by Sable Hunter
“Yes. In one moon as my people say.”
“In one moon.” She closed her eyes, imagining how it would be. “I’ll be waiting for you. Just like before, I want you to pull me up on Traveler and hold me tight.”
“It’s a date, my love.”
* * *
The hours of the day passed swiftly. Reno spent time with Journey and the kittens.
“They’ll have grown when I come back,” he observed as he dangled some yarn over Spots head and laughed as the little mite stood on its hind legs to bat at it. “Do you think they’ll remember me?”
“Of course,” Journey assured him. “No one could ever forget a character like you.”
This amused Reno, then he sobered. “Lou was talking about time resetting itself and fallen dominoes.”
“Falling dominoes?” Journey couldn’t help but giggle. “That doesn’t sound like Lou.”
“Anyway, the point she was making was the possible domino effect of my going back in time and what might change as a result of my actions. What if no one remembers I was here? What if you don’t remember anything of me other than the tintype and the stories in the journal?”
Even though his words ripped a hole in her soul, Journey tried to appear nonchalant. “I think the wedding band and the baby growing inside of me might be a clue.”
He didn’t laugh or smile. “I wish we’d thought of keeping a journal of our time together. Like Saul did.”
“Oh, Reno.” She knelt on the floor with him, holding him close. “You’re a part of me. There is no way I’d ever forget this time we’ve shared. Not a second of it.”
“Good. I pray it to be so.” A look of peace came to his face.
Journey didn’t believe such a thing as he spoke of could be possible, but when he left to see Kota, she sat down at her workstation to record the details of her own private fairytale.
Just in case.
…As Reno walked with Kota beneath the cool of the trees, they listened to the sounds of the birds singing. The sun’s rays filtered through the canopy of leaves leaving a dappled pattern of light and shadow on the ground. “You’ll look after her while I’m gone, won’t you?”
“I will.”
“Is there anything you want me to tell Ela for you?”
“Yes. Tell her to leave me a pot of gold in that cave of hers.”
“Ela doesn’t have any gold.”
“Pity.” The old man’s pace slowed. “Tell her she is remembered and revered by those who follow after her.”
“I will do that. Gladly.” Reno stuffed his hands in his pockets as he drew alongside Kota. “Is there anything I need to do to get ready for tomorrow?”
Placing his hand on the rough bark of an oak, Kota leaned on the tree for support. “Say your goodbyes. Say your prayers. Reinforce whatever place you intend to store those things you wish to take with you. The winds of the vortex could be strong.”
“I didn’t notice any wind when I came through the first time. I wasn’t aware anything abnormal happened at all.”
“I understand. I just have a feeling. Probably my dementia flaring up.”
“You have dementia like I have the measles. You are sharp as a needle.”
“Thank you. Sometimes I wish my body worked as well as my brain.” He pointed to a pile of knee-high marble stones. “Let’s take a load off and sit for a spell.”
Reno followed Kota to where he indicated, ready to assist his elder if need be. “I wish there was some way I could let Journey know I made it there.”
“Send her a letter.”
Kota’s suggestion was so off-hand Reno didn’t take him seriously. At first. “I could. You are right. When we first thought Journey would travel with me, she promised her aunt she would bury remembrances for her in a specific location.”
“That’s not safe.” He waved a hand over the countryside. “Very little remains static after a century and a half. Erosion. Wind. Interference by people. Think of something else.”
“I don’t know what else to do. Any other way, it would just get mixed up with deeds and receipts to be filed away in a box no one might think to look through again.”
“Give it some thought. I’m sure there’s a solution.”
“I will.”
Afterward, they rested in the cool shade for a little while longer, each contemplating the tasks that lay before them.
* * *
“Oh, you look so handsome.” Journey patted his tie. “Let me take a picture.” She grabbed her phone. “I wish I’d taken some every day.”
Reno posed for her. “Tell me when I look sexy.”
“Always. Always.” She laughed as she took a couple of pictures.
“You look gorgeous as always, my Journey. The blue of your dress is the same color as your eyes.”
