Riding the River

by Jeanne Harrell

  “You’re really too kind…”

  “No, no… Head on over to the community room… We’re going to introduce ourselves to all you new guests in a few minutes. Then we’ve got a great welcome dinner starting soon.”

  Sarah wandered into the huge gathering room and spoke to some of the people she’d met in the van on the way here. She missed Dan, but he apparently had other duties to perform tonight. Mr. Walker came in and started welcoming the guests.

  “Hi, everyone. Thanks so much for coming out to visit us. We promise to make your stay fun and comfortable. If you have any problems, please come to me personally and let me know how we can accommodate you.” He looked around the room and continued.

  “I wanted to introduce the staff to you tonight. Most of us are here. Laurie and Kate, stand up. They take care of our bookkeeping details.” Small applause.

  “Then there’s Dale, our cook, and Cooper, our trail boss, for the cattle and horse drives.” More applause.

  “You already met Dan, our driver,” Sarah looked for him, “but he’s off on another errand right now and not with us. But here are our cowboys. Guys, please step up as I announce your names.”

  Sarah looked around expectantly to see real live cowboys.

  “Kyle…” A nice looking young man with a huge white cowboy hat stepped forward to smile at everyone.

  “Aaron…” He joined Kyle and also wore a huge white cowboy hat.

  “Dave and Nick…” Nice young men with smiles and light beards.

  “Frank and Tyler…” Mustaches and big grins.

  “Richie and Kenny…” Great Western shirts and chaps.

  “And last, but not least, Matt…” Pause…

  She hadn’t seen him behind the other cowboys, but when he stepped forward, she recognized him immediately. He was the dark-haired cowboy who tamed the wild situation at her hotel last night. He worked here? Here? What were the odds? She stepped back and dropped her face. For some unidentifiable reason, she didn’t want him to recognize her.

  People milled around and then dinner was announced. The guests mingled with the staff and everyone ate in the huge dining room laughing and talking. Night was coming and it got dark fast in this part of the country. After the homey meal, Mr. Walker announced that some of the cowboys would be playing on the outside yard, and anyone who felt like dancing should come outside. Sarah was shy and not sure what she felt like doing. She followed other guests outside to enjoy the night air, but didn’t plan on dancing.

  “Sarah, want to dance?” Dan had sneaked up behind her.

  “Where did you come from?” She laughed at him.

  “Just wanted to make sure you were okay…”

  “I’m good… so far.”

  “Come on. Let me show you the two-step.”

  “…Um …No, thanks.”

  “Oh, come on… one dance won’t kill you…” he coaxed.

  “…Well…”

  He wouldn’t take stalling for an answer and dragged her out to the dance area. The music was lively and everyone seemed so friendly. Dan had her dancing in no time, and she started to forget everything but the dance steps. He swung her around the dance floor and she was so graceful. The cowboy with the black wavy hair noticed her… Isn’t that the woman from the restaurant last night? What’s she doing here? Here? What were the odds?

  Dan noticed that Matt noticed. Hmmm… What should be made of that?

  When the music ended, Dan dropped Sarah off by Matt. The band started playing a slow song about finding love when you least expect it.

  “Whew, Sarah. I’m bushed. Let a younger man take over for me.”

  Slightly winded and laughing, Sarah turned to Matt. He blinked and dark eyes met pretty blue ones. Her face was flushed and she looked happy.

  “…Oh…”

  “…Ah…”

  “Okay,” said Dan. “That’s settled. See ya later…” And he was gone, leaving Matt and Sarah staring at one another. Without speaking, he held out one hand to her. She took it and hesitantly walked closer to him, putting her other hand on his shoulder. Matt nervously smiled and put a tentative hand on her waist. They were a respectable distance from one another, but it didn’t seem satisfying – to either of them.

  They glided slowly to the country music, moving this way and that, trying to avoid bumping into other dancers.

  “Didn’t I see you at the Best Western last night?” He spoke to the top of her head, since she didn’t look up.

  “Yes, that was me… I…I… saw you too.” She was obviously nervous and spoke to the front of his shirt.

