by Sable Hunter
“Small, but very nice. We married in the rose garden just outside of her aunt’s home. Kota, an Apache friend of mine, married us in a beautiful ceremony.”
Fancy sighed as she dried the coffee mugs. “I just wish I could meet Journey. I’m sure we’d get along famously.”
“I wish you could meet her too.”
For a few moments all grew quiet, until three of the Stanton kids came rushing in breathlessly from outside. “Reno! Reno! Come quick!”
It took Reno a second, but he realized Emory was the one who was missing. “What’s wrong?” He rushed behind them out the door, followed by everyone else.
“Emory fell down the well!”
“What?” Fancy exclaimed as they ran toward the well. “How did that happen?”
Reno raced to the barn to get some rope. He didn’t know how much water was at the bottom, but it wouldn’t have to be much for the little boy to drown.
“He was playing with his turtle on the curb of the well and the turtle fell in. Emory went in after it.”
“Oh, my Lord.” Amelia started crying.
“He’ll be okay. Reno will save him,” Gentry assured her. When she moved a little closer to him, Gentry drew her into his arms. “It’s okay. Everything will be okay.”
Praying harder than he ever had before, Reno raced back with the rope and a harness. King was waiting to help him. “Here, fasten this around me, I’m going in.” No one challenged him, Reno wasn’t to be argued with. “Do you hear anything? Is he crying out for help?”
“Emory! Emory! Can you hear me?” Saul cried into the well.
“He’s drowned. He’s drowned.” Tess fell on her knees to cry.
“No, Reno will save him,” Ace promised as he picked up the small child.
“Back up,” King directed as Reno got ready to go over the side.
“Just hold on. Don’t let go.” He looked up into the eyes of his Captain, knowing his words of caution were unnecessary.
As he went over the side, Reno looked down into the water. Unfortunately, the way the sun was in the sky and the people standing around the rim, he could see very little. “Emory! Em! Can you hear me?”
At first, he heard nothing – and then his ears detected a faint moan. “Emory! I’m coming, son. I’m coming.” Holding up his head, he yelled at King. “Faster! I hear him. Faster, King!”
Gentry was helping King hold the rope and together they lowered Reno at a faster rate. When his feet broke the surface of the water, he felt something with his boot. “Oh, Emory. Are you all right, boy?”
“I don’t know.”
Reno breathed a blessed sigh of relief. “You don’t know?”
“I think I’m okay. I’m a paddlin’ with one hand and kicking with two feet.”
Reno thanked God for the day he’d taught the boy how to dog paddle. “Good, I’m almost there.”
“I got her, Reno. I don’t think she’s dead.”
A few feet more and Reno had Emory in his arms. “Gotcha.” He kissed him on the head. “I got my boy.” He held him close all the way to the top.
Once they were standing on God’s good earth again, Reno kissed Emory once more, then sat him down to be smothered by more kisses from everyone else. Through the crowd, his little arm snuck out with his turtle held in his head. “Reno, is she dead?”
Reno took Doe and tapped on her shell. When she wiggled a foot, he laughed. “No, Doe is good.” He, on the other hand, was weak in the knees. How in the hell was he ever going to be at peace leaving these children behind?
…Later, he’d calmed down enough to talk to them. At some point during the last week, he’d spoken with everyone about his coming departure. The children, he’d saved until last.
Now, they were gathered around the fire and he was a loss for words.
“What is it, Reno?” This question came from Saul.
“When I was gone before, some wonderful things happened to me.”
“Really?” Huck asked, his eyes big. “Like what?”
“I traveled far, far away to the future.” Everyone looked entranced, but Saul – and he looked entirely confused.
“On a magic carpet like in the Thousand and One Nights?” Tess asked, her eyes round and shining like bright buttons.
Reno mentally thanked Fancy for her nightly reading sessions. “Almost. I rode Traveler, but it was magical. While I was there, I found out some amazing things about you. All of you.”
