“It smells good.” He took a seat, then rested his head in his hands. “Are you sure it’s okay that I’m here?”
“Are you kidding? You’re family.” Journey felt guilty for feeling giddy, but she was practically dancing with joy on her tiptoes.
Reno smiled. “Thanks.” He watched her pull two bowls from the cabinet and fill them with fragrant soup. “I do thank you for making me welcome.”
“Reno.” She placed the bowls on the table, then fetched silverware, drinks, napkins and crackers. “I memorized the stories about how you hunted so the Stanton kids wouldn’t go hungry. How you paid off a loan at the bank for them so they wouldn’t lose their land. I also know how you visited them, made sure they had what they needed. As far as they were concerned, you gave your life to save them.” Journey joined him at the table. “You do realize if something had happened to Saul at that time, I never would’ve been born.”
He gave her a sheepish smile. “I guess I can bunk down here guilt free.”
“Yes. You can.”
He took a big bite, then moved it around in his mouth. “Hot,” he managed to say.
Journey giggled. “Blow on it.”
He did as she suggested, beginning to relax. “So, tell me, how far does Saul’s journal go. Time-wise.”
“Until he’s grown. All the children lived to grow up too.”
“They’re safe then.” He spoke as if they were even now on their way with Clay to King’s Ransom.
“Yes. You don’t have to worry about them.” She tapped her finger on the side of her glass. “Remind me and before we go to bed, I’ll fetch the journal. You can read it for yourself.”
Before we go to bed.
At the same moment, both processed the words she’d spoken off-hand. He cleared his throat and coughed, and she blushed like mad.
To cover up their uneasiness and embarrassment, both reached for the sleeve of crackers at the same time. When they did, their hands touched, and time stood still.
Reno recovered first. He drew back. “Sorry. Go ahead.”
“There’s plenty.” She took a few and handed the rest to him. “Where have you been all this time?”
“At the canyon.” He dipped a cracker in the soup and raised it to his lips. He didn’t add anything until he’d eaten it and took a sip of tea. “I checked every inch of that wall. There was no opening, not even a small one. I even rode Traveler at full speed, trying to recreate the way we approached it last evening – almost broke both our necks. Nothing worked.”
“I’m so sorry,” Journey said and meant it. “I won’t lie, I’m glad you’re here with me. But I would never wish you to be anywhere you aren’t happy.”
Reno wiped his mouth with a paper napkin. “Being happy is not the factor. It’s what I’ve left undone that troubles me.”
She nodded. “I understand. Unfinished business. Every ghost story I’ve ever heard says that’s the reason for a haunting. People find it hard to let go, even if they have no choice.”
“I’m not dead.”
His emphatic statement took her by surprise. “No. You’re aren’t.”
“People… Clay, King, Cole, Saul, all of them think I am.” He laid his spoon down by his bowl.
“Yes, that’s true.” She chewed on her lower lip, searching for words. They’d discussed this earlier, but she could see the matter was still unsettled in his mind. “I mean, they will. In time. If you think of our timelines as moving parallel, as of right this minute, everyone thinks you’ve gone to see the lawyer. When you don’t show up there in a couple of weeks, I think they send back a telegram. King and the others check and find out you never caught the stagecoach. They look for you, but…” Her voice trailed. “They find nothing, of course.”
“Because, I’m not dead.” He repeated again, just as forcefully as before.
“No.” She tentatively reached over to touch his hand. “You’re very much alive and I am very grateful.” When he just looked at her hand on his without saying anything, Journey jerked it back. She didn’t apologize though. “When we finish, I’ll get the journal. And my kindle. I promised to show you how to use it. I’ll also change the sheets on the bed. If you want, I’ll wash your clothes again. We really need to buy you some more. You didn’t think to bring a change or two, did you?” Journey knew she was speaking too