tried to put his mood into words. “Anxious. Excited. I feel prepared to do what I need to do, and I have you to thank for that.”
His gratitude warmed her heart. “Hey, I’m part of this. These people are my family, just like you are.”
“Thanks.” Reno noticed the pink in her cheeks. “You are feeling better. I’m relieved.”
“Like I said, you worry too much.”
“Get used to it. That’s my job.”
As soon as they arrived at the ranch, Reno carried the kittens indoors while Journey released the hounds to see to their needs. “I think the best place for Blackie and Spot to be is in our bathroom for now. Later, I’ll work to introduce the gang to one another, but this will give them a chance to get acclimated.”
“Excellent. I will prepare their litter box and see to getting them some food and water.”
As soon as this was done, Reno helped Journey bring their bags in to her room. The hour was late, already past midnight. Both were so tired; sleep was their only thought.
…An odd noise brought Reno out of the bed. What did he hear? He listened intently. It sounded like someone being sick. Wheeling around, he saw he’d been sleeping along. “Dammit.” Padding to the bathroom, he saw a sliver of light beneath the door. “Journey? Are you okay?”
“Yea. I’m fine.”
“You don’t sound fine.” He tried the door, it was locked.
“I am. I must have a twenty-four-hour bug or something.”
“A bug? What kind of bug? And why is the door locked?”
He heard the toilet flush and water running in the sink.
Finally, his patience was rewarded with her appearance. “Sorry. I don’t like an audience when I’m retching.” She leaned her head on his hard chest and sighed when he wrapped his arms around her. “In this case, the bug is some little virus or something. We call it a bug because most diseases are caused by tiny little microorganisms or germs that look like squirmy bugs under the microscope.”
He laughed at her description. “I understand the analogy.” His voice sobered quickly. “What I don’t understand is what’s wrong with you. I insist that you seek medical treatment.”
“No. I hate doctors.” She pushed out of his arms. “I’ll be fine. You’ll see.”
“If you are not, young lady, I will insist that you see someone qualified.”
“Ack!” She fell on the bed, burying her face in the pillow. “There can’t be anything wrong. I’m healthy as a horse.”
Reno came to sit by her to rub her back. “I’ve seen horses get pretty sick. Boone owned one once that had worms. He’d drink water, then cough them up.”
“Reno!” She jumped up and ran back to the bathroom.
“Sorry. Sorry.”
…After the worm fiasco, Reno tried to make up ground by preparing Journey’s breakfast. He scrambled eggs and fried bacon. When she came in to eat, she took a few bites, then beat a hasty retreat to the toilet.
He watched her go, possibilities running through his head. When she returned, Reno didn’t have to say a word. “Okay. Okay. I’ll call and get an appointment.”
“Good. Let me know when you’re to go in and I’ll go with you.”
“All right.” She shook her head, hating the thought. “It’s just a stomach bug I tell you.”
“We’ll see. Better to be safe than sorry as Rory O’ Moore would say.”
Journey wondered about Mr. O’ Moore, but not enough to ask. “Very well.” She said the words succinctly. “Now, go outside and do something manly. I’ll let you know what I find out.”
“Everything I do is manly,” he quipped, but when she didn’t smile, he moved on. “I see Kota’s pickup parked beneath the tree. I think I’ll go visit with him for a few minutes.”
“Sure, do what you need to do. I’ll putter around, put something on to cook for us to eat, then work on my oil orders. I’ve neglected them as long as I can.”
“And call the doctor!” he reiterated. When she gave him the evil eye, he tugged her to him. “Take it easy, please. You’re the most important thing in the world to me.” He held her close for a few seconds before taking his leave.
Journey walked to the window to watch him go. Seeing him move gracefully across the yard, stopping to untangle one of the dogs, made her feel almost nostalgic. How often she’d imagined just such a thing. When he disappeared into the barn, she pushed away and went to work.
As Reno headed to the barn, he wondered about Journey.