Just the way he said those words sent a wrenching pain through Journey’s middle. Like someone had stepped on her grave. She gasped audibly.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Those spicy chips I consumed aren’t sitting too well.” She didn’t think that statement counted as a lie since she did feel a bit nauseated. “Aren’t you going to read anymore?”
“I am.” He rubbed his hand over the slick cover of the book sitting on his knee. “I just wonder at the accuracy of what I’m reading and what use I might have from the information I’m gleaning.”
Seeing his despondency, she reached over to rub his neck. “Look at it this way, the story these books tell matches up with what you know to be true. The information you’re gaining is your best chance at preventing a tragedy. If you’re wrong, nothing changes. If you’re right, you’ve rewritten history.”
“Do you know what I wish?”
“How many wishes do you have? If you have three, feel free to waste one.” She tickled him behind the ear. “If you only have one, you might save it. Just in case you come across a new position you’d like to try.”
Reno felt his spirits lift. “I have a whole lifetime of wishes left.”
Love for him rose in her breast like the coming tide. “I look forward to helping you fulfill each and every one of them.” She trembled when he brought her hand to his lips for a kiss. “Now, what were you saying before I let my dirty mind take over?”
“I like your dirty mind.” He continued to hold her hand. “I just wish I could know things were going to be all right. I know I said I didn’t care what far-reaching effects my actions would have on the future, but that’s not true. When I go back to the past and do what I must do, I just wish I could raise the curtain of time and take a peek, just to make sure everything turned out okay.”
“You don’t have to be a time-traveler to feel that way. Everybody wishes they could know the future, be able to look into a crystal ball and see what’s coming.” She paused speaking in order to change lanes, giving her full attention to the road. “But I think that would be a mistake. We’d be so focused on trying to avoid the inevitable, we’d miss a thousand other things along the way.”
“Ela told me her second sight could be a burden. Just imagine, she foresaw all this. Why didn’t she just spell it out plainly to me?”
“What would you have done with the information?”
Reno sighed, then tilted his head in thought. “I probably wouldn’t have ridden into the box canyon.”
Journey nodded. “I’m sure you’re right.” She squeezed his hand. “Although, I’m very, very glad you did.”
The closer they drew to Knoxville; the more restless Reno became. Unable to just sit and wait, he placed the kittens on the floorboard between his feet and delved back into the history books. It wasn’t long before he touched her knee. “Journey, you won’t believe this.” He held the book a little higher so he could make sure not to miss a word. “As Neigh was returning from escorting the tribes north, he and his party were accosted by a band of marauders in full Indian garb. There was an exchange of fire and one of the attackers was killed. When the dead man was examined, he was found to have red hair and white skin beneath his war paint.”
“Amazing.” Journey shivered. “One of the men who terrorized me had red hair.” She knew there was no connection, she just hadn’t gotten over the feeling of being hunted like an animal.
“I hope they put those two under the jail.”
“I should hear something soon about their trial.”
“They’ll notify you?”
“They said they would.”
“I want to know when they do,” Reno muttered as he went back to reading, “A few days later, Neigh resigned from his post. In his final report, he made mention of how he looked forward to spending more time with his family. After his final goodbye, he left the office, stepped out into the street and was shot in the back by an unknown assailant. He perished where he fell.”
“Reno! Taylor had Neigh assassinated?”
He slammed his hand on the open pages of the hardback book. “I’d bet my bottom dollar he did just that.”
“What else?” She urged him to continue digging. “There has to be more.”
“Very little. If Taylor was behind the crime, he was never charged. It just says that after the war, John Taylor moved to San Antonio.”
“San Antonio’s not that far. Do you think he reorganized Taylor’s Raiders?”
“If they ever disbanded.” He opened another book. “I saw a short biography of Taylor. I didn’t notice his date of death.” After a quick search, he tapped the page. “February 4, 1894. The old bastard’s still around.”
“And probably still causing trouble. I sincerely doubt he’s had a change of heart.”
“I think you’re probably right.” He moved the books to the back seat, then picked up the kittens who were ready to play. “At least I have some idea of what’s going on. As soon as I return, I’ll tell King everything. The Captain will know the best way to proceed.”
“Good idea.” She was relieved to see he felt more positive. “We’re getting closer. Do you want to have lunch before we start our search?”
“That’s probably wise. I don’t want you passing out from hunger.”
They kept their eyes open and soon they saw a sign for BBQ. “How about pulled pork?”
Reno cocked his head to read the billboard. “I could go for some ribs, for sure.”
Once they pulled into the parking lot, the smell of burning wood and smoking meat hit Journey like a ton of
