“If I didn’t know better, it sounds like Indian drums to me.”
Journey shivered. “Might be campers, I guess. Someone playing their bongo.” She paused, her voice hesitating. “It doesn’t sound like anything I’ve heard before.”
Reno had heard it. Recently. “Rawhide drums make a pretty distinctive sound.” And those were rawhide, he was almost certain.
“Do you think we’re hearing spirits, or do you think the drumbeats are echoing through a portal?”
“I just don’t know.” He slowed Traveler down, keeping Cinnamon on a short rein. The haunting sound continued for a few more minutes, then died down. “Let’s turn you around,” he said, lifting her easily to make the move. “Now. There. I like holding you.”
They continued to the box canyon. Journey felt a little apprehensive. She held tightly onto Reno’s arm that was wrapped around her waist. “If you disappear, I want to make sure and go with you.”
“Hold tight.” Keeping the two horses at a slow space, he went a little deeper into the canyon. Nothing had changed about the looks of the place. There were no campers in the area. In fact, there was no noise at all except for the occasional shuffle of the horses. Reno closed his eyes, trying to discern if he could feel any of the vibrations he’d felt before. Part of him questioned his memory. After all, he’d been trying to outrun Kinsella and his raiders, his body had been tensed up like a tuning fork.
He looked all around, reliving the moment when he’d passed from inside the canyon to the open area beyond. Yes, it had happened – but he could scarcely fathom how. Doubt rose in his mind if it could ever happen again. What if he were trapped here? A piercing pain made his chest ache. He’d be sorrowful forever, regretting how he’d let his brother and his friends down. And yet…he couldn’t think of staying in this time as being trapped. What he held in his arms would make his life complete. “Okay, let’s go.”
“Reno.”
“What? Are you all right?”
“Yea.” She pointed ahead. “Let’s go around to the south side of E-Rock. If there’s no one around, I’d like to climb up part way.”
He didn’t hesitate. “We’ll tie up the horses. We don’t want them taking off.”
“No.” She looked ahead of them as they moved along the trail. “I think we’re alone. I don’t see anyone nearby. Have you ever hiked up to the summit?”
“Once or twice.”
“It’s been awhile for me. I just want to look around.”
Reno didn’t mention that he’d been dodging bullets at the time. “We’ll have to be careful. I don’t want you to fall.”
Journey was smiling. “We can take the Loop trail and we don’t have to go far. I just want to find a place where we have a good view of the countryside. I think it’ll be romantic.”
“Ah.” Reno patted his pocket, remembering what he put there. “A romantic tryst. I like the idea.”
After finding the horses a comfortable place to wait and graze, Reno led her to the trail. “This sign marking the way is new.”
“Yea, it’s barely fifty years old.” Journey giggled. “I’m not really sure, but it’s been there as long as I can remember.”
Hand in hand, they climbed up the trail. It wasn’t hard going; the path was fairly wide, and the grade of ascent wasn’t too steep. They just needed to take their time. Thankfully, the moon was still large enough to give ample light. The domed shaped of the rock also helped make the climb pleasant.
After hiking for nearly an hour, Journey’s steps slowed. “This is perfect. Look at the moonlight reflecting off the granite surface.”
“You were right,” he murmured. “This is beautiful. Standing in this spot, I never expected to feel this way. Peaceful.” Reno pulled her to him. “You’re the reason I’m happy. Can you imagine how this ordeal would’ve been for me if I hadn’t found you? Coming to a strange place. Knowing no one. Not understanding how to manage?” He shook his head and enfolded her in his arms. “I don’t like to think about it.”
“I can’t help but think you came for a reason. That it wasn’t random.” She struggled to process her thoughts. “I know Lou says that those portal things open and close according to some magnetic reaction, but this seems…directed.”
“Maybe it was.” He framed her face. “I don’t know why I’m here. The one thing I can say is that I’m thankful to have found you.”
“Yea, so I could take care of you.” She looked up into his eyes, loving him so hard it hurt her heart.
“Not at all. I’m grateful this wild journey led me to my Sojourner. Your name means…”
She finished his sentence. “My name means that I reside temporarily in this place.” Standing on tiptoe, she kissed him softly. “Because my home is with you.”
“I want you.” He stepped back a couple of inches and began to unbutton his shirt.
“What are you doing?” she asked a bit bemused.
“Making you comfortable.” Taking off his shirt, he spread it on one of the smooth surfaces. “I wish I’d brought a blanket.”
“This is fine.” Journey didn’t need comfort, she only needed him. Easing down on the fabric, she began to undo her own clothes. “Oh, no. We left the…”
“No, I brought them. I’ll protect you this time.”
Journey didn’t think about the possibility that it was too late for protection. She’d let fate take its course. If there was a baby, it would be the most welcome baby in her world or his.
While he watched, she completely undressed. When she was naked, she reclined on the rock. Her beautiful breasts were pale in the moonlight. Her feminine curves looked so perfect and smooth; she could’ve been carved from marble. “You’re a goddess, that’s what you are.”
“You’re
