Myra frowned as she sat down across from her niece. “This is your home, Journey. Of course, it’s okay.” A sly little grin came to her lips. “Speaking of medicine…maybe you’d like to have a date join you for dinner. You could go for a long walk in the park. A horseback ride by moonlight perhaps?”
“I don’t think so.” Journey didn’t want to elaborate. “Not this trip.”
They held one another’s gaze for a moment until Myra threw up her hands. “Very well.” She took a long breath. “Let me think. Is there anything else you need to know?”
“I don’t think so.”
“You have my cell number. And there’s a list of emergency numbers on the fridge – you know, if the lights go out or…whatever.”
“Won’t 9-1-1 work?”
Myra made a face at Journey. “In most cases. Just remember – you aren’t in town. Even though you’re only a half hour or so out of Fredericksburg, help won’t get to you as fast as it would in Austin. I don’t have many close neighbors. In fact, you could go outdoors right now and scream as loud as you could, and no one would hear you. Even cell phone service is scant out here – probably something to do with that huge mountain of granite just across the way. That’s why I still have a landline. Thank God.”
“I’m glad you have both phones. I want to be able to check on you often.” Journey reached down to pet Cleo and Dudley. “Call me when you get to Wichita Falls.”
“Oh. I will.” She sighed loudly. “This is hard. I’ve visited Myles many times. This trip, however, I’m afraid will be my last.”
Journey rose to hug her aunt. “I’m so sorry. Tell him I love him. Will you?”
“Of course.” She rose to her feet, holding onto Journey’s hand. “I guess I’d better be going.” Myra wagged her finger at the two dogs. “You children be good. Mind Journey.”
“We’ll be fine. I’ll take care of everything. Don’t you worry.” She walked her aunt to the car and stood waving as she pulled out of the drive and headed north.
Reno
Reno moved slowly, his footsteps measured, keeping as close to the cover of trees as possible. He could sense no one nearby. His fear of a raiding party seemed unfounded. Most likely the individual was just passing through, taking advantage of any opportunity to scavenge what was available. Taking his time, he cocked his head, listening for any noise that might give away the intruder’s location. Hearing nothing amiss, Reno ventured on, following a half-moon route near enough to the homestead that he could keep the cabin in view.
He knew Saul wasn’t happy about his decision to escort them to King’s Ransom. Sometimes the boy was too hardheaded for his own good. Although, Reno couldn’t help admiring the young man’s determination to keep his family together. “Don’t mean I’m going to leave them to the mercy of whatever’s out here. They’re my family too, dammit.” He mouthed the words more silently than a whisper.
Moving on, Reno began to ease back toward the cabin. He was about fifteen yards away when the sound of hoofbeats broke the silence. Immediately, Reno raised his rifle and broke into a run, rounding the corner just in time to see a horse and rider approaching.
“At ease, soldier. It’s just me.”
Recognition swamped Reno as his shoulders sagged with relief. “Clay.” He lowered the rifle. “Hell, I’m glad to see you.”
Dismounting, Clay led his horse to where Reno was standing. “I was hoping to catch you before you left. How are the kids?”
“They’re fine. For now. I can’t let them stay here though. Just ran a trespasser out of the barn.”
Clay’s hand went to the pistol on his hip. “Indian?”
Reno shouldered his rifle and pushed his hat back on his head. “Yea. Appeared to be.”
“Want to go looking around? I’ll go with you.” Clay offered seriously.
“No. If he’s waiting up in the hills, he’d see us coming a mile away.” He clapped his friend on the shoulder. “Come on in. I told Saul to start packing. I’m taking them to King’s Ransom in the morning.”
“Good.” Clay walked beside Reno to the barn to get his horse settled. “I’m glad they’re going. What about your trip?”
Reno opened the barn door and shouldered his rifle as he moved inside. “I’ll head on to Waco to catch the next stagecoach as soon I get the kids to safety.”
“There’s no reason I can’t escort them home. Is there?” Clay waited while Reno lit a lantern. “You can head north from here. It’ll save you from doubling back. Right?”
“Sure would. Thanks.” Reno took a look around the barn as Clay cared for his horse. Mixed feelings filled his chest. “I’ll tell you the truth, I’ve never wished I could be in two places at once more than I do right now.”
Clay cleared his throat. “Your brother needs you. We’ll take care of the home front while you’re gone.”
“I know you will.” He filled a bucket with oats for Clay’s horse. “You’ve never let me down.”
Clay let out a long breath. “I wish that were true. You know I let you down.”
Reno removed the blanket from his friend’s horse and placed it on a bale of hay, indicating for Clay to place his saddle on top of it. “I understand how you felt. Losing your uncle and cousin at Five Forks.”
“Still, my attitude was uncalled for. I treated you like shit just because you made contact with your brother.”
“You’ve apologized enough. The only thing you knew of Cole and my father were the bad things I told you about.” He’d never bothered to speak of the good times.
