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

by Sable Hunter

  Dear Reno,

  Love of my life. You have made me happier than I ever hoped to be. Only you could make all my dreams come true. Take care of Cole and Ela, spend time with your friends, let them know how much you care. Then come home to me, please. I will pray for your safety ever moment you’re gone and count the minutes until you come home to me. Your baby and I will be waiting for you.

  Your loving wife,

  Journey

  Tucking the note inside one of the other papers, so it wouldn’t be obvious, she’d just managed to put it all together in one envelope when she heard his voice.

  “Journey?”

  “In here.”

  He came to her and she walked straight into his arms. “I’ve gathered everything you need to take with you.”

  “Thank you.” He studied the envelope’s size. “I might sew it into the inside of my shirt or my duster. How does that sound?”

  “Next to your skin would be safest I’d think. Aunt Myra would do that for you, I’m sure.”

  “Good. I’ll ask.” Placing the envelope on the table nearest the door, he put his arm around her shoulder. “I want to spend as much time with you today as I can. The only other thing I need to do is get Kota and Lou together for a few minutes. I want to make double sure I’m not missing anything.”

  “Yes. I think that’s a good idea. You don’t want to forget anything important.” Journey held onto the back of the chair for support. For the first time in days, she felt nauseous. By sheer will, she kept the feeling at bay. There was no way in hell she’d let on to Reno. This was one thing he didn’t need to know. Not today.

  “No, I can’t afford to forget anything. Since Lou isn’t up yet, why don’t you come into the kitchen and let me cook breakfast for you?”

  Her stomach roiled at the idea. “Sure. I’m starving.”

  Journey went along with everything Reno wanted to do. She wanted him to have the best possible day. After eating as much breakfast as she could, they put the rest in a warmer for Lou and Myra.

  “How about a walk?” he offered. “Or a horseback ride?”

  “A walk would be fun.” She put on her brightest smile. “We can talk about what we’ll do when you come home.”

  “We need to do that anyway.” He took her hand and they set off. This time, they headed to the creek.

  “Since you’ll be working at Highlands, I guess we’ll have to think about getting a place nearer there.”

  “Yes, I think so.” His black eyes were bright with excitement for their future plans. “I have quite a bit more gold and coins. I’ll bring them with me upon my return and maybe we’ll have enough to get a good start on our life together.”

  “Yes. Plus, we don’t need anything elaborate. There’s a small community called Tow on the left bank of Lake Buchanan. Land and houses are pretty reasonable up there.”

  “Excellent. Why don’t you see what you can find? Narrow down a few choices. We’ll look at them together when I return.”

  “I’ll have an ultrasound before you come back. You’ll be able to see a picture of the baby.”

  “Really?” His face showed his amazement. “Do they stick a camera…?”

  “No. They rub gel on my belly, then they pass this wand over it and a picture shows up on a computer screen.” She laughed “I’m not explaining it very well.”

  “A wand? I suspected magic was involved in all this modern craziness.”

  “It’s a kind of magic, I guess.” She raised his hand to her lips and kissed it. “What are you going to tell Saul and the children about me?”

  “I’m going to tell them I’ve fallen in love with a beautiful woman. She’s kind, sweet, and smart. I’ll also explain that you’re related to them without going into detail.”

  “Good. They’ll like that.” She grew silent. There was so much to say, she didn’t know where to start. Glancing up, she could see the sun was making its way across the sky. Time was getting away from them. “We’d better start back. I’m sure Lou is up and about. I know you need to talk to her and Kota.”

  “You’re right. I want to give this every chance to work.”

  “I don’t see how you could do anything wrong. Last time, all you did was ride through an opening in the rock. Lou told me this is a natural phenomenon, so the mountain and the moon must do all the work.”

  “Unbelievable, isn’t it? I had a dream last night. I went to the box canyon and nothing happened. It made me think. We’ve all just assumed this happens as regular as clockwork.”

