* * *
A slight noise roused Reno from sleep. Sitting up, he rubbed his face. What had he heard? His gaze fell on his clothes, clean and neatly folded on the end of the bed. Obviously, Journey was up and about her chores. He quickly rose from the bed to prepare for the day.
When he ventured to the kitchen, he found a platter of fresh baked cakes. Each one was round, and the bottom covered with a thin layer of paper. Taking a bite, he moaned his appreciation. “Delicious.” Wanting more, he carefully peeled the paper off and popped in his mouth.
“I see you found the muffins.”
Reno turned to face her, unable to speak. His mouth was too full. He held up one finger until he swallowed. “Delicious. What did you call them?”
“Muffins. Those are my specialty. They’re called Morning Glory muffins. I use carrots, apple, pineapple, coconut, and raisins to bake them.”
Reno helped himself to another one. “They are indeed glorious. Would you mind writing down the directions? I’d love to pass this recipe on to Fancy.”
Journey felt the familiar ache that occurred every time he mentioned his leaving. “Of course, I’ll be glad to. I’ll write it up and you can slip it in your saddlebag for safe keeping. Just in case.”
He nodded. “Just in case.”
“Coffee?”
“Please.” Still munching on a muffin, he came to stand next to her at the counter while she poured them both a cup.
“Did you read any of the journal last night?”
He nodded. “I did. I can’t believe at the things that boy recorded. Reading his thoughts, his take on things – it was incredible. I didn’t realize he was paying so much attention to what I told him. I guess I poured out my heart to those kids in more ways than one. I remember us all sitting around the fire while I told them stories about my childhood. I think we bonded over how we’d lost our parents and found each other.” He breathed a half-laugh. “I miss them so much.”
“There was no doubt they missed you once you were gone. Saul’s journal was one of the sweetest memorials I’ve ever seen.”
“I am indeed relieved to learn they are safe. Clay escorted them to King’s Ransom after the attack and they stayed there until other arrangements could be made.” He took a sip, gazing out the kitchen window toward the barn. “Since I failed to return, Gentry found them a home with one of his sisters. She’s seeing to their education and taking good care of them.”
“That’s right. I remember.” Journey took her cup to sit at the dining table near the muffins. “They lived somewhere up north, didn’t they?”
“Boston. Turns out, she doesn’t live very far from my father’s family home. While in Boston, Saul attended university and received a law degree. Huck became a dentist, of all things. Emory became a writer, and Tess married a schoolteacher and moved to Knoxville. It makes me feel good to know she ended up where I began.”
Journey didn’t correct his periodic use of the present tense. The distinction between past and present had become blurred to her also. “We’ll have to see if we can locate anything Emory wrote. Wouldn’t that be amazing?”
“Yes, I would like that. I’m just glad they are all successful. Gentry made sure of it.”
“I seem to recall that you left a will making sure their future was secure.”
Reno chuckled. “I did. I’d forgotten about that.” He drained his cup and poured another one. “I plan on reading the rest of the journal tonight. And some of Tom Sawyer.”
“Well, I have work to do. I need to take care of my aunt’s plants and take a few packages to the post office to mail. Do you want to come with me? We could do a little sightseeing and shop for some clothing for you. I also thought we might check out the library in Fredericksburg to see if they have any pertinent documents we could use.”
He thought a moment. “I think I want to ride out to the box canyon again. If you’re still here when I return, I’d love to accompany you.”
Journey nodded. “If you return.”
“Right. If I return.”
“Okay. I wish there was some way you could alert me if it happened and you were able to go through the rock. Raise a flag. Send a smoke signal.” When she saw his pained expression, she waved her hand and laughed. “I’m kidding. Sort of. I know this is what you need to do, and I won’t stand in your way. Until you do leave, however, we have to continue in some semblance of normalcy. Make plans, etcetera.”
“I think that would be best.” He cleared his throat and gathered the papers from the muffins he’d eaten to throw into the garbage. “I know it’s not ideal but if I don’t return, you’ll know where I am.”
“Yes.” Lost to her, that’s what he’d be.
* * *
Journey didn’t hurry away. After she’d taken care of the plants and the dogs, she found herself standing at the window to watch for his return. When he finally came riding up almost two hours later, she almost collapsed with relief. She waited while he turned his horse over to Kota’s grandson.
As he approached, Journey gathered her purse and the packages to mail. “You’re back.”
“I’m back.” He sounded a bit defeated. “There were people hiking through the canyon.”
“That’s not unusual. There are dozens of hiking trails in the park. Did they get in your way?”
“Not necessarily. All I could do was be there. I haven’t figured out anything else to try. Riding toward the wall at breakneck speed doesn’t seem to do the trick.”
“I’m sorry. Take heart, we’ll start our research today. Maybe we’ll come up
