these babies were so tiny they didn’t really count as pets. “Reno. Sweetheart. We’re here.”
When he opened sleepy eyes, it was to see a man loading their luggage onto a cart. “Where are we?”
“At the hotel. Come with me. This nice fellow will see to parking the car and getting our luggage to the room.”
“Where is Blackie and Spot?”
She playfully winced at the names. “Shhhh. They’re stowaways in my purse. Grab the rest of the milk.”
Once inside, Reno turned in a circle taking in the glitz and glamour of the themed hotel. There were subtle touches of Elvis everywhere. She approached the registration desk and was mesmerized by the tasteful mural featuring the King’s face. As she claimed the keycard to their room, she looked around to see where her man had gotten off to. For a second or two, she couldn’t find him, and a dash of fear turned her blood to ice. What if he got lost? What if he disappeared? What if he found some odd, stray portal and wandered into it like Elvis, who was rumored to be everywhere and nowhere. Yes, she knew she was being silly. He was right here. Somewhere. She whirled once more and crashed right into his chest. “Where’d you go?” Her voice was a little shrill.
He rubbed her arms, soothing her. “Looking for a place to get some food. There’s the EP Grill next door.”
Journey made it about three feet to a chair so she could sit down. “Okay. I am weak.”
Reno gazed at her with a hint of amusement. “Thought you’d lost me, did you not?”
“Yes. I thought you stumbled through a portal to Antarctica. Freezing with the penguins.”
“You know that’s not going to happen, don’t you? Lightning striking – and all of that.” He knelt at her feet while she caught her breath.
“I do know I’m being silly. Irrational fear.”
“Like mine at the gas station?”
“No.” She had to admit the truth. “What you feared happens to women much more often. I promise not to put you through any needless worry again.”
“That’s my girl.” He rose and held out his hand. “I love you, Sojourner.”
“I love you, Reno.”
After taking the kittens up to the room and feeding them again, she made them a bed on a towel. Being resourceful, she found a tissue box, which she emptied of tissues, then filled with a little of the dirt from one of the potted plants on the balcony. “This will do until we can get something better.” It didn’t take her long to introduce the little ones to the concept of using the sandbox. When they were finished, she patted them clean, then put them to bed – where they promptly fell asleep.
“Okay. I’m ready when you are,” she announced after washing her hands.
“You’re a natural born mother, aren’t you?”
She frowned. “And you can tell that from how I treat a kitten?”
“I most certainly can. Cruelty is something I’ve very familiar with, but I can recognize kindness, gentleness, and a nurturing spirit. Those characteristics are the essence of motherhood.”
What he said was so sweet, all she could do was smile. “Let’s go, cowboy.”
Hand in hand, they left their room and went down the elevator to the lobby. Along the way they made note of the Elvis memorabilia decorating the hallways. Nothing overt. All very tasteful. “He was dead before I was born, you know.”
“I would be too if I’d led a normal life. You like older men, huh?”
“There’s nothing normal about you, Reno Black. And yes, I like antique men who look twenty-six.” She giggled as he placed his hand at her waist to playfully goose her in the side.
As they made their way down the long hall to the restaurant, Reno took note of the countless women they passed. Only a few husbands seemed to be tagging alongside their wives. “Women really loved Elvis, didn’t they?”
“Yea, he will always be one of the handsomest men to ever live.” At Reno’s deep intake of breath, she added quickly, “Not as handsome as you though, sweetheart.” At his chuckle, she leaned into him, enjoying their closeness. Taking note of the song being played, she hummed along. “I’ll remember you, long after this endless…” The words she sang suddenly hit her and she couldn’t go on.
Reno didn’t seem to notice. “He does have a great voice.” He looked up, listening to the music. “The mall was like this. Music all around. Where is it coming from?”
Journey pointed at a couple of well-disguised speakers.