The Flood of July 9th ,1869
After the rains began to subside, the residents of King’s Ransom crept out of the caves atop Packsaddle Mountain. They’d managed to drive all the livestock to the high plateau. Not one soul – man or beast – was lost. Now, they were stunned to see the flooded valley below, completely inundated by the rising waters of the Colorado River.
“I don’t know if the house can be saved, King.” Fancy wrung her hands with worry.
“We can rebuild, my love. Nothing is more important than the fact we all survived.” King drew his wife close.
“Thanks to Journey,” Fancy murmured. “If she hadn’t told us what would happen, we would’ve perished.”
“I’m afraid you’re right.” He kissed her cheek. “Her warning from the future saved us all.”
“Since I have my gear up here, I’d like to take a photograph for the paper,” Cole announced loudly. “Gather together, everyone. This will be a shot no one will forget.”
“Come on, Mrs. Black.” Reno tugged Journey’s hand to stand next to Amelia and Ace. “We don’t want to be left out of the picture.”
“No. We don’t.” She huddled close to her husband. “We’re soaking wet.”
“Yea, but we’re alive.” Reno celebrated the fact. “We’re all alive to see another day.”
The Birth of Reno Cole Black.
“Reno! I don’t think I can do this!” Journey held out her hand for her husband to grasp.
“Oh, yes you can. You can do this.” He kissed her face. “I’m here with you. Right here with you, love.”
Domino shook his head at the sight of his friend at his wife’s side. “Husbands are supposed to stay out of the room to keep the hot water boiling.
“I want him here, Domino!” She shouted. “I need him here.”
“Okay, okay. Nobody’s throwing Daddy out.” Domino sat down in his spot beneath the privacy sheet. “Okay, it’s time. The head is crowning. You need to push for me, Journey.”
Journey pushed with all her might, nearly squeezing Reno’s hand off in the process.
“That’s it, love. You’re doing so good.” Reno wiped her brow, then wiped his own. “What do you see, Domino?”
Domino chuckled with delight. “I see a boy. A fine, handsome, strapping young fellow. Almost, Journey. One more push, he’s coming!”
As Journey gave one last scream of effort, she pushed their baby boy into the world.
Reno leaned down to kiss her tear streaked face. “You did it. He’s here.”
As Domino cleaned the crying baby, a crowd gathered outside the bedroom door.
Tap! Tap!
Tap! Tap!
“Hold on.” Reno called. “We’re a little busy here.”
Journey held out her arms to take her baby. “Oh, give him to me, please. Look at him, Reno. Isn’t he beautiful!”
Tap! Tap!
“I want to take a picture, Reno!” Cole called from the other side of the door.
Reno laughed. “I’ll swear, he’s a monster with a camera.”
Journey held the baby with one hand and straightened her clothes with the other. “I’m probably a sight, but let him in. These photographs are precious.”
As Journey requested, Reno went to allow his brother to join them. As he did, all the rest of the clan pushed their way inside or gathered at the door.
“Oh, look at him.” Cole smiled. “He’s a fine boy. What’s his name?”
“Reno Cole Black,” Journey announced with pride.
Cole froze in place. “Well, that’s a fine name. A fine name.”
While everyone waited, the baby began to cry – loudly.
“Well, hurry up, brother. Take the picture. Our boy is hungry,” Reno encouraged his brother to pick up the pace.
“Don’t rush me. This is important.”
“Yes, it is.” Journey studied the baby’s tiny face with rapture, then held him up for the camera. “Smile, sweetie. Smile for Aunt Myra.”
Of course, it might’ve been gas…but to everyone’s surprise, little Cole smiled.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE BACK TO THE FUTURE
“Kota, are you ready?” Myra called from the kitchen door. “We’re going to be late!”
“No, we’re not. We’re good. I just placed little Cole’s picture on the mantel. Right where you wanted it.”
“Excellent. Lou did a fine job of framing it for me. Grab the cake, will you?” The older woman began to move slowly down the stairs. “You know, since you’ve been living with me, I’ll swear those roses have grown a foot.” She pointed to the new Knockouts she’d planted in the garden.
“You’re right. They’ve grown almost as fast as those kittens.” He hurried to grab her arm with his free hand. “Speaking of the rose garden, are you going to make an honest man out of me anytime soon?”
“Ha! Do you think a piece of paper will make an honest man out of you?”
“No, probably not. But it would make me feel better. I spend my days worrying that you’ll meet some other man to sweep you off your feet.”
“Not a chance. You’re it for me.” She allowed him to open the door of his truck, then to help her inside. “I can’t wait to meet the new neighbors. I think this welcome to the neighborhood dinner was perfect. What did you say their names were?”
“Black. Steve and Debbie Black. I noted the name when I signed the papers at the realtor’s office.”
“That’s an odd coincidence, don’t you think?”
Kota huffed. “I don’t believe in coincidences.”
“No, I know you don’t, my magic man.”
Rolling his eyes, he chuckled. “Hold off on the mushy talk, you’ll get me all worked up.”
After traveling the short distance to Kota’s old house on the highway, he grabbed the cake, then helped Myra to the front door.
“There’s a good crowd gathered. I hope
