“Yea, I think that’s what we may be dealing with.” She rearranged her stack of books. “Tomorrow, I’ll tell you my theory and we’ll go from there.”
“Sounds good.” Journey locked the doors and made sure the dogs had plenty of food and water. “Well, make yourself at home. Reno put your bags in the first room down the hall on the right. If you need anything, I’m at the end of the hall.”
“I’ll be fine. Goodnight you two.” She gave Reno one final stare. “I didn’t tell you I was glad to meet you, but I am. Not just for scientific research either.” Lou motioned toward Journey. “You have an amazing friend in this woman. She’d do anything for you.”
Reno tipped his hat. “I realize that, ma’am. I’ll thank you ahead of time for anything you can do to help me.”
After that, she and Reno left Lou to her research. “Well, goodnight,” Journey said to him as they started toward their rooms. “Our night together didn’t exactly turn out as we’d planned.”
“No, it didn’t.”
Journey felt badly about her dismissal of this new development. “This is a good thing, though. Probably the best thing that could happen. I said it before, but if anyone can help you get home, it will be Lou.”
“I hope you’re right.” Reno took hold of his door handle, then paused until Journey opened her own door. “Well, goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Reno.”
Journey stepped inside her room and leaned against the door. Mixed feelings of relief and sadness plagued her. She wanted Lou to help Reno, it had been her idea to ask her friend for aid. Nevertheless, she had to admit in her heart that she wanted him to stay forever. He was beginning to find his footing in the future, even planning for ways to fit in by learning the ropes and thinking about a job. “Don’t be selfish,” she cautioned herself. “People’s lives depend on Reno going home.”
She pushed away from the door and readied herself for bed. She’d just crawled under the covers when a slight tap sounded on the wooden facing. Thinking it was Lou, she called out a welcome, “Come in.”
Her visitor wasn’t Lou, it was Reno. A Reno wearing only a pair of jeans. No shirt. No socks. The man looked good enough to eat. “Is something wrong?”
Reno shut the door and came further into the room. “This may sound crazy, but I don’t want to be alone tonight.”
His surprising announcement floored Journey. She knew he wasn’t afraid of anything. “Is something wrong?”
“Not the way you mean. I just feel really alone. Disconnected. Pulled in two different directions. The only place I feel complete is…”
He stopped talking as Journey hung on his every word. “Where? Where do you feel complete?”
“With you.”
Without hesitation, she threw back the covers. “Stay with me. Together, we can face anything.”
With three long strides, he was across the room and at her side. As Journey scooted over to make room for him, he laid down and pulled the covers over them both. “I won’t take advantage. I just want to hold you.”
Journey wanted to beg him to take advantage, but she was as tired as he was. “I want to hold you too.” When he opened his arms, she gladly went into them. Nestling close, she rested her head on his shoulder. After a while, she whispered, “this is nice.”
Hearing no answer from Reno, she raised her eyes to look into his face. He was already sound asleep. A look of peace shone on his countenance. “Sleep well, my love.” As her eyes closed, she kissed him lightly on his chest, feeling more content than she’d ever felt before.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
When Journey awoke, she automatically reached out for him. As her searching hand encountered nothing more than the smoothness of the sheet, she abruptly sat up, looking all around.
She was alone.
Rubbing her arms to dispel the chill, she let herself remember Reno coming to her bed and taking her into his arms. Holding her close all through the night.
Did this really happen?
Or was she doing as before and just creating memories in her mind?
Tap. Tap.
Her heart jumped. “Come in.” She fully expected Reno to be standing there, checking to see why she was still sleeping. Journey hid her disappointment when she saw her friend standing there with a huge smile on her face. “Oh, Lou. It’s you. I’m so sorry. I should’ve already been up and preparing breakfast for you.”
“Nah.” She waved off Journey’s concern. “We wanted you to sleep in.” Cocking her head toward the kitchen, she grinned. “Your Reno is cooking breakfast for all of us. He asked me to tell you that the pancakes are almost ready.”
“Oh. Well, good.” She slipped from the bed and started to gather some clothes to put on. “How long have you been awake?”
“A few hours. I’m too excited to sleep, to tell you the truth. This is amazing! I’ve been asking him questions, picking his brain.” Lou sidled in, giving Journey a wink. “I can see why you’ve always been so taken with him. He’s a really nice guy.”
“Yes, he is.” Journey hurriedly used the bathroom and began to dress. Lou followed her around the room as she got ready for the day. “Do you think you can solve this puzzle?”
“Well, I’m working on a theory. I want you two to be a sounding board for me as I weed through it.”
“Okay. That sounds good.” Journey wouldn’t let herself think about what this all meant for her.
“I’m sorry I gave you a hard time about Reno all these years. Obviously, you two share a very powerful connection.”
Journey stopped in her tracks to look Lou in the face. “Why do you say that?”
“Because of the timing. He came
