Riding the River (13 page)

She laughed. “You’re much more
interesting…”

“… Matt…
You’re much more interesting,
Matt
…”

“I’m not ready for that yet.” She shook her
head.

“You’re not ready to call me by my name?”

“No…”

He was confused. “When will you be
ready?”

“I’ll let you know…” Matt laughed and pushed
some hair off his forehead.

“Right. Your turn…”

Sarah twisted the hands in her lap. She
glanced over at him regarding her seriously. Then she decided. “I
work as a computer consultant in Baltimore.”

“What do you do?”

“I help companies get started with
technology. I also give tutorials about video production to the
community, and volunteer at a senior center sometimes helping them
learn how to use a computer.”

“… Sounds busy. Do you like your job?”

“I just knew you were going to ask me
that.”

He shrugged. “It’s a natural question after
what you said.”

She took a deep breath and said it fast, the
words pouring out. “I love the work, but hate the job. My boss is a
bully and I’m trying to start up my own company. But I’m sort of
spinning my wheels…”

“I noticed some redness on your arm when we
saw each other at the hotel in Reno.”

Her lips parted. “You saw that?”

He smiled. “I told you I was good with
details… What’s it all about, Sarah?”

She shook her head, but smiled. “First Dan,
then Dale and now you. Are all you Westerners also therapists?”

“You won’t tell me what’s going on?”

“It’s not your problem and you’ll just feel
sorry for me. I don’t want that... I don’t want to spoil my trip,
or yours.”

“Okay… but I can guess. The bullying boss is
causing you to break out in rashes. You took this trip in part to
get away from him, while you make up your mind what to do…”

Her eyes widened. “How could you know
that?”

“It wasn’t too big a step to take from what
you’d said.”

“…ah…”

“And I don’t feel sorry for you.”

“You don’t?”

“No, I’ve seen you here. You can do anything
– You ride, shoot, cook… You’re interested in everything and I
think you can do anything you decide to do. Maybe your confidence
is just lacking a little.”

This time her eyes filled with tears. Matt
reached into his pocket for a handkerchief and handed it to
her.

“…wwwho uses handkerchiefs anymore?” She
sniffed while blotting her eyes.

“Don’t forget your nose,” he coaxed. She blew
her nose while he smiled.

“You’re even pretty when you’re crying…”

He gave her a long look that spoke volumes.
She tried to return his handkerchief but he refused it. As they
gazed at each other, fishing completely forgotten, Richie came up
the path.

“Catch anything, folks?” He had a big smile
on his face like the cat that swallowed the canary. Matt and Sarah
blinked and got to their feet.

“Nope…”

“Well, Dale is looking for Sarah. Apparently,
she’s his new assistant or something. See you by the kitchen area…”
He turned and left.

“Let me have the fishing rods.” She handed
hers to him.

“Thank you for teaching me fishing. I… I’d
like to try it again sometime.”

He looked at her and said with feeling,
“Sarah, you’re not a mess. You’re lovely…”

She had trouble speaking and swallowing.

Matt laughed… “Let’s go. The cook is
requesting your presence.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Salad

Cornbread

Baked beans

Barbecued ribs

Peach cobbler

“Wow,” said Sarah. “That’s the menu for
tonight? Looks fabulous.”

“Let’s get to work, missy,” complained Dale.
“While you were off lollygagging, I’ve been busting my tail with
the meal.”

Sarah laughed at him. “Lollygagging?”

“Get the salad ingredients out and I’ll tell
you.”

Sarah just smiled as she went through the
food locker looking for what she’d need.

“This good?” She showed him what all she’d
collected to start the salad.

“Don’t forget the radishes and avocado.”

“Yes sir…”

Dale turned down the Dutch oven on the baked
beans and turned his attention to the ribs that he’d been
smoking.

“… All right… Lollygagging. I saw you by the
stream with Matt…”

“He was showing me how to fly fish,” Sarah
protested.

“Well… Did you catch anything, besides
Matt?”

She blushed. “It’s not like that, Dale. He’s
just being nice…” She peeked over at him. “Isn’t he?”

