by Sable Hunter
“Well, I didn’t expect to see you tonight.” As she greeted her friend, she bent to calm the excited dachshunds.
“When you said you needed me to come early, I didn’t waste any time. What’s wrong? How can I help?”
Journey didn’t say anything. She just pointed at the cowboy who was standing to one side.
Lou followed her finger, finally noticing Reno. “Well, hello. I didn’t know you had company.” She glanced at Journey, then whipped her head back to take a second look at Reno. “Holy Mother of God!” She staggered to grab onto the edge of a table. With stark shock and disbelief, she glared at Journey. “Is that who I think it is?”
Knowing Lou recognized Reno for who he was, all she could do was nod. “Yep.”
“Why? How? Holy Mother of God!” She squealed again, bending over to catch her breath. “What the hell have you done, Journey? Sold your soul to the devil?”
Reno was just standing there, looking questioningly from one woman to the other.
Journey stepped over to pat Lou on the back. “It’s okay. Everything’s okay. Do you need a glass of water?”
“No. Give me a second. My systems are overloading.” She took some deep breaths, then raised up to stare at Reno in absolute wonder. “How in the world did you make this happen?”
“Well, we’re not really sure. That’s why I asked you to come.” Journey smiled weakly. “Lou, this is Reno. Reno this is my best friend, Louisiana Evans.”
Moving forward, he offered Lou his hand. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
Lou accepted his greeting, a smile slowly coming to her face. “Oh, you’ll never know how glad I am to meet you, Mr. Black.” After releasing his hand, she looked him up and down, moving around him in a slow circle. “Did you suffer any physical complications as a result of your journey?”
“No, I did not. I’m fit as a fiddle,” Reno assured her, looking to Journey for reassurance.
Journey could see Reno was uncomfortable. “Lou’s a scientific genius. Remember, I told you she has multiple degrees. If anyone can give us insight into this mystery – it’s her.”
“How did she recognize me?” Reno asked, his eyes following her as she seemed to size him up like a bull at auction.
“She’s seen the tintype many times. She’s probably as familiar with the stories Saul told about you as I am.” Journey looked slightly embarrassed. She stepped forward to pick up Lou’s luggage. “I’ll take these to your room.”
“No. Let me.” Reno took the bags from Journey, seemingly glad for the chance to escape. “Which room do you want her in?”
“The first room on the right, across from the hall bath,” she told him with a grateful smile as he turned to leave the room.
Unconcerned about the location of her luggage, Lou seemed to be in a daze. “Did he come in a time machine of some sort?”
“No, he was just riding his horse through a canyon and found himself here.”
“Amazing. This is incredible!” Her eyes darted back and forth as she mumbled to herself. “In the vast vacuum of space, the Earth could be interacting with any number of fields and energies.”
“What do you think, Lou?” Journey watched her friend as she processed the situation.
“I think we’re in the process of engineering the machines necessary to detect gravity waves. You know, Albert Einstein calculated both gravity waves and Rosen Bridges wormholes over a hundred years ago. What if…” She muttered the words, then laughed loudly as she threw her arms into the air in triumph. “What am I saying? There is no ‘what if’. The proof is standing right before me.” She pointed at Reno who’d just reentered the foyer. “Unless…” She narrowed her eyes at Journey. “Unless you hired some lookalike just to yank my chain.”
“I wouldn’t tease about this, Lou,” Journey assured her as she moved to stand near Reno. “You know how much he’s always meant to me.”
“Yes. Yes, I do.” Lou placed a calming hand on her chest and found a place to sit on the nearby couch. “My mind is just boggled. This will undoubtedly be the greatest scientific discovery of our time.”
“What’s she saying, honey?” Reno asked her as he stared warily at their visitor.
She didn’t know whether to smile at Reno’s sweet endearment or cry at the realization that Lou was hot on the trail of an answer to this mystery like a hound dog after a rabbit. “If anybody can tell you how you got here and how you can get home, Reno – it’s Lou.”
