“Hey! Isn’t this the part of the story where the hero and his lady have wild, mindless sex after he saves her?” Nathan’s eyes glistened innocently.
Jonas snorted in disgust.
Riley’s eyes widened. “You weirdo! And to set to the story straight, I saved your butt!”
“I don’t have any problem with role reversals. Okay, you get to be the hero and I still get to have wild, mindless sex.”
“You have a one-track mind!” Riley groaned.
They kept up a steady pace and by the time the sun had almost disappeared, they entered the clearing leading to the cave. Demon raced ahead, eager to dive into his food bowl, yipping excitedly at the entrance.
Seth, the guard on duty, stepped out from concealment, barely acknowledging their return with a slight nod of his head, while rolling back the rock covering the entrance. Sighing with relief, Riley thanked the good Lord for their safe return. Her back was sore and aching. She and Jonas had to practically carry Nathan for the last few miles and, though Jonas bore most of Nathan’s weight, the strain was beginning to tell on her. Nathan had spoken very little, the constant jolting and resultant pain of his injured leg left his face pale and ashen.
Several individuals ran out, relieving Riley and Jonas of their burden and hustling Nathan into the cave to be attended to by Abe. Riley helped Seth close off the entrance and then entered the living quarters.
The interior of the cave had shrunk in size with the advent of the full team taking up residence. Every nook and cranny held equipment and supplies and several members reclined on makeshift beds which covered almost every spare inch of the floor. Notwithstanding the clutter and confusion, it was good to be back. Riley picked her way through to the back chamber where Nathan rested, fussed over by Abe. Some of the pallor had already left his face and his eyes were clearer, though he appeared exhausted.
Without looking up, Abe spoke softly. “He’s reopened the original wound and with the new one, he’s lost a fair amount of blood. I’m going to sew both of them up since just wrapping the first one hasn’t allowed the wound to heal sufficiently.” He glanced up. “Get my pack and tell Allie to get some water boiling.”
Riley hurried off to do his bidding, thankful that Abe was there to do the deed instead of her. Playing doctor had never been a big thing with her. In fact, though she didn’t want to admit it, the sight of blood made her dizzy. She forced herself to sit through the entire ordeal, refusing to actually look as Abe sewed the wounds shut, while holding Nathan’s hand in support. When the last stitch had been sewn and bandages applied, Nathan drifted off to sleep, relaxing his grip on her now numb hand. Easing free, she tenderly brushed his hair back off his forehead and planted a gentle kiss on his whiskered cheek. He looked so young lying there—almost like a really big kid. Her heart swelled with love.
Jonas entered the chamber, catching her unawares.
“He looks better—don’t you think?” Her eyes implored him to agree.
“Don’t worry so much,” Jonas replied. “It’ll take more than that to kill him. He’s too ornery to go down easy.”
“I know, but he’s been through a lot the past few days.”
“You both have! Hell—we all have. But most of us are still here.” Jonas’ eyes dropped, remembered pain flashing across his features. They had lost too many in the short time since their arrival.
Allie came in, carrying two steaming wooden cups. “Thought you could use some herbal tea.” Riley accepted the cup thankfully. “Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. We all waited until you got back.”
Jonas scowled at the young woman, sipping his tea as though it galled him to do so. Allie returned his look calculatingly, her eyes sparkling. “Did you know in animal husbandry, they mate the older stallions with the younger mares, and vice versa, it produces stronger colts.”
Jonas choked, spewing tea. Allie grinned, sauntering saucily out of the sleeping chamber.
“What kind of a comment was that?” He grumbled, wiping tea off his chin.
Snickering, Riley couldn’t help adding fuel to the flames. “I think she’s telling you she’s available—and willing.”
“Well, she can forget it! I’m not in the least interested!” His denial lost weight as his eyes followed the direction of Allie’s departure.
“Choices aren’t always ours to make. Sometimes they just happen.” Riley smoothed Nathan’s brow with gentle fingers. “Look at me! I wasn’t given a choice but things worked out for the best anyway.”
“Yeah! But you got Nathan—I get the demented munchkin!”
Allie poked her head in, grinning hugely. “I heard that!”
“Oh, boy!” Riley commented dryly.
Nathan roused up. “She’s got good hearing, too—you seem to have forgotten that.” Riley’s hands firmly pushed him back down.
“Can you ever be still?”
“Not with all this sex talk going on—it’s making me hot!” He captured her hand, rubbing it against his crotch. Riley jerked her hand back, slapping playfully at his head.
“The only sex talk is coming from you.” Eyes narrowed, she threatened. “Try that again in front of an audience and I might just have to squeeze really hard.”
Jonas groaned disgustedly. “I’m outta here. I think I’ll bunk with the sheep, less bull.” Stomping out, he exited the chamber.
“I wondered what I would have to do to get you alone.” Nathan’s voice deepened suggestively.