“… It’s not my place to say, I’m sure.” He
glanced at her and they grinned at each other. “Okay… maybe a
little.”

“Tell me his story.”

“That’s not fair. He asked about you and I
wouldn’t tell him anything.”

She gasped. “He asked about me?”

Dale rolled his eyes back. “You mean to say,
you haven’t noticed he’s interested in you?”

“I thought he was just helping a guest…”

“He helps guests all right, but not like he
helps you. Matt likes you, Sarah… Anything you want to do about
that?”

She looked down at her vegetables and
continued making the salad. “I told him I was a mess, Dale. My
life’s a mess…
I
wouldn’t get involved with me right
now.”

“Do you need some help?” Dale started
smearing the sauce on his smoked ribs.

She smiled. “Everyone has helped me so much
already. I’m making a few decisions.”

“Really? Like what?”

“Were you serious about having me stay on for
a while, Dale. You know, as an assistant?”

He turned to look at her and put down the
rib. “Yes…”

“… Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yes, I’d like to work for you, if you still
want me.”

“Of course, I still want you.”

“… I’m rethinking priorities. The West is
good for me… The East, not so much… I’m quitting my job, for sure,
and I’m going to concentrate on starting up my own online
consulting business.”

Dale beamed. “I’d give you a hug, if I could,
sweetie. That’s wonderful…”

He winked at her. “Couldn’t you do an online
business from anywhere?”

“Yes,” she smiled. “Another benefit.”

“Proud of you…” He finished the ribs and
started the peach cobbler. “Here... You take the cornbread.”

She put the salad down and took out the
cornbread ingredients. Then she found a bowl and began mixing
them.

“What about you, Dale? Is this what you
always envisioned for yourself?”

Dale chuckled. “No. I had a restaurant in
Reno for a few years, but it eventually closed.”

“Why? What happened?”

“It’s a tough market over there with the
casinos. They practically give away food to get people through the
doors to gamble. Plus, we didn’t get the foot traffic we needed
from the location.”

“Maybe you can try another place.”

“… Actually…”

“What?”

“I did find a location in Wells that I might
try.”

“… Wells?”

“Remember? It’s the small town not far from
the ranch. Anyway, I might try a Tex-Mex menu with barbecue too,
like I had in Reno. I like those foods…”

“Well, if you need some help, I’m your
man.”

He looked over at her. “Really, Sarah? You’d
help out?”

“Yes, you’ve helped me. I want to
reciprocate.” She smiled and then laughed out loud.

“What’s so funny?”

“My father and grandfather are going to faint
when they learn of the plans I’m making – And without them. It’s
another first for me…”

“Word is out that you’re from a prominent
family… Care to say how prominent?”

“Is it going to change the way people think
about me here? Because if it is, I’m not saying.”

Dale crossed his heart with a spoon. “I won’t
tell a soul.”

“Even Matt?”

“No, you can tell him yourself and you
should.”

“Okay… my grandfather was governor of
Maryland thirty years back. He’s still a major power player in the
party and is helping to run the current governor’s primary
election.”

“
Wow…
And your father?”

“He works as chief of staff to the mayor of
Baltimore.”

Dale whistled. “Impressive. How does that
affect you?”

She blew out a breath. “I’m roped into all
kinds of election parties, campaign functions, much glad-handing,
smiling and bad food.”

“You don’t like it, I take it?”

“Not at all. I just do it for my family. It’s
always been expected.”

“What about the boyfriend?”

“…Ex-boyfriend, you mean.”

“Yeah, him…”

“He expects me to suck it up and do whatever
Grandfather needs… Which I’ve always done.”

Dale smiled and put the peach cobbler into
the generator-powered oven he brought. He wiped his hands on a
cloth.

“Matt has a grandfather too.”

Sarah was finishing the cornbread. “What
should I do with this?”

“Let me take it… Anyway, Matt’s grandfather
lives about ten miles south of here on a beautiful property. He’s a
nice man and Matt’s only living relative. Have you met him
yet?”

She laughed. “Why would I meet his
grandfather?”

“Just asking. He’s a good guy and will
probably leave that property to Matt.”

“Should you be gossiping about him?”