  “Your hair’s different.”

  “…Um… Yes…”

  “Weren’t you wearing a lacy blouse and long blue skirt?”

  She looked up at him and blinked. “You noticed my clothes?”

  He cleared his throat and looked away. “Well… I’m pretty good with details.” An answer that left her confused… But his deep voice was so nice.

  “Wasn’t that man awful to his wife?”

  “Yeah, he seemed nuts to me.”

  She continued to study his hand, instead of his face, as they swayed to the music.

  “That was brave of you to do what you did.”

  “… Nah…”

  “Not many would have gotten involved.”

  “You don’t think so?”

  She finally met his eyes. “I know so. Not where I come from anyway… ”

  He was so surprised that he stopped dancing… She bumped into him. “Where do you come from? Some other planet?”

  “Nearly,” she laughed. “Baltimore...”

  He laughed. “Well, I was hoping you weren’t a Martian. And coming from the East coast explains the clothes.” She smiled. “What do you call your hairdo?”

  “…a ponytail…”

  He laughed again. “No, I mean from yesterday.”

  “Oh, that was a French twist…” Her lips suddenly went dry.

  “It was pretty… but I like this better.” He pulled her ponytail around to her shoulder. Her eyes widened… He smiled at her.

  The music stopped and he had to release her. And for some unfathomable reason, he didn’t want to. Matt just stood there, looking at the pretty girl still in his arms. I want to dance with her again… She stood there looking at him… I hope he doesn’t leave… Another cowboy came up then and tapped him on the shoulder. Matt thanked her for the dance, tipped his cowboy hat and left the dance area.

  Sarah began dancing with Kyle, but watched Matt leave. Long after he had left, she stole glances towards the door to see if he’d come back. Dale, the cook, watched the whole scene and thought he might say hi to Sarah tomorrow during the activities. Matt hadn’t danced with a guest, or shown any interest in any woman, in the two years he’d been with the guest ranch. He wanted to know why she was special… Matt obviously thought so, which made Dale very curious.

  CHAPTER NINE

  The next day after breakfast, Mr. Walker had all the activities posted in the community room for guests to see. Sarah was reading over the list when another woman joined her, looking over her shoulder.

  “’Horseback riding lesson -- Meet at the corral’. That sounds good to me, what do you think?”

  Sarah looked back and smiled. “Yep. It does.”

  She turned around as the woman stuck out her hand. She had shoulder length auburn hair and a big smile.

  “Tess.”

  “Sarah.” They shook hands. “Want to walk over now, Tess?”

  “… I’m game if you are.”

  They walked out of the ranch house with other guests going here and there. It seemed like a busy morning.

  “Where are you from?”

  “Phoenix, Arizona. How about you, Sarah?”

  “Baltimore, Maryland.”

  “Wow… You get the prize for coming the longest distance. Trying to escape, were you?”

  Tess’s smile faded as she watched Sarah’s face fall. She reached out to touch her arm. />
  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”

  Sarah shook her head. “… It’s okay. This is just all so new to me. I haven’t processed anything yet.”

  “…Well, we have all day to goof around and find our footing. Ready?”

  Sarah laughed at her attempts to jolly her. “You bet…”

  They had reached the corral and a few of the cowboys were there to help with instruction. Sarah didn’t consciously mean to, but she looked around for Matt – He wasn’t there. Richie and Tyler were, however, and eagerly walked over to see if they could be of some help to two lovely ladies.

  “Mornin’,” said Richie tipping his hat at them. Tyler did likewise.

  “Good morning,” said Tess. “We’re ready for our riding lesson, aren’t we, Sarah?” She winked at Sarah like she was on to something…

  Sarah smiled and nodded.

  “Sarah and….”

  “… Tess.”

  “Nice to meet you. We’re Richie and Tyler. Tyler’s too shy to speak with women, so I do all the talking.”

  Tyler blushed. “Oh, ha, Richie…” They laughed at Richie’s joke.

  “Have either of you ridden before?”

  “Not much…” They both replied.

