his jeans and wiped the sweat off his forehead. “It looks like my granddaughter has food for us.”
Jason saw Winona setting bread and rolls on the table. He willed himself to look away. “Let’s finish this and wash up.”
By the time they were done and Jason had washed his hands—he always carried paper soap to use with water from his water bottle—lunch was waiting for them. Volunteers drifted toward the picnic tables, joking and laughing with one another.
Winona explained to the group how it worked, the breeze teasing tendrils of dark hair that had come loose from her braid. “It’s a do-it-yourself sandwich smorgasbord. Start on this end with the plates and forks. There’s turkey, roast beef, salami, baloney, bread, and rolls, with all the fixings. We’ve got cookies and fruit for dessert.”
Naomi pointed to a large cooler at the end of the table, fingers massaging one temple. “We’ve got soft drinks and bottled water on ice if you’re thirsty.”
Jason motioned Grandpa Belcourt forward. “You first, Grandfather.”
It was an almost universal Indigenous custom to refer to all elders as Grandfather or Grandmother—or Uncle or Auntie—out of respect.
The old man gave a nod of thanks and picked up a paper plate.
Winona stood across from him, hands on her hips. “Are you working hard, Grandpa?”
“I’m hardly workin’.” The old man tossed two pieces of white bread onto his plate, chuckling at his own joke.
“That’s not true.” Jason found himself wanting to draw her gaze. “He’s keeping the rest of us in line.”
But Winona’s attention seemed to be reserved for her grandfather, concern on her pretty face. “Promise me you won’t overdo it, okay?”
Grandpa Belcourt slathered mayonnaise on his bread then piled on the roast beef. “Have you met my granddaughter, Winona? She fusses over me like an old hen.”
“She and I bumped into each other this morning.” Jason put mustard, turkey, and Swiss on wheat bread. “Thanks for the meal, Winona.”
At last, she looked up at him. “Thanks for your help today.”
The moment her gaze met his, Jason felt it—a bone-deep sense of awareness. He found himself searching for words and finding none.
Grandpa Belcourt spoke, giving Jason time to pull himself together. “Winona is a wildlife vet. She helps our furry and feathered relatives.”
Jason stupidly repeated what the old man had just said. “A wildlife vet.”
