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

by Sable Hunter

  “No, there’s this tiny little window and a plus sign will show up if there’s a baby and a minus sign if there’s not.” As the others continued to laugh, Reno sobered. “When Journey took the test, there was a plus sign.”

  The other two men stopped laughing also. “That was a good story, Reno. Good story. I think you won.” Cole didn’t want his brother to be sad.

  “Thanks.” Reno knew the only way he would truly win would be when he made it home to Journey. But even then, he’d be losing, because leaving his brother and good friends behind would be a mighty hard thing to do.

  …In the early afternoon, the trio rode up to the village. To Reno, the sight of the many teepees and wigwams was awe-inspiring. Clay and Reno held up their hands, hoping the Indians would recognize them. Many of them spoke English, so he tried that instead of the few Cherokee words he could remember. “Peace. We come in peace,” Reno spoke in an even tone. “I was Ela’s friend. Does anyone remember me?”

  One man came forward, watching the visitors closely.” What do you want Journeyman?”

  “What did he say?” Clay whispered.

  Reno was surprised at what they called him. “It’s a name the Indians gave me.” To the warrior, he bowed his head. “I request an audience with the Wise Woman’s son, Delshay.”

  The warrior frowned at them, turned, and walked away.

  “What does that mean?” Cole asked. “Is he coming back?”

  “I guess we’ll have to wait and see.” Reno was busy looking around, imagining how this village would look after the Cavalry and the vigilantes tore through it like a storm. As he surveyed the area, he noticed two women standing nearby, staring at them with curiosity. If he wasn’t mistaken, one of them looked like a young Ela. “Hello.”

  The woman smiled big and Reno noticed he wasn’t the recipient of her friendliness. “I believe she’s taken with you, Cole,” he whispered to his brother before he spoke to the women once more. “I’m Reno, Ela’s friend.”

  The one who resembled the wise woman stepped forward shyly. “Greetings, I am Cocheta. I would like to thank you for the kindnesses you showed my mother. She loved you.”

  Reno felt his heart lurch in his chest. “I loved your mother very much. I was devastated when I learned of her death.”

  “Reno.” Clay said his name to get his attention. “I think they’re ready for you.”

  He tipped his hat to Cocheta and climbed off Traveler. When the others started to follow, they were prevented from doing so by braves who blocked their way. “It’s okay. You wait here,” Reno told them. “I’ll be back.”

  Following along behind three young warriors, he was led into a large white teepee with ornate feathers and strips of leather interlaced with beads that hung from two medallions pinned on either side of the opening. If Reno wasn’t mistaken, these were the marks of a shaman. Hope sprang in his breast. Hopefully, this man would help him.

  Bending, he entered the sanctum of the medicine man. Once inside, he was met by two more men who directed him to kneel. Directly across from Reno sat a man about his age. Like Cocheta, his face bore a distinct resemblance to his mother. “Thank you for seeing me. My name is Reno.”

  “You knew my mother.”

  “Yes, she was very important to me.”

  “Where were you when she was murdered?”

  The question was harsh, but Reno could hear the pain behind his words. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t here. Ela sent me on a mission, and I didn’t return in time to save her.”

  Delshay waved his arm in a circular motion. “This land is like a powder keg about to blow. And the Apache will be the ones caught in the fire.”

  Reno prayed what he was about to say would turn out to be the truth. “I believe the threat is past. I have talked to the Governor and he is considering my claim. I told him your people were not responsible for the attacks on the whites. Their own kind has turned on them. They must look for the enemy within.”

  “The Governor lies.” Delshay barked the words, then spat his disdain on the ground.

  “He has lied, and he may lie this time. I can make no promises. It’s not within my power. All I can tell you is what a wise man of your blood told me, and that is to have faith.”

  “Faith in what? The white man’s God?”

