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?”
She bit her lip.
“… 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.”
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.
“…W-w-who 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