are many caves nearby. Some are rumored to be filled with gold and silver. Others are rumored to be haunted.”
“Gold.” He practically spat out the word. “As Clay said, the love of money is the root of all evil. Gold is what the raiders were searching for when they attacked the Stanton cabin. Saul’s father was a failed prospector. He never found any gold. Kinsella was sadly mistaken.”
“I’m sorry.” At the moment, she didn’t know exactly what for. He was upset and she felt the need to help him.
“No reason for you to be. I just need to find Ela’s cavern. I know right where it is. I’ve been there many times. I was there today.”
Today. Journey struggled with the concept. Faced with the reality that a man who walked the earth a century and a half ago was here with her now, a man she’d been in love with forever – normal notions concerning milestones of time like yesterday, today, or tomorrow were hard to define. “Saul and the others came here after you led Kinsella away?”
“Yes, Clay brought them. I hope and pray they’re safe.” He pulled up on the reins, standing up in the stirrups. “There’s the cave.” Settling in the saddle, he pushed his horse to begin the climb to the entrance. He could see no glow from her fire and the path to the cave was less clear, more rugged. “Come on, Traveler.” The closer he drew, the harder his heart beat.
Journey didn’t follow. She kept her mount on the trail and watched as Reno entered the empty cave. What he was looking for – who he was searching for – wouldn’t be there. A cold shiver wormed its way down her spine as she considered what to do next. The only solution she could come up with was to convince him to return with her to the ranch. She couldn’t allow him to go searching further. He wouldn’t find any place or anyone he would recognize.
What would come next? She didn’t have a clue.
Reno looked all around him, even venturing deep into the recesses of the cavern. It was empty. There was no trace of Ela at all. One would never know a woman had spent her twilight years dwelling in the sanctuary this cave provided. He took off his hat and tore his fingers through his hair in frustration. “What is going on?” So far, he’d tried to ignore the odd things he’d experienced. The strange things the woman, Journey, had told him. He thought that if he could find Clay and the others – all would make sense. The world would right itself. But no. Everything was topsy-turvy.
Knowing there was nothing for him in the cave, he left. In a few moments, he rode up next to Journey. “There was nothing there.”
“I’m sorry. What are you going to do now?”
Her question deserved an answer, only he didn’t have one. Reno wanted to go to King’s Ransom. If he could see his friends, hear their voices, all would make sense. Maybe Clay and the children were already there. Safe and sound.
What if they weren’t? What if when he arrived at the base of Packsaddle Mountain, there was no sign of any of them. Like they’d never been. Reno hung his head. He couldn’t handle that – not tonight. “Things will be different tomorrow,” he said aloud. Meeting her gaze, he asked a favor of a woman he’d only known for a few hours. “Could I bed down in front of your fire?”
“I can do better than that.” Journey smiled. “You can have your own room.”
* * *
“Stop, Dudley. Cleo! Arg!” She pushed the wiggling dogs gently to one side. “Stop licking my face, you guys.” Sitting up, she rubbed her cheek with the sheet. “I know you’re hungry. I am too.” She hadn’t eaten much at all yesterday. She’d…
“Oh, my goodness!” As memories returned, Journey jumped, practically levitating from the bed. Was Reno here? In this house? Or did she just wake up from a helluva dream? She needed to go see. Make sure he was actually here. Journey was just about to sprint for the bedroom door when she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. “Ick.” On the chance that her epic crush was just down the hall, she decided to freshen up and make herself as beautiful as she could manage.
After the fastest shower and makeover on record, Journey tiptoed from the bathroom to the guest bedroom door. Turning