Riding the River (12 page)

“… I don’t know, but I don’t think so. I
think she’s scared… Of what, I have no clue.”

“Well…” Matt looked over at Richie. He was
about to take a big bite of bacon.

“Well, what?”

“… Um…”

“Out with it…”

“During a lull in the action, Tess said a
couple of things about Sarah.”

Matt perked up. “Like what?”

“Desperate for information?”

“Yes… tell me…”

“… Well, you know she’s from Baltimore.”

“Yeah…”

“Apparently, she’s from a prominent
family.”

“How prominent?”

“I guess Sarah didn’t say, but Tess got the
feeling they were important.”

“What else?”

“She mentioned that Sarah had just broken up
with some guy too.”

“…Really? This is good… More…”

“Well, she and Tess don’t know each other
that well, but…”

“But what?”

“Tess got the feeling she was running away
from something… or someone…”

“That doesn’t sound good.” Matt thought a
minute. “But it might explain her hesitancy toward me, her
skittishness.”

Richie brightened. “Oh… You’ll like
this.”

“What is it?” Matt leaned toward him.

“Sarah definitely thinks you’re cute.”

“Cute?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s it?”

“What do you want? A marriage proposal? Much
has been done with less.”

Matt nodded his head. “Yep, you’re right.
Thanks for the information.”

“You’re welcome.” Richie wiped off his mouth.
“Ready to hit the trail?”

“Let’s go.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The cowboys had some sixty horses rounded up
and ready to go. Mr. Walker stood by the corral gate and looked out
at the various mounted guests and cowboys. It was always one of the
parts of the drive he liked best. Taking them out and bringing them
in…

Sarah sat back out a ways on Thunder with
Tess beside her on Strawberry. She checked to make sure she had the
horseshoe in her saddlebag, as they waited for him -- Everyone
watched him expectantly.

“Ready?” He yelled. Then he waved his cowboy
hat in the air, while making a bunch of noises. Sarah thought she
heard him say, “Hey, hut hut, git on...” Or something like that.
All the cowboys waved their hats in the air, so the guests did as
well.

“What’d he say?” asked Tess.

“I don’t know. I was kind of expecting the
Yee haw scene from ‘
Red River’
.

Mr. Walker opened the corral and the horses
started walking out. Cooper, the trail boss, took over and the
cowboys began pushing the herd of horses up towards the northern
part of the property.

“Good luck, you guys…” called out Mr. Walker
as cowboys and guests started riding with the herd.

Dale had already gone ahead to meet the herd
at a pre-arranged stopping place for the night. He drove a truck
with a small trailer filled with food and kitchen things for the
drive. He’d asked Sarah to drive with him, but she wanted to ride a
horse instead. He’d given all the guests a container of food for
their lunches. They’d have a cold lunch, but hot dinner.

So the horses were moving north with cowboys
and guests following alongside and behind. Occasionally, Sarah
would flick the reins on her legs to get the horses moving.

They rode for a while moving the herd along a
flat area between hills and the riding wasn’t hard. Sarah watched
as the cowboys yelled, “Whoop, whoop” and moved their arms up and
down to keep the herd moving. It was quite a picture – Riding
through the grassy area between hills towards low mountains on the
horizon, tiny white clouds up in the blue, forever sky. After an
hour or so, they started to climb up a more mountainous area where
the going was tougher. Frank and Aaron got off their horses to shoo
some of the strays back toward the bulk of the herd. It was hard
riding for a while, but the views into the valley were
breathtaking. They rode down on the other side towards a low-level
pasture area. It had been several hours riding when Cooper called
lunch.

Sarah dismounted, already feeling some
creeping stiffness in her legs.

“You okay?” yelled Tess. She looked like her
legs were stiffening up too.

“Yeah… You?” Sarah smiled when Tess gave her
a thumbs-up.

Looking around, Sarah thought they were in
Heaven, all right. Tall pine trees reaching up in the sky, each
vying for their bit of sun. The horses, in varying shades of brown
and black, rested on the grass, eating and flicking their tails…
Colts and fillies trying to find their mothers… She took off her
hat and reached into her saddlebag for her water bottle. Richie
rode by to see how they were doing.

