by Sable Hunter
Desperately needing something to do, Journey gave a thorough cleaning to Myra’s house. When her aunt returned from her hair appointment, she would be very pleased. As Journey mopped and dusted, she tried not to worry about whether her friends would come up with an answer or not. She decided to lean heavily on that faith they always talked about so much. So far, she hadn’t told Aunt Myra the news, she was waiting to hear from Lou and Kota.
“Okay, you two have got to move.” She nudged the kittens out of the way with the broom as they slept on the warm sunroom floor. “Reno would love to see how big you’ve grown. I wish I could take you with me, but I think that would be pushing it.” She could just imagine trying to hide them under her coat and the little rascals getting all panicky and scratchy. “We might all end up veering off course to Timbuktu.”
While considering her journey, a thrill of excitement coursed through her. Funny, she wasn’t afraid at all. Maybe a little nervous, but not much. The thought of seeing Reno again swept every fear away.
Once she finished the housework, Journey hit the kitchen. She’d made a list of dishes she wanted to prepare and eat, things she might not be able to find where she was going. While digging through the refrigerator, she mumbled the menu to herself, “Avocado toast, crab cakes, Thai noodles, and Jell-O, of course. A very eclectic mix.”
After placing all the ingredients on the counter, Journey began the process. She planned on preparing enough for Lou and her aunt if they hurried home. As she worked, a funny thought hit her. “I bet these are cravings, little one.” She gave her tiny baby bump a gentle pat. “No one else might find these foods as appetizing as I do.”
“Who are you talking to?”
Lou’s voice made her jump. “The baby. Who else? Are you hungry? I’m making avocado toast.” To gauge her friend’s reaction, she turned to face Lou. When she did, Journey saw the happy smirk and knew her favorite scientist had experienced a breakthrough. “You found an answer.”
Lou nodded, her smile growing. “Yes. I think I found an answer.” She moved forward to filch a piece of avocado. “Want to know what it is?”
“Why, yes.” Journey wanted to jump up and down. “Tell me.”
“Well…” Lou pulled out a chair for herself and one for Journey. “I got to thinking about what Reno wrote in the letter to you, how he’d go to the canyon as soon as the sun sets.”
“Right.” Journey wasn’t sure what Lou was getting at, but she was all ears.
“Jo, the moon doesn’t wait for night to fall to become full. The exact time of the next full moon is 2:12 in the afternoon.”
Her heart racing, Journey clasped the edge of the table. “So, you’re saying I can go through the portal earlier than Reno will expect to leave.”
“Yes!” Lou was so excited. “You can beat him to the punch! You can be there with him before he’s even ready to think about riding through.”
“What does Kota think about this?”
“He’s starting his own preparations for your journey as we speak.”
“Oh, you have made me so happy!” Journey hurried to the calendar. “Only a few more days and I have so much to do!” She whirled around to hug Lou. “How will I ever thank you?”
Her friend hugged her, of course, but when Lou didn’t respond to Journey’s question, she leaned back to look at the other woman’s face. “Lou, what are you thinking?”
“Well, since you and Reno will both be living in the past…”
Reading her mind, Journey quickly gave her an answer. “Hell, yes. Record everything. Prove to the world what a great scientist you are!”
“I’ll protect Myra, no one will ever know she’s connected to this. And the park service, well they’ll just have to deal with the publicity.”
“This will be huge for you.” Journey hugged her again. “I’m so proud of you. You made this all possible, you know.”
“No, that credit has to go to Kota.”
“I could say you could share credit with him, but he would probably run off any reporters with his tomahawk.”
After they shared another laugh, they also shared a meal. “I’m going to miss you like crazy,” Lou told her. “What am I going to do without you?”
“You’re going to carry on as a rich, world-famous scientist, that’s what.” Journey rose and hurried to the other room. “Hold on.”