  “Okay, we’ll start you off easy.” He turned to Tyler. “Can you go get the horses?” Tyler nodded and left for the barn.

  Richie turned back to Sarah and Tess. “If you’ll excuse me a minute, I probably need to help him. We’ll be right back.”

  Tess immediately turned to Sarah. Looking from side to side, she whispered conspiratorially, “Okay, which one do you like? Personally, I like the quiet, blonde Tyler with the neat mustache, but I’ll take the talkative Richie with the sexy brown eyes, if you insist.”

  Smiling, Sarah said, “Take your pick. I’m not choosy.”

  “Okay, then I get Tyler.”

  “He’s all yours, Tess.”

  “Good luck with Richie. I bet he never shuts up…” Which made Sarah double up with laughter. Tess glanced toward the barn. “Shhh,” she said. “They’re coming back…”

  Sarah was now trying not to smile when the cowboys had returned with two saddled horses. Richie smiled back, thinking she was happy to see him.

  He brought a Palomino out to Sarah, all saddled and ready to go. Tyler brought a bay with white feet out to Tess. Richie began the instruction.

  “All right, ladies, take the reins in your left hand and the back of the saddle with your right.” The cowboys watched as Sarah and Tess did as instructed.

  “Place your left food in the stirrup, pull yourself up and swing your leg over the horse’s hindquarters.” When they’d mounted their horses, Tyler took over instruction.

  “Drop your right foot in the stirrup.” Richie helped Sarah put her leg in the stirrup, while Tyler helped Tess.

  “Now,” said Richie, “pull up the reins. They’re your steering wheel of the horse. To turn him left, pull the reins lightly to the left… Same with the right… Okay, so far?”

  “Still up tall, ladies, so you don’t feel like you’re falling one way or the other,” added Tyler.

  “Now squeeze at the heels and communicate with the horse to walk forward,” said Richie.

  Sarah and Tess were walking their horses now. After they looked comfortable with walking, Richie gave them new instruction.

  “Okay, now squeeze again with both heels to get the horse to trot.” They tried that for a while and trotted around the corral several times.

  “Eyes and chins up, ladies…Posture’s important,” smiled Richie. Up went their chins and eyes. Sarah glanced over at Tess, who looked like she’d been born to ride.

  “Press your outside heel only now and let’s kick the trot up a notch.” Tyler looked over at Richie and gave him a thumbs-up when both girls opened their horses to a fair gallop. They went around several times and started to enjoy themselves.

  “Great, ladies. Are you up for a ride out in the open country now?”

  Sarah spoke up. “Could I get a few things before we head out?”

  “Absolutely,” said Richie. “Go get a bottle of water and whatever else. You can put things in the saddlebags.” He caught Sarah’s horse and held it while she dismounted. Tyler helped Tess dismount. They hurried out of the corral towards the ranch house.

  “Can you get the water, Tess? I’ll be right back,” said Sarah breathlessly. She was in a hurry – This was fun and when was the last time she’d had some fun… Matt watched her run into the ranch house. He was by the barn saddling a horse for another guest. Taking his time, he curiously watched her dash back out in just a few minutes, almost bumping into the other gal getting a lesson with her.

  What in the world was she showing her? From his vantage point, Matt thought it looked like a horseshoe. Why on God’s green earth would she have a horseshoe? Dan… He immediately thought of their driver… Dan gave out horseshoes on very rare occasions when he really liked a guest, usually female.

  Sarah smiled at Tess while talking and turning the horseshoe with its ends up. Dan had probably told her that it would bring her good luck. Matt smiled… She must be a sweetie for Dan to be so attentive. It was, indeed, a good sign. He decided to check with Richie when they came back for his take on Sarah…

  Then he shook his head… What for? It’s not like he was interested in her or anything. Matt turned back to the guest he was helping and thought no more about it.

