“Uh. Journey. About tonight.”
He really needed to say no more. She could tell from his voice that he was about to cancel their plans. “Did something come up?”
“Yea. I’ve got to go take care of some things.”
She asked before she could stop herself. “Like what?”
There was quite a long pause before Casey answered. “I need to go see about Ana. She’s upset. Her boyfriend dumped her.”
Journey stopped walking and just stood in place. In front of her was the entrance and she could see vehicles moving back and forth through the double wide glass doors as customers came and went without acknowledging one another. “Ana? Your ex?” she choked out the words in disbelief.
“Yea.” He coughed. “We’re still friends.”
Her eyes darted from side to side as she tried to think of something to say.
She was saved from trying when he abruptly signed off. “Sorry. Thanks for understanding. We’ll talk later. Bye.”
“Well, I’ll be damned,” she whispered. Feeling behind her head, she pulled up the hood of her jacket, and pushed through the doors to head to her car. As she neared the curb, a Lexus came barreling down the drive and splashed her from head to toe with cold, muddy water. For just a second her eyes met a man who grimaced a non-verbal apology – then just kept driving. “Hell. Great-aunt Myra was right – they don’t make men like Reno Black anymore.”
Wiping the dirty water from her face with the bottom inside of her jacket, Journey continued on to her car. She didn’t know why she was surprised. In her experience, men were mostly selfish jerks. Apparently, Casey Stark was no exception. “Well…good riddance. I’ll just go home and open a bottle of Moscato.”
Once she was settled at the wheel of her Subaru, Journey checked her reflection in the mirror. A giggle burst from her lips. Her face was covered in muddy freckles. After fastening the seat belt, she started the car and was about to back out when her phone buzzed again. Assuming it was Casey calling back, she just pressed the button on the steering wheel and let him have it. “I don’t care what your excuses are. I wouldn’t go out with you if you were the last man on earth.”
“Journey.”
“Aunt Myra.” She felt a blush bloom on her cheeks. “How are you?”
“Fine. Do you need to talk?”
“No.” Journey eased her vehicle through the parking lot and out onto Jollyville Road. “Sorry about that. I thought you were someone else.”
“Obviously.” Her dry response immediately changed to concern. “Hey, I’ve got a proposition for you.”
“What’s that?” With her eyes on the road, she drove under the speed limit. Her mood coupled with the slick streets made caution a priority. Seeing a sign for the Sonic Drive-in ahead, Journey put on the blinker. Since her date had been canceled, she’d just take a burger and fries home for supper.
“I need to go stay with my brother for a few days. He isn’t well. They’ve called in hospice and it’s only a matter of time.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Journey knew how much her aunt loved her brother. “He’s such a sweet guy.”
“True. Anyway…I was hoping I could talk you into coming and staying at the ranch while I’m gone.”
Journey didn’t hesitate. “Sure. I’d love to. I’m portable – you know that.” Besides, she needed to get out of town for a few days. “Hold on a sec, Auntie.” Placing the phone on the seat, she checked the menu and placed the order over the intercom just outside the driver’s side window. “Okay. I’m back.”
“I hear you’re having a nutritional supper. Better take some antacid, those jalapenos on that burger will give you a fit later.”
“If I have any trouble, I’ll just put a few drops of ginger under my tongue.”
“Okay.” Myra let out a long breath. “You’ve taken a load off my mind. I didn’t want to leave the animals and plants unattended.”
“I understand.” She knew the woman worried about her African violets and orchids – not to mention her horses and dogs. “When do you need me to be there?”
“Sunday morning. Early. How does that sound?”
“Good. And how long do you anticipate being gone?”
“A week. I guess it just depends on…”
She could hear the sadness in her aunt’s voice. “I’m sorry.” For a moment, she’d forgotten the reason for her aunt’s visit. “Are you sure you’re up for this? Do you want me to go with you?”
“No. I’d rather you were at the ranch. I’ll be fine. He’s still in his right mind, as of last night. We’ll have some time to reminisce. Say things we need to say.” She laughed sadly. “I know he’ll want to load me down with family memorabilia. You know he has boxes and boxes of old papers and photos from days gone by.”
Journey’s ears perked up. “Oh, I’d like to look at those someday.”
“Yea, I bet you would. You love that kind of stuff, don’t you? Always have. Do you still sleep with Reno’s picture under your pillow?”
Yes. “No.” After a moment of hearing her aunt hum a little tune of disbelief, she added another answer. “Maybe.”
“At least he’ll never let you down.”
Seeing her order arrive in the arms of a teenager with a mouth full of braces, she mumbled to her aunt. “Hold on again. My burger is here.”
After a few moments of silence, Myra spoke up. “I’m still here.”
“I know. I was just putting my straw in my drink.” She started the motor. “Look,