“Like what?” Saul asked, his mouth a tight line. Reno could tell he wasn’t buying this for a minute.
“You become a lawyer, Saul.” He pulled out the notes he’d taken to Wallace. “This information came from a case you worked on. When you thought I was gone, you decided to save my brother Cole. You researched and found out all the evidence needed to clear his name. I used that information from your future to save my brother’s life.”
“I did?”
“You did.” Next, he pulled out the pocket watch. “See this. Tess gave it you.”
They all crowded around to see the engraving where Tess said that Reno would be proud of Saul. “And I am, Saul. I am so proud of you. I’m proud of all of you.”
“What about me?” Huck asked, obviously enthralled with the idea.
“You become a fine dentist.”
“Ha! I’m gonna pull the rest of your teeth!” he threated Tess good-naturedly.
“And me?” Emory asked, still clutching the turtle to his chest. “What about me?”
“You become a writer, just like I teased you once. A fine one, I bet.”
“How ‘bout me, Reno?”
“Ah, little Tess. You become a schoolteacher and you live with your handsome prince on the banks of the Tennessee River where I grew up.”
Tess threw her palms over her cheeks and squealed. “I marry a pwince?”
“Yes, you’re all going to be amazing people. And you’ll have a fine family who will remember all of you for ages to come.”
“But…” Saul knew there was more to come.
“Yea.” Reno gathered them close. “I have to return to this magical place. You see, I left a princess there who loves me very much. And that princess is going to have a baby. So, I can’t leave her by herself.”
Suddenly, the truth of the situation began to dawn on the children. They might be young, but they were sharp as tacks.
“Will we ever see you again?” Huck asked with what sounded like a frog in his throat.
At this juncture, the truth just wouldn’t come to Reno’s lips. “I’m not sure. Who knows? Maybe, someday, I’ll bring that princess here to meet you.”
“What’s her name?” Tess asked, her sweet face tear streaked.
“Journey. Her name is Journey.”
“If she comes, I would love her a lot,” Tess promised.
“I know you would. But – until then, Gentry’s sister has a wonderful place for you to live.”
“No! No!” Emory let out a howl and climbed up in his lap. “I don’t want you to go, Reno. Not again. I don’t want you to go!”
Except for Saul, the others followed suit. Not knowing what else to do, Reno gathered all four of them close – and they stayed that way until they were asleep, exhausted from crying.
* * *
The day Journey had waited for finally came. The day of the Leaf Moon, also known as the Strawberry Moon. She’d seen the term in the newspaper and looked it up online. To her surprise, this was the summer solstice as well as the full moon. Seldom did the two events occur at the same time. According to many believers, this combination gave the day great power. “That’s good, I’ll take all the help I can get.” This was also the day of the massacre; Journey prayed Reno had been successful. “Oh, well. I guess I’ll know when I get there.”
From the moment she arose, Journey began to prepare. What she would wear. What she could take with her. Knowing Reno came through with a saddlebag and things in his pockets, she intended to cram just as much stuff into hers as she could
. Poor Cinnamon had no idea what was in store for this afternoon.
Aunt Myra and Lou were like her shadows, staying close. Journey didn’t complain, she wanted them near.
“Just tell us what to do and we’ll do it,” Lou told her, following her every step.
“Uh…look through my oils and find all the frankincense, myrrh and Palo Santo that you can and put it in the saddlebag Brandon brought from the barn. I know I won’t be able to get those oils easily. Also, Lou, pack all my notes I made. They’re on top of my laptop.” She rubbed her hair out of her eyes. “What else? Oh, my prenatal vitamins. I might as well take those.”
“Do you want to take some pain relievers and Midol with you?”
This question came from Myra and Journey giggled. “No, I don’t think 1869 is ready for Midol. Or Tampax. Gee, I’ll have a lot to get used to.”
“And so much to enjoy,” Lou gushed, grabbing her close for a hug. “I’m so excited for you.”