Allie stepped in, carrying two steaming bowls of stew. Riley’s stomach rumbled hungrily as the mouth-watering aroma wafted through the dim chamber. Spoon-feeding a protesting Nathan took only a few minutes and she was able to enjoy her own meal, licking the spoon and savoring every last drop. Sated, she yawned hugely, bone tired and ready to sleep.
Nathan pulled Riley down to rest against his uninjured side, breathing a deep sigh as she cuddled close. Voices and laughter floated comfortingly from the outer chamber, bathing the sleeping chamber with warmth and a sense of solidarity and belonging. Riley felt a part of one big family. It was a good feeling, one she had missed growing up. Her hand played with the soft hair on Nathan’s upper chest, taking pleasure in that small act of love. Peace and contentment suffused her soul. The future suddenly looked bright and they could share it together and, very soon, a new little person would bless their union.
She felt safe and the fear of being left alone would no longer haunt her. No matter what, she wouldn’t be alone.
Demon padded in, nosing her hand and resting his huge head on her shoulder. Riley lazily scratched his ear for a few minutes until he lay down to sleep, guarding their little corner from the rest of the world. Her lips curved in amusement as soft snores filled the chamber, both from Nathan and the dog—normal, every day sounds that filled her with such joy. Relaxed and replete, sleep claimed her.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
The team had been up for hours when Riley finally roused. Nathan’s eyes crinkled with amusement.
“I wondered if you were ever going to wake up. Did you know you snore?”
Riley flounced up. “I never snore! I just breathe really loud.”
“Nope,” Nathan corrected her. “You were snoring—little ladylike snores, but snores all the same!”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” she grumbled, reaching for her leathers. “It’s not polite to tell a lady she snores—or passes gas, or anything disgusting like that.”
“I didn’t say you passed gas, I said you snore.”
Riley turned on him, ready to do battle, her eyes narrowed in mock anger. “One more word and I’ll do something you’ll really regret.”
Abe coughed politely. “Is it safe to come in? I need to check on my patient.”
“Sure, and while you’re here, you can strangle him for me,” Riley commented evilly.
Abe hesitated. “Is this a bad time?”
“Not for you—for him maybe.” Riley finished dressing quickly, planted a quick kiss on Nathan�
�s cheek and stepped out.
Abe poked and prodded for awhile, nodding to himself while he rechecked and re-bandaged the wounds. “You’ll do.” A man of few words, he finished up and returned to the main chamber.
Jonas poked his head in. “Get dressed; we’re having a council meeting in five minutes. Time to plan for the future.”
Stiff and sore in more spots than he cared to count, Nathan struggled up, dragged his leg off the bed and then reached for his pants. “Got any good ideas?”
“I’ve been bouncing a few off some of the others and they’ve added a few of their own. Nothing substantial, but we’ve got some interesting ones.”
Every muscle protested. Aches and pains seemed to radiate from his very bones. Catching a whiff of himself, Nathan grimaced. Soon as the meeting was over, he was hitting the shower, hot water or not. The leg felt better and he was able to put some weight on it, but it would be some time before it was back to normal. At least they weren’t running now, for which he was extremely grateful.
Hobbling out, he entered the bright sunshine. Several large rocks had been rolled into the clearing, providing primitive seating for the team. Most were already in attendance and those who weren’t were very likely standing guard. Riley made room for him next to her as Allie passed around cups of hot tea. Suddenly quiet, everyone waited expectantly for Jonas to begin.
Jonas stood up, moving to the center of the circle. “I don’t want to make you think I’ve elected myself as leader,” he said hesitantly.
Micah laughed. “Everyone knows you are—so lead.” Voices clamored as everyone agreed with him.
Jonas grinned. “Okay, okay! Settle down. It’s a dubious position, but if no one objects, I’ll temporary hold that title.” He paused. “Yesterday, we scouted the camp of the newcomers, as Nathan calls them. It’s pretty obvious they’re here to stay. Women and children are down there and I’d say, given the size of the encampment, we’re looking at a fighting force of probably 30 plus men. That’s just a rough estimate. We have no idea how many more were away from the main camp yesterday. Anyway, to make a long story short—there’s no way we can survive against a force that size. Not here anyway.”
Somberly, the group digested the information.
“What do you think we should do?” Geena asked the focal question on everyone’s mind.
“Well, we can stay here and hope they never find us—which I don’t think is reasonable under the circumstances—or we move.”
Heads nodded.
Bethany stepped up. “Do you have any suggestions where?”
Jonas pointed. “No, but the person most able to provide that information is sitting right there.” All eyes swiveled towards Nathan.
He stood up unsteadily, clearing his throat. “I often thought that if I ever had to leave this place, I would head south, possibly to the valley we saw while we were on the run. I think it would be a good choice. Seems to have plenty of game, a good water supply and I didn’t see any sign of human inhabitation.”
Allie raised her hand. “Won’t that just be a quick fix to a bigger problem? That still doesn’t put us out of reach of those crazies.”
