hide the garments. She hated to spoil the view. “We really need to get you some boxers or briefs. You’re going to burn up in that union suit.”
Reno gave her a funny look. “Are you talking about my unmentionables?”
Journey couldn’t help but smile. “Yea. I guess so.” She gave him a teasing look. “We’re not so uptight about underwear in the 21st century.”
“Oh, yea?” Reno wanted to ask about her unmentionables, but he held his tongue. “You’ll have to enlighten me further at another time.”
As he left the room, he gave her a sly wink and Journey had to grab onto the table for support. While he dressed, she cleaned the kitchen, and walked the dogs around the flower garden. Upon her return, she thought to check the answering machine. Sure enough, there were two messages. One was from Myra; she’d phoned while Journey was at the grocery store. “Gosh, I’ve got to get my car. I bet the stew meat is ruined.” She hoped Mr. Blue hadn’t called a tow truck to haul away her Subaru. The next message was from the Fredericksburg police department. They had located the two men who were now in police custody pending charges for aggravated assault and attempted murder. Later, she’d need to go in and make another statement. “First, I’ve got to get my car.”
“Uh, Journey?”
She whirled around to find him dressed once more. Boots. Hat. Belt. Only the duster and the bandanna were missing. “Yes?”
“I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. To ease my mind, I think I’m going to ride to King’s Ransom and check on things there. Just to be sure.” The whole world might be catawampus, but he needed to see it for himself.
“King’s Ransom is near Packsaddle Mountain, right?” she asked, her mind formulating a plan.
“Yes. Half a day’s ride, so I need to get going.”
Knowing what he was going to find, Journey sought to save him some time. “Let me drive you. It’ll be a heck of a lot quicker. We can walk over to the neighbors, get my car, then go from there.”
“In one of those horseless carriages?” As long as he was stuck in this unbelievable situation, he might as well go whole hog.
“Right. I have a red Subaru. Not too sporty, but it’ll get us from point A to point B.”
“I’m willing.” He gave her an agreeable nod and headed to the door. “I’ll check on Traveler first.”
Journey was right behind him. “Mr. Kota may be here already. If he is, I can ask him about my car.” She caught up with Reno. “I left it there last night when I was trying to get away from those men.” A shiver crept down her back. “You know, I think they were crazy enough to kill me. I’m sure glad you came along when you did.”
“Saving you makes this…debacle worthwhile.” As they made their way across the manicured lawn, Reno barely registered the plants and trees they passed. His mind was struggling with the possibility that Journey was right. What if he was a hundred and fifty years in the future? What then?
“Oh, there’s the grandson now.”
Journey waved her hand and took off running toward a young man who was busy giving Traveler a good brushing down. “At least someone’s enjoying themselves.” As soon as he muttered the words, he challenged them. If he wasn’t so worried and confused, sharing time with this gorgeous woman would be amazing. She was doing everything in her power to make things easy for him. As he watched her speaking animatedly to Mr. Blue, he remembered what she’d said the night before.
I wished for you.
A thrill coursed through him with the memory. What had she meant when she said she wished for him?
As he neared the pair, he heard her speaking. “Sorry. I bet you wondered what was going on. I’m glad your grandfather didn’t let them take my Subaru when they towed the black truck away.”
An uneasy feeling filled Reno as he watched the man smile at Journey. He walked a bit quicker, determined to place himself between the couple who seemed to find a lot to laugh about.
Just before he joined them, Reno became aware of a strange rumbling. To his surprise, a red…something came rolling up on wide black wheels. Without being told, he knew this was one of those horseless carriages that Journey had told him about.
“There he is now.” Journey came to where Reno was standing. “Mr. Kota is delivering my car. Isn’t