  Reno knew only one answer to his question. “Have faith in what the future has in store.” Knowing how history turned out for the Native Americans as a whole, he felt like a traitor even voicing the notion. Still, in this particular case, he hoped he was right.

  “There is no word for faith in our language. Now, why have you come?”

  His hope was dying by the second. This man held too much anger in his heart to hear Reno’s request. Still, he had to try. “Ela helped me find my pathway through the stone so I could learn what it would take to save your people. I returned to this time with the help of your descendant. I have completed the task the Wise Woman gave to me. Now, I wish to return to the future. I have a wife there and a child on the way. The only person I know with the same power as Ela is you, Delshay. You are the son of Wise Woman. Will you give me your aid?”

  Delshay appeared to consider Reno’s plea for a moment or two, then he sliced his hand through the air. “The answer is no. I see no great salvation for my people. You are a liar like all the others. I do not believe you are the true journeyman, half-breed. We shall look for another.”

  Reno was stunned speechless. “Please, you’re my only hope,” he implored. “I need to go to my wife; she’s carrying my child.”

  Delshay motioned for the three braves to take him away. Reno knew there was no use to fight or argue. He would be getting no help from Ela’s son.

  When he returned to where Clay and Cole waited, he mounted Traveler, but said nothing.

  “What happened?” This question came from Clay.

  “He said no.” Reno nudged Traveler to a trot. “Let’s get out of here. I have to come up with another plan.”

  * * *

  “What do you do for a living, Cole?” Boone asked as they gathered round the breakfast table.

  “I’m a photographer by trade. I was just getting good at it when the war came along.”

  Reno passed his brother a platter of fried pork. “I didn’t know that, Cole.”

  Cole shrugged. “In our brief meetings, the subject never came up. Do you think there’s a market for my skills in the area?”

  From the head of the table, King sat his tin coffee cup down with a clatter. “I can guarantee there’s a place for you. We’ve been needing a good photographer. Fancy loves to have pictures made. Bringing one all the way from Austin or Waco costs way too much. I just detest having to pay traveling expenses.

  “See?” Reno elbowed his brother gently. “I told you things would work out.”

  Reno only wished he could say the same thing for himself. Two days had passed since he returned from the meeting with Ela’s son. Reno was at a loss to what his next step should be. How he longed for Kota or Lou to talk to. They would know what to do.

  “Hey, where’s Gentry?” Ace called from the door. “A rider just came with a special delivery addressed to His Royal Highness, the Duke of Montagu. Isn’t that a hoot?”

  “That’s for me.” Reno jumped up and hurried to the front. As he approached the rider, Gentry walked up from the other side. After he signed for the package and tipped the man, he handed Reno what he’d been waiting for – Saul’s journal.

  “Here you go, my man. Don’t say I never gave you anything.”

  “Never. That would be a tremendous lie.” Reno gave him a big smile, then he set off for the bunkhouse. For this task, he needed some privacy.

  * * *

  In the sunroom, Journey sat on the floor surrounded by the pups and kittens. She’d been trying to read Avery’s book. Since meeting the author at the book club luncheon, Journey felt compelled to give the novel another chance. This time, she felt like she was reading with new eyes. The love that Lily share
d with Blade reminded Journey of how she and Reno felt about one another. Learning how these two characters found one another in the midst of their darkest hour gave her hope that she and her husband could do the same.

  “Where’s Lou?” Myra asked from the doorway. Her car is here, but she’s nowhere to be found. Do you think she vanished?”

  Journey giggled at her aunt. “No, she didn’t vanish. Sam Blackhawk picked her up for lunch. She’ll be back soon.”

  “Oh, good.” Myra snapped her fingers for the animals to follow her. “I didn’t want to lose anyone else.”

  “Me either.” Journey put down her kindle and eyed Saul’s journal. She’d tried to do as Lou suggested and not look into it so often. That ‘watched pot never boils’ thing made her think. So, for the past two days, she’d let it be. “I think my resolve is waning.” Journey stared at the leather-bound book for a few more seconds before she snatched it up. “Enough.” Clasping it to her breast, she prayed. “Please. I need to hear from Reno so badly. Please.”

