able to go through the rock. Raise a flag. Send a smoke signal.” When she saw his pained expression, she waved her hand and laughed. “I’m kidding. Sort of. I know this is what you need to do, and I won’t stand in your way. Until you do leave, however, we have to continue in some semblance of normalcy. Make plans, etcetera.”
“I think that would be best.” He cleared his throat and gathered the papers from the muffins he’d eaten to throw into the garbage. “I know it’s not ideal but if I don’t return, you’ll know where I am.”
“Yes.” Lost to her, that’s what he’d be.
* * *
Journey didn’t hurry away. After she’d taken care of the plants and the dogs, she found herself standing at the window to watch for his return. When he finally came riding up almost two hours later, she almost collapsed with relief. She waited while he turned his horse over to Kota’s grandson.
As he approached, Journey gathered her purse and the packages to mail. “You’re back.”
“I’m back.” He sounded a bit defeated. “There were people hiking through the canyon.”
“That’s not unusual. There are dozens of hiking trails in the park. Did they get in your way?”
“Not necessarily. All I could do was be there. I haven’t figured out anything else to try. Riding toward the wall at breakneck speed doesn’t seem to do the trick.”
“I’m sorry. Take heart, we’ll start our research today. Maybe we’ll come up with something that will help you.” She waited patiently while he moved about the room, seemingly lost in thought. “Do you need to use the bathroom before we go?”
Her comment took him by surprise. He looked to be a tad embarrassed. “Good idea.” Upon his return, she handed him the boxes. “Here. Make yourself useful. Ready?”
“Lead the way, my fair lady.”
“Thank you, fine sir.” Journey couldn’t help it. She was in a good mood. He was here and safe. All was right with the world. As the climbed into the Subaru, she thought to ask, “Would you like to learn how to drive?”
“I would indeed. Now?”
She laughed. “Not now. I’ll talk you through some of the instructions and sometime soon we’ll have a go at it.”
“Good. I look forward to it.”
Once she was settled behind the wheel and he was buckled into the passenger seat, she pointed out a few parts of the car and what they did. “This is the start button. It doesn’t work unless you have the key with you.” She held up the key. “Before you press it, you need to put your foot on the brake.” Journey demonstrated. “The brake is what stops the car.” Pressing the start button, she started the engine. “This is the gear shift. P is for Park. R is for Reverse and D is for Drive.” She kept her foot on the brake while she put the car into Drive. “Now, I press the gas pedal which releases fuel to the engine and makes us go.”
With a laugh, she put the car into motion, and they headed down the road to Fredericksburg. As she drove, she explained a few rules of the road to him. She also pointed out the lights, the wipers, and the blinker.
“Seems straightforward enough. Are you sure I can’t try?”
“Not now. I’d like to get to the post office in one piece.”
Reno found this amusing. When they arrived in town, he waited in the car while she went inside to mail the packages. Upon her return, she discovered him behind the wheel practicing what he’d seen her do. “Good thing I took the key with me.”
“I wouldn’t have left you behind,” he assured her with a smile. “Or I would have spun back by to pick you up.”
She waited for him to climb from behind the steering wheel and return to his place. “You have to have an operator’s license, or you’ll get a ticket.”
“Explain,” he insisted as he refastened his seat belt on the passenger side.
Journey fished her wallet from her purse to show him her driver’s license. He studied the ID thru the plastic window. “Your birthday is coming up soon,” he announced with interest. “And why do you look so strange in this picture?”
She snatched the wallet back. “Nobody takes a good driver’s license photo.”
“I bet I will,” he announced solemnly as he played with the buttons to lock and unlock his door.
For a moment, Journey gave the idea some thought. “Getting a license will be a challenge. You