According to the clock on the wall, the interview lasted about twelve minutes. When the door was pushed ajar, Reno’s eyes were trained on the opening and he missed the commotion at the end of the hall. As Journey emerged, she stepped into the path of two other officers who were escorting an inmate. The man was handcuffed, but that didn’t stop him from lunging at Journey.
“Bitch! This is all your fault! So, help me God – when I get out of this jail, I’m coming after you!”
Reno moved even before he saw Journey cringe and draw away. By the time his heart beat again, he was standing between her and the one who made the threat. He didn’t have to be told the name of the scum. “Kinsella,” was the one word breathed from his lips.
“You! Hey, cop! This is the dirty redskin who attacked me. Arrest him!”
The cops just pushed him on through, but Kinsella wasn’t finished.
“I’ll find you, bitch. Next time, your Injun friend won’t be there to protect you!”
Nothing on God’s green earth would have prevented Reno from doing what he did – not even the threat of arrest. He plowed between the cops, took Kinsella by the throat, and nailed him to the wall. “Listen to me, lowlife. You harm one hair on her head, and I will hunt you down like a dog. Time or distance will mean nothing to me, do you hear?”
As several policemen hurried to pull Reno off Kinsella, Journey ran to his side.
After a few moments of confusion, Kinsella was led off and Reno was left to explain himself. Fortunately, the officer who spoke to Journey was one of the ones who’d left with a restrained Kinsella. Another policeman heard the threats and was sympathetic to Reno’s reaction. However, he did have some stern words. “Another outburst like that and you’ll be paying a hefty fine or spending three days behind bars.”
Reno wasn’t contrite, but he was very polite. “I understand officer.” His gaze went to a few scuff marks on the wall. “I’ll pay for any damages.”
The officer waved them away. “Just…have a safe trip home.” He tipped his hat to Journey. “Thank you for your cooperation, ma’am. And sorry for the ruckus.”
Reno took her arm. “That was more than a ruckus.” His blood pressure was still high. Seeing that man come at Journey enraged him.
When they were out the door and to the car, Journey stopped him. “I told you to stay in the car, but I’m glad you didn’t. I love you so much, Reno Black.” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him right there on the street in front of God and everybody.
“I love you more,” he whispered with complete conviction.
“I don’t see how.” For a few moments she rested in his arms in complete contentment. “I’m glad they didn’t question you further. I’m not sure how that would’ve gone.”
“No telling. I wasn’t willing to risk it, though. Your safety is my main concern.”
As grateful as she was to him, there was something about that statement that bothered her. “I guess we need to go on to the doctor’s office. My appointment is in fifteen minutes.”
He helped her behind the wheel, then ran around to the passenger side. “Tell me about the interview.”
She started the car and backed out into the street. “I’d given them a statement previously. All I had to do was read it and sign that it was correct. Oh, they asked some questions about you, but I didn’t tell them anything they could use.”
This tickled Reno. “You make me sound like I have something to hide.”
“Well…you do. In a way.” She combed her fingers through his hair while they were stopped at a red light. “I like the idea of you being a desperado.”
He tilted his head to kiss the inside of her wrist. “I am desperate. For you.”
“Oh, you say the sweetest things!” she exclaimed as she continued the short distance to the doctor’s office.
Once inside, Journey registered, and they found a seat in the waiting room. Reno rummaged through the magazines as she filled out countless forms but didn’t find anything that interested him. “Those publications are almost as old as I am.”
“That’s old,” she giggled as she finished giving the last item of necessary information. After turning in the clipboard of forms, she sat down and hugged herself. “I’m nervous.”
“Why? I’m here with you.”
She grabbed onto his hand. “I know. I need you close.” Forever.
When her name was called, they went together. A nurse led them into a small examining room where she asked Journey to put on a backless gown. “Just stand behind that screen there to change. So, this is your husband?” she asked, eyeing Reno with a grin.
“Will be soon.” He answered succinctly.
The woman nodded, her smile genuine. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” Journey wondered at Reno’s answer, but was grateful he’d spoken up. She was sure the nurse had ministered to women in many different relationship situations and thought nothing of them not being married. “Okay,” she announced once she’d shed her clothes and donned the embarrassing garment.
“Okay, sit right here. I’m going to