  She grasped his hand tighter. “Don’t borrow trouble. We’ll know soon enough. I wish it was in my power to just fix everything for you.”

  “You’d just wave your magic wand?” He stole a kiss from her cheek. “I know you would if you could,” he assured her as he guided them toward home. “As long as I have you in my life, I can deal with whatever comes along.”

  * * *

  A little while later, Kota, Lou, and Reno met for what could be deemed a rehearsal. They went over every element of the evening.

  Holding up a leather pouch, Kota handed it to Reno. “Put this medicine bag wherever you put the one Ela gave you.”

  “And I won’t look into it.”

  “No, don’t look into it. You’ll release the power before it’s time.” He smiled, knowing that’s what his ancestor told Reno. “Unlike her, I’ll tell you what’s inside. There’s a bit of Galena, a lodestone, an ammonite, an amethyst, a sprig of rosemary, a hag stone, and a stone disc engraved with the thunderbird flying into a spiral.”

  Reno took the bag, holding it delicately in his hand. “I don’t understand how these things work but I trust they will, because I trust you.”

  “I pray we don’t let you down,” Kota murmured, including Lou in his comment. “For what it’s worth I truly think this is meant to be. There’s been too many separate threads come together to weave an incredible tapestry. I have to believe we will see this through to its completion.”

  Reno leaned forward intently, his forearms resting on his thighs, his hands clasped between his knees. “I want to thank both of you. Lou, your wisdom defined and identified what happened to me. You used your accumulated knowledge to steer me in the right path. Kota, you gave me the key to unlock the power of this great mystery. I couldn’t have survived this without the two of you.”

  “We’re not through yet. The true test is yet to come.” Lou rubbed Reno’s back. “I’ve been honored to help you. Not only because this could be the discovery of the ages, but because my best friend loves you. And I love her.”

  “As I do.” Reno looked at Journey’s friend with gratitude. “With my whole heart.”

  “I have a favor to ask you. Both of you.”

  “Name it,” Lou stated flatly, looking to Kota for support.

  “Of course,” Kota said. “What can we do?”

  “One of the men who attacked Journey has made some threats to her. He is in prison, but I can’t be sure how long he’ll be there. If he gets out before I can return, or if I am unable to return, I need you to promise to protect her.”

  “You got it.” Lou promised him. “I’ll make sure she takes precautions.”

  Kota agreed. “I’ll speak to Myra and we’ll see she’s protected.”

  “Thank you.” Reno breathed a sigh of relief. “I will worry about her until I return.”

  “Of course, you will.” Kota clapped his hands on his knees. “All right. Let’s reassemble one hour before the full moon and we’ll all go to the rock together.”

  * * *

  For the next three hours, Journey and Reno sat together on the couch, side by side. Myra and Lou gave them privacy. Myra went to her room to sew the envelope to the inside of Reno’s shirt and Lou took the dogs and cats to the garden to play.

  The newlyweds talked little, yet they loved much. Tender kisses. Holding hands. Just being near one another. For long moments, Reno held her, his hand resting on her belly. “The two of you are my life. You kn
ow that, don’t you?”

  “I do.”

  He knew he’d asked a million times, but he couldn’t leave without asking once more, “You understand why I’m doing this, don’t you?”

  “Of course.” She swallowed a knot that had lodged itself in her throat and wouldn’t go away. “You’re a soldier, you’re doing your duty. You’re a good man, you care about what’s right.”

  He drew her close and they were silent. Nothing more needed to be said.

  …Just before six p.m., they prepared to leave. Journey and Reno checked and double checked what he was taking with him. His saddlebags, the pocket watch Journey gave him, and his rifle. The little current money he had left, he gave to Journey for safekeeping. “Okay. I’ve got this.” He patted the envelope beneath the shirt. “Aunt Myra did a good job. What else?”

  Me! Journey wanted to yell. “I can’t think of anything.”

  When the others gathered, they rode on horseback together to Enchanted Rock. Only Myra stayed behind. Their procession was a solemn one, all were focused on the magnitude of what was about to happen.