  Placing the journal in her lap, she lifted the front cover. Nothing. Since he’d mentioned putting it in the back, she always saved the inspection of that spot for last. With a trembling hand, she turned the pages one by one until she came to the final one before the cover. Holding her breath, she flipped the last page – and there it was. Framed by strips of leather held fast by some type of glue was a yellowed note with the words DO NOT REMOVE written on it in big letters. “Oh, God. Reno, I love you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

  Ever so carefully, she removed the frame to free the fragile piece of paper. “Don’t you dare crumble on me.” The glue had eaten into the paper in a few spots. There was a couple of holes and some dust fell from the note into her hand. With delicate movements, she unfolded the paper until it lay open in her lap. The writing was faded, but she could still make it out.

  My dearest Journey. I am so sorry it took me so long to write to you. I explained this to the moon, but I don’t know if he gave you the message or not. The journal has been to Boston and back. Gentry’s sister, Matilda, had packed it away with some clothes she’d purchased for the children. Since the plan was for them to move into her home, she sent the trunks on ahead. This journal was taken on that journey and has just returned to Texas today. The children are still with me, by the way. We have enjoyed this reprieve together.

  I do have good news. King and I were able to gain an audience with the governor. He is considering our request to call off the attack by the Cavalry. Even more promising is the fact that Gentry and I, along with a Texas ranger, put an end to Kinsella’s reign of terror. He and his cohorts tried to rob the stagecoach we were taking out of Waco. I’m proud to say we gave the raiders more resistance than they were expecting. Unfortunately, one of the rangers was killed, but the rest of us came through the ordeal okay. Kinsella intended to murder us all, for he never hid the fact of their identity. He recognized me, he even asked how I managed to escape through the rock. His fatal mistake was owning up to Ela’s death. When he did, I lost it. I pulled a knife and threw it right into his throat. Since the ranger was witness to all of this, he said he’d speak to the governor. So, I am very sure the massacre will not take place.

  If that isn’t enough good news, I am happy to say that Cole is free and here with me at King’s Ransom. It was a close call. The tribunal got wind of the work we were doing to free him and some of General Winthrop’s friends persuaded the tribunal to move up the date of Cole’s execution. We had to hurry, but Wallace was able to gain an audience with the members. By the time he presented all the evidence, it was clear that Jubal was guilty, and Cole was not. It’s been great having him with me. I will certainly miss him when I leave.

  If you didn’t notice what I said above, I’ll repeat myself. There is a hitch in our plans, a sad one. Upon my return, I was shocked to learn that Ela had been murdered just a few days after I left for the future. I went to see her son, but he is full of hatred over the talk of war. Don’t think for a moment that this setback will keep me from coming to you. When the moon is full, I’ll make my move. I know where to go and when to go, surely the path I have previously forged through that damn portal is still there.

  Let me use the rest of this paper to tell you how much I love you. I love you with every breath I take and with every beat of my heart. My arms ache with emptiness. My lips miss you. My body misses you even more. I am living for the moment when we are together once more. I pray that you and my babe are safe, and I don’t want you to worry about a thing. Just keep your eye on the calendar and know that when the sun sets on the night of the full moon, I’ll be on my way to your arms. Tell my baby that I love him too. And know this, my beautiful wife…I worship the ground whereon you stand.

  Forever my love

  Your faithful husband

  Reno

  By the time Journey finished reading the note she was shaking uncontrollably. Her mind and heart raced between conflicting emotions. Elation and terror. Elation and terror. She was so happy to hear from him, to learn the good news of his successes. She was also more terrified than she’d ever been in her life. Reno was planning on coming through the portal without Ela’s guidance. His proposal struck fear into her very soul. Folding the letter carefully, she found an envelope in her desk and placed the precious piece of paper inside. Next, she texted Lou, asking her to come home as soon as she was able. When her friend arrived, Journey planned on them talking to Kota. She knew both of her friends would make a fuss, but Journey intended on making them listen. What she needed was straight talk and solid advice. There would be no room for doubt and fear. Journey needed to know who had the best chance of success, Reno coming to the future – or her traveling to the past.

