“How is that possible?”
Boone took the time to point a few things out. “Well, this vane, or tail as its sometimes called, will direct the wheel into the wind. And if we set these slats at the correct angle centrifugal force will slow it down if the winds get too high.”
“And what’s this?” Reno pointed to a shaft and a small fly wheel.
“That’s called a direct-stroke energy converter. You put the sucker rod right here – and you’re in business.”
“How do you know all of this stuff?”
To Reno’s surprise, Boone looked embarrassed.
“What’s wrong?” He’d expected him to say he’d learned the skills from someone on the riverboat or some similar story.
As he worked, hammering the sucker rod into place, Boone began to speak softly. “It was Prosper, the madame’s husband at the brothel. Anything with moving parts fascinated him. Prosper spent his time working in the shed, building things no one else could identify, much less use. Looking back, I think he managed to come up with some incredible inventions, but to my knowledge he never did anything with them. Working on those projects was his way of escaping his reality. I don’t think Prosper was happy with his situation, he just didn’t have the wherewithal to escape it.”
“Like you did,” Reno reminded him.
“Yea, like I did.” He finished up the job, stopping to see if what he’d done would work. “Prosper was good to me. He taught me a lot. I always hoped he might be my daddy.”
“Do you think he was?”
“My mother said something one time that made me think he might be. Water under the bridge. I left New Orleans and he’s dead now anyway. It don’t make no difference.” Boone motioned for Reno to help him. “Let’s stand this thing up. You ready?”
Working together, they managed to bring the tower to a standing position. “Good work, Mr. Roberts.”
“Yea, good work.” He began to pick up the tools. “In the future, are there still places like where I grew up?”
Reno gave his question some consideration. “I’m not sure. I guess there are. As long as people are buying, I guess sex will be for sale.”
“I hate that, seems like things should get better over time, doesn’t it?”
Reno agreed. “Anyway, I wanted to tell you what you’ve meant to my life, Boone Roberts. I appreciate your friendship more than words can tell.”
“Ah, shoot.” Boone grasped Reno’s shoulder and tugged him close. “I’ll always be in your debt. You made me feel worthy when no one else did.”
“Hell, we were two of a kind, you and I.”
“Yea.” Boone laughed at the thought. “We have to stick together, don’t we?” The moment he said it, a look of sadness masked his face. “Only you won’t be around.”
“No, I won’t – but the others will. Cole will. They all value you as highly as I do. They’re your family, just like I’m your family. I may not be here with you, but I’ve learned something mighty important about this time stuff.”
“What’s that?” Boone asked as he hungrily clung to his friend’s every word.
“I really won’t be that far away. The past and the future walk hand in hand with the present. Somewhere, this very minute, my Journey is thinking about me. There’s not a doubt in my mind about that fact. So, when you’re feeling lonely, Boone – don’t. You can be assured I haven’t forgotten you, not for one single, solitary moment.”
* * *
Journey couldn’t stop thinking about Reno. She couldn’t wait to see him. Every moment that passed only accelerated her excitement. To pass the time and to prepare herself for what lay ahead, Journey was deep in research. She spent hours and hours on the internet, making notes and looking things up.
“What are you doing now?” Aunt Myra asked.
Journey pulled her aunt down to sit next to her. She’d finally broken the news to her a couple of days ago. Like before, the sweet lady cried, but she hadn’t been too surprised.
“Just don’t forget those baby pictures,” she reminded Journey.
“I’ll do my best,” Journey promised. “Just have Lou check the journal every month or so. I’ll have it so stuffed on our end that Saul won’t be able to write in it anymore.”
“What am I doing?” Journey pointed to her notes. “I’m making a study of herbs and plants that grow naturally in the area. I won’t be able to buy essential oils. I’ll have to make my own.”
“You’re going to help so many people.”
“I hope so.” She flipped to another page. “I’m also taking note of things that are supposed to happen in the area. You know, trying to get ahead of any disaster we might be able to avoid. Like that horrible flood that’s supposed to happen soon. George Vernon told me all about it.”
“You mean Myles’ cousin? That George?”
“Yea, we talked at the wake. He was telling me about all these big Texas storms in history. He clued me on the flood of 1869. I looked it up and he was right, its going to be devastating. The date is July 9th, so I won’t have too many weeks to convince Reno’s friends of the danger. They’ll need to take some precautions to save the ranch and the livestock.”
Myra covered Journey’s hand. “I wish I could just wrap you in cotton wool to keep you safe.”
“I know, but I have a protector. Reno won’t let anything bad happen to me or the baby. I’m as positive of that as I am my own name – Sojourner Stanton Black.”
* * *
