bugged out. “Is that wise?”
“I don’t know. I hope so.”
“Journey. Hey!”
She looked up to see Apple Blackhawk approaching. “Reno won! Yay!”
“I know. It’s wonderful.” She held up the plaque and the envelope. “I’m not sure what’s in here, but it has to be good.”
“Gift certificates, I think. You’ll both enjoy them.”
Journey hoped they didn’t expire too soon. “I’m sure we will.” As she spoke, she thought of the information Apple had loaned her. “I’m so sorry I haven’t returned the box of historical papers. I haven’t had a chance to finish going through them yet.”
“No rush. Keep them as long as you need to.” She sat down by Journey. “Hi, Ms. Weiss. Good to see you.”
“Nice to see you, Apple. Are you still working at the veterinarians?”
“I am. Love my job.” She touched Journey’s arm. “Hey, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”
“Yea? What is it?” Journey kept glancing between Apple and the door Reno had disappeared out of.
“Well, it’s no big deal. I was just wondering if you might like to join our book club. All the members were here tonight, so you’ll recognize most of them. We meet for lunch on Tuesdays to talk plots…and other things.”
“A book club? I’ve never belonged to one before.”
Apple giggled and bent close to whisper. “Well, it’s more of a margarita club, but we like to at least pretend we read books.”
“Well, I…”
Apple waved her hand. “Hey, you’re a newlywed. I understand.”
“No.” Journey hurried to stop her from reneging on the offer. “Actually, Reno is going to be out of town for a few weeks. I could do with some company.” She needed a distraction to take her mind off the fact her husband would be a hundred and fifty years in the past.
“Wonderful! Let me give you the information…”
…Outside, Reno sat on a bench next to Harley.
“And that’s the whole story. You were right about everything.”
Harley looked down at the ground. “This is incredible. Your secret is safe with me, of course.”
“I appreciate your promise. Not that anyone would believe it if you were to tell. There’s just one thing I need to know.”
“What’s that?”
“Will I make it there safely? Will Journey be okay while I’m gone? Will I be successful in my attempt to save Cole and my Indian friends? Will I make it back to her in one piece?”
“That’s a lot more than one thing, Reno.” Harley breathed a heavy sigh and shook her head, light laughter on her lips. “Well, let’s see.” At his hopeful expressions, she took his hand and closed her eyes. “Okay. I can’t tell you as much as you want to know. Much of your future is shrouded in the mists of time, to put it poetically. What I can tell you is that things won’t go as smoothly as you hope. There will be heartache, but there’ll be happiness also.”
“No details?” His heart sank.
“You wanted assurances and I can’t give them to you. I’m sorry. I do see that joy awaits you.”
He nodded. “I’ve heard those words before.”
“I’m sure you have. I’m picking up another woman saying them to you.”
“My mother.”
Harley nodded. “Take heart. Time is on your side. At least you have a chance to right some wrongs. The rest of us don’t have the luxury of traveling to the past to fix things.”
“Believe me, the privilege comes with a mighty high price.”
“Take heart. You seem to have some pretty powerful spirit guides.”
“I’m sure I do.” His mother and Ela came to mind.
“While you’re gone, I will pray things work out for you.”
“Thank you.” Reno rose to escort Harley to her husband. It was time for him to return to his Journey. Tonight, would be their last night together in a long while.
* * *
“So, Lou has a date with Samuel Blackhawk. Isn’t that crazy?”
“The guy I punched?”
“The same one.” Journey laughed, flipping through the gift certificates. “You made a haul. Wine tours. A free pair of handmade cowboy boots. Luxury hotel packages. Golf games. Lots of restaurants certificates. Ah, here’s one for zip lining.”
“What?” He leaned against her to see the colorful brochure she was holding.
“You hook this cable to a harness and swing through the trees.”
“And people pay for that?”
“They do.” She looked at the bouquet of certificates in her hand, then just let them drop. “I’m sorry. I can’t get excited about any of this. I’m just too worried. Too sad.”
“Aw, come here.” He pulled her into his lap as they sat in the middle of the bed.