“Yea, it does. But it happened. And you’re here.” She placed her hand on his arm as if to anchor him in place. “When we get home, if you’ll find that business card, I’ll start a search to see if the lawyer left any papers behind.”
“Yea, we’ve been concentrating so hard on how I got here, I’ve neglected to try and locate information to help Cole once I return. I can’t rely on the chance there’ll be ample time to search for the drummer boy when I get back – I need to do it now.”
“I understand and I’ll help,” Journey assured him.
* * *
Once they were home, they changed into comfortable clothes. Reno went to check on Traveler and the other horses and Journey pacified the dogs who acted as if they’d been abandoned for weeks. “Oh, you two are so spoiled. I left both of you plenty of food and water.” She played with the rambunctious pair for a bit, then took them for a walk. When she returned, Journey took the roast from the refrigerator and popped it into the crock pot. It wouldn’t be done today, but tomorrow they’d be glad to have it. Journey also checked on the plants, taking note that one of the orchids had put on a few buds. Next, she checked the answering machine and found a call from Myra. The message was very succinct. “Call me.”
“Okay.” She grabbed the phone to dial her great-aunt who answered after the second ring.
“Where have you been?”
“Austin, but just for the night. Everything’s fine. What’s wrong?”
“Well, I talked to Kota and he said you’d been accosted.”
“You talked to Kota?” She had no idea they were that close. Journey assumed the older gentleman did his job and Myra cut him a paycheck. “Why did he call you?”
“He didn’t. I called him. Because you wouldn’t answer.”
“Why didn’t you call my cell phone?”
There was a period of silence before Myra answered. “I don’t know. Because you were supposed to be at my house. Now, tell me about those men who hurt you. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. They were red-neck bullies who just wanted to scare me.” At least that was the version she was going to tell her aunt. “They harassed me, wouldn’t let me leave the grocery store. They followed me home and…chased me through the park.”
“Oh. My God. Do I need to come home?”
“No, they’re in jail.”
“Good.”
There was another period of silence.
“Are you alone?”
“At the moment. Why?” Journey had a bad feeling.
“Kota said you had a man staying with you.”
Well, Mr. Kota had turned out to be quite the gossip. “Well, yes. He’s not wrong.”
“Who is he? This Casey person?”
Journey wrinkled her brow. “One of the last things you told me, was that I should invite some guy over. Remember? You’re always pushing me to date someone.”
“That’s true. But I didn’t tell you to shack up with just anybody. In my house, of all places.”
“I’m not shacking up.” Well, technically – maybe she was. “Besides, it’s not Casey.”
“It’s not? I didn’t know you’d met anyone new. Is this an old boyfriend? Is it Hamlet? He was a nice boy. He is so good to his mother. You can trust a man who’s good to his mother.”
Journey wanted to laugh. Or cry. “No, it’s not Hamlet. I guess you could say he’s an old boyfriend.” She paced the floor, looking out into the yard to see if she could spot Reno returning from the barn. Nope. He wasn’t in sight.
“Well, who is he? If he’s staying in my house, I have a right to know his name.”
“Why are you being like this? I am over eighteen, you know.” Journey’s mind was spinning. Should she tell her aunt the truth? “Oh, she’s gonna die,” she whispered.
“What did you say? No, Myles hasn’t died. In fact, he’s doing better. The hospice nurse is surprised.”
“Well, that’s great. I know you’re relieved. Tell him I said hello, please.”
“I will. Now, what’s this man’s name?”
Damn, she thought Myra might’ve lost her train of thought. “Aunt Myra…”
“Sojourner Stanton, talk to me. Is he a gentleman? Does he have a job? Is he trustworthy? Is he from a good family?”
“You’ve never asked me these questions before.”
“No, because you weren’t having sex with anyone. If he’s staying in my house with you, then you’re having sex!”
Journey had to sit down. “Aunt Myra, please. You’re embarrassing me. And how did you know I wasn’t having sex before?”
“Because you were a virgin.”
“How did you know? I never told you I was still a virgin.”
“You didn’t have to. I raised you. Mothers know these things.”
Journey knew very well not to point out the fact that Myra wasn’t her mother – for all intents and purposes, she was. “All right. I’ll tell you. Are you sitting down?”
“Sitting down? Why do I need to sit down? What’s wrong? Is he a Republican? Or a transsexual?”
“No. God. He’s…” Oh, she’s gonna die. “Never mind. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. So, I might as well not tell you.”
Sojourner Elise Stanton, if you don’t give me a name right now, I will come home immediately.”
“No, you can’t leave Uncle Myles. He might take a turn for the worse and I’d never forgive myself.” She gritted her teeth and stomped her feet. “If I tell you this, you’ve got to promise to not tell anyone.”
“Why? Is he a felon? A drug dealer? Is he from Oklahoma?”
“No.” Now, she started to giggle. “You have such strange ideas of what’s acceptable and what’s not. In this case, however, you don’t have to worry. This man is perfect. He’s sweet. He’s kind. He’s gorgeous. He’s everything I’ve always wanted.”
“Well, bless