“Hey, ladies. How’s it going?”

“Great,” smiled Tess. She pushed back a few
strands of hair that fell in her face.

“…Good,” added Sarah. “We’re staying on and
rounding up a few strays.”

“That’s the job… See you later.” Richie
winked at Tess and tipped his hat at both women.

“He’s pretty cute, Tess,” began Sarah. “Sure
you only want an afternoon delight with him?”

Tess sighed. “…Afternoon, evening, morning,
any time…”

That got Sarah laughing. Cooper rode up to
them.

“…Ladies… Doing all right?”

“Indeed, Cooper. Thanks, we’re fine.”

“Well, look lively. After the lunch break, we
have a few more hours to go until we reach Dale and the
campsite.”

“Then I go to work,” said Sarah.

“How about you try a little fishing first?”
He raised his eyebrows at her.

“… Fishing?”

“Yup. Later…” And he galloped off.

The relaxing break lasted about thirty
minutes, and then Cooper got them all up and riding again. The next
part of the ride was easier with flat valleys and flowing creeks.
Sarah and Tess yelled, “Eh, eh” and “Yup, yup” and the like to keep
the horses moving forward. The other guests seemed to be getting
into the swing of things as well, enjoying the experience.

Matt watched as Sarah moved in and out of the
herd with her horse. She seemed fearless, sometimes chasing a few
strays back in. The outdoors brought out her smile and her rosy
cheeks. Her cowboy hat had fallen on her back, its string around
her neck. Her ponytail flicked around like a horse’s tail and a
windblown look on her was exceptionally good… He smiled. Matt now
expected that she could handle any Western experience that came her
way. Whatever had happened in Baltimore was a dim memory… She was
confident and it showed. He wished this drive could last
forever…

By late afternoon, they made it to the
campsite where they’d spend the night. There were picnic tables
available in the area with a stream flowing close to the tall trees
nearby. The cowboys took care of all their horses, so the guests
were free to wander around and explore the woods and campsite. Some
put up their tents. Birch trees mixed with aspens, sagebrush dotted
the landscape. The horse herd was in a close pasture eating and
chewing, settling in for the night.

Sarah stood still for a moment with her eyes
closed, listening to the new sounds around her. She thought she
heard an owl, but wasn’t sure. Unfamiliar birdcalls filled the air,
as did a breeze whispering through the trees. She breathed in
smells of pine and sage. It was unfamiliar perhaps, but
comfortable… Easy. She felt at home. Matt had come up quietly
behind her. He was surprised at her comfort level and shook his
head…
Why should he be surprised?
She was born here in
another life, maybe…

She opened her eyes and turned to see him
standing about six feet away from her, holding two fishing rods, a
net and some other gear. Sarah blinked…

“No, I’m not stalking you again.” She smiled
this time. “Cooper asked me to take you fishing, if you’d like…” He
looked away for a minute and when he looked back, his dark eyes
were darker. “Would you like to – fish, that is?”

Sarah looked around for Tess. “Where’s
Tess?”

“… with Richie.” She watched him for a
moment.

“Okay. I’d love to learn how to fish.”

“You’ve never fished before?”

“… Absolutely everything on this trip has
been a first for me.” Sarah laughed. “Fishing is no exception.”

Matt smiled. “I’m amazed that you’re willing
to try so many new things.”

“It’s one of the reasons I came on this
trip.”

“What was another reason, Sarah?” She looked
hesitant again. “Sorry. None of my business.” Then he brightened.
“Ready to go?”

“Sure…”

Guests were milling around, sitting at the
tables, playing a game of horseshoes or taking walks. Not too many
were down by the stream, so Matt took her down a short path. He
found a good spot for them to fish from and set up their gear. When
he started fixing the fly rod for her, she stopped him.

“No, show me,” said Sarah.

Matt smiled. Of course, she’d want to know.
After he’d shown her how to set up the rod, she did her own. They
were standing on the bank of the stream when he starting a casting
lesson.

“We’re going to start with the overhead cast.
It’s a rhythmic motion. Look, bend and stop, bend and stop. Do that
twice…” He threw the line out and flicked it. Sarah watched as the
line flew way out to the middle of the stream. He demonstrated the
technique again.

