Reno's Journey: Cowboy Craze (The Wild West)

by Sable Hunter

  After a few minutes of contemplation, Journey decided she wouldn’t change a thing – except for the part where he said goodbye.

  As the hours progressed, she sought to push aside her grief and do some work. First, she put on that pot of soup she’d been craving. Second, she settled at her workstation in the sunroom and mixed together the appropriate oils to make a spray to combat restless leg syndrome. Peppermint, lavender, chamomile, ginger, rosemary and frankincense. Fifteen drops of each in fifteen milliliters of magnesium. Once she packed a bottle for shipment, she slipped a bar of lavender soap into the box with a note telling the woman to put the bar beneath the bottom sheet of her bed. Yes, this was a little strange, but her great grandmother’s recipe book swore by it and many of her customers reported how well it worked. “There’s many mysteries in this old world we can’t explain.” She could vouch for that as truth, no doubt about it.

  Work seemed to soothe her, so she moved on to another project. This time it was a blend for allergies. The best herb she’d found to relieve the symptoms of seasonal allergies was the humble stinging nettle. She picked her own and packed the leaves in a jar filled with vodka. After two months, she could mix the tincture with lemongrass, red clover, fennel, spearmint, and lavender. People begged for the stuff. The Hill Country was notorious for cedar fever, mold, and oak allergies and this recipe seemed to do the trick.

  The next time she lifted her head, the sun had gone down. A sharp ache made her double over when she realized anew that he was gone. “Oh, Reno. I pray you’re safe. Wherever you are.”

  …After hours of failure, Reno finally gave up. He’d been sitting here staring at a solid wall of rock for hours on end. He’d charged the damn thing three times. His horse thought he’d lost his mind. “Might as well face it. That rock is not going to open. Not even ‘open sesame’ has an effect.” He’d remembered the story of Alibaba and the Forty Thieves from one of the times Fancy read to them all as they crowded around the fire to eat one of her decadent chocolate cakes. She loved to read, and whatever she loved Kingston Ramsay made sure she had it in quantities. The Thousand and One Arabian Nights was his favorite book.

  Regardless, Reno found himself still in 2019. He knew he could still hear an occasional car engine from the road next to the park entrance. Surprising how well the sound traveled on the night air. Rising, he dusted off his pants. “At least we have somewhere to go.” Journey’s words still sounded in his ear.

  If something happens and you can’t find your way to leave, come back to me. I’ll be here. Waiting. You’ll always have a place with me.

  Reno couldn’t help it. He felt a thrill at the memory. He might not be able to go home, but he did have some place to go. Someone to welcome him. Despite his determination to find a way back to help Cole – and he wasn’t giving up, he would try again – Reno couldn’t hold back the joy that flooded his soul at the prospect of spending more time with Journey.

  As he mounted Traveler and rode away from the box canyon, he debated the best course of action. Perhaps there was someone who could help. With all the new inventions and advancements, surely someone could offer him assistance or hope of an answer. Journey would help him; he knew she would. And in the meantime, he could explore and learn things. He knew Journey would go out of her way to make sure he experienced all this world had to offer. He grinned to himself, imagining her smiling face. Would she be happy to see him?

  As he pictured her surprise and happiness, a little voice deep in his mind whispered how unfair he was being to her. She’d made it more than clear how much she cared about him. He’d seen the pain in her eyes when he said goodbye. Would she have to go through that same thing every time he made an attempt to leave? Was that fair to her? Reno cursed under his breath. “Dammit. You know what you have to do.”

  ... “You’ve had enough to eat, Dudley. You two are getting as fat as potbellied pigs.” Even with her reprimand, the dapple dachshunds kept begging and she finally gave in with a sigh. “All right. Aunt Myra can put you both on a diet when she gets home.”