Lou wondered what she was going after, but when she returned – Lou understood. “Oh, Journey…”
“Yes.” She gave Saul’s journal to Lou. “This will be our link. I promise to send you a message. I don’t know if I can send more than one, but I’ll let you know when the baby comes. You can share the news with Aunt Myra.”
Lou grasped the journal to her chest. “You’re going to make me cry.”
“None of that.” Journey hopped up with a big smile on her face. “Now, it begins. I have to get ready for the trip of a lifetime!”
* * *
For the remainder of his time at King’s Ransom, Reno stayed busy. He carved out opportunities to share moments with each of his friends. Not being able to do this before had caused him a great deal of regret and he fully intended to rectify the matter this time. Of course, the children were his highest priority. Reno searched for a way to explain the unexplainable to them. As far as the adults were concerned, most of them already knew his secret, he could be as frank with them as he wanted to be. He trusted his friends to do what was best to protect themselves from unwanted questions from people like Mavis Talmadge – who would undoubtedly notice he was missing yet again. Perhaps they could concoct a story about how he’d moved to the East Coast to pursue a career in the Wild West shows. This thought made him laugh.
So, for the next week, Reno would live each day as if it would be his last – because in many ways it would.
…On the first day, after his chores were done, he and Jericho went fishing in Honey Creek. The fast-flowing stream never failed to yield a good mess of bass and crappie.
“I think you’ve got one, Reno!” Jericho was so excited he almost dropped his pole.
“I do. Let me wrestle this rascal to shore. You got the net?”
“I’m armed and ready.” In a few seconds, Jericho scooped up a good size bass and transferred it to the stringer for safe keeping.
While they were waiting for the next bite to come along, Reno broached the subject of his leaving. “I guess you know I’ll be heading out soon.”
“Are you going to see your wife?”
“I am.”
“That’s as it should be, I suppose.” Jericho’s voice held more than a hint of sadness. “I sure wish she could come here instead.”
“Me too.”
“Will you come back and visit?”
“No. Where I’m going, I won’t be able to do that. I wish I could.”
Jericho looked off into the distance. “King explained it to me, but I’m not sure I really understand. I’m not as smart as the rest of you.”
This angered Reno. “I don’t care what they told you, Jericho. You are as smart as anyone. There’s nothing at all wrong with you. Why, you can shoe a horse, herd cattle, build fence – you can do anything the rest of us can do. Plus, you play a mean harmonica.”
This tickled Jericho. “Fancy’s teaching me how to read and write a little better. I’m not a good pupil though. I try to tell her that the letters won’t be still on the page, but she thinks I’m joshing.”
His confession keyed a memory for Reno. He’d read something about this or seen a segment of a documentary on the subject. He couldn’t remember the term, but he did recall it had meant word-blindness. “I think you should talk to Domino about it, he might be able to help you. There is one thing I do know about your condition, Jericho.”
“What’s that?”
“It has absolutely nothing to do with your intelligence. In fact, people with word-blindness are often the smartest of them all.”
This assurance seemed to lift Jericho’s spirits. “I hope the future is go
od to you, Reno. And I hope you remember us once you’re gone.”
Reno hugged his friend. “There’s no way I’d ever forget you. Not ever.”
…On the second day, he and Domino pulled the short straws and were given the high calling of castrating the calves. “At least you’re a doctor, this should be a breeze for you.”
“A breeze indeed.” Domino grinned. “Actually, I have the easy job. I might have to cut off their prize jewels, but you have to hold them down while I do it.”
Reno huffed out a breath. “I get your point. This will be interesting.”
“You’ve never done this before?”
“I have been lucky enough to avoid this assignment in the past.”
“Well, no time like the present to indoctrinate you.” Domino led the way. “Let’s get to work.”
With nearly a hundred calves to work on, there was little chance for conversation. Yet, Reno took every opportunity he could, even remembering to mention Jericho’s malady. “I can’t tell you a whole lot about his problem, but I bet you could find something out.”