She blushed and gave him a graceful curtsy. “Thank you for noticing.”
“Hey, gang! Are we ready?” Lou called from the hall. “We don’t want our cowboy to be late for his pageant.”
“No. We don’t.” Journey found her purse, then joined Reno as they walked down the hall. “Is Aunt Myra ready?”
“She’s already waiting in the car.” Lou held the door for them. “She said she’d be filing her nails while we dallied around.”
“Sounds just like her.” Journey checked the animal’s food and water bowls as she passed. “Okay, we’re good to go.”
Once they were on the road, Myra spoke up from the backseat. “Well, tell us Reno. Other than stopping a war and an execution, what are your plans for your time away?”
Journey shook her head at her great aunt’s way with words. “She just gets right to the point, doesn’t she?”
“As she should.” He turned a bit sideways to glance over the front seat. “I want to set all my friends’ minds at ease. They all think I am dead, obviously. This journey will also give me time to say proper goodbyes.”
“Will you be honest with them?” Lou asked, her eyes alight with interest.
Reno thought a moment. “At first, I thought not. However, I have changed my mind, at least to an extent. There are several people to whom I will tell the whole story. Clay, Cole, Saul, and King. I think they deserve to know the truth.”
No one disagreed with him.
“I guess it will take a little adjusting, going back.” Myra contemplated Reno’s situation as she stared out the window toward the setting sun.
“There are things I will miss. Definitely.” He gave Journey a tender look. “I find I’ve become addicted to several modern conveniences.”
“You aren’t calling me a convenience, are you, cowboy?” Journey whispered.
“Never.” He gave her a teasing grin.
“True.” Lou tried to empathize. “But there’ll be no air pollution. No hustle and bustle. Everything is so peaceful and easy going.”
Reno angled his visor mirror so he could make eye contact with Lou. “You make it sound so idyllic. Do not forget the violence and the hardships. Since there are few conveniences, everything must be done with great effort. Drawing water for bathing and cooking. Chopping wood. Baking bread. Butchering our own meat. Sewing. Weaving.”
“I think you lucked out, Jo.” Lou reached up to pat Journey on the shoulder. “Aren’t you glad you won’t have to adapt to the past?”
“Oh...” She met Reno’s eyes. “I would’ve been fine. There would’ve been consolations.”
“I’m a consolation prize?” Reno asked with feigned insult.
She giggled. “Nah. You’re the booby prize.”
“You just wait until tonight,” he whispered for her ears only. “I fear another spanking is in your future.”
“Bring it on, cowboy. As long as you’re in my future, I can handle anything else.”
…Later, Journey sat on the edge of her seat as The Hill Country Cowboy competition got underway. The place was packed, and the lights were bright. The crowd was going crazy. As she glanced around, there seemed to be an over-abundance of ecs
tatic females all screaming as one. Yet, who could blame them? The finest specimens of manhood Central Texas had to offer were giving their all in a western line-dance that would put the Chippendales to shame. Oh, they wore a few more items of clothing than the strippers would have, but those extra layers of fabric did nothing to hide the pure masculine appeal of the men before them.
“Look at the one on the far right, second row. The one with the shaggy brown mane and all those muscles. Oh, man. Is he fine!” Lou was positively drooling at the sight. “I wonder what his name is?”
As the number ended and the men stopped to take a bow, the woman in front of Lou leaned over her seat to give Lou an answer. “You don’t recognize him? That’s our esteemed Attorney General, Destry Cartwright.”
“Oh, yum.” Lou licked her lips. “I have got to start paying more attention to local politics.” She held out her hand. “I’m Lou Evans, by the way.”
“Hi! My name is Cady McCoy. The cowboy in the center front row is mine. The one with the white feather in his hatband. And these are our daughters.” She pointed at the three door-step girls sitting next to her.
“Adorable.” Lou glanced at Journey and pointed at the sweet children. “Maybe you’ll have a girl, Jo.”