  The cowboys and their guests had been riding out in the beautiful countryside for more than an hour. They weren’t that far from the ranch house property and everyone was doing fine. The valley they were in gave rise to sloping hills and mountains beyond. After recent rains, the cattle they passed were happily munching the sweet grass. Sarah looked over in a direction Richie pointed to see wildflowers blooming far across the land. They soon were riding in huge patches of yellow and white flowers. She’d never seen anything like it…

  She shielded her eyes to look up in the blazing sky as a hawk flew overhead silently stalking some prey. She’d read about sage grouse and was eager to see that beautiful bird somewhere around the sagebrush. Sarah thought she might ask Richie about it later.

  In the midst of the meadow, Tyler pointed out a stream where they could stop and rest their horses – Let them drink… Richie dismounted and helped Sarah down, while Tyler helped Tess.

  “You ladies ought to sign up for the horse drive coming up,” said Richie.

  He plopped down by the stream to get a sip.

  Sarah got her bottle of water out of her saddlebag, touching the horseshoe as she did so. “What exactly is a horse drive?” Tess sat down by Richie to hear this as well.

  “Well, we drive a herd through open range to their seasonal pastures. It’s fun…” Richie smiled at them.

  “How many days is it?” asked Tess taking a sip of her water.

  “… Three days and nights,” added Tyler. “So if you’re here for a week, there’s two days up front and two days when we get back. Works out well.” He nodded at them.

  Tess looked at Sarah. “What do you think?”

  “I’m game if you are,” laughed Sarah. “Didn’t we come out here for a Western experience?”

  “A horse or cattle drive is about as Western as you can get,” said Richie.

  “You’ll love it…”

  They sat and chatted companionably for a while and then Richie looked up in the sky.

  “It’s getting close to lunch. We should head back. Dale will be upset with us if you miss lunch.” Richie got on his feet and helped Sarah up, while Tyler helped Tess.

  “…Dale?” asked Tess.

  “He’s our cook and a damn good one.”

  “What sorts of things does he make?” asked Sarah.

  “Nope,” said Richie helping her mount her horse. “Let it be a surprise.”

  Sarah raised an eyebrow.

  Tyler continued, “He’s really great and all the way out here from the big city…”

&nbs
p; “Okay, I’m starved,” said Tess. “Let’s go get some chow.”

  “There you go,” said Richie. “Now you’re talkin’ Western…”

  They rode back to the ranch house, back to the big corral. After dismounting, Tyler and Richie tipped their hats at Sarah and Tess, who smiled back, and took the horses into the barn. It had been a terrific morning.

  But where’s the chow line? They were starving and ready to see what feast Dale was serving up for lunch.

  CHAPTER TEN

  After freshening up, Sarah and Tess trooped into the big dining hall with windblown cheeks, rosy from the exercise. Their faces shone and their sunny smiles spoke volumes of how much they had enjoyed their morning. They got into a line heading up to the buffet. People were chatting about their activities. Sarah almost salivated with the aromas drifting her way.

  Dale was in the back of the room and saw them come in. He was curious to find out more about Sarah, in particular, after her dance with Matt last night. He started slowly working his way toward her. Matt was nowhere in sight… Good. Then he was close enough to talk to her.

  “Good day, ladies. Have a good morning?” Dale’s smile beamed.

  “… You bet,” smiled Tess. “We had a riding lesson.”

  He looked at Sarah. “Did you enjoy it, miss?”

  “Sarah… Please call me Sarah.”

  “Did you have fun, Sarah?”

  “It was terrific. I haven’t ridden much before, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I want to ride every day that I’m here.”

  Dale smiled. Enthusiasm. He liked that…

  “Good for you. Oh, and by the way, try my Humdinger Casserole. Let me know what you think of it…” And he passed by them to speak with another guest.

  “Wow,” said Tess. “Everyone is so friendly here.”

  “I know… It’s wonderful. I can get used to this…”

  Then they were at the front of the line, got their plates and began loading them up.

  “I’m going to gain weight on this trip, Sarah.”

  “…Ditto… Now where’s that casserole the cook mentioned?” Sarah found it and spooned some on her plate. A cowboy behind her said to break up a cheese slice and mush it down in the mixture. Sarah took a slice of cheese to do just that.