they’d drifted apart. Here they were, less than a week before the full moon and she wanted to shake him and make him tell her what to expect. Her heart was literally breaking in two. It was as if an abyss of time separated them. And Journey was very afraid that was exactly what was about to happen.
So, all that uncertainty was leading up to what she considered to be a now or never moment.
“Would you like more pie?” Yes, the way to a man’s heart and all that.
“What a lunch!” Reno begged off. “No. Berry is my favorite, but two pieces was plenty. I used to pick dewberries for Mother, and she’d bake them in a cobbler with a biscuit-like dumpling dough.”
“I bet that’s good. I’ll have to hunt a similar recipe to make for you.”
“That’d be great.”
He let out a satisfied sigh. The smile on his face would’ve seemed real, but Journey noted that it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“So, how do you feel?”
“Fine.” That was always his question, and this was always her answer. She’d even visited the doctor again and been told all looked better than he’d hoped. What more could Reno want?
“Good. I have a surprise for you.”
“You do?” His announcement was completely unexpected. And incredibly bad timing. She was probably being unreasonable, but she’d worked her courage up to a frantic level and she didn’t want anything to get in the way of her big plan. Not even something good.
“I do.” With a genuine smile this time, he rose and went toward the front of the house. “I left it just inside the front door.” The now familiar clicking of his boot heels on the Mexican tile sounded as he moved across the kitchen and dining area. The two cats and two dogs frolicked along beside him. She closed her eyes to record the sound in her memory. A smile came to her face as he mumbled something. He had a habit of talking to himself. She found it endearing, like she found everything else about him endearing. “I can’t imagine what you have up your sleeve,” she announced as she heard his footsteps returning.
“Shut your eyes, please.”
She did so, ignoring her impulse to peek. “Tell me when.”
“Not yet. Just hold on. I know you’ve been wondering where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing.”
“Avoiding me?” Oh, the devil made her say it.
“Not at all. I have been busy making something. Open your eyes.”
When she did, there was Reno standing next to a beautiful crib. “Oh, Reno. I can’t believe it!”
“It’s for the baby,” he announced the obvious. “I made it myself.”
Her exasperation forgotten, she ran to give him a kiss, then knelt to run her hands over the beautiful baby furniture. “This is gorgeous. Such fine work. I didn’t know you could do this.”
“I didn’t either. It’s been a long time since I tried. Before the war, I apprenticed with this furniture maker for a few months. That seems like a lifetime ago,” he mused.
“Well, this is exquisite. Thank you.”
“I’m glad you like it. I wanted the baby to have something special.”
“This is indeed special.” Although not as special as having a present father. Taking a deep breath, Journey called up the needed nerve. “Can I ask you something?” She clasped her hands tightly at her waist.
“Anything.”
Funny, he didn’t look like he meant that.
Journey opened her mouth, then closed it. Dammit, the right words wouldn’t come. Instead, she asked another question that had been on her mind as of late. “Reno, do you still want to get married? I can understand if you don’t want to. I mean, our situation is beyond strange.”
Reno looked taken aback. Offended. “Of course, I want to get married. More than anything. Don’t you?”
“Yes, I do. I just…”
He dry-scrubbed his face. “Then no more talk like that. We’re getting married the day after tomorrow.” He backed away from her. “Now, I need to go. I promised Kota I’d meet him.”
“You’ve been spending a lot of time with Kota.”
“Only since he returned from Arizona. He’s really helped me.”
“I’d love to help you.” She held her hands out to him. “If you’d just talk to me.”
“I will. I mean I do.” He backed away a few more steps. “Lou’s coming today, isn’t she? And your aunt?”
She nodded. “In time for the wedding, yes.”
He glanced toward the kitchen, seeing two pots on the stove. “I know you must be busy. If you need anything, just let me know. I’ll be right