* * *
Burning the midnight oil wasn’t a new concept for Reno, he’d stayed out many a night keeping an eye on the herd or helping bring a new calf into the world. This was the first time, however, that he’d been subjected to such intense questioning. Now, he knew what those who suffered through the Spanish Inquisition felt like. “Okay. I’ll go over it one more time.” He felt guilty about complaining, even if it was just in his mind. If this scientist lady could help him figure out how to get home, he’d owe her a lot more than a simple thank you.
Lou was busy taking notes while Journey kept their coffee cups full. “Yes, please do. I have to make sure I didn’t miss anything.”
“All right. So, the original location of the Stanton cabin is right where we’re sitting.” He went on to explain how he’d led the raiders away from the cabin, hoping to find cover to pick them off one by one. “I ended up in a box canyon. I heard Kinsella, the ringleader, celebrating how I wouldn’t make it out alive. Instead of being trapped, I saw what looked to be a way out. An opening. I could see through to the other side as plain as day. Traveler and I rode on, expecting the raiders to be hot on our heels. Once I was through, I looked back, and the opening was gone. The wall was solid.” He rubbed his chin, thinking. “I didn’t have time to question anything, because that was when I heard Journey scream.”
“This is new information.” Lou turned her attention to Journey. “And why were you screaming?”
Journey felt a bit guilty. “I know I should’ve called you, but so much has happened.” Seeing her friend’s concerned look, she tried to explain, “I went to the grocery store in Fredericksburg. Somehow, these two men fixated on me and followed me out to my car. They harassed me, wouldn’t let me leave. I screamed for help and this man came running across the parking lot toward me. One of the idiots ran him over with his truck. Finally, some other folks heard the commotion and called 9-1-1. When the cops arrived, I gave them a statement, describing the jerks and their vehicle. When I left, I thought about them following me – but I didn’t seriously think they would.”
“But they did.” Lou’s face contorted with anger. “Those bastards.”
“Today’s version of the Kinsella gang,” Reno muttered.
Journey felt a chill, wondering if he was right. Considering the odd timing, could they somehow be connected? She didn’t voice the thought, there were too many other things to worry about. “I headed home, but soon I saw headlights behind me. Sure enough, it turned about to be that evil looking black dually those nuts were driving. With no one else on the road, they took advantage. Driving too close and threatening to run me off the road. I sped ahead and thought to stop at a neighbor’s for help. They saw where I’d gone and pulled off the road to park in the drive so I couldn’t escape. I ran to the carport and started beating on the door. Unfortunately, neither Mr. Kota nor his grandson were at home. Frantic, I took off through their yard, climbed through the fence, and ran through the park. I was headed back here. I didn’t know if I was going to make it or not. I could hear them following me. Laughing.” Journey trembled, remembering how scared she’d been. “I screamed and the next thing I knew – Reno rode up, stretched out his hand, and lifted me into the saddle. Just like in the movies.” She smiled at him. “He saved me.”
“Wow.” Lou looked impressed. “I’m glad you’re safe, but you’re right. You should’ve called me.” She rubbed her eyes, thinking. “All right. All right. And what day was this?”
“April 19th,” Reno said as he moved to stand next to Journey
, placing a protective hand on her shoulder.
Lou made note of the date. “Reno, did you do anything unusual that day or the days leading up to the 19th?”
“Not really,” he told her. “I was at the ranch making preparations to travel to Waco to catch a stagecoach.”
At his words, Lou marveled at the thought. “Catching a stagecoach. Just imagine.” She reached over and pinched Reno on the arm.
“Ow!”
“Just making sure you’re real and I’m not dreaming.”
Reno frowned. “Well, pinch yourself next time.”
Journey couldn’t help it, she giggled. “Anybody want a muffin with their coffee?”
“I would.” Reno still looked grumpy.
“I’ll take another helping of that chicken and dressing,” Lou brightened, continuing to make notes. “What else can you think of, Mr. Black?”
“Well, I went to see my friend, Ela.”
