Focus more on you and the place where this happened. I just wish there was someone…” She brightened and snapped her fingers. “There is someone. I don’t know much about him. He’s an authority on local legend and lore.” Lou began searching for a note in one of her files, her voice a low mutter. “One of my students gave me a paper that quoted him…something about people vanishing from Enchanted Rock. I planned to speak with him to ascertain if he knows anything relevant. Only problem – I lost the second page of the damn article. So, I don’t have a phone number, just a name. To complicate matters, I can’t get another copy of the article because my student is doing an internship in the wilds of Borneo. She’ll be off-grid for weeks.” She searched some more.” Ah, here it is. His name is Kota Blue. Have you ever heard of him?”
Journey smiled at Reno. “We have. He happens to work for Aunt Myra.”
“Seriously?” Lou was shocked. “See? A good sign. This is encouraging.”
“Possibly.” Reno rubbed the scruff on his chin. “To make this more interesting, I think he knows something.”
“Yes? About time-travel? About the past?” Lou encouraged him to elaborate.
“About me. He made some comments that lead me to believe he knows I’m from the past.”
Lou didn’t dispute his conclusion. “Interesting. Can you set up a meeting?” she asked Journey.
“He may be here now.” Journey pushed away from the table and moved to the window. “Yea, his truck is outside. Do you want me to ask him to join us?”
Lou looked at Reno as she spoke. “No time like the present.”
“Okay. I’ll be right back.” Journey hurried away, grateful for a few moments to clear her mind.
Once she was gone, Lou rounded on Reno. “What are you thinking? Asking Journey to go back in time with you?”
Reno’s face grew stern. “I love her. She loves me.”
“If you love her like you say, you’d want to protect her. I cannot emphasize enough how dangerous this could be!”
Swallowing a sharp retort, Reno wheeled around and knocked one of the kitchen table chairs across the room. He watched it land, a little surprised it didn’t break into pieces. Lou was right. He knew she was right. “I’ll have to consider the best way to handle this. Just give me time.”
“Give you time?” Lou marched to the window. “Time is the most uncertain factor in this whole strange ordeal.” As she watched, she could see Journey returning. “Here she comes. You’d best pick up the evidence of your temper tantrum.”
Reno did as she suggested, willing himself to calm down. There was much to be done.
When Journey rejoined them, she sensed tension. “What’s going on?”
“Not a thing.” Reno came to her and kissed her on the cheek. “Just waiting for you. What did he say?”
“He’s almost through with his work. Kota doesn’t want to meet here, though. He’s asking that we meet him at his camp.”
“Where would that be?” Lou asked. “Should I change clothes?”
Journey eyed Lou’s suit. “Probably wouldn’t be a bad idea. He said his camp isn’t far, just about a mile from the park on Sandy Creek.” She looked at Reno. “We were close to his place where we picnicked earlier.”
“All right. Give me a minute.” Lou hurried from the room to change into something more casual.
When she left, silence pervaded the room. Long moments past before Journey spoke up. “What are you thinking?”
“I don’t know.” He dry-scrubbed his face with both hands. “The clock is ticking. I’ve been having such a glorious time with you it seems I haven’t been aware of the passage of time.”
“What if Lou is right? What if your attempt at returning is as dangerous as she says it is?”
“I can’t think that way, baby. My arrival here was painless. Hell, I didn’t even know it had taken place. I was in the past one moment and the future the next. I can’t let fear keep me from honoring my responsibilities.”
She held her head high, her chin jutting out with strength and determination. “I’m not afraid, either.”
As Lou hurried back, Reno wasn’t required to comment on her bravery. “Are we ready?” he asked.
“Let me get my recorder.” Lou jogged to her bedroom.
“I think we should drive instead of walk.” Journey found her purse. “It might be dark when it’s time to start back.”
They agreed and followed Journey from the house. As they approached the Subaru, she handed the keys to Reno. “You can drive.”