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Wow. The flight over had been a little hair-raising. Especially trying to take off from the airport in Reno. All those surrounding mountains caused some turbulence and Matt was concerned he’d lose his lunch. But the anxiety passed. He was interested in all the states he was flying over, many he’d never been in. The pilot would come on to say a word or two about each one. He’d gotten provocative looks from a few of the flight attendants, as well as some female passengers. Matt wasn’t immune to being scrutinized by women – They just had no interest for him… He was flying to the only woman he was interested in or would be. Sarah had captured his heart and he was reined in.
When he arrived in Baltimore, Matt walked outside the airport to catch a cab. Sarah had told him where to meet her and he knew he was walking into the thick of things with her family, but so be it. He knew too that he’d be on stage and would be meeting her father and grandfather. That was okay too. It was time.
Arriving at the convention center, the noise was all the way out into the street. Apparently, their candidate had won and a big party was going on. Good… He could use a beer. Matt walked in and looked around. Everywhere he looked, there were people, people and more people. He didn’t think there were this many people in all of northeastern Nevada. No sign of Sarah. He noticed a coat check area and walked over to check his small suitcase.
He was receiving some more interesting looks – Probably because of his Western-cut jacket, jeans, shirt and bolo tie. His big cowboy hat and boots set him off too. He stood out in a sea of business suits and ties – Didn’t bother him.
After walking around a bit, Matt finally asked someone if they knew Robert Hughes. Of course, everyone did and Robert was pointed out sitting with some people at one of the tables. A band had started and a dance floor was now covered with people dancing and laughing. It looked like a good party.
Out of the corner of his eye, Robert saw Matt walking towards him. He knew him immediately. Who else could it be? Matt made quite a first impression, a powerful one – A solid built man in jeans, Western jacket and cowboy hat striding his way. His face was open, friendly, even though Robert figured he was probably nervous. He looked like a man to be reckoned with and he thought, Way to go, Sarah! Robert asked the people at his table if they wouldn’t mind leaving. He made no excuses – They left and he stood as Matt reached him.
Matt’s first impressions were what Sarah had said: jeans meeting an expensive designer suit. He smiled and reached out his hand to shake Robert’s.
“Mr. Hughes?”
“Yes.”
“Matt Garth.”
“I know who you are and it’s nice to meet you, Matt.”
“Pleasure to meet you, sir.”
“Have a seat?”
“Thank you.”
Matt sat by Robert at the table and took off his cowboy hat. He set it on the table, brim up which made Robert smile.
“So...”
“Sir?”
“… So you’re the love of my daughter’s life,” he smiled broadly at him.
“I sure hope so, sir.”
“Would you like something to drink?”
“Whatever you’re having.”
Robert spoke to an assistant at another table who got up to get the drinks.
“Sarah’s not here right now. She and her friend, Abby, are running late. It appears we have some time together.”
“All right.”
“If I may be blunt, what is it that you want, young man?” Robert thought Matt to be a handsome young man, polite and to the point. He could see why Sarah liked him.
“I want to marry your daughter, sir, if she’ll still have me.”
“I don’t doubt that, son, but what took you so long to get here?”
“I was being an idiot.” Matt smiled at him.
Robert laughed. “Well, we’re all fools in love, Matt. I was the same around her mother.” He was quiet for a minute as they looked at one another. The assistant brought a couple of martinis over and placed them in front of Matt and Robert.
“You two haven’t known each other for very long.”
“How long is long enough?”
“… Good point. I proposed to her mother after two weeks myself.” Matt smiled again at him.
“So do I have your permission, sir?”
“I have a few questions for you first.”
“Certainly.”
“You’ve bought your ranch in Nevada?”
“Yes, sir. It’s not far from my grandfather’s ranch, up by Wells.”
“So you’ll be raising horses?”
“Horses and cattle.”
“You’re a cattle rancher then.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you think that’s the kind of life my daughter wants? As a rancher’s wife? Look around you. This has been her home for twenty-five years.”