“No, it doesn’t. But at least it would give us time to work out a better plan. We can’t stay here.” Everyone nodded in agreement.
“Nathan’s right,” Jonas concurred. “And we need to move soon. We left some bodies back there, and it won’t take them very long to figure out we’re here—they don’t seem to allow intruders in their territory.”
Nathan’s eyes dropped. “No, they don’t! And I’ve seen what they do to outsiders—it isn’t pretty.”
Abe stood up, signaling for quiet. “I have a suggestion.” He glanced around the circle. “I say we go home.”
“Are you nuts?” Bethany’s voice rose stridently. “There’s no going back. I told you that. We’re stuck here.”
Abe continued. “I didn’t mean forward in time home—I meant home in this reality.”
“Home? You mean like Montana?” Jonas looked confused. “How is that possible?”
Abe shrugged. “We just go.”
“I don’t see how we can. To begin with, the Pacific Ocean is a pretty huge problem.”
“It’s theoretically possible,” Bethany said. “During this time period, a land bridge connected Asia to the Americas.”
Riley chimed in. “In the Bering Strait—I’ve heard of it.”
Bethany nodded. “Some scientists believe that’s how the ancients first came to America.”
“So what are you saying?”
“I think we should follow the path of the ancients and go home.” After making his point, Abe sat down.
Chatter erupted as everyone tried to speak. Jonas held up his hand, signaling for quiet. “That’s a big undertaking and, unlike in our time, it could take months, even years for that matter.”
“So we should probably get started,” Geena laughed. “No time like today!”
Jonas’ eyes flickered around the waiting group. Eyes bright, faces hopeful, they all waited for his decision. “I don’t have the right to make that kind of a decision for all of you. I say we put it to a vote—and since Bethany is the only really smart person here, I leave it up to her to handle that.”
“Okay,” Bethany agreed, amused. “By a show of hands. Everyone for going home?” Every hand was raised. Chuckling, she formally counted. “Any objections?” Not one. “The vote stands—we go home.”
“I have a suggestion,” Nathan said. “I say we winter in the valley below, building up our supplies and stocking food for the journey. Then early next spring, we leave.”
“What about the crazies—what about them?”
“We’re taking a chance, I know, but the better prepared we are, the better chance we have of success.” He studied their reactions, satisfied that they were open to the slight change.
“I think Nathan’s right.” Riley took his hand. “He knows better than any of us what it takes to survive here, and if he says winter in the valley below, that’s what we should do.”
Jonas nodded in agreement. “Only makes sense. Nathan has a lot to teach us and we need the time to acclimate ourselves and learn. The more we understand about this world, the better our odds are.”
Seth stood up. “What about changing history? Is that going to be an issue?”
Bethany again intervened. “Shortly before we left, archeologists found a woman’s body in Oregon, vastly older than any found before. Seems like people made it to the Americas a lot earlier than science first thought. Who really knows when they first arrived?”
Nathan’s gaze softened as he looked into Riley’s eyes. “We can’t go home, but our children and their children’s children will be where they belong.”
Cheers erupted. They would go home, thousands of years in the past, but they would be home!
Riley threw herself into Nathan’s arms. “I know it’s corny, but as Ruth will say sometime in the far future—‘Whither thou goest, I will go.’ My home is with you, wherever that is.” Eyes bright, shining with love, she held him close.
His lips claimed hers, infusing strength and hope. “Don’t be afraid,” he breathed. “Think of it as an adventure—the biggest adventure we can ever hope to have. Nothing in our previous lifetime can ever compare to this.”
“I’m not afraid, as long as you’re with me. I was only afraid of being alone. That isn’t going to happen now.”
Nathan grinned, calling across the circle. “Abe—I have a question!” Abe stood up.
“Aren’t you the spiritual leader of our group?” Abe nodded uncertainly, as Nathan continued. “Do you do weddings?”
Riley whooped in surprise, laughing and dancing with excitement. The future was uncertain, and survival would depend on their ability to adapt, but she was happier than she had ever been before. She had gone back to the beginnings and found love and nothing could change that.
The circle of friends stood up, holding hands, joining in the celebr
ation of their future, hopeful and determined to find their place. Life was an adventure and they were going to live it. Perhaps some day, some time, a little bit of them would be discovered and their mark made on mankind. Who knew?
A word about the author…
Offbeat is a perfect word when describing me. For many years, I taught, performed as well as choreographed dance. I am a dreamer and an avid reader of fiction, a sometime gardener and an inept crafter. I love to travel, always returning to my beautiful Idaho where I reside with my husband, my sons, my granddaughters, two huge cats and a toy poodle. I am multi-published author, and a member of RWA.
If you enjoyed Riley’s Journey, the second in the series is available, Into the Savage Dawn and I am currently working on the third novel in the series.
Find me online at my website or my blog.
Riley's Journey Page 28