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

by Sable Hunter

  “All right.” She shook her head, hating the thought. “It’s just a stomach bug I tell you.”

  “We’ll see. Better to be safe than sorry as Rory O’ Moore would say.”

  Journey wondered about Mr. O’ Moore, but not enough to ask. “Very well.” She said the words succinctly. “Now, go outside and do something manly. I’ll let you know what I find out.”

  “Everything I do is manly,” he quipped, but when she didn’t smile, he moved on. “I see Kota’s pickup parked beneath the tree. I think I’ll go visit with him for a few minutes.”

  “Sure, do what you need to do. I’ll putter around, put something on to cook for us to eat, then work on my oil orders. I’ve neglected them as long as I can.”

  “And call the doctor!” he reiterated. When she gave him the evil eye, he tugged her to him. “Take it easy, please. You’re the most important thing in the world to me.” He held her close for a few seconds before taking his leave.

  Journey walked to the window to watch him go. Seeing him move gracefully across the yard, stopping to untangle one of the dogs, made her feel almost nostalgic. How often she’d imagined just such a thing. When he disappeared into the barn, she pushed away and went to work.

  As Reno headed to the barn, he wondered about Journey. He hoped to God nothing was wrong with her. In his time, he’d seen people waste away and die of diseases the doctors couldn’t even identify. He knew things were different, the field of medicine had taken great strides – but she still needed to go to a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Unless…he considered the other possibility that kept resurfacing in his mind. A smile came to his face. “Only time will tell – and a doctor’s visit.”

  While searching for Kota, he planned what he would say. Just being near the old man made him feel tethered. At first, he thought the connection stemmed from Kota’s relation to Ela, but now he wasn’t so sure. Maybe it was their shared heritage. He couldn’t pinpoint the reason, perhaps it didn’t really matter.

  “Looking for someone?”

  The voice coming from over his head surprised Reno. “Yes, you.”

  “Well, come on up. I want to show you something.”

  Finding the ladder to the L-shaped loft, Reno climbed on up. “What you got?”

  “A room with a view, that’s what.”

  Carefully, Reno moved through the semi-darkness. He couldn’t straighten up entirely because of the slant of the roof. “In this age of electricity, why are you in the dark?”

  “So, I can see more clearly.”

  “Makes sense.” Reno followed the shaft of light and the sound of the old man’s voice. When he turned the corner, he found Kota sitting on a hay bale in front of the open loft doors. He held something in one hand and a polishing cloth in the other. “You do have a good view,” he noted how the opening framed Enchanted Rock in the distance.

  “How was your trip?”

  “Very good. I was able to locate my mother’s grave.”

  “Excellent. Connecting with our ancestors is important.”

  “I feel I used the time wisely. While Journey drove, I searched some history texts to find the most likely culprit responsible for the raids.”

  “What will you do with this information?”

  “I’ll start with my Captain. He will know where to go from there. I just need to get someone to see reason and consider there could be something more going on. I have to save Ela and her people.”

  “Good luck.” While he spoke, he kept polishing what he held in his hand.

  “What is that?”

  Kota held out a spiral shaped stone. “An Ammonite. Ever see one before?”

  Reno took it, holding it to the light so he could see the delicate spirals. “No. It almost looks alive.”

  “It used to be alive. It’s a fossil. A sea-creature from ages past. The spirals speak of passing time. The vortex of eternity.”

  “Is this for…me?”

  Kota nodded. “Yes. This will be one of the items in the medicine bag.”

  Reno let out a heavy breath. “I respect the old beliefs. My mother trusted them implicitly. Still, it’s hard for me to comprehend how an Ammonite fossil will help me travel back in time.”

  “It won’t. Not really. The portal is there. The moon will open it – most likely. These trinkets, if you will, absorb my focus and my intentions to protect and guide you.”

  “I see.” He really didn’t, but he trusted Kota. “Let me ask you something.”

  “Sure, that’s what I’m here for.”