She was holding her rod and tried flicking it
a few times, like Matt had shown her. She wasn’t too successful and
the line didn’t fly out very far.

“Try to keep the tip of your rod straight,”
he suggested.

She tried again and couldn’t get it right.
“Could you show me again?”

He nodded shyly… Matt came up behind Sarah
and placed his hand lightly on hers, on the fishing rod. His other
hand settled possessively at her waist to hold her steady. He
guided her hand to cast this time…She drew in a breath…

“Okay, straight back, bend and stop. Again
bend and stop…” He spoke softly in her ear. This time her line flew
straight, way out in the stream. She laughed, delighted at what
they’d done. Her face seemed lit from within… Smiling, Sarah turned
to him and his face was close now. Matt’s dark eyes slowly traveled
up her face until they reached her startled blue ones. He waited a
beat, while their eyes stayed locked. Neither of them could speak
for a moment… He reluctantly took a step back.

“I…I think I’ve got it now.” Sarah stood
still, trying to calm her breathing.

“Good…” Matt’s eyes stayed on hers. “I’ll
join you.” He reached for his rod.

She smiled. “Shouldn’t we bait the hooks with
something?”

Matt blushed. “Oh, yeah… sorry. Bring your
rod back.” He bent down into the tackle box he’d brought and pulled
out two exotic fishing flies. They were colorful with feathers and
he wrapped them on both their rods quickly. “Here, try it
again.”

This time Sarah flicked her line out with no
trouble. “I guess you’re a pretty good teacher.”

“Thanks.” Matt cast his line as well. “Come
on. Sit down here and let’s just fish for a while.”

She sat down on the bank of the stream by him
and held onto her rod. They didn’t say anything for several minutes
– It was comfortable just being there, calming and relaxing. The
line floating in the water… Finally, Sarah spoke up.

“I’ve never been so relaxed in my life as on
this trip.”

“… Which? The trip to Nevada or the horse
drive?”

“Both.” She looked him in the eyes. “You have
a wonderful life here.”

“Thanks. I think so…” Matt was quiet,
watching the stream.

“Your playing was beautiful last night. I
enjoyed it very much.”

That gave him an opening. “Thanks again. But
where did you go? I was hoping you’d want to dance once with me.
We’ve done that before, remember?”

She smiled at him, but didn’t hold his
gaze.

“I had a headache and had to leave…”

“No, you didn’t, Sarah.” Pause. “Why won’t
you talk to me?”

She adjusted her fishing rod as her line
moved with the water. “You…you wouldn’t like me anymore if I spoke
to you.”

“Why not?”

“…Um…”

“… And my name’s Matt. Why won’t you speak my
name either?”

She blew out a breath and pushed some flyaway
hair back into her ponytail. Gazing across the clear water, she
said softly, “… I’m a mess… I’m trying to avoid involvement…”

“I can see that, but why?”

“It’s a long, boring story…”

“You told Dale some of it, didn’t you?”

She glanced at his sincere face and nodded.
“Yes, a little.”

“You can trust me, Sarah.” Her eyes misted
and he wanted to touch her pretty cheek. “How about this? I’ll tell
you something about me and then you say something about yourself…
Would that work?”

“… Okay,” she said hesitantly. “You
first…”

“Great…” Matt thought a minute. “… I was
married once.”

Her eyes widened. “Wow… You really went for a
big one, didn’t you?”

“I’d like you to be able to trust me. That
means the truth, whatever the cost.”

She opened her mouth, closed it. “So you
expect the same from me, right?”

“Yes.”

“Could I ask you a question?”

“If you want to…”

“What happened with the marriage? Why didn’t
it work out?”

He took a deep breath. “We were too young and
didn’t know each other very well. She got pregnant and I thought we
should get married.”

“… Did you love her?”

“At the time I thought I did. But it was all
just a big mistake. She lives in Reno now and is remarried.
Happily…”

“And your child?”

A big smile came on his face. “His name is
Tommy and he’s two. I don’t have him enough since he’s so little,
but I’d like to. He’s coming next month and will stay with my
grandfather and me.”

“… Your grandfather?”

“That’s four questions now that you’ve asked
me. It’s your turn to tell me something about yourself.”