“Good luck.” While he spoke, he kept polishing what he held in his hand.
“What is that?”
Kota held out a spiral shaped stone. “An Ammonite. Ever see one before?”
Reno took it, holding it to the light so he could see the delicate spirals. “No. It almost looks alive.”
“It used to be alive. It’s a fossil. A sea-creature from ages past. The spirals speak of passing time. The vortex of eternity.”
“Is this for…me?”
Kota nodded. “Yes. This will be one of the items in the medicine bag.”
Reno let out a heavy breath. “I respect the old beliefs. My mother trusted them implicitly. Still, it’s hard for me to comprehend how an Ammonite fossil will help me travel back in time.”
“It won’t. Not really. The portal is there. The moon will open it – most likely. These trinkets, if you will, absorb my focus and my intentions to protect and guide you.”
“I see.” He really didn’t, but he trusted Kota. “Let me ask you something.”
“Sure, that’s what I’m here for.”
His off-hand comment bothered Reno, but he refrained from saying so. “Years ago, my mother saw a vision of the woman I would one day love. She told me I’d find her at the end of the rainbow.”
Kota chuckled. “Like a pot of gold.”
Reno joined in his laughter. “My friend, Domino O’Neil is an Irishman. He’s always talking about the little people and their treasure.”
“We have the little people here too. They live among the stones.”
While he was mildly curious about the legend, he needed an answer about Journey more. “When I first arrived, Journey took me to see an amazing sight. Silver ships with wings that could sail through the air.”
“Huh, I bet that was a shocking sight.”
“Yes, but what was more awe-inspiring was a vision I had of her.” He corrected himself. “No, not a vision. I had been looking up at this miracle in the sky and when I turned to her – I saw it. A beautiful rainbow right over her shoulder.”
Kota shrugged. “It happens. Water refracting and reflecting. A beautiful act of nature.”
Reno persisted in his explanation. “At my mother’s grave, it happened again. The rainbow over her shoulder. I swear, it was like a sign.” He leaned closer to the old man. “Could this mean everything is going to be okay? That she’ll be able to go through the portal with me safely?”
Kota held out his hand for the Ammonite. When Reno surrendered the item, he began to polish it again. “I don’t know. I wish I could tell you, but I cannot. You are about to walk through the garden of forking paths. So, many unexpected things could happen.”
“But Ela saw the future. I’m meant to do this.”
Kota didn’t dispute Reno, instead he tried to explain, “You speak of saving Ela and our people. You hope to save your brother. You will step into a vortex and expose your vulnerable flesh and blood body to a force we cannot begin to understand. On top of that, you intend to take the woman you love with you.” He shook his head. “I know my role in this drama. I don’t discount the prophecy. Yet, I would be remiss if I did not voice my concerns. So far, your path has been straight. Your actions blessed. You have been lucky. Please don’t expect fate to tie everything up for you in a pretty little package. Generally speaking, life doesn’t work that way. It revels in throwing curve balls and laughing behind our backs.”
“Why are you saying those things? You know I must do this. I have no choice. I come to you for strength and guidance, not for doubt.”
“Sorry. I don’t always follow the playbook. If you don’t like it, find another shaman to stand between you and the whirlwind of time.”
“No. I’m sorry.” Reno stood and leaned on the loft door, deep in thought.
“Don’t be. Your need for encouragement is fair. I will do my best and you will do yours. That’s all that can be expected of either of us.” He put the polished Ammonite in his pocket. “I’ll be gone for a few days. I’m traveling to Sedona to spend some time in a sweat lodge purifying myself and asking the ancestors to grant you safe passage.”
“Godspeed.” Reno backed away from the old man, more confused than he’d been in a many a day – and that was saying something.
…In the house, Journey printed mailing labels for three boxes of oils. When she was finished, she carried them into the kitchen. The pork roast she’d put into the crock pot was beginning to smell fragrant. She walked to the counter, lifted the lid to get a good whiff and doubled over with nausea. Running to her room, she barely made it to the toilet.
“Crap.” When she was through, Journey washed her face, then sat on the side of the tub. “All right. All right. I know what I have to do.” She stood and knelt at the sink, pulling out the second pregnancy test.
Going through the necessary motions, she took the test. After waiting for the requisite time, she reached up to grab the stick to take a look. A big fat plus sign was there to welcome her. “Holy Mother…” Either the previous test was wrong or one of the Trojan Mega-whatever’s had failed miserably.
Her first thought was to run out and find Reno. But what would he say? An uneasy feeling that had nothing to do with morning sickness rose in her gut. What would Reno say? Would he be happy or not?
Forcing herself to be calm, she found the mailing tape to finish prepping the boxes for mailing. As long as she didn’t open the