  His off-hand comment bothered Reno, but he refrained from saying so. “Years ago, my mother saw a vision of the woman I would one day love. She told me I’d find her at the end of the rainbow.”

  Kota chuckled. “Like a pot of gold.”

  Reno joined in his laughter. “My friend, Domino O’Neil is an Irishman. He’s always talking about the little people and their treasure.”

  “We have the little people here too. They live among the stones.”

  While he was mildly curious about the legend, he needed an answer about Journey more. “When I first arrived, Journey took me to see an amazing sight. Silver ships with wings that could sail through the air.”

  “Huh, I bet that was a shocking sight.”

  “Yes, but what was more awe-inspiring was a vision I had of her.” He corrected himself. “No, not a vision. I had been looking up at this miracle in the sky and when I turned to her – I saw it. A beautiful rainbow right over her shoulder.”

  Kota shrugged. “It happens. Water refracting and reflecting. A beautiful act of nature.”

  Reno persisted in his explanation. “At my mother’s grave, it happened again. The rainbow over her shoulder. I swear, it was like a sign.” He leaned closer to the old man. “Could this mean everything is going to be okay? That she’ll be able to go through the portal with me safely?”

  Kota held out his hand for the Ammonite. When Reno surrendered the item, he began to polish it again. “I don’t know. I wish I could tell you, but I cannot. You are about to walk through the garden of forking paths. So, many unexpected things could happen.”

  “But Ela saw the future. I’m meant to do this.”

  Kota didn’t dispute Reno, instead he tried to explain, “You speak of saving Ela and our people. You hope to save your brother. You will step into a vortex and expose your vulnerable flesh and blood body to a force we cannot begin to understand. On top of that, you intend to take the woman you love with you.” He shook his head. “I know my role in this drama. I don’t discount the prophecy. Yet, I would be remiss if I did not voice my concerns. So far, your path has been straight. Your actions blessed. You have been lucky. Please don’t expect fate to tie everything up for you in a pretty little package. Generally speaking, life doesn’t work that way. It revels in throwing curve balls and laughing behind our backs.”

  “Why are you saying those things? You know I must do this. I have no choice. I come to you for strength and guidance, not for doubt.”

  “Sorry. I don’t always follow the playbook. If you don’t like it, find another shaman to stand between you and the whirlwind of time.”

  “No. I’m sorry.” Reno stood and leaned on the loft door, deep in thought.

  “Don’t be. Your need for encouragement is fair. I will do my best and you will do yours. That’s all that can be expected of either of us.” He put the polished Ammonite in his pocket. “I’ll be gone for a few days. I’m traveling to Sedona to spend some time in a sweat lodge purifying myself and asking the ancestors to grant you safe passage.”

  “Godspeed.” Reno backed away from the old man, more confused than he’d been in a many a day – and that was saying something.

  …In the house, Journey printed mailing labels for three boxes of oils. When she was finished, she carried them into the kitchen. The pork roast she’d put into the crock pot was beginning to smell fragrant. She walked to the counter, lifted the lid to get a good whiff and doubled over with nausea. R
unning to her room, she barely made it to the toilet.

  “Crap.” When she was through, Journey washed her face, then sat on the side of the tub. “All right. All right. I know what I have to do.” She stood and knelt at the sink, pulling out the second pregnancy test.

  Going through the necessary motions, she took the test. After waiting for the requisite time, she reached up to grab the stick to take a look. A big fat plus sign was there to welcome her. “Holy Mother…” Either the previous test was wrong or one of the Trojan Mega-whatever’s had failed miserably.

  Her first thought was to run out and find Reno. But what would he say? An uneasy feeling that had nothing to do with morning sickness rose in her gut. What would Reno say? Would he be happy or not?

  Forcing herself to be calm, she found the mailing tape to finish prepping the boxes for mailing. As long as she didn’t open the lid to the crock pot, she’d be fine. While affixing the labels to the packages, Journey happened to glance at the answering machine. There were three messages. She was so used to her cell phone; she’d forgotten to check Aunt Myra’s tried and true method.

