“I remember that. You were so annoying.” Cole laughed so hard. “Good memories. Good memories.”
All of a sudden, Reno had an idea. “Cole, you’re a photographer. You can make all the memories you want. Take loads of pictures of everything. Just make sure they’re passed down through the family. We’ll be able share in everything you do.”
“Good idea,” Gentry agreed. “People don’t think about things like that enough, connecting with the next generation. The Royals are good at it, every move in their life is recorded for posterity. That’s one of the reasons I made my great escape.”
Reno continued to persuade Cole. “I’m serious, brother. You can make a damn fine career out of this. People in the future are crazy for photos. They carry around these things called cell phones everywhere they go, and they take pictures of everything – including themselves. They call those self-portraits selfies.”
“All right. You’ve convinced me. I’ll do more than just take portraits. Heck, I may become a nature photographer. That’s the up and coming thing from what I hear. I just need to buy the right equipment.”
Reno reached in his pocket and pulled a bag of gold. He tossed it to his brother. “I intended to give you that before I left. Use that money to make yourself a good start.”
Cole sobered. “Reno, I can’t take this money.”
“Yes, you can. Hell, you’ve been a POW for years, you’re due a fresh start.”
They all grew quiet as they continued their trek west, the magnitude of the moment affecting them each in a different way.
* * *
“Well, here we are,” Kota announced as the approached the box canyon at the base of Enchanted Rock. “What time is it?”
Lou, their official timekeeper, checked her watch. “It’s two o’clock. Twelve minutes to go.”
Journey hung onto Cinnamon’s mane, her fingers clutching the coarse fringe. “I wonder what he’s doing?”
Kota looked up into the still blue sky. “He’s on the trail between King’s Ransom and Enchanted Rock. Knowing Reno, he left before dawn, he should be arriving in a couple of hours.”
“Here, drink some water. You look pale.” Lou handed Journey her canteen. “Remember, you’ll most likely arrive before he does, Jo. So, don’t panic if you find yourself alone.”
“What if he doesn’t come?” Journey began to imagine a thousand things going wrong.
“He will,” Lou assured her. “There’s nothing in the world that would keep him away. He vowed to come to you, and he’d moved heaven and earth to fulfill that promise.”
“Oh, Lou. I feel like I’m going to be sick.”
“Is it the baby?”
“No, it’s just my nerves. Will you do something for me?”
“Of course. Anything?”
“Tell Apple and Skye we had to leave and send an apology note to Tennessee for Reno. I’ll trust you to know what to say. Harley knows the truth; she might help you pen the letters.”
“You’ve got it. Now, relax. Everything is going to be fine. Be positive. You don’t want to mess up the magnetic vibes.”
“Is that a thing?” Journey asked, ready to worry anew.
“No, it’s not.” Kota announced with a hint of impatience in his voice. “But she’s right, you need to settle down. This is what you want and we’re almost ready to make it happen.”
“You’re right.” She urged Cinnamon to move closer to the canyon entrance. “I’m ready.”
“Good. You remember our routine?” Kota reached into his pocket. “Here’s your medicine bag. It’s a duplicate of Reno’s. This should be your ticket to ride.”
“Thank you, Kota.” Journey pressed it to her lips before she slipped it deep into the front pocket of her jeans.
“For our next step, I’ll provide a little music to set the mood.” He untied his rawhide drum. “When it’s time, Lou will tell me, and I’ll give you the signal. Now, remember – you’re riding directly toward a solid rock wall. You’ll have to control your mount. She will want to veer away, but you must keep her going. Of course, if the portal doesn’t appear, abort your mission before you break both your necks.”
Journey couldn’t keep a giggle from slipping from her lips. “Before I go, Kota. I never told you how much I appreciate your sense of humor. But I do.”
This made the old man laugh. “Good. Usually the only person I amuse is myself.” Closing his eyes, he held up his hand over the drum. “Let us begin.”
In that moment, with the sound of the drum and the haunting timbre of Kota’s chant – Journey felt as if she were already transported back in time. She listened as the old shaman entreated the ancestors for protection and aid, his voice rising and falling in a mystical melody. While she waited the few fleeting moments, Journey whispered a prayer of protection for both herself and Reno. “Just let me make it to him, please. And let him be waiting for me. Keep him safe until we’re together once more.”
After that, she patted Cinnamon’s neck to keep the horse calm. “Almost time, girl.” Closing her eyes, she cleared her mind and readied her spirit for an out-of-this-world experience.
“It’s time, Kota.”
Journey heard Lou’s faint whisper and her heart jumped in her chest. This was it!
The drumming ceased and Journey opened her eyes to look at her two friends standing side by side. “Remember what I told you. Set your course and keep it,” Kota spoke with great authority as he sent Journey on her way. “Ready. Set. Go, Journey! Ride like the wind!”
Journey flicked the reins and gave Cinnamon a good squeeze with her knees. “Time to go, girl. Fast!”
The horse took off as Journey tightened her grip on the reins. The scrub trees and boulders filling the