  “My watch is an atomic clock,” Lou assured them. “so, we’ll know the exact moment the portal should open.”

  “That’s good,” Journey murmured. She could barely speak. Journey imagined those walking to the gallows might feel the way she did.

  Reno rode as close to her as he could. Every few steps, his hand moved to caress her arm or her back. “It’s going to be okay. You know that, right?”

  She didn’t, but she’d never breathe those words to him now. “Of course. I’m fine.”

  Reno chuckled. “I haven’t been a modern man long, but even I know those words coming from a woman means something else entirely.

  She gave him a brave smile. “I have faith.”

  “Faith. Yes.” He nodded his head, knowing that was a common bond they all shared.

  When they neared the entrance to the box canyon, Kota held out his hand for them to bring their mounts to a standstill. “Tell me the time.”

  “Twenty minutes to go,” Lou announced.

  “Very well.” He dismounted and directed the women to do the same. “We’ll leave our horses tied to that bush,” he indicated a small ashe juniper. “Only Reno will need his mount.”

  Reno led the three horses to the place where they’d remain until this was over.

  “We shall go in together,” he directed. They moved just inside the entrance to the box canyon. “We will make our final preparations here. Reno, when I give you the signal, I want you to ride out of the canyon about fifty yards and return at a full gallop. The ladies and I will go no further.”

  “Yea.” Lou nodded as she rubbed the goosebumps on her arms. “We don’t want to get caught up in the maelstrom.”

  Journey forced down her doubts, she wouldn’t let Reno see her cry.

  Kota untied his drum from the saddle horn. They all watched as he went to one side, sat down, and began a soft, rhythmic beat. Throwing back his head, he began to chant. The words he sang weren’t English. As Reno came to her, Journey felt a chill travel down her spine. “This is the same noise we heard that night on the mountain.” At the time she’d imagined they were echoes from the distant past. Now, she wondered if they’d heard this drum, a foretelling of what was to come.

  As he sang, Journey rested her head against his chest. She could understand nothing Kota sang. “Are the words Apache?”

  “Yes,” Reno answered softly. “He’s calling upon the ancestors for help. Entreating them to protect me.”

  Journey shivered. “I hope Ela is watching over you.”

  “She is. I trust she’ll be with me through the storm.”

  As Kota chanted, Lou paced, glancing at her watch every few minutes. Since Reno would be returning, Lou had elected not to record this major event in any manner. She knew they wouldn’t want their lives to become a circus. Instead, she would painstakingly relate the conditions and the results without giving away who was involved. Journey was thankful for this. She knew it was a great sacrifice for Lou.

  As the seconds ticked by, Reno pulled Journey full into his arms, cradling her as close as he could. He kissed her over and over, whispering words of love. “I cherish you, my wife. I love you and our baby so much. I won’t rest until I see you again.”

  “No. Rest, please. I need you to stay strong and healthy.

  “Only if you’ll do the same.”

  Journey giggled through a haze of tears. “You tricked me there, didn’t you?”

  “Do you promise?”

  “I do.”

  He squeezed her even tighter. “I’m counting on it, sweetheart. I’ll lay in my bed every night and think of you. If you remember, look up at the moon at ten each evening and I’ll do the same. We’ll know what the other one is doing, and it’ll be like we’re together.”

  “All right. I love that idea. Ten, it is. Every night.”

  “Five minutes, guys,” Lou spoke up.

  Journey realized that she’d given them every second she could.

  “One more kiss,” Reno whispered as he claimed his lips. “I love you, Journey. God, I love you. Be waiting for me when I return.”

  “Always, my love. Always.”

  With one final goodbye, he mounted his horse and rode out of the canyon. Journey clasped her arms across her breast, trying desperately to keep her heart in place.