“Oh, you’re pregnant!” Cady reached over to clasp Journey’s hand. Immediately, she giggled. “Do you want to know the sex?”
Journey’s eyes widened. “Sure. I guess. How do you know?”
“Instinct.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I’d say you’re having a boy.”
“A boy! Wow!” This exclamation came from Lou. “Oh, forgive my manners. Cady, this is Journey Stanton…I mean Journey Black,” Lou corrected herself.
“Hello. Nice to meet you.” She nodded toward the stage. “The cowboy wearing the black jeans on the left belongs to me. Reno.”
“Ah, yes.” Cady tapped the shoulder of the woman sitting next to her. “Harley, he’s the one you said resembled Pepper’s husband, Judah James.”
“He does.” Harley turned around to greet Lou and Journey. “Hey, Harley LeBlanc here. The tall Cajun in the back with the attitude is mine.”
“Nice to meet you.” Journey reached up to touch Harley’s shoulder – and when she did – Harley gasped. “What’s wrong? Did I shock you?”
“You could say that.” When the next phase of the event began onstage, Harley winked at Journey. “I’ll talk to y’all when this is over.”
All eyes turned to the front as a question and answer phase began.
“What happened to the swimsuit competition?” Myra asked holding up her program. “I don’t see it listed.”
“Shhh.” Journey giggled and whispered. “Sorry to disappoint, Aunt Myra.”
A woman on the other side of Myra patted her arm and whispered as quietly as she could manage. “I know how you feel. I was kinda looking forward to the swimsuit competition myself. My name is Bess Morrison.”
“Myra Weiss. Is one of these fine young men your son?”
“No. Although, I practically raised six of them. My McCoy boys.” She pointed them out. “Aron. Jacob. Joseph. Isaac. Noah. And my baby, Nathan. Look at him. He’s not a baby any longer. And that big rough, mountain at the back with the spiky hair, that my niece’s husband, Brodie Walton. They’re both EMT’s.”
“You must be proud of all of them,” Myra hugged her purse to her chest.
“Oh, look.” Bess pointed to the stage. “My Jacob’s at the microphone.”
Journey’s eyes were still on Reno as he waited in the wings. He looked so handsome.
“Everyone, this is Jacob McCoy. Jacob, would you answer this question?”
The introduction came from the master-of-ceremonies, Desiree Holt Barron. Journey thought the country star looked divine.
“Certainly, Desiree. I’ll be glad to.”
“Thank you, sir. Could you describe yourself in three words?”
Jacob smiled, but he took his time answering. “Let’s see, three words. Okay. The first word would be happy. My family makes me happy, especially my wife, Jessie. The second word would be stubborn.”
Before he could explain his second choice, someone yelled from backstage. “Amen to that!”
Jacob seemed to easily recognize the voice of the heckler. “Can it, Noah.” He thought a few more seconds before revealing his third choice of a word. “Lastly, I would say…tender-hearted. Even though, it’s a little embarrassing, that’s what I think my family would say.”
“Interesting. I love a sensitive man.” Desiree turned to look at someone in the audience. “I think he’s a keeper, Ms. Jessie.”
“I think you’re right, Desiree.” Jessie responded from the front row.
“Okay, next.” She called Reno to come forward. “Mr. Reno Black.” She assessed Reno slowly. “You’re one of the few contestants who I don’t know personally. I must say you look like the real deal, cowboy. Would you ever be interested in appearing in one of my music videos?”
Journey held her breath. She didn’t know if he’d even recognize the term.
“If I’m around, Ms. Desiree, I’m sure I’d enjoy helping you.”
“Good answer. Okay. Here’s your question. Do you think it’s time for a woman president in our country?”
“Oh, lord. He just found out we have the vote,” Journey whispered as she put a hand over her mouth, while Lou giggled at her reaction.
Everyone’s attention was on Reno when he leaned forward to speak into the microphone as he’d seen others do. “I think…a woman President for America is a great idea. If it’s the right woman, of course.”
“Why do you think it would be a good idea, Reno?”