“Ela. Spell that.”
“E L A,” Reno stated succinctly. “She’s an Apache wise woman who lives in a cave on Enchanted Rock.”
“Tell me about your visit with Ela.”
“I was telling her goodbye. Cautioning her to be careful while I was gone.” A shadow fell over his face, but he didn’t go where his thoughts took him. “She told me I reminded her of the son she’d lost. I told her she reminded me of my mother.”
Neither Lou nor Journey interrupted him, they just let Reno talk. “She said something a little odd. Like my mother had said years earlier, she told me I would be going on a long journey.”
“Do you think she was talking about a journey of a hundred and fifty years into the future?” Lou seemed to be considering what the possibility might mean.
“I don’t know. Maybe.” Reno was deep in thought, reliving the last time he’d seen his friend. “She told me to never doubt my destiny, even when things didn’t make sense, that sometimes our true path can’t be discovered without we first lose our way.”
“Do you think she possibly could’ve been psychic?” Lou asked, her eyes alight with interest.
Reno shook his head. “Sorry. I’m not familiar with that term.”
Lou explained, her hands moving as she spoke. “A psychic is someone who can sense things others can’t. Like the future. Or the past. Sometimes the gift is referred to as extrasensory perception. I’m certainly not an expert and it’s not a widely accepted science. However, the US military does utilize psychics in their remote viewing operation. That’s a good enough reference for me.”
“Ela was known as a wise woman,” Reno murmured, answering Lou’s original question. “I believe she did possess those abilities you mentioned. She was like my mother, I could never put anything past her.”
“Very interesting.” Lou was deep in thought.
Suddenly, Reno rose and looked out the window toward Enchanted Rock. “I’m not sure how this is helping.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Black,” Lou began, trying to reassure him. “I have to gather evidence before I can draw any type of conclusion.”
“Of course. I’m sorry,” he apologized, rubbing his tired eyes. “I’m just anxious. It’s critical that I return. If I don’t, people I love are going to die.”
“What are you saying?” Lou looked at Journey. “You mean we’re working with a deadline?”
“I’m afraid so,” she said. “This is very important to Reno. Going back, I mean.” She could see the pity in Lou’s eyes. Her friend must know how much it hurt for Journey to see him go.
“Well, all right. I’ll certainly do what I can.” She looked again at the big cowboy who was still staring out into the darkness. “Is there anything else you can tell me about Ela? Anything she said about the mountain? Or you?”
“Maybe. I’ll have to think on it.” He dry-scrubbed his face. “I’m sorry. This has been a helluva long day.”
“It has.” Journey glanced at the clock to see that it was after 11 pm. “Maybe we should call it a day and start again in the morning.”
Lou nodded. “Very well. There is some research I need to do to prepare my strategy.”
Reno turned around, holding one finger in the air. “I forgot one thing. Before I left Ela, she gave me a medicine bag to keep with me.”
“Oh, really.” Lou grabbed her notepad to make a hasty note. “What was in the bag?”
“I don’t know. She told me if I looked into it, the power would be released before it was needed. So, I didn’t look.”
“Where is the bag now?” Lou asked, the look on her face intense.
Reno exhaled a long breath. “I lost it. When I came home with Journey, the rawhide bag was gone from my pocket. It must have fallen out.”
“Damn.” Lou pushed her bangs off her forehead, letting out a frustrated breath. “I’m going to want to go out there in the morning. I want to see the place where you came through the portal.”
“A portal?” Journey asked in confusion.
“Yea, I think that’s what we may be dealing with.” She rearranged her stack of books. “Tomorrow, I’ll tell you my theory and we’ll go from there.”
“Sounds good.” Journey locked the doors and made sure the dogs had plenty of food and water. “Well, make yourself at home. Reno put your bags in the first room down the hall on the right. If you need anything, I’m at the end of the hall.”
“I’ll be fine. Goodnight you two.” She gave Reno one final stare. “I didn’t tell you I was glad to meet you, but I am. Not just for scientific research either.” Lou motioned toward Journey. “You have an amazing friend in this woman. She’d do anything for you.”