  Her aunt had called a few minutes ago, checking up on her and the dogs. Journey told her everything was fine. Yes, she neglected to tell her about the two men who chased her from Fredericksburg. She also neglected to tell her about being rescued by Reno. When she returned home would be soon enough to confess that their hero from the past had spent a day in the present. “Oh, damn.” She let out a ragged breath, a fresh wave of sorrow nearly bringing Journey to her knees. “How am I supposed to let you go?”

  “Journey?”

  Knock. Knock.

  Journey almost fainted at the sound. “Reno!”

  With a gasp of delight, she flung open the door. “You came back.”

  “Yea.” He stepped inside. “I returned Traveler to his stall.”

  “That’s fine.” Better than fine. “What happened?”

  Reno moved into the house, his eyes darting around. “Nothing. I tried everything I could think of. I don’t know what else to do.” He took off his hat and raked his hand through his hair, pulling at it in frustration. “Cole needs me, and I don’t know how to get to him.”

  “Come on in. We’ll think of something. I’ll help you. Are you hungry?”

  “Starving.”

  She led him to the table. “Sit. I’ll dip you a bowl. Beef vegetable. I think it’s good.”

  “It smells good.” He took a seat, then rested his head in his hands. “Are you sure it’s okay that I’m here?”

  “Are you kidding? You’re family.” Journey felt guilty for feeling giddy, but she was practically dancing with joy on her tiptoes.

  Reno smiled. “Thanks.” He watched her pull two bowls from the cabinet and fill them with fragrant soup. “I do thank you for making me welcome.”

  “Reno.” She placed the bowls on the table, then fetched silverware, drinks, napkins and crackers. “I memorized the stories about how you hunted so the Stanton kids wouldn’t go hungry. How you paid off a loan at the bank for them so they wouldn’t lose their land. I also know how you visited them, made sure they had what they needed. As far as they were concerned, you gave your life to save them.” Journey joined him at the table. “You do realize if something had happened to Saul at that time, I never would’ve been born.”

  He gave her a sheepish smile. “I guess I can bunk down here guilt free.”

  “Yes. You can.”

  He took a big bite, then moved it around in his mouth. “Hot,” he managed to say.

  Journey giggled. “Blow on it.”

  He did as she suggested, beginning to relax. “So, tell me, how far does Saul’s journal go. Time-wise.”

  “Until he’s grown. All the children lived to grow up too.”

  “They’re safe then.” He spoke as if they were even now on their way with Clay to King’s Ransom.

  “Yes. You don’t have to worry about them.” She tapped her finger on the side of her glass. “Remind me and before we go to bed, I’ll fetch the journal. You can read it for yourself.”

  Before we go to bed.

  At the same moment, both processed the words she’d spoken off-hand. He cleared his throat and coughed, and she blushed like mad.

  To cover up their uneasiness and embarrassment, both reached for the sleeve of crackers at the same time. When they did, their hands touched, and time stood still.

  Reno recovered first. He drew back. “Sorry. Go ahead.”

  “There’s plenty.” She took a few and handed the rest to him. “Where have you been all this time?”

  “At the canyon.” He dipped a cracker in the soup and raised it to his lips. He didn’t add anything until he’d eaten it and took a sip of tea. “I checked every inch of that wall. There was no opening, not even a small one. I even rode Traveler at full speed, trying to recreate the way we approached it last evening – almost broke both our necks. Nothing worked.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Journey said and meant it. “I won’t lie, I’m glad you’re here w
ith me. But I would never wish you to be anywhere you aren’t happy.”

  Reno wiped his mouth with a paper napkin. “Being happy is not the factor. It’s what I’ve left undone that troubles me.”

  She nodded. “I understand. Unfinished business. Every ghost story I’ve ever heard says that’s the reason for a haunting. People find it hard to let go, even if they have no choice.”

  “I’m not dead.”

  His emphatic statement took her by surprise. “No. You’re aren’t.”

  “People… Clay, King, Cole, Saul, all of them think I am.” He laid his spoon down by his bowl.