“I mean no disrespect, sir, but her home’s with me now, in Nevada.”
Robert looked hard at him, taking him in. He smoothed an eyebrow.
“I do believe you’re right, Matt. She never fit in here very well, although she tried hard. And she drove me nuts watching all those Western movies. Has she told you about Gregory Peck yet?”
Matt got a big smile on his face. “Yes, I’ve heard about Peck.”
“Pretty brave of you to step into the lion’s den, as it were.”
“I should have stepped sooner, Mr. Hughes.”
“Call me, Robert, please, if you’re to be my son-in-law.” He shook his head. “I always knew she was a small town girl.”
“We’ve discussed what’s involved with ranching, Robert. I bought the ranch before she had to leave and we’ve been working on the house together.”
“Have you moved in?”
“Not yet. I couldn’t do it without her.”
Robert’s eyes misted. It hit him that his beloved daughter would be leaving him to make her own home, her own way in the world – and with another man. It’s a tough moment for any father and Matt knew it. It occurred to Robert that he was actually standing in their way.
“All right, Matt. I give my blessing for your marriage.” He reached out his hand to shake Matt’s.
“Thank you, sir.”
Robert then saw his father coming their way. “Listen, you’re back on stage again. Here comes her grandfather.” He smiled at him. “Good luck, son.”
He raised his glass to him and Matt picked up his to do the same. They both took good swallows and then her grandfather was standing by their table.
“Matt Garth, may I present Governor Henry Hughes,” said Robert. Matt stood to shake hands.
“That’s former Governor,” Henry said to him.
“Pleased to meet you, sir.” They both had strong handshakes.
“Same to you, Mr. Garth.”
“Matt, please. I’m glad to see you’re feeling much better.”
Henry came around the table to sit down by Matt.
“What are we drinking, Robert?”
“Martinis.”
Robert signaled to his assistant again who rose to fetch another round, while it was Henry’s turn to ask questions of Matt.
“What do you do in Nevada, son?”
“I’m into horse and cattle ranching, sir.”
“I understand you’ve just bought your own ranch.”
“Yes, sir. I’ve been working towards that goal for several years now. I had some luck with some good investments, plus some capital that my grandfather loaned me.”
“Your grandfather lives close?”
“Ten miles away. We’re going to blend the ranches because I will inherit his ranch someday.”
“I’ve done some research. You have good grazing and water?”
“Yes, sir. That’s why the ranch purchase is a good one. It’ll add more grazing for our cattle and I’ll have the water rights I need as well.”
“You sound like a smart young man.”
“I
hope so, sir.”
Henry paused and took a good look at Matt.
“You remind me some of my father – He was a real go-getter like you and started the shipping company here in Baltimore.”
“You’re in shipping?”
Henry chuckled. “I guess Sarah didn’t want to give you all the family news at once. Yes, I inherited a major shipping company, which I was hoping Sarah’s husband would take over.” Matt gave him a quiet look. “That’s probably not going to happen, is it?”
“Not if I’m fortunate enough to be Sarah’s husband.”
Henry smiled at him. “I like you, Matt. If you should decide that ranching isn’t for you, I could use you. Think about it.”
“All right, Governor, that’s enough pressure.” Robert looked at Matt. “Do you have any questions for us?”
“Yes, sir. Where’s your daughter?”
That made both Robert and Henry start laughing. Robert got out his cell phone to call her when in she walked with Abby. They looked around for Robert’s table and saw the three of them sitting and talking. Matt hadn’t seen her yet.
“My God, Sarah. Is that him?”
“Yes,” Sarah smiled. “At long last and meeting the Inquisition.”
Abby gasped. “He’s gorgeous… Well, I see you found your Gregory Peck.”
“He does bear a striking resemblance, doesn’t he?”
“Wow…”
She was smiling at him when he glanced over and noticed her. She walked to the table and Matt rose to greet her. Sarah took his hand.