“Word-blindness, huh? I’ll look into it.” Domino stopped long enough to wipe his brow. “I guess there’ve been some great medical advancements in the future.”
“There have, but people are still dying. I guess they cure one disease and another one comes along to take its place.”
With a chuckle, Domino agreed. “I’m sure that’s true. If we didn’t die of something, the world would become mighty crowded.”
“I wish I could tell you more, Domino. I know they make a big deal about cleanliness, keeping things called germs and bacteria out of wounds.”
“Right. I’ve heard a little about that, but I’ll keep my eyes open. Now, let me ask you something?”
Reno could barely answer as he wrestled a calf who had no intention of losing any part of his anatomy. “What’s that?” He fully expected the question to concern the future.
“What’s it like?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Loving a woman.”
His comment shocked Reno so much, he almost let the calf get away. “Well, it’s wonderful. Amazing. I feel like she’s my other half. When I’m not with her, my whole body and soul yearns for her.” Staring up at the good doctor, Reno was surprised. “You’re a catch, Doc. I figured you would’ve fallen in and out of love a dozen times by now.”
“Nope, never had the pleasure.”
“Why?” Reno couldn’t hazard a guess.
“Well, we won’t go into that. Some subjects are just too painful to pursue.”
Reno went along with Domino’s wishes, but he couldn’t help but be curious – and worry. “Whatever your problem is, I hope you work it out.”
“We all have our crosses to bear.” Domino finished up on the calf and motioned Reno to turn it loose. “As for you, my friend. I wish you every happiness in the world. My only regret is that I won’t be there to bring your new baby into the world.”
“Me too. I’d put your doctoring up against anybody’s.”
After that sentimental exchange, they returned to the distasteful task at hand.
…The third day gave Reno the opportunity to spend some time with Boone. King had asked them to rebuild the windmill. This was no easy task, but the duo seemed to be making headway – no thanks to Reno. He did as he was told, but Boone had to take the lead.
“I’ve got this done.” Reno drove the last nail into the four-legged wooden tower. “What’s next?”
“I’ve almost got it.” Boone attached the last wooden slat to a horizontal shaft. “I just need to make sure I have these set at the proper angle. We want it to catch the wind just right. If it does, this little beauty will be self-regulating and will operate on its own.”
“How is that possible?”
Boone took the time to point a few things out. “Well, this vane, or tail as its sometimes called, will direct the wheel into the wind. And if we set these slats at the correct angle centrifugal force will slow it down if the winds get too high.”
“And what’s this?” Reno pointed to a shaft and a small fly wheel.
“That’s called a direct-stroke energy converter. You put the sucker rod right here – and you’re in business.”
“How do you know all of this stuff?”
To Reno’s surprise, Boone looked embarrassed.
“What’s wrong?” He’d expected him to say he’d learned the skills from someone on the riverboat or some similar story.
As he worked, hammering the sucker rod into place, Boone began to speak softly. “It was Prosper, the madame’s husband at the brothel. Anything with moving parts fascinated him. Prosper spent his time working in the shed, building things no one else could identify, much less use. Looking back, I think he managed to come up with some incredible inventions, but to my knowledge he never did anything with them. Working on those projects was his way of escaping his reality. I don’t think Prosper was happy with his situation, he just didn’t have the wherewithal to escape it.”
“Like you did,” Reno reminded him.
“Yea, like I did.” He finished up the job, stopping to see if what he’d done would work. “Prosper was good to me. He taught me a lot. I always hoped he might be my daddy.”
“Do you think he was?”
“My mother said something one time that made me think he might be. Water under the bridge. I left New Orleans and he’s dead now anyway. It don’t make no difference.” Boone motioned for Reno to help him. “Let’s stand this thing up. You ready?”
Working together, they managed to bring the tower to a standing position. “Good work, Mr. Roberts.”
“Yea, good work.” He began to pick up the tools. “In the future, are there still places like where I grew up?”