  Resting her chin in her hand, she pushed the button beneath the blinking light.

  Message 1: Hello. Journey? This is Skye McCoy. I’m just calling to check on Reno. The firm date is the 17th. We’re still counting on him helping out at the fundraiser. Could you get back with me please?

  “Arg. Yes.” They needed to do that. The date was cutting it awfully close. She wondered if he’d still want to participate.

  Message 2: Hello. This message is for Miss Sojourner Stanton. My name is Donna with the Fredericksburg’s Sheriff Office. I’m calling in relation to the proceedings against Donny Vernon and Russ Kinsella. Please contact us ASAP concerning your…

  “Dammit!” Journey pressed the button to stop the message. She’d never checked her email to see if the information on the form she’d sent was sufficient. “I’ll probably end up in jail myself”

  And then something clicked. “What did that say? Kinsella?” Journey couldn’t believe her ears.

  The sound of the back door opening, drew Journey’s attention. “Reno, come here. You’ve got to hear this.”

  He moved closer and placed his hand on the small of her back. “What am I listening to?”

  “A phone message.” She started the second one over again. As it played, she watched his eyes. When the names were stated, the expression on his face told her all she wanted to know. He’d had the same reaction she did. “Hell, that’s creepy. No wonder the man was nuts. It’s in his blood.”

  “What does this mean?”

  He rubbed her back. “I don’t know. Nothing? Everything?”

  “I guess the family stayed in the area. Meanness can be hereditary.”

  “The nut doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

  “Not in this case.” She pressed the button for the third message.

  Message 3: Hello. Sorry. This is the sheriff’s office again. We need to speak with your guest, Mr. Reno Black, if he’s still in town. If not, we’ll need his address and telephone numbers. I also need to inform the witness, Miss Sojourner Stanton, that one of the perpetrators, Kinsella, voiced a specific threat of physical harm toward her. He is in custody. However, we are required by law to inform you of that incident. Thank you.

  Reno’s hackles rose. “Damn him. I’ll tear the idiot limb from limb if he has the stupidity to come after you.”

  His vehemence made Journey feel safe. “He’d be stupid all right.” She wrapped her arms around him. “I wouldn’t want to tackle you.”

  “Aw, shucks. I was planning on you tackling me tonight.”

  “Perhaps I can be persuaded.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I guess we’ll be going to the sheriff’s office together, won’t we?”

  “Looks like it. Now, when’s your doctor’s appointment?”

  Journey didn’t know what to say. “I don’t need to go.”

  Her answer appeared to confuse Reno. “Oh, you’re all better? Well, then – let’s eat.” He went to lift the lid on the crock pot, but Journey jumped to stop him.

  “Wait!”

  Reno stood with his hand on the lid of the pot, her hand resting on top of his. “What’s wrong? Not hungry?”

  “Dang you, Reno Black. You’re a rascal.”

  “A rascal who’s about to be a father?”

  “How did you know?” Her voice was small and soft.

  “Honey, I wasn’t born yesterday,” he muttered dryly.

  “No. You weren’t.” She sighed and hung her head. “I don’t know what happened. Maybe the first test was wrong. Or the condom broke. Or…this test could be wrong.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Yea, me neither.” She took one step closer to him. “Are you angry?”

  “Angry? Are you kidding?” He fell to his knees at her feet to rest his head on her belly. “How could I be anything but overjoyed? The woman I love is carrying my child. This is the greatest blessing in the world.”

  She melted as she felt him kiss her still flat abdomen. Grasping his head, she held him to her. “This won’t change anything, will it?”

  Her question gave him pause. Reno knew what she meant, but he had no answer for her – not yet. “We’ll know what to do with the time comes.”

  Journey did not like his vague answer at all. “I want to talk about this. I don’t want to wait until the last minute and be surprised.”

  Standing to his feet, he framed her face and kissed her soundly. “Let me worry about this, love. Okay?”

  “No. Not okay.” She wanted to argue about it now. Unfortunately, it appeared she’d have to have the argument on her own.