  “Yes, that’s true.” She chewed on her lower lip, searching for words. They’d discussed this earlier, but she could see the matter was still unsettled in his mind. “I mean, they will. In time. If you think of our timelines as moving parallel, as of right this minute, everyone thinks you’ve gone to see the lawyer. When you don’t show up there in a couple of weeks, I think they send back a telegram. King and the others check and find out you never caught the stagecoach. They look for you, but…” Her voice trailed. “They find nothing, of course.”

  “Because, I’m not dead.” He repeated again, just as forcefully as before.

  “No.” She tentatively reached over to touch his hand. “You’re very much alive and I am very grateful.” When he just looked at her hand on his without saying anything, Journey jerked it back. She didn’t apologize though. “When we finish, I’ll get the journal. And my kindle. I promised to show you how to use it. I’ll also change the sheets on the bed. If you want, I’ll wash your clothes again. We really need to buy you some more. You didn’t think to bring a change or two, did you?” Journey knew she was speaking too fast, rattling really.

  “I did have some clothes packed, but I left that saddlebag in the cabin. Once the fire was set, all I could think about was getting the children to safety.”

  “Completely understandable.”

  They finished their soup in silence. When he consumed the last bite, he let go of the spoon and it made a clanking sound in the bowl. “Journey, I am grateful for everything you do for me. I look forward to reading the journal and learning how to use the kindle. I would be glad of clean sheets and clean clothes.” He looked down to frown at the accumulated dust. “I spent the better part of the evening sitting on the canyon floor.”

  Journey’s expression softened. “I don’t mind. I like taking care of you.”

  Reno steeled his resolve to do what was right. “This is hard.”

  “What?”

  “What I’m about to say.”

  Journey braced herself. “Just tell me.”

  “Don’t fall in love with me.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Don’t fall in love with me.

  What he said took her completely aback.

  She almost giggled and told him that it was too late. That ship had sailed. Journey felt her heart plummet to her feet. “Why would you say that, Reno?”

  He looked up, not realizing his heart was in his eyes. “If things were different…but they’re not.”

  “If what was different?”

  “My circumstances. The way you feel about me, the way you treat me – it’s all very compelling. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t flattered.”

  “Flattered?” Suddenly, she felt a bit insulted. “I think you need to explain yourself further.”

  Reno could feel the hurt in her words. This wasn’t going as planned. “I don’t want to hurt you. If we get involved…”

  “I can take care of myself, thank you.”

  “That’s not what I meant.” He tried to find other words to make his feelings clearer.

  “Maybe I should tell you not to fall in love with me.” Journey stood to gather the empty dishes. She stiffly moved to the sink.

  Reno had the crazy urge to laugh as he noticed how cute she looked stomping across the floor. Only – this wasn’t funny. “My father left my mother. She never got over it. I refuse to do that to a woman I care about.”

  Journey slumped, realizing what he was trying to say. “This isn’t the same.”

  “Close enough. I’m here today, but I can’t promise tomorrow. Who knows what will happen? I don’t know how I arrived; how can I be sure I won’t leave just as unexpectedly? Frankly, I’m going to actively seek a way back to my life at every opportunity. I can’t lose sight of that fact – and you can’t either.”

  She didn’t fully process everything he was saying – not at the moment. One stark truth stuck out above the rest. “Are you waiting for some kind of guarantee? None of us are promised tomorrow, Reno. My parents were with me one moment and gone the next. They were in a boat on the lake and I was playing in the shallow water at the shore. I was looking up and waving at them when their boat hit a log floating just beneath the surface. They died instantly.”

  “I’m sorry.” He didn’t know.

  She wiped a lone tear from her cheek. “Don’t be, it was a long time ago. Wounds heal.”

  “Not completely.” He spoke from experience. “What I’m trying to say is that I appreciate you. I like you.” Hell, the way he felt about her was more than like. “God knows I’m attracted to you. I’d have to be blind and dumb – or dead – not to be.”

