Journey shivered at the thought. “Lou calculated the exact time of the full moon. I thought I could get here before you would try to go through the portal.”
“Your plan would’ve worked if we hadn’t had to deal with our company.” Reno put his arm around her shoulder. “I think we’ve concluded our business in this canyon. I know we’ll be riding part of the night, but who wants to head back to the ranch?”
No one disagreed with his suggestion.
“Everybody’s going to be surprised to see you two,” Clay observed dryly.
Journey rode close to Reno with her hand held in his. “I’m looking forward to meeting everyone. Especially the children.”
“I told them about you. I’m not sure they understood everything, but they do know how important you are to me.” Reno turned to Gentry. “I know your sister will be disappointed, but I think they’ll want to stay with me and Journey.”
“She’ll understand,” Gentry assured them. “No one could deny their place is with you.”
As they headed east toward King’s Ransom, Journey and Reno let the others ride ahead, giving them a small measure of privacy.
“I talked to the moon every night,” she whispered. “Did you?”
“I didn’t miss a time. It was the only way I could feel close to you. Did you get the letter I put in the journal?”
“I did. It was wonderful and terrible all at the same time.” She told him about finding Emory’s book and reading the story about Ela. “I wasn’t sure it was true about Ela being dead until I got your letter. When I read it, I knew I had to come. I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to get back without her help.”
Reno cleared his throat. “You were right. Were you close enough to see what I could see?”
“No. I was just focused on you.”
He shook his head in wonder. “I’m not sure where I was about to go. I do believe if we’d gone one step further, I would’ve never seen you again.”
Journey trembled. “Oh, let’s not talk about it. It’s in the past.”
“As you are,” Reno teased her. “Do you think you’ll be happy here? I know we discussed all you’d be leaving behind, but this is a whole different world from what you’re used to.”
Journey edged Cinnamon close enough that she could lean over for a kiss. “It doesn’t matter to me if we’re in the past, the present, or the future. As long as I’m with you, my love…I’m home.”
…Later that night, they made love with all the passion their hearts could hold. As he’d done the night of their wedding, Reno worshiped her body with his own. Filling her. Claiming her. Rejoicing in the fact that he was joined with his wife in the most perfect way.
Once he’d brought her joy and taken his own, he held her close and thanked the stars for the privilege of holding her in his arms. “Now, this is the way it should be.”
“The way it always will be.” Resting her head on his shoulder, she placed her palm over his heart. “I hope the children aren’t upset that we took their room.”
Reno chuckled at the memory. “They were so thrilled to meet you and so glad to see me, I think they would’ve gladly slept on the roof if it meant they’d have us home. Tomorrow, I’ll start building that cabin for us.”
“I jotted down some ideas.”
“You did?” Lord, he loved this. The whispering in the dark together.
“After I decided to come, I had a few days to prepare. I studied up on native plants and I…found out something you need to know.”
“What’s that?”
“Next month, on the 9th, there’s going to be a huge flood. In some places the river will be ten miles wide.”
This alarmed Reno, but he didn’t doubt her for a moment. “What? Hell, we’ll have to…I don’t know what we’ll have to do.”
“Prepare. We know it’s coming, so we can get ready. Disaster averted.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do.” He passed a grateful hand over her smooth back. “Maybe we’ll be as blessed as we were with the massacre. Domino said he heard in town that the Governor sent the 10th Cavalry back up north.”
“Good. See, everything is working out for the best.”
He rolled to his side to join his lips with hers. “As far as I can tell, love – the best is yet to come.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
A Peek into the Family Album
Renewing their vows. Late June 1869.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce this man and this woman to be husband and wife – again. Reno, you may kiss your lovely bride.” Clay was the first to start clapping his hands as everyone watched Reno seal their love with a kiss.
“Yay!!” Tess jumped up and down with absolute delight. “We’re a fambly now!”
Reno held out his arms to gather the Stanton children near. “We’ve always been a family; this just makes it official.”
“As soon as the adoption papers come in, we’ll have to have another celebration,” Journey whispered in her husband’s ear.
“I don’t think that will be a problem.” He surveyed his friends and family as they gathered near. “This bunch loves to celebrate.”
“Don’t forget, there’s cake and punch, everyone!” Fancy called from the gaily decorated table piled high with food.
As the bride and groom started to leave the altar, Cole called a halt to their progress. “Not so fast. I want to take one more photograph.” He moved his camera to the optimum location.
“Okay, line up everyone,” Reno called. “Let’s all get in the picture.”
Journey beamed with happiness as their loved ones gathered round. The only sad spot in the day was knowing