“Hi.”
“Hi, yourself.” They smiled at each other.
“Matt Garth, meet my friend, Abby March. Abby, this is Matt.”
He reached over to shake her hand with his free one. “Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”
“… Likewise.” Abby blinked surprised.
Sarah looked around the table at her father and grandfather. “Have you asked him all the questions you need to right now?”
Robert and Henry both nodded at her. Frankly, they were speechless when they saw Matt and Sarah together. Even though she wore an Italian designer dress and he wore a Western jacket and jeans, it was obvious to all that they were a good fit. You only had to open your eyes to see that.
“Good because we’re leaving now.”
Matt dutifully picked up his cowboy hat off the table. They all watched him put it on and he wondered what the big deal was. He leaned over the table to shake hands with Henry.
“Governor, nice to meet you.”
“You bet, Matt. We’ll get together again at my place before you leave.”
“Yes, sir.” He reached over to shake hands with Robert and held his gaze.
“Thanks, sir, for everything.”
Robert winked at him.
“My pleasure, son. See you soon.”
They said goodbye to Abby and walked out of the convention center together, holding hands. They stole shy glances at each other.
“… So you came.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“What took you so long?”
He smiled broadly at her. “Stuck in traffic?”
She raised an eyebrow at him. “Hardly.”
“Could we go somewhere to talk?”
Sarah laughed. “You want to talk?”
Matt laughed too. “Maybe, afterwards.”
“Lucky for us both, I have a very nice bed. Maybe we can talk there.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
Once they’d left the building, Sarah went right into Matt’s outstretched arms. She didn’t even hesitate and Matt didn’t hesitate to kiss Sarah passionately. The heat from their kiss could be felt thirty feet away. In the big city, people averted their eyes or smiled as they went around them. Eventually, Matt and Sarah broke for breath, a familiar pattern with them.
“… Matt?”
“What, honey?”
“Would you ride the river with me?”
A big smile spread across Matt’s face as he gazed at the woman he loved.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
The End
If you enjoyed my story, would you please write a review? Thank you so much for downloading my sweet story.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeanne Harrell lives in Nevada with her husband. They are both long time Nevadans mired in the Old West spirit. Traveling to different places in the country, especially the western states, gives Jeanne ideas for her books.
From Jeanne
Thank you very much for taking the time and having the interest to read one of her stories. I appreciate it more than you know. There’s not enough love out in the world, so these are my attempts at adding a little more. If you have any comments you’d like to share with me, please write on the blog page of my website – www.jeanneharrell.com. I would love to hear from you.
The next book in the series is Stream Ran Dry.
Wyatt Washburn lost his dear wife three years ago and has no plans to find a replacement. Rebecca Sawyer, a reporter from Las Vegas, comes out to the small town by his ranch to learn about a hot new story involving local ranchers and the Feds. Neither is interested in romance until danger throws them together and they decide to give romance a tentative try. But it’s just all too hard: he’s a grief-stricken widower and she’s a fast-paced career girl. You can’t always get what you want.
The third book in the series is Lonesome Creek.
Carrie Bendix and her sister inherit a small ranch by Murphys, California where they visited as children, but they have no plans to move out there. When her situation in Sacramento changes, Carrie decides to give country life a try – especially since her next door neighbor is handsome Russ Roberts who comes through for her, in her time of need. But city girls are not necessarily country girls, not without a lot of effort and support. It’s life changing for Carrie and it’s much harder than she thought. Especially when the town gets in trouble and requests that she help them out.
The fourth book in the series is Cool Water.
Natalie Coleman works in Yosemite National Park for a recreational company giving trail rides. During one ride, a bear attacks her group and a bystander gets hurt. Natalie ends up having to help Wes Evans during his recuperation. He’s a lousy patient and she’s a lousy nurse. If they don’t kill each other, they may just fall in love. Maybe…
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Riding the River (The Westerners, Book One) Page 39