  Journey didn’t think she could listen to his explanation. Not without crying in front of him. She didn’t want that. Best that she just beat him to the punch. “Anything more than friendship between us would be foolish.”

  Foolish? Somehow, that thought didn’t sit well with him. However, her stance supported his position. “Friendship is best.”

  “Fine.” She nodded. “I know you want and need to return to your own time. “I’ll help you in any way that I can.”

  “I’m not sure what you can do.”

  Journey ignored the hurt in her heart. Later, when she was alone – she’d deal with it. Right now, she didn’t relish Reno knowing she was dying inside. “Forewarned is forearmed. History may have recorded more than we know. There may be documents or letters that can help us figure out the identity of the drummer boy and the man who betrayed you. Then…when you do go back to your own time, you’ll be prepared.”

  He could see the wisdom in her suggestion. “That would be very helpful. Where can we find this information?”

  As they spoke, her eyes lingered on his features. He was so dear to her. So familiar. In her flights of fancy, Reno would always fall at her feet the first moment he laid eyes on her. As captivated by her as she was by him. Now, she realized her fantasies were childish. He might not be from this century, but this was a real man with real-life problems and goals. He didn’t know her, not even as well as she knew him. Journey didn’t like to admit that the tales might have been embellished. No one liked to speak ill of the dead. Sometimes the actions of a loved one who is passed are recounted in the most glowing of terms. To top it off, there was no real emotional connection between them. What she wanted and fantasized wasn’t really a factor when faced with reality.

  So be it.

  In an odd way, Journey felt as if she might have grown a little bit in the last little while. She still wanted to help him, there was no doubt about it. Maybe in doing so, she could bring some type of closure to her own issues. Maybe when this was over, however it turned out, she could move on with her own life and leave the past behind.

  “I’ll gather all the information we have here. I’ll also ask Aunt Myra what Uncle Myles may have in storage. We can also visit libraries and museum. The University of Texas has a huge collection of historical documents. Plus, there’s always the internet.” At his puzzled expression, she tried to explain briefly. “This is the computer age. I’ll get out my laptop tomorrow and explain this to you. Basically, every computer in the world can have access to anything a user has made available – that’s books, papers, documents, dissertations, research – you name it, it’s out there. If you’ve ever visited a library in a big city, just imagine if every word in every book was at your fi
ngertips. Then, imagine if it just wasn’t that library, but every library in the world. All of the information was at your fingertips.”

  Reno’s eyes glazed over a bit. “That sounds impossible.”

  “Yes.” She nodded, the smile on her lips not reaching her eyes. “I imagine it does. But after everything we’ve experienced, who’s to say what is possible? Do you want some more?” she offered, pointing at the glass pitcher on the bar.

  He shook his head no.

  “Well, there are things to be done.” She quickly rinsed the dishes and put them in the washer. When she saw him staring at the appliance, Journey took the time to explain it to him. “This is called a dishwasher. You put the dishes in, add a detergent pod.” She held one out. “Put it right here. Press the cycle button and shut the door. In a half hour or so, the dishes are clean and sanitized.”

  Reno watched carefully, coming nearer to examine the buttons. “They aren’t even raised.”

  “Touch-screen is what it’s called.” He was standing so near, she trembled. Backing quickly away, she put some distance between them. “Why don’t I introduce you to the remote control and you can watch a movie while I change the bed linens and locate the journal. When you retire, place your clothes outside the door and I’ll wash them for you.”

  Reno could sense a difference between them. Her tone was very kind, but a little distant. He didn’t particularly care for this development, but he had no one to blame but himself. “Thank you.” He followed her to the living room, then was mesmerized by what she called a ‘remote’. After she left him alone, he couldn’t settle on one particular program. Instead, he kept pressing the button over and over again, changing what she called a ‘channel’ again and again.