“Me too.” Journey made another round through her room. “I’ve packed my underwear, a couple of pairs of shoes, some pants, and shirts. I’ll need those until I can buy some other clothes. Plus, I couldn’t leave my wedding dress. Oh, I need water for the ride to King’s Ransom!”
“I’ll get the water,” Myra volunteered. “Do you want me to put some lemon in it?”
Journey grabbed her aunt’s hand. “I don’t need any lemon, but I do need for you to hold me a moment.” She took the time to hug the older woman tightly. “Do you know how much you’ve meant to me? You’ve been my mother, my aunt, my everything for so long, I barely remember anything else. Know that no matter where I am, you’ll always be loved to the extreme.”
“Oh, my Journey. You’re my little girl. I treasure you.” Myra clutched her tightly, then pulled away. “I’ll get the water before I collapse into a puddle.”
“You’ll take care of her, won’t you, Lou?” she asked her friend who was waiting patiently nearby.
“You can count on it.” She glanced at her phone. “It’s one o’clock. Kota will be here soon. We’ll want to start over to the canyon; just in case we have trouble on the way.”
“Yes, I’m almost ready.” Journey felt like she was missing something. “Just give me a second.” And then it hit her. “Reno’s picture!” She dashed to take it from beneath her pillow.
“Journey, what do you need with that picture. You’re gonna have the real thing. Remember?”
“I remember.” She cradled the tintype to her chest. “This picture is special. I can’t leave it behind.”
Lou picked up the packed saddlebag. “I remember the day I returned your luggage, the day you were coming out to housesit. I gave you a hard time about that photo.”
“Oh, I remember. You told me I was living in the past.”
Lou laughed. “Am I a prophet or what?”
“Or what. Definitely.” She let her gaze memorize every feature of her friend’s dear face. “I hope you have a wonderful life, Louisiana. I want you to get married, settle down, and have a baby of your own.”
“Oh, I will. Someday.” She picked up a small video camera. “Right after we make history.”
“Great. Let’s go. I’m ready.” Journey made her way through the house, giving each dog and cat a special goodbye. When it came time to say a final farewell to her aunt, Journey almost lost it. “Are you sure you don’t want to ride out to the canyon with us?”
“No. I don’t think so. I’ll do better here.” She wiped the tears from her eyes. “Oh, I forgot to tell you, the sheriff’s office called. Those men who attacked you have been sentenced to prison for five years each.”
This pleased Journey. “I think they got off easy.” She hesitated, wishing she could take everyone with her – but she couldn’t. “Well, I guess this is goodbye.”
“Goodbye, dear heart.” Myra gave her one final kiss. “I’ll be looking for that baby picture. Don’t forget.”
Before she lost it, Journey left the house. Outside, Kota waited with the other horses. “Well, here we go again, Kota. Are you ready?”
“I’m purified, prayed up, and prepared.” He gave her a confident smile. “Your bag is ready, and my chanting voice is in fine form.”
“I guess I can’t ask for more than that.” She mounted Cinnamon and they were off for Enchanted Rock. “Get ready, Reno. Here I come.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
“Today is the day.” Reno felt a thrill run through him. “Today, I’ll see Journey again.” When a tiny doubt tried to worm its way into his mind, Reno pushed it away. “Nothing will go wrong. Nothing.”
After making his bed, he began to pack his saddlebags. Money. Mementos from the children. A photograph of his brother. All these things would be important to him. “Ready to go?” Cole asked from the bunkhouse door. “We’ve got a long ride to get you where you’re going.”
“Yea, I’ve said my goodbyes. I just want to slip away before the children wake up. They cried a river last night and I want them to have a good day today.”
“I think that’s asking a bit much, don’t you?” Cole waited for Reno to join him. “I’ve saddled your horse.”
“Thanks. Poor Traveler, he’s really living up to his name, isn’t he?”
Cole thought this was funny. “Yea, he is. Oh, Clay and Gentry are coming with us.”
“Good. I’m glad.” Reno thought he could use the support. When he joined his friends in front of the barn, Gentry handed him a small leather bag. “I don’t know if we got everything just right, but Clay and I did our best.”
