Riding the River (The Westerners, Book One)
Page 37
“How are those new horses you brought in, Matt? They look like a pretty fair bunch.”
“They are, Grandpa, but I’ll need a trainer to come help me for awhile. I was thinking of hiring Richie.”
“Your friend at the guest ranch? Sure, good choice. Seth thinks he’s a good cowboy and horse trainer.”
Matt and John were standing in the John’s kitchen having a cup of coffee.
Matt took a last slurp, put down his cup and started out the door.
“It’s been over a week, son.”
Matt looked over at him, his hand on the doorknob. “Yeah, I know.”
“…So?”
“So, what?”
“Have you bought a ticket yet?”
Matt blew out a breath. “Nope.”
“What’s keeping you here, son?”
“She’s visiting with her family…I…I…don’t want to interrupt.”
“Yes, you do. Aren’t you two talking?”
He nodded. “I call her every night.”
“And?”
“She wants me to fly out.”
“Why aren’t you on the next plane?”
He blew out another breath, bigger this time. “…It’s Baltimore.”
“Afraid of a big city or her father?”
“Both and neither.”
John laughed. “Go get a ticket.”
Matt drove over to the guest ranch to speak with Richie. Dale saw him first and steered him into the dining room.
“Have you heard from Sarah?”
“Yes, Dale. She’s fine.”
“When’s she coming back?”
Matt spoke to some spot on the floor. “I’m not sure. Her grandfather is just out of the hospital.”
Dale’s mouth dropped. “Haven’t you bought a ticket yet?”
“No.”
“What are you waiting for?”
“Have you been speaking to John?”
“No, but maybe I should.”
Matt looked uneasy. “I have to find Richie. I’ll see you later.”
He left the room with Dale shaking his head.
“Youth.”
Matt found Richie in the barn grooming some of the horses. He looked at Matt and shook his head. He put his brushes down in the hay.
“What?”
“You look like shit, man.”
That stopped him. “Thanks a ton.”
“I don’t mean to sound like Dr. Phil, but are you sleeping at all?”
“Not much.”
“When’s she coming back?”
Matt ran a hand through his hair nervously.
“You’re the third person to ask me that today.”
“Well?”
“…Ah…”
“Have you bought a ticket? If she isn’t here yet, you need to get back there. She probably needs you.”
He brightened. “Do you think so?”
Richie stood there in the barn, arms folded across his chest, tapping a foot on the ground. “Damn, Matt. Aren’t you talking to her at all?”
“Every night.”
“What does she say? Stay in Nevada because I don’t want to see you? Get a grip, man, and go buy a ticket.” Matt swallowed hard. “Scared of her dad?”
“Hell, no.”
“Then what?”
“Tell you the truth, I’m a little nervous about flying.”
Richie started laughing. “Is that all?”
“Is that all?”
“Take a pill,” he said between bouts of laughter. “And get on that damn plane.” Matt nodded.
“Can we please discuss what I came here to talk with you about now?”
“Go for it.”
Matt arranged to have Richie come stay with John and take care of his new horses while he was gone. Then he drove to Wells and bought a ticket leaving the next day for Baltimore.