“In my experience, the smartest, most capable people I’ve known in my life have been women. Including my new bride, Journey Stanton Black.”
Desiree gave him a thumbs up. “I see politics in your future, Reno.”
“Yay!!!!” Journey yelled at the top of her lungs and everyone joined in with applause.
…By the time the last phase of the competition rolled around, Journey was a bundle of nerves. She was having a wonderful time and Reno was doing great. He didn’t look uncomfortable or out-of-place. She didn’t have a clue how the points were being counted, but she didn’t see anyone doing better than him – not in her estimation, anyhow.
“Psst. Journey. There’s the governor’s wife, Hannah. Look at her hair. Isn’t it fabulous?”
She and Lou both admired the first lady’s long, lush locks.
“And who’s that?” Journey cut her glance toward a beautiful woman with long honey-blonde hair. “She looks familiar.”
“Oh, I recognize her.” Lou got all excited. “That’s Ryder Duke. She’s one of the Highland McCoy’s, but she’s married to Samson and Gideon Duke, the tech billionaires. You know the ones who just sent a rocket to Mars.” She fanned herself. “I’d give my eyeteeth to talk to them.”
Journey was still stuck on one fact. “She has two husbands?”
“God, yes. Look at them.” She pointed to the two handsome men. “One looks like a Viking and the other could be a Polynesian lifeguard. It isn’t fair. She has two hunky men I don’t have one.”
Cady looked around and giggled. “See me later. I’ll introduce you to someone.”
Lou laughed. “I’ll be there like white on rice, girlfriend.”
Journey just shook her head. “Oh, the talent portion is beginning. Oh, God!”
“Will you stop suffering.” Lou patted her on her knee. “Your man is doing great.”
With all the excitement going on, Journey forgot to worry about anything else. Everyone seemed to be having a blast. The men threw themselves into the competition, putting their egos on the backburner. Out of the many entries in the talent competition, a few stood out in Journey’s mind. Philip McCoy presented a soliloquy from Shakespeare, complete with a Greek toga. Benjen Blackhawk performed an authentic Native American war dance, while Titan Sloan, the fire chief of Hayes County, demo
nstrated the proper way to put a handle on a knife he’d forged. Aron McCoy stole the show when he read a poem he’d written for his wife, Libby, entitled I Lost My Heart at the Stock Tank. His brother Joseph accompanied himself on the guitar, then amazed everyone when he invited Reno to join him on stage.
“This may be a little unorthodox, but I’m going to play this guitar and sing back-up for a new friend as he sings one of my favorite songs. Made famous by Elvis Presley, this is Reno Black performing I’LL REMEMBER YOU.”
Journey’s heart nearly stopped. She grabbed Lou’s hand and hung on for dear life as Reno’s rich, pure voice began to sing a heartbreaking number about a man who’s leaving his love behind but promises to remember her once he’s gone.
“Why did he have to choose this song?” she whispered, the tears already beginning to flow.
“I know this one. Just listen to the words,” Lou implored her, a comforting arm around her shoulder.
Journey could do nothing else. His voice was beautiful, the words were personal and poignant. Somehow, she’d managed to push aside the burning truth that in less than twenty-four hours the man she loved would attempt to go back in time. She would remain in this century, pregnant and alone.
Yet, she’d been the one to tell him to go. Because he had no choice, and neither did she.
“Look at him, Journey.”
Journey couldn’t. Not when he sang of how lonely he’d be. How he’d think of her voice, the way she laughed, the mornings after they’d spent the night loving one another. “Oh, God.”
“Well, I’m recording it for you. You’ll thank me someday.”
Someday. That’s what he was singing now. Someday, he’d return to stay.
Till then…I will remember you…
Unable to remain in her seat, she rose, and started down the aisle.
…Onstage, Reno poured his heart out to Journey in song. He wanted her to know when he was gone, not one moment would pass that he wouldn’t be thinking of her. Reno needed her to understand that if God be willing, he would return. Even if the Almighty had other ideas, he would battle Satan himself to be back in her arms.
