Kota’s suggestion was so off-hand Reno didn’t take him seriously. At first. “I could. You are right. When we first thought Journey would travel with me, she promised her aunt she would bury remembrances for her in a specific location.”
“That’s not safe.” He waved a hand over the countryside. “Very little remains static after a century and a half. Erosion. Wind. Interference by people. Think of something else.”
“I don’t know what else to do. Any other way, it would just get mixed up with deeds and receipts to be filed away in a box no one might think to look through again.”
“Give it some thought. I’m sure there’s a solution.”
“I will.”
Afterward, they rested in the cool shade for a little while longer, each contemplating the tasks that lay before them.
* * *
“Oh, you look so handsome.” Journey patted his tie. “Let me take a picture.” She grabbed her phone. “I wish I’d taken some every day.”
Reno posed for her. “Tell me when I look sexy.”
“Always. Always.” She laughed as she took a couple of pictures.
“You look gorgeous as always, my Journey. The blue of your dress is the same color as your eyes.”
She blushed and gave him a graceful curtsy. “Thank you for noticing.”
“Hey, gang! Are we ready?” Lou called from the hall. “We don’t want our cowboy to be late for his pageant.”
“No. We don’t.” Journey found her purse, then joined Reno as they walked down the hall. “Is Aunt Myra ready?”
“She’s already waiting in the car.” Lou held the door for them. “She said she’d be filing her nails while we dallied around.”
“Sounds just like her.” Journey checked the animal’s food and water bowls as she passed. “Okay, we’re good to go.”
Once they were on the road, Myra spoke up from the backseat. “Well, tell us Reno. Other than stopping a war and an execution, what are your plans for your time away?”
Journey shook her head at her great aunt’s way with words. “She just gets right to the point, doesn’t she?”
“As she should.” He turned a bit sideways to glance over the front seat. “I want to set all my friends’ minds at ease. They all think I am dead, obviously. This journey will also give me time to say proper goodbyes.”
“Will you be honest with them?” Lou asked, her eyes alight with interest.
Reno thought a moment. “At first, I thought not. However, I have changed my mind, at least to an extent. There are several people to whom I will tell the whole story. Clay, Cole, Saul, and King. I think they deserve to know the truth.”
No one disagreed with him.
“I guess it will take a little adjusting, going back.” Myra contemplated Reno’s situation as she stared out the window toward the setting sun.
“There are things I will miss. Definitely.” He gave Journey a tender look. “I find I’ve become addicted to several modern conveniences.”
“You aren’t calling me a convenience, are you, cowboy?” Journey whispered.
“Never.” He gave her a teasing grin.
“True.” Lou tried to empathize. “But there’ll be no air pollution. No hustle and bustle. Everything is so peaceful and easy going.”
Reno angled his visor mirror so he could make eye contact with Lou. “You make it sound so idyllic. Do not forget the violence and the hardships. Since there are few conveniences, everything must be done with great effort. Drawing water for bathing and cooking. Chopping wood. Baking bread. Butchering our own meat. Sewing. Weaving.”
“I think you lucked out, Jo.” Lou reached up to pat Journey on the shoulder. “Aren’t you glad you won’t have to adapt to the past?”
“Oh...” She met Reno’s eyes. “I would’ve been fine. There would’ve been consolations.”
“I’m a consolation prize?” Reno asked with feigned insult.
She giggled. “Nah. You’re the booby prize.”
“You just wait until tonight,” he whispered for her ears only. “I fear another spanking is in your future.”
“Bring it on, cowboy. As long as you’re in my future, I can handle anything else.”
…Later, Journey sat on the edge of her seat as The Hill Country Cowboy competition got underway. The place was packed, and the lights were bright. The crowd was going crazy. As she glanced around, there seemed to be an over-abundance of ecstatic females all screaming as one. Yet, who could blame them? The finest specimens of manhood Central Texas had to offer were giving their all in a western line-dance that would put the Chippendales to shame. Oh, they wore a few more items of clothing than