“Yea, I know.”
As they made love, they were unaware of the Elvis song drifting over the speakers…
Until It’s Time for You to Go.
* * *
“Do you think Chloe and Dudley will like Blackie and Spot?” Reno worried as he settled into the car seat with the small kittens in his lap.
“We’ll probably have to negotiate several peace treaties, but I’m sure they’ll be fine.”
“I guess they could be barn cats,” Reno suggested warily. “Although, I don’t want them to end up as a coyote snack.”
“Once Aunt Myra sees them, I can pretty much guarantee they’ll be housecats.” She smiled as he made faces at the kittens. “Unless you want to try and take them with us.”
Reno jerked his hand back quickly. “No. No, I don’t want that. It might not be safe for them.”
Journey didn’t push the idea any farther. “At least they’ve been rescued out of that damn plastic bag.”
“I wish I could have ten minutes alone with the son of a bitch who threw them away so cruelly.”
“I agree.” She fastened her seat belt, then put the car in gear to ease out of the hotel drive and onto the street. As they passed the ornate gates of Graceland, she raised one finger in a respectful salute. “I wish we had time to visit the mansion itself, I’m sure you’d love it.”
“It’s okay. I’m ready to go home.”
She could sense a change in him. He was preparing, steeling himself to deal with ghosts he hadn’t faced in years. “Just one stop to buy a proper litterbox and we’re on our way.”
Once that chore was completed, she activated the Subaru’s GPS. Now, give me some idea where we’re headed.”
“Okay. Our cabin set on a bluff overlooking the Tennessee River. We were south east of the city. The ground was rocky. The limestone hills were steep, and the forest was lush.” His voice slowed and lowered. “I don’t know what else to tell you.”
“Okay.” She tapped the navigation map to show the area and make it as big as possible. “Look at the curve of the river. Does anything look familiar?”
He reached out to touch the shiny, colorful screen. “Kingston’s family plantation was about three miles northeast across the river.”
“Do you think it’s still there?”
“Look for Ramsay Plantation.”
She tapped in the name. “Eureka! Okay, now taking that locale into consideration would put us near Mead’s Quarry and Ijam’s Nature Preserve. Nice. It looks like the area is undeveloped, which means you should be able to still find the place where your home once stood.”
“And my mother’s grave.” His face looked peaceful. “That’s a relief. Thank you.”
Glancing at the sacked-out kittens, she nodded over her shoulder. “If you want to put them in the back seat, be my guest.”
“That’s a good idea. Maybe I can get a little more reading done. What’s our route?”
“Through Nashville. Home of the Grand Ole Opry.”
“Do I want to know?” Nothing surprised Reno anymore.
“Nashville is music city, the proclaimed home of country music. Musicians come there to get their big break. Record labels turn some singers into superstars and others have to go home with their heart broken.”
“Sounds exhausting. Is there a way to skip it?”
“There’s probably a loop around the city, sure. We don’t have to stay on the main road, we can take the scenic route if you’d like.”
“Please. The closer I get, the more I want things to be…less modern.”
Journey thought she understood. “You got it. You made me happy last night – now, it’s your turn, big boy.”
He threw his head back to laugh out loud. “God, woman, you are good for my soul.” With that proclamation, he opened a book to continue his search as she pointed the nose of the Subaru toward the rising sun.
…As requested, Journey decided to take a southern approach to Knoxville, going through Chattanooga. She’d never been this way and looked forward to the beautiful scenery. The kittens were napping peacefully, and Reno was deep into his research. She could tell he’d found something when he leaned forward to stare a bit more intently. “Any luck?”
“Just substantiating what we already knew. This is concerning what I shared with you previously about the man called Neigh who moved the Indians from the reservation in Texas to one in Oklahoma. Okay, here it is: In total, over 1500 Indians were escorted north by Neigh and two companies of Cavalry soldiers in order to protect them from Taylor’s raiders.”
“Taylor’s raiders. That’s incredible. It just comes right out and says that?”
“It does.” He held the book over so she could glance to see.
“I wish we had a list of their names.”
“I may not find one here, but there may be someone familiar with the term Taylor’s Raiders back home. Kingston has political and social connections I don’t have. So do Gentry and Dom.”
“Good work, baby.”
He beamed at her praise. “I will look some more in a bit.”
“Don’t forget your coffee. That insulated mug keeps it warm for you.”
He picked up the tall, heavy bottle with an odd lid. “How does this work?”
She reached over to pull back the tiny lip. “You can open and close this to drink. Makes it easier to prevent spills and keeps the temperature of the coffee constant.”
He shook his head. “I am going to miss many of the amazing things you’ve introduced me to in this time.”
“We could stuff the saddlebags with a bunch of stuff, but then we’d have to explain them.”
“Yea, better not.” Still, he took a big sip, then groaned. “Strong, sweet, and hot. Perfect, just the way I like it.”
“Me too.” She winked at him. “Just like I like my men.”
“Men? Plural? Do you want another spanking?”
“If it’s