“Everyone around here knows that.”

“I’m not from around here, Dale.”

“…Oh, I forgot. You do seem to blend in
pretty well, Sarah.”

Her mouth dropped open. “… Ah…”

Dale laughed at her expression. “Come on.
Let’s start hauling all the plates and utensils out. Dinner will be
ready in about thirty minutes and there’s lots of hungry folks to
feed.

####

Dinner was scrumptious. Why did everything
eaten out in the open-air taste so much better? Night was coming
and Cooper had gotten a campfire going. Dale had brought camp
chairs and the cowboys set them up around the fire. With twilight
and a fire to warm them, Sarah only needed her lighter coat. She’d
never camped out before and was finding the experience to her
liking.

“All right, everyone. Gather around,” started
Cooper. “We’ve had a great day today – No lost horses or guests.”
Everybody laughed at his comment, as they settled in the chairs to
listen.

“We have a few cowboys with us who will be
participating in the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko in a
few weeks. Maybe we can get them to recite a few poems for us. What
do you say?” People began applauding and looking around to see
which cowboys would speak up. Finally, Frank stood.

“First, does anyone know what cowboy poetry
is?” He looked around. No one raised a hand. “All right. Let me
explain then. Cowboy poetry came from the tradition of singing
songs and talking around a campfire at night after a long, dusty
day on a cattle drive. We share our love of rural life in the West
and cowboy culture.”

He cleared his throat and began to speak.
Frank told a story in poetic form of a friend who used to ride with
him. He stood tall and still, cowboy hat on his head, and spoke
about a cattle drive that claimed the friend’s life. A sudden storm
had caught them unaware, out in the open – No shelter. The herd
stampeded and the friend fell off his horse, only to be trampled by
panicking cows.

Frank’s voice rose and fell with the
intonation of his words. His prose contained certain rhythmic
cadences and he was hypnotizing… People listened and stared… Tears
glistened on cheeks to hear of the friend’s death. When he
finished, he took a bow, acknowledging applause from the little
group.

After Frank, Aaron and Richie both got up to
recite a poem or two. They had all written their own work and they
spoke of love for the cowboy way of life. Their homes in Nevada…
Orange and pink skies at dusk, bright yellow suns at dawn… Poems
sang without singing. Imaginary storms came and went, leaving damp
ground and moist air…. The feeling was one of freshness, longing
for a simpler life…

The audience was mesmerized and insisted on
more when they’d all finished. Sarah’s face mirrored other faces
that found their poetry hypnotic, nostalgic. Sweet and charming,
yet sometimes alarming…

After the poetry, Frank, Tyler and Richie
pulled out their guitars and began playing a few songs that
everyone knew. There was a big sing-along featuring
Red River
Valley, Someday Soon,
and
Rocky Mountain High.
While all
were singing, Matt quietly asked Sarah to take a walk with him.
With the opaque moon high in the sky peeking over a blackened
mountain, they strolled a while listening to night sounds.

They walked a path through a few pine trees.
Sarah was listening intently to everything.

“Was that an owl?” she asked him.

“Yes… That’s a barn owl,” replied Matt
smiling. “You really are a city girl, aren’t you?”

“… Well, yes, but I’m learning.”

He smiled at her. “Good… Keep learning.”

They walked on and listened more. “Any
mountain lions around here?” she asked. She stood still, listening
to the wind blowing softly through the trees.

“Nope. They’re generally in more rugged
territory than this, areas where deer are plentiful.” He turned to
her. “Have you seen any deer?”

She relaxed. “No, I guess not.”

Matt took her hand as they began walking
again. He laced his fingers with hers.

“Is this all right with you?”

“Yes,” she replied shyly, though not looking
at him.

They could hear the singing from the group
echoing in the trees and coming to rest at their feet.

“Are you enjoying your visit to Nevada?”

“Very much…” She started to say something
else, but voices up ahead caught their attention. Matt and Sarah
stopped to listen.

One voice was angry, a girl’s. The other
voice was insistent, a guy’s. Matt didn’t have to be a rocket
scientist to figure out what was going on. He hurried Sarah along
to find those voices.