“Oh.” His admission made everything all right. “So, what now?”
“Well, I want to hold you for a minute or two, then change clothes. After that, we’ll eat whatever smell so good in the kitchen.”
“My aunt’s chicken and dressing.”
His stomach growled in appreciation. “Perfect. Then, I want to talk with you a little more about how we can proceed.”
She wondered what he meant, but he quickly clarified.
“I want you to show me how to use your phone and the computer. While you’re busy working with your oils, I can make myself useful doing a little research.”
Journey had to fight herself from feeling disappointed. She knew it was just like a woman to think that sex would change everything – but he’d been very clear about his intentions. He wanted her, but he also wanted to go back to his own time. “I can do that. I also have the box of papers Apple loaned to us.”
“Right. We’ll examine those also.” He brushed a kiss against her temple. “Afterward, we’ll do this some more, if you want.”
“I want that very much.” Journey wanted to cram just as much living into every moment as she could – just in case.
* * *
She patted a stack of paper as she made a note of the military units present at Five Forks on the day that Brig. General Winthrop was shot. “All right. What do we have here?”
“Those are the names of the top brass at Fort Macon. You said we could search to determine if they left any type of memoirs or papers. Some of them might mention who brought the initial charge against Cole.”
“We can access the internet for this, but we might have to visit some libraries in whatever cities these guys are from, Reno. Remember what we discovered in Fredericksburg? That information wasn’t available online.”
“Right, I remember.”
As he tapped the keys on Journey’s laptop, she couldn’t help but think how proud she was of him. He caught on so easily to things. In no time at all, he’d mastered the use of her phone. “You’re very intelligent.”
He looked up with surprise. “Why, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She watched him with affection, then jumped a bit in her chair when she thought of something. “Hey, I’ve got an invitation for you.”
“Oh, really? What would that be?”
“Today at lunch, the women wanted to know if you’d take part in a fundraiser for the homeless. There’s a soup kitchen in Austin known as Angel House. They provide a lot of the aid for those in need.”
“Sounds like a very worthy cause.” He’d seen a lot of hungry, homeless men after the war. “What do they want me to do? I’m not a very good cook.”
She gave him a cheeky little grin. “Cooking is not what they need from you. The event is called The Ultimate Hill Country Cowboy. In my opinion, you certainly qualify for that title.” There was no way she could miss the wariness on his face. “Don’t worry, it will be painless. Mostly.”
“What would I have to do?”
“Well, first – you wouldn’t be by yourself. They named off about thirty or so guys who are taking part. Oh, and you’d have to dress up in a tux.”
“A what?”
“It’s a formal suit that men wear. You’ll be a knock-out.”
He didn’t understand all the words she was saying, but he was getting the picture. “And?”
“You’d also wear a swimsuit.” Even as she said the words, she pictured the short pants and tank tops that men wore long ago. “Something a lot like the underwear I bought for you.”
Reno looked shocked. “I would wear so little? Who would see me?”
She made a wincing face. “Everybody at the event. Everybody watching on television.”
“Nope. Nope.” He shook his head, rising to his feet.
She just ignored his protest. “You’d also have to perform some type of talent. Do you sing?”
“No. Not well.” He was still shaking his head.
She got up to stand behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist, and kissing him on the neck. “Please? I think it would be fun. You’d be the sexiest man there.”
Reno closed his eyes, realizing the power this woman had over him. “This can’t be good.”
“Oh, I promise. You’ll have a great time.” She patted his middle playfully.
Reno felt his resolve dwindling with every pass she made near his cock. “I’ll think about it. Okay?”
“Good!” She kissed him on the back, then let him go. “I’ll call Apple and let her know.”
“I said I’d think about it, Journey,” he cautioned her. “Don’t go agreeing to anything before I can get my thinking straight on it. I don’t have any fancy clothes and I don’t have any talent to speak of.”
“Oh, I bet you’re loaded with talent.” She snapped her fingers. “I promised to find a coin shop for you.”
“Let me try to do it.” He held out his hand for her phone.
“All right. Go for it.” She plopped the cell into his palm.
Much to her delighted surprise, he remembered the steps and found something. “Austin Rare Coins and Bouillon on Research Boulevard. Know where that is?”
“I do.” She smiled at his accomplishment.
“It says you have to have an appointment.”
“Send them an email to set something up.” Her heart warmed as she watched him stare at the icons, trying to remember what to do to send an email.
“Do you need some help?”
“No. I can do it myself.”
The way he said it made her think of how a little boy would say the same thing. From deep within, she felt her maternal instinct come roaring to life. I want to have his baby, she thought. “I’m sure you can.” She swallowed, barely able to
