“Bat your eyelashes at him,” Jewel suggested, then she bent her head near Journey’s to whisper conspiratorially. “He’s the one, isn’t he? The one who inspires that super love line you have going on.”
“Oh.” She knew she was as red as a beet. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
Journey patted her hand. “Don’t worry. I saw a great future for you guys. You’re going to be together for a long, long time.”
As they took care of the check, Journey thought about what Jewel just foretold. She wanted to believe it. But…palm reading probably wasn’t real. Just a parlor trick. When it was time to go, she picked up the box of papers. “Thanks again, Apple. I’ll take special care of this.”
“I know.” Apple kissed Journey on her cheek. “I’m glad you came.”
They walked out to the parking lot together and were surprised to find someone waiting for them. “Sam, what are you doing here?” Jewel asked her brother-in-law.
Journey started to leave, but Apple held up one finger. “Journey, this is Samuel Blackhawk. Sam, this is Journey Stanton. She’s the one I was telling you about. Saul Stanton was her great-great-great…” She laughed. “Whatever, grandfather.”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.” He nodded, tipping his hat to her. “I feel like we’re related. My mother used to tell us all kinds of stories about King, Fancy, Reno, and the others. The Stanton kids played a big part in their lives.”
Apple didn’t argue. She didn’t say so, but Saul’s journal didn’t have much to say about the King’s Ransom folks, not after Reno disappeared. “It’s good to know you.”
“So, why are you here? Is something wrong?” Jewel asked, appearing a little concerned. “Easy hasn’t wrecked that new motorcycle of yours, has he?”
“No. He’s fine.” Sam reached into his back pocket and pulled out an envelope. “Benjen wanted you girls to have this.” He glanced at Journey. “I’m sorry. I don’t think he knew you were joining them.”
“Oh, no. That’s fine. I’ve got to get going anyway,” she assured him.
“Well, what is it?” Skye demanded. “My curiosity is aroused.”
All the girls laughed when Samuel blushed. “Uh, it’s prepaid spa-day certificates. Sarah is meeting you there.”
“Whoo-hoo!” Jewel yelled, clapping her hands.
While they celebrated, Journey hurried to her car. When she tried to start it, however, the engine wouldn’t turn over. “Damn.”
“What’s wrong?” Samuel called loudly though the closed driver’s side window.
Journey hit the button, lowering the window. “I don’t know. It won’t start.”
“Open the hood.”
She did so. “I hate car trouble,” she murmured to herself. Journey thought about calling home, but she didn’t know if Reno would even try to answer the house phone. “Can you tell what the problem is?”
“Dead battery, I think. Sit tight.” He ran to his truck and pulled it up next to hers. This commotion caused the other three women to join them.
“Do you need a tow?” Skye asked, holding her phone. “I can call a friend.”
“I think I’ve got it,” Samuel said as he hooked up the jumper cables.
“Now, that’s a handy man to have around,” Jewel observed. “He’s eligible, Journey.”
Sam laughed and Journey blushed. Neither made a comment.
“Okay. Try it now.”
At Sam’s direction, Journey tried to start the car and was rewarded by a purring roar. “Thank goodness.”
Apple walked over to her brother-in-law. “I think you should follow her home.”
“No, that’s not necessary,” Journey protested. “I’m sure he has better things to do.”
“Apple’s right.” Sam agreed. “It may be more than just a weak battery. If the battery terminals are dirty or the starter motor is worn, the vehicle could stop on you before you make it home.”
“Well, okay. I hate to put you out though.”
“No problem. I can follow you to a mechanic, if you like, then take you to your house.”
“No, I just want to go home. There’s someone there who can look at it.” Apple just wanted to get to Reno as quickly as possible.
“Okay.” He raised one finger to point straight ahead. “Let’s head out.”
After one more goodbye to Apple and the other women, Journey pulled out of the restaurant in North Austin to head west.
* * *
Reno was past being angry that Journey left without telling him where she was going. Now, he was just flat-out worried. He’d watched all the television he could stand, then proceeded to pace a hole in the kitchen floor. After that feat, he’d moved out into the yard to work on pacing a trench in the lawn.
. “Damn. Damn. Damn.” He felt helpless. He didn’t know what to do, where to go, or who to call. Earlier, he’d walked over to Kota Blue’s but the house was empty and their vehicles were gone. He had no idea where they were.
He’d thought about getting in touch with her great-aunt, but he couldn’t find her number. The stupid phone was still a mystery to him too. “Don’t this just beat all.” If she wasn’t hurt, he might just turn her over his lap and spank her sweet ass. Even though the thought made him chuckle, his cock twitched some enthusiasm at the notion. “Where are you, Sojourner?”
What a day this was turning out to be. Upset from the information he’d learned about the Indians and Cole; Reno had spent the morning at the box canyon. The more he tried and failed to go back in time, the more he doubted he ever would. A sinking sick sensation made him queasy. What if he couldn’t make it back in time? Knowing his brother would face a firing squad just broke his heart. “I’m so sorry, Cole. So sorry.”
One thing was for certain, what he was doing was getting him nowhere. If there was any chance at all of going