“Gentry, Clay…I don’t know what to say.” He weighed the bag in his hands. “Shall I look at it?”
“No, you’ll release the power before it’s time.” Gentry spoke in his best mystical English voice. “There’s an amethyst, a lodestone, a small piece of amber, and sprig of sage, and a prayer that Clay wrote for you.”
Reno was so touched. “Thank you. This means the world.” That they would care so much meant the world to him.
“We want you to get where you’re going in one piece,” Clay told him.
“I wouldn’t mind that myself,” Reno agreed as he climbed up on Traveler. “All right.” He gave King’s Ransom one last fond look. “I guess this is it.”
“Yep, let’s ride.” Clay flicked his reins and led the way west.
…The farther Reno rode, the more his mind raced. He kept finding things to say to his friends, things he didn’t want to forget, or he didn’t want them to forget. “Today’s the full moon.”
“Yea, that’s why we’re on the way to the canyon.” Cole stated the obvious.
“No, today is the day the massacre will take place,” Reno explained. “I wonder if we stopped it?”
“We’ll know before the day’s over, I guess,” Clay murmured. “I guess you can check the history books.”
“I will do that, for sure.” He checked the time on his pocket watch. “We’ll get there before dark.”
“If we don’t stop, we’ll get there by late afternoon,” Gentry clarified the point.
“What time of night did you go through before?” Cole asked, his focus on his brother.
Reno looked to Clay. “Heck, it was late, wasn’t it?”
“Very. Sometime after midnight, I’m sure.”
Gentry edged his mount nearer so he could hear better. “Does the time matter?”
“It can’t,” Reno stated, thinking about his experience. “I went late the first time and just after dark the second time.”
“Let’s just try to get there in one piece.” Clay pointed toward a nearest high hill where a line of Indian warriors watched their progress.
“They’re just keeping an eye out. All the talk of war has made them nervous.” Reno hoped he was right, all he needed was to miss his window of opportunity to go through the portal because he was involved in a skirmish with a few antsy Indians.
“Just keep going. And don’t look at them.”
Cole’s advice made R
eno chuckle. “That reminds me when we were little. I got on your nerves so bad.”
“Ha!” Gentry barked a laugh. “I bet you were a pest, Reno. Was he a pest, Cole?”
“In many ways he was a toot.”
Reno laughed. “That’s what Journey called me once.”
“Ha! A woman of intelligence, I wish I could meet her.”
“I wish you could too.” Reno nodded toward his brother. “Anyway, he’d run to Mother and say, ‘Reno’s looking at me. Make Reno stop looking at me’.”
“I remember that. You were so annoying.” Cole laughed so hard. “Good memories. Good memories.”
All of a sudden, Reno had an idea. “Cole, you’re a photographer. You can make all the memories you want. Take loads of pictures of everything. Just make sure they’re passed down through the family. We’ll be able share in everything you do.”
“Good idea,” Gentry agreed. “People don’t think about things like that enough, connecting with the next generation. The Royals are good at it, every move in their life is recorded for posterity. That’s one of the reasons I made my great escape.”
Reno continued to persuade Cole. “I’m serious, brother. You can make a damn fine career out of this. People in the future are crazy for photos. They carry around these things called cell phones everywhere they go, and they take pictures of everything – including themselves. They call those self-portraits selfies.”
“All right. You’ve convinced me. I’ll do more than just take portraits. Heck, I may become a nature photographer. That’s the up and coming thing from what I hear. I just need to buy the right equipment.”
Reno reached in his pocket and pulled a bag of gold. He tossed it to his brother. “I intended to give you that before I left. Use that money to make yourself a good start.”
Cole sobered. “Reno, I can’t take this money.”
“Yes, you can. Hell, you’ve been a POW for years, you’re due a fresh start.”
They all grew quiet as they continued their trek west, the magnitude of the moment affecting them each in a different way.