Reno tipped his hat. “I realize that, ma’am. I’ll thank you ahead of time for anything you can do to help me.”
After that, she and Reno left Lou to her research. “Well, goodnight,” Journey said to him as they started toward their rooms. “Our night together didn’t exactly turn out as we’d planned.”
“No, it didn’t.”
Journey felt badly about her dismissal of this new development. “This is a good thing, though. Probably the best thing that could happen. I said it before, but if anyone can help you get home, it will be Lou.”
“I hope you’re right.” Reno took hold of his door handle, then paused until Journey opened her own door. “Well, goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Reno.”
Journey stepped inside her room and leaned against the door. Mixed feelings of relief and sadness plagued her. She wanted Lou to help Reno, it had been her idea to ask her friend for aid. Nevertheless, she had to admit in her heart that she wanted him to stay forever. He was beginning to find his footing in the future, even planning for ways to fit in by learning the ropes and thinking about a job. “Don’t be selfish,” she cautioned herself. “People’s lives depend on Reno going home.”
She pushed away from the door and readied herself for bed. She’d just crawled under the covers when a slight tap sounded on the wooden facing. Thinking it was Lou, she called out a welcome, “Come in.”
Her visitor wasn’t Lou, it was Reno. A Reno wearing only a pair of jeans. No shirt. No socks. The man looked good enough to eat. “Is something wrong?”
Reno shut the door and came further into the room. “This may sound crazy, but I don’t want to be alone tonight.”
His surprising announcement floored Journey. She knew he wasn’t afraid of anything. “Is something wrong?”
“Not the way you mean. I just feel really alone. Disconnected. Pulled in two different directions. The only place I feel complete is…”
He stopped talking as Journey hung on his every word. “Where? Where do you feel complete?”
“With you.”
Without hesitation, she threw back the covers. “Stay with me. Together, we can face anything.”
With three long strides, he was across the room and at her side. As Journey scooted over to make room for him, he laid down and pulled the covers over them both. “I won’t take advantage. I just want to hold you.”
>
Journey wanted to beg him to take advantage, but she was as tired as he was. “I want to hold you too.” When he opened his arms, she gladly went into them. Nestling close, she rested her head on his shoulder. After a while, she whispered, “this is nice.”
Hearing no answer from Reno, she raised her eyes to look into his face. He was already sound asleep. A look of peace shone on his countenance. “Sleep well, my love.” As her eyes closed, she kissed him lightly on his chest, feeling more content than she’d ever felt before.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
When Journey awoke, she automatically reached out for him. As her searching hand encountered nothing more than the smoothness of the sheet, she abruptly sat up, looking all around.
She was alone.
Rubbing her arms to dispel the chill, she let herself remember Reno coming to her bed and taking her into his arms. Holding her close all through the night.
Did this really happen?
Or was she doing as before and just creating memories in her mind?
Tap. Tap.
Her heart jumped. “Come in.” She fully expected Reno to be standing there, checking to see why she was still sleeping. Journey hid her disappointment when she saw her friend standing there with a huge smile on her face. “Oh, Lou. It’s you. I’m so sorry. I should’ve already been up and preparing breakfast for you.”
“Nah.” She waved off Journey’s concern. “We wanted you to sleep in.” Cocking her head toward the kitchen, she grinned. “Your Reno is cooking breakfast for all of us. He asked me to tell you that the pancakes are almost ready.”
“Oh. Well, good.” She slipped from the bed and started to gather some clothes to put on. “How long have you been awake?”
“A few hours. I’m too excited to sleep, to tell you the truth. This is amazing! I’ve been asking him questions, picking his brain.” Lou sidled in, giving Journey a wink. “I can see why you’ve always been so taken with him. He’s a really nice guy.”
“Yes, he is.” Journey hurriedly used the bathroom and began to dress. Lou followed her around the room as she got ready for the day. “Do you think you can solve this puzzle?”