Reno gave his question some consideration. “I’m not sure. I guess there are. As long as people are buying, I guess sex will be for sale.”
“I hate that, seems like things should get better over time, doesn’t it?”
Reno agreed. “Anyway, I wanted to tell you what you’ve meant to my life, Boone Roberts. I appreciate your friendship more than words can tell.”
“Ah, shoot.” Boone grasped Reno’s shoulder and tugged him close. “I’ll always be in your debt. You made me feel worthy when no one else did.”
“Hell, we were two of a kind, you and I.”
“Yea.” Boone laughed at the thought. “We have to stick together, don’t we?” The moment he said it, a look of sadness masked his face. “Only you won’t be around.”
“No, I won’t – but the others will. Cole will. They all value you as highly as I do. They’re your family, just like I’m your family. I may not be here with you, but I’ve learned something mighty important about this time stuff.”
“What’s that?” Boone asked as he hungrily clung to his friend’s every word.
“I really won’t be that far away. The past and the future walk hand in hand with the present. Somewhere, this very minute, my Journey is thinking about me. There’s not a doubt in my mind about that fact. So, when you’re feeling lonely, Boone – don’t. You can be assured I haven’t forgotten you, not for one single, solitary moment.”
* * *
Journey couldn’t stop thinking about Reno. She couldn’t wait to see him. Every moment that passed only accelerated her excitement. To pass the time and to prepare herself for what lay ahead, Journey was deep in research. She spent hours and hours on the internet, making notes and looking things up.
“What are you doing now?” Aunt Myra asked.
Journey pulled her aunt down to sit next to her. She’d finally broken the news to her a couple of days ago. Like before, the sweet lady cried, but she hadn’t been too surprised.
“Just don’t forget those baby pictures,” she reminded Journey.
“I’ll do my best,” Journey promised. “Just have Lou check the journal every month or so. I’ll have it so stuffed on our end that Saul won’t be able to
write in it anymore.”
“What am I doing?” Journey pointed to her notes. “I’m making a study of herbs and plants that grow naturally in the area. I won’t be able to buy essential oils. I’ll have to make my own.”
“You’re going to help so many people.”
“I hope so.” She flipped to another page. “I’m also taking note of things that are supposed to happen in the area. You know, trying to get ahead of any disaster we might be able to avoid. Like that horrible flood that’s supposed to happen soon. George Vernon told me all about it.”
“You mean Myles’ cousin? That George?”
“Yea, we talked at the wake. He was telling me about all these big Texas storms in history. He clued me on the flood of 1869. I looked it up and he was right, its going to be devastating. The date is July 9th, so I won’t have too many weeks to convince Reno’s friends of the danger. They’ll need to take some precautions to save the ranch and the livestock.”
Myra covered Journey’s hand. “I wish I could just wrap you in cotton wool to keep you safe.”
“I know, but I have a protector. Reno won’t let anything bad happen to me or the baby. I’m as positive of that as I am my own name – Sojourner Stanton Black.”
* * *
After supper on the day before the full moon, Reno was helping Fancy do the dishes. Ace and Amelia were helping also.
“Here, catch this, Reno.”
To Reno’s horror, Ace just tossed one of Fancy’s nicer plates. With a sidestep and a jump, he managed to catch it. “Watch out, boy. You’re gonna get us both walloped.”
“That’s right,” Fancy chastised them. “You have to be careful with my breakables. Nice things help make a house a home.”
“She’s wrong, men.” King came forward to give his wife a kiss and a hug. “A woman’s love makes a house a home.”
Amelia blushed prettily at the thought. “I hope I have a home someday.”
“You will.” This assurance came from Gentry who’d come into the kitchen right behind King. “I know you will.”
His declaration made Amelia blush even harder. She couldn’t look at Gentry, but she moved a few inches closer to his side. “Did you have a nice wedding, Reno?”