Journey held out her arms to take her baby. “Oh, give him to me, please. Look at him, Reno. Isn’t he beautiful!”
Tap! Tap!
“I want to take a picture, Reno!” Cole called from the other side of the door.
Reno laughed. “I’ll swear, he’s a monster with a camera.”
Journey held the baby with one hand and straightened her clothes with the other. “I’m probably a sight, but let him in. These photographs are precious.”
As Journey requested, Reno went to allow his brother to join them. As he did, all the rest of the clan pushed their way inside or gathered at the door.
“Oh, look at him.” Cole smiled. “He’s a fine boy. What’s his name?”
“Reno Cole Black,” Journey announced with pride.
Cole froze in place. “Well, that’s a fine name. A fine name.”
While everyone waited, the baby began to cry – loudly.
“Well, hurry up, brother. Take the picture. Our boy is hungry,” Reno encouraged his brother to pick up the pace.
“Don’t rush me. This is important.”
“Yes, it is.” Journey studied the baby’s tiny face with rapture, then held him up for the camera. “Smile, sweetie. Smile for Aunt Myra.”
Of course, it might’ve been gas…but to everyone’s surprise, little Cole smiled.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
BACK TO THE FUTURE
“Kota, are you ready?” Myra called from the kitchen door. “We’re going to be late!”
“No, we’re not. We’re good. I just placed little Cole’s picture on the mantel. Right where you wanted it.”
“Excellent. Lou did a fine job of framing it for me. Grab the cake, will you?” The older woman began to move slowly down the stairs. “You know, since you’ve been living with me, I’ll swear those roses have grown a foot.” She pointed to the new Knockouts she’d planted in the garden.
“You’re right. They’ve grown almost as fast as those kittens.” He hurried to grab her arm with his free hand. “Speaking of the rose garden, are you going to make an honest man out of me anytime soon?”
“Ha! Do you think a piece of paper will make an honest man out of you?”
“No, probably not. But it would make me feel better. I spend my days worrying that you’ll meet some other man to sweep you off your feet.”
“Not a chance. You’re it for me.” She allowed him to open the door of his truck, then to help her inside. “I can’t wait to meet the new neighbors. I think this welcome to the neighborhood dinner was perfect. What did you say their names were?”
“Black. Steve and Debbie Black. I noted the name when I signed the papers at the realtor’s office.”
“That’s an odd coincidence, don’t you think?”
Kota huffed. “I don’t believe in coincidences.”
“No, I know you don’t, my magic man.”
Rolling his eyes, he chuckled. “Hold off on the mushy talk, you’ll get me all worked up.”
After traveling the short distance to Kota’s old house on the highway, he grabbed the cake, then helped Myra to the front door.
“There’s a good crowd gathered. I hope I can find a comfortable place to sit.”
“You pick a seat and I’ll clear the spot by giving them my scary Indian face.”
“I like your scary Indian face, it’s sexy.”
Before they could knock on the door, it opened.
“Welcome, we saw you drive up! Kota, it’s good to see you again.” Steve Black opened the door and took the cake. “Come in. I’m sure you know everyone.”
“Myra needs a soft seat; her bursitis is acting up.”
“It is not!” She whispered a little too loudly. “I told you it’s my knee from falling out of bed when we…”
“How about on the couch?” Debbie Black offered, a little amused at the antics of the older couple. “Make yourself comfortable, I’ll get you both some coffee.”
After speaking to everyone, Kota joined Myra on the couch. “What are you looking at?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Look.” She showed him the beautiful cover of an oversize coffee table book.
“Huh.” Kota put on his glasses. “A Glimpse into the Old West, A Collection of Photographs by famed photographer, Cole Black.”
With a shaking hand, Myra opened the cover to see sights she would’ve never anticipated in a million years. Some of them were nature shots, like Enchanted Rock back in the day. Some of them captured beautiful wildlife – a herd of buffalo, a pack of grey wolves. Still, there were others than made her heart tremble in her chest. “Look, can you believe this?”
Kota leaned forward to see a photograph of a group of people on Packsaddle Mountain. Survivors of the Great Flood of 1869. Ha! There’s Reno. And there’s Journey!”
Myra laughed with delight. “Oh, look there’s more.” She saw a picture of their wedding. A picture of their first Christmas. And on and on. But the best photograph of all was the last one, for it showed Cole and his wife, Cocheta, standing next to Reno and his wife, Journey – and both couples were completely surrounded by a host of children and grandchildren.”
“I think I’m going to cry,” Myra said softly, wiping her cheek.
At that moment, Steve Black returned with two cups of coffee. “How do you like that book? I don’t know who most of those people are, but I’m related to the photographer, Cole Black. When they put together this collection of his work, I knew we just had to have a copy.”
“His work is lovely.” Myra swallowed back her tears. “Where could we buy one?”
“I’m sure any bookstore could order it for you, but I’ll get the address of the publishing company for you, how about that?”
“Thank you.” As Cole’s descendant walked away, Myra moved her finger across the image of Journey’s face. “Just look at her, Kota. Our Journey lived to have a fine, beautiful family.”
“Yes, she did. Reno looks mighty proud.” He put an arm around Myra and kissed her on the cheek.” Just goes to show you…what’s meant to be is meant to be – no matter what.”
NOTE FROM AUTHOR: I hope you enjoyed Journey and Reno’s story. I had a blast writing it. Watch for more of their antics in the upcoming Wild West Books.
Also be aware that many of the other characters in this story have books of their own. Not only King’s Fancy in the Wild West Series, but also in the Cowboy Craze Series and the Hell Yeah Series. You are invited to check out the master list at the end of this manuscript.
Also, you might be interested to know that the recipes for the essential oil concoctions are all real recipes that I make and use personally.