  “Why don’t you call the sheriff, then the doctor, and try to make the appointments match up? We’ll get all of this done in one fell swoop.”

  “I’ll give you one fell swoop,” Journey mumbled under her breath. When she glanced at Reno, it was to find him smiling. “What?”

  “You’re going to look beautiful pregnant.”

  “I hope so.” But would he be there to see it? That was her worry.

  Ultimately, she did as he asked and placed the phone calls. “Okay, two o’clock.” She glanced at her phone. “We’ll have to leave soon. I also need to go to the mailbox.” As she put her purse by the packages to mail, Journey happened to glance at the answering machine again. “Oh, Reno. Skye McCoy called to verify you were still participating in the fundraiser.”

  He met her gaze. “When is it?”

  “The night before the full moon.”

  Shaking his head, he said, “I just don’t know. Let me talk to Kota and Lou. I don’t want to jeopardize my leaving.”

  Journey’s look of disappointment wasn’t really related to the fundraiser, it was the ‘my leaving’ that worried her. “I understand.”

  He could tell she wasn’t thrilled by his answer. “Do you want me to do it?”

  She didn’t know what she wanted. If she thought about it too hard, she’d suggest they just lock themselves in her room forever. “In a way, I guess. I just want us to do normal things together.”

  “Say no more. If I am still here, I will be there. Okay?”

  …While Journey readied herself to go to town, Reno took care of the animals. Once their needs were met, he sat down in the middle of the bedroom floor with the two dogs and the two cats. “This is the way it’s going to be, troops. We respect one another. We look out for one another. No. No.” He pulled a kitten off his chest and pushed a dachshund off his knee. “No treeing the kittens, Dudley.”

  Journey ran to get her phone, wanting to preserve this endearing sight forever. As she snapped the photo, she wondered who would see it. Taking the phone with her when they left wouldn’t be an option. Still, she snapped two more photos of Reno wrangling the animals. “You’re going to be an incredible father,” she echoed his sentiment from before as he pulled a kitten from its nesting place on his neck. “You’ve got the patience
of a saint.”

  “Not really, honey. Stop that, that’s not nice.” He chastised Cleo as she sniffed Spot’s bottom. “Are you ready?”

  “Just about.” She applied some lip gloss, then inspected her wan complexion. “I thought pregnant women were supposed to glow.”

  “You’re beautiful.” He stood to his feet, a kitten in his hand. “I think I’ll deposit these hillbillies back into the bathroom while we’re gone.”

  “A wise decision,” she murmured, watching him through the mirror. His reflection fascinated her; a fantasy come to life. This morning he was dressed all in black again, very similar to the tintype she’d cherished for decades. There were still moments when she expected him to disappear; or find upon waking it had all been a dream. Yet, this was no still-life. With twinkling eyes, he smiled at her with a devil may care grin.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  “I’ll be waiting,” she murmured, turning to pick up her purse when a wave of déjà vu hit her so hard, she had to sit down.

  I’ll be right back.

  I’ll be waiting.

  The words seemed to echo in her brain. Was this déjà vu? Or a portent for the future?

  “Here I am. I shut the commode seat. I didn’t want Blackie going for a swim.” He came into the room to find her on the bed. “Let’s go. Do you feel sick? I bet you need prenatal vitamins. I was reading about them on the internet a few minutes ago when I visited the facilities.”

  “I just felt a little dizzy.” She stood and remained still a few moments to make sure she had her footing. “You’re going to miss reading that kindle when you visit the outhouse, aren’t you?”

  “Yea, I am.” He put an arm around Journey to herd her to the door. “I’ll have to set up a stack of books and a kerosene lamp.”

  “Sounds like a fire hazard to me.” As they left the house and locked the door, she laid her head on his shoulder. “Do you want to drive?”

  “Should I?”

  “Maybe just to the city limits. I’ll take over from there. I’m just feeling a bit drowsy.”

  Reno helped her into the passenger seat. He didn’t have much experience with pregnant women, but he was worried about Journey. “I’ll be careful.”