  Kota lay down his drum and came to stand at the mouth of the canyon. He held up his hand like a man about to start a race. “Tell me thirty seconds before the deadline, Lou.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The thirty seconds was the longest time Journey had ever experienced. Like someone about to die, images of her years loving Reno passed through her mind. How did it all come to this moment? She knotted her hands together, her whole body shaking with a grief so tremendous, she fought to stay on her feet.

  “Now, Kota,” Lou announced it was time.

  “Ride, Reno! Ride!” Kota brought his hand down as he gave the signal.

  Lou came to stand beside Journey as Reno rode by at a full gallop. As he passed, his gaze locked with Journey’s for one last, burning moment. She gasped with pain as she watched him go. They all turned to face the back of the canyon as he rode at it, full tilt. To their amazement the wind picked up, whistling through the cracks and crevices of the canyon like a banshee. A swirling fog rose deep in the canyon, whether it was made of water droplets or dust – they could not tell. All around them the walls of the canyon began to glow an unearthly greenish gold.

  Reno watched ahead of him as the solid wall seemed to dissolve in front of his eyes. Where one moment there was nothing but rock, now he could see the stars of the night sky on the other side. “Giddy-up, Traveler, let’s go on through.”

  From Journey’s perspective, she could see it all happening as if in slow motion. The swirling cloud, the ghostly glow, the sight of Reno moving toward what should’ve been a collision with the rock wall of the canyon. The closer he drew, the fainter he became in her sight. Finally, she stood it as long as humanly possible. “No! Reno!” Unable to contain her emotions, Journey tore away from Lou and dashed into the canyon. “Wait! Wait for me!”

  So near to the portal, all Reno could hear was a dull roar. Like before, his skin tingled with what he now knew to be electricity. Since he knew what was happening this time, Reno realized the air was not only vibrating, but it felt heavier. Denser. He held tight to the reins, if he didn’t, Reno feared he’d be pulled off and flung God knows where. As he neared the end of the canyon, Traveler jumped in the air as if clearing a hurdle – and he was through.

  Behind him, Journey managed to run about halfway down the canyon before Kota caught her, holding her still with surprising strength. “This is not your time, little one.”

  Journey screamed at the top of her lungs. “Reno! Come back!”

  But he could not. Reno was there one moment and gone the next. Vanished into thin air.

  Lo
u stood there with mouth agape. Even though she’d believed her theory, seeing it with her own eyes was incredible.

  Kota stood stock still also, his arms tight around a trembling, weeping Journey. “It’s okay. He made it. He’s through the portal.” As they looked to the end of the canyon, the opening was closed once more. As if it had never been.

  “Come, let’s go home.” Lou came to put a comforting arm around Journey.

  She shook her head. “No, I want to stay a little while.” This was as close to him as she could be.

  “Okay, honey.” Lou looked to Kota. “We’ll be okay. Why don’t you go tell Myra what’s happened?”

  “I shall.” The old man stood there a moment. “My heart goes out to you, Journey. I know you are grieving but take heart. Reno isn’t dead. He may have passed beyond our view, but he is out there somewhere. What we’ve seen today should strengthen our faith, not weaken it. I truly believe in my heart you’ll see him again.”

  “Thank you, Kota. For everything.” Journey blinked the tears from her eyes, then buried her face in her friend’s shoulder. “Hold me tight, Lou. I feel like I might shatter in a million pieces.”

  “Of course, I will.” Lou held her friend while she cried.

  * * *

  “Whoa, boy. Whoa.” Reno pulled Traveler to a stop. “Let’s catch our breath.” He pulled the reins slightly so the horse would move enough for him to see from whence they had come. As before, the opening they had sailed through was no more. Seemingly impenetrable sold rock lay before him. “Well, we did it. We’re here. I guess.” He looked up into the sky, trying to spot the lights of an airplane or a satellite. He saw nothing but a vast expanse of stars. For a moment, he remembered what Journey told him about those stars, how long it took their light to reach the earth. He wondered if she were looking up also. Reno didn’t know. He prayed she was okay. He hoped she was at home playing with the kittens, not crying over him.