  * * *

  Sitting at the kitchen table with Kota and Lou, Journey waited until they’d both finished reading Reno’s letter. “Well, what do you think?”

  Lou laid the fragile paper down gently. “I think it’s beautiful. He did everything he set out to do and he loved you so much.”

  “Loves me, not loved me. Lou, Reno is not past tense.”

  “I know. I’m sorry.” She turned to Kota. “What do you think?”

  Kota pressed the flat of his hand on the letter, as if he could absorb its energy. “This is an impossible situation, you know that, don’t you?” His question was directed at Journey.

  With a sinking heart, she acknowledged what he was saying. “There is no good choice, is there?”

  “No, there’s not.” Kota began to explain what both women knew to be true. “Reno is at risk. I’m not sure what will happen if he tries to come through without the charms that we placed in the medicine bag.”

  “He still has me. Like before, I’m here. You said I was his lodestone.”

  Kota stared at the letter. “You are, but I don’t know if that will be enough. It may be. There’s just no way of being sure. I can’t give you an answer with any degree of certainty. He might come through just fine and he might go…” He chose not to finish his sentence.

  “All right.” Journey steeled her spine and took a deep breath. “What about me? I should have the same chance to go through safely as Reno did the first two times. After all, I have you to help me, Kota. You can make me a medicine bag. And I have a lodestone on the other side. Reno.”

  Lou made a moaning sound. “With you being pregnant, it’s just so dangerous.”

  Journey shut her eyes in pain. “Don’t you think I know that? But what are my choices? Protect my child and possibly lose my husband? Or try to protect my husband and possibly lose my child? Which scenario has the highest chance of coming true?”

  Kota lifted his head to meet Journey’s gaze. “I have come to love you like a granddaughter, Journey. The advice I am about to give you could end up hurting you. Do you know how much I hate that fact?”

  “I know.” Journey stood to put her arms around the old man. “And I love you for feeling that way. Please, just be honest with me. If something
goes wrong, just know that I forgave you long before it happened.”

  He reached up to pat her hand lying on his shoulder. “If a choice must be made, you would have a better chance of going through the stone safely than Reno would.”

  Journey kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you. That’s what I thought, but I needed your confirmation.”

  “Hold up, there’s a problem.”

  Both Kota and Journey turned their attention to Lou.

  “Don’t you see? There’s no way you can get word to Reno to tell him your plans. What’s to stop him from going through the stone? What will happen? You’d just pass one another like ships in the night. You could end up there and he could end up God knows where.”

  Journey sank to her chair, despair overtaking her. “She’s right.”

  Kota breathed heavily. “Reno will not give up. He’ll go through the stone regardless of what you’re planning, Journey.”

  For the space of about ninety seconds there was silence around the table. Finally, Journey faced her best friend. “Lou, you’re the smartest person I know. If anyone can come up with a solution to this problem, I know you can. Do this for me? Please?”

  Lou looked stricken. She turned to Kota. “Is there a solution?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  “I know you can do it, Lou. Please say you’ll try.”

  Journey’s plea seemed to galvanize her friend. Lou began to nod her head, light coming into her eyes. “We’ll do our best. Give us a little time to think. If there’s an answer to this riddle, Kota and I will find one.”

  “I know you will.” Journey gave her friends a tremulous smile. “I’m so lucky to have the two of you. You’ll never know what you mean to me.”

  Kota stood to his feet, his bones creaking. “Since she’s included me in this impossible quest, I’d advise you to save your gratitude until we figure out what this miracle might be.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO