noise?” he asked with curiosity. “I can barely hear it, but it sounds…” He couldn’t think of a word to describe it.
“Hold on.” She adjusted the player, so the sound filled the room. “Rowdy rock-n-roll. Gotta love it.”
Reno didn’t know about loving the music, but he sure could appreciate how it inspired the pretty girl to move that beautiful body of hers. When he noticed her staring at the towel he was wearing, Reno shrugged. “My clothes were missing.”
That shrug almost dislodged the towel.
Almost. Dammit.
Placing a hand over her rapidly beating heart, Journey nodded. “I washed them. They’re in the dryer.”
“The dryer…” he said slowly.
“Yea, I’ll show you in a bit. Your clothes will be clean and dry. Warm and toasty.” She gave him a beaming smile. “Come eat. I’m starving and I bet you are too.”
Reno didn’t argue. “I am. My last meal was a bowl of Saul’s beef soup.”
“Sounds yummy. Here you go.” Journey handed him a plate full of food. “What do you take in your coffee?”
“Sugar. Three spoons.” He held up his fingers.
“Oh, you like it sweet.”
She winked at him and Reno felt his heart skip a beat. “Yes. I do.” He felt his cheeks grow warm as she leaned over to place a steaming cup of coffee next to his plate. “I uh, like what you’re wearing.” What man wouldn’t?
Journey glanced down at her blue jean shorts and simple red tank top. “Just something I threw on.” She filled her own plate and joined him, sitting in the chair opposite. “How do you feel this morning? Sleep well?”
“Like a log.” He buttered a biscuit, then took a bite. “Um, good.”
“I’m glad. Sorry, they came out of a can.”
“Really?” The thought intrigued him.
“Yea. Hold on.” She jumped up and went to the refrigerator, finding a blue tube can and bringing it to him. “Check this out.”
Reno examined the can, looking at the ends. “How do you open it?”
She showed him how to pull back the paper. “See that seam. Just whack the can on the table right at that seam.”
“All right.” He did so. When the can popped open he jumped, laughing as the biscuit dough made an appearance.
“Neat, huh?” She laughed along with him. “We’ll save those for another time.” Taking the opened can from him, she slipped the whole business into a gallon zip-lock bag and stored it in the refrigerator.
Reno watched her carefully, taking note of the odd things like the clear sack and the cold storage box. “So many things to wonder at.”
“Ask me anything you want to know.” Having him here was the most exciting thing that had ever happened to her.
“I will. I’m just a bit overwhelmed. Don’t know where to start.” Reno ate thoughtfully, his eyes on Journey as she picked at her food. She was unlike anyone he’d ever known. Beautiful as a picture. Lively. So self-confident. “You said you lived alone. In Austin?”
“Yes. I have an apartment.” She pushed her plate back, too excited to eat anymore. “I don’t have a fancy job. I didn’t go to college, but I make a good living selling beauty products and home remedies made with essential oils and herbs.”
He nodded. “My mother made many things with herbs.”
His comment made her smile. “And you work on a ranch.”
“Yes. I have six partners. My captain and other members of my unit.” He sopped a bit of biscuit through the remaining egg on his plate. “We fought for the Confederacy.” As if he’d just had a thought, he jerked his head up to pin Journey with a stare. “In 2019, does the United States still exist?”
“Absolutely. How many states were there in 1869?”
“Thirty-seven.”
She raised her eyebrows and leaned in to whisper. “There are fifty now. Including Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands.”
“Really.” He seemed surprised and his eyes widened further when something buzzed loudly. “What’s that?”
“Your clothes are dry.” She rose and exited the room. “We probably need to buy you some more pants and shirts.”
He started to argue but closed his mouth. She might be right. “I have money in my saddlebag.” A thought occurred to him and he rose, following her part of the way. “Did you find a small rawhide bag in the front pocket of my pants?”
“No. There was nothing in your pockets. I checked,” she called back to him.
“Huh.” He frowned. “I guess I lost it.” He hated that. Ela would disapprove.
“Here you go.” Journey announced as she returned, handing over the folded clothes. Part of her wanted to