Riding the River (3 page)

Sarah smiled. “I’d like to think so.”

The woman saw her arm and face. “It looks
like it’s getting to you though.”

She tried to pull her sleeve down to cover
the redness.

“… Ah…”

“Want to know what I think?”

Sarah looked over at the woman. She was
dressed very conservatively in a nice blue suit and her hair was
just coiffed. Her shoes looked new and she’d recently had a
manicure. In short, she was refined… Sarah was enthralled and
nodded at her.

“Something’s bothering you and it looks bad.
You ever think of going on a vacation?”

Sarah was hypnotized and just shook her
head.

“If I were you, I’d give that some more
thought. Your body’s telling you what your brain isn’t… Go save
yourself…”

Sarah swallowed. She gulped in air. The woman
broke off eye contact, got up and walked out of the ER, never
looking back. When she’d gone, Sarah wasn’t sure if she had dreamed
the whole conversation or what…

And then her name was called.

She was sitting in an attending room when her
father’s doctor walked in.

He blinked in surprise when he saw her, as
she did with him.

“Sarah… What are you doing here?”

“I might ask you the same thing, Dr.
Allen…”

“I work down here occasionally when they’re
short-handed…” And then he saw her face. He turned it to examine it
closer.

“What’s going on, Sarah?”

“You might as well see my arm as well.” She
peeled her sleeve back to give him full view of the redness
continuing down her arm.

“Damn, Sarah. This is serious. How long has
this been happening?”

“This is the worst it’s ever been, but I’ve
broken out a few times this past year.”

“What are you putting on it? I see something
smeared here.”

She pulled some ointment out of her purse. He
glanced at it and shook his head.

“No… This won’t help. You need something
stronger.”

He looked sharply at her. “Have you mentioned
this to your father?”

“No, and I’d just as soon you didn’t
either.”

“Well, I can’t, Sarah, but you really need to
see a dermatologist and find out what’s going on.”

She frowned. “I can tell you part of it. I
have a tyrannical boss that likes to yell at me and everyone else…
The redness always seems worse after one of his outbursts.”

“I assume he had one today.”

“Yes…”

He grabbed a pen and paper. “I’m going to
write down the name of a dermatologist that I want you to see –
today.”

“Today?” He handed her the paper. “How do I
get in to see him on such short notice?”

“Because I’m doing this as if you were my
daughter… I will call him and you drive over there now. This skin
condition is probably chronic and you need to get specialized
treatment now.”

“Yes, sir…” Sarah looked down at the paper in
her hand. There was an address written too. “I’ll go now.”

On the drive over, Sarah called Abby.

“Any chance you could meet me at some
doctor’s office in about half an hour?”

“Yeah, what’s up? Your voice sounds
funny…”

“Just meet me, okay?”

Sarah and Abby were sitting in a coffee shop
around the corner from the dermatologist’s office sipping cups of
coffee. Abby was perpetually frowning as Sarah spoke softly and
low. When she finished, Abby blew out a breath.

“This has to be the last straw for you,
Sarah. Quit your crappy job… That boss has given you a chronic skin
rash.”

She glanced at Sarah’s arm – the redness was
getting lighter, less distinct, in part thanks to the new doctor’s
ointment. “He’s an ass to treat you this way…”

“I agree. But I have some vacation time
coming and I wanted to take it before quitting. He won’t pay for
those days if I quit, I know.”

“And what was that woman in the ER talking
about?”

Sarah’s eyes widened. “That was just the
strangest encounter I’ve ever had. From a total stranger, I’m told
to go on a vacation and to save myself.”

She looked aghast. “
Save myself?”

“Well, I couldn’t have said it better myself.
The mysterious lady was dead right – Get out of here for a while
and take a break. Between your grandfather’s constant political
events, what to do about Ben and your terrible job, I’m surprised
you’re still upright.”

Abby could see Sarah struggling. Her eyes
were misty and she chewed on her lip.

“…Um…”

“Don’t think, Sarah. Put in for your vacation
time and just go…”

“Go where? Do what? I haven’t taken a
vacation in two years.”

“All the more reason… Look…” Abby was getting
excited. “I’ll bring over a bunch of travel brochures tonight and
we’ll take a look at some options… What do you think?”

Sarah reached into her purse for a tissue.
“Thanks, Abby. I don’t know what I’d do without you… You help me
see things more clearly.”

Abby stood up and Sarah joined her. They
hugged and Abby patted her back.

“It’s going to be all right. Somehow… It’s
going to be all right. We’ll figure something out.”

Sarah smiled. “See you about six then?”

“Sounds good.”

“I’ll pick up some Chinese food.”

“Thank God, it’s Friday…”

“Got that right. See you later…”

CHAPTER FOUR

Abby and Sarah sat in the middle of a sea of
travel brochures. They sat cross-legged, using chopsticks to eat
their sweet and sour pork, and occasionally pushed a brochure this
way or that.

“How did you ever talk the travel agent into
giving you so many brochures?”

Abby batted her eyelashes at her and fluffed
her short brown hair. “I used to date the guy and he wants to go
out again…” She smiled and Sarah laughed.

“I so believe that. You just love ‘em and
leave ‘em, don’t you?”

“Uh-huh… And you should too. Saves heartaches
this way… Hey, look at this one…” Abby handed Sarah a brochure of
San Francisco.

“That looks great, but I don’t know anyone
there.”

“Come on. Your grandfather doesn’t know
anyone in that city? Hard to believe.”

“… Well, he knows political people who would
show me around just to do him a favor maybe… Not what I want to
do…”

“Do you really need to know somebody wherever
it is you’re going?”

“…Suppose not…”

They ate some more Chinese food and scanned
several more brochures. Sarah used a chopstick to look at another
one buried in the pile.

“I’d like to go someplace out West, I think.
Look at this one in Santa Fe. That looks good…”

Abby opened the brochure to see attractions
listed inside.

“Good… Lots of Indian museums, jewelry,
historical stuff, fabulous architecture…”

“Let’s keep looking.”

“Do you want to do some rafting or go to a
spa?”

“No…”

“Best steak place, beach, ski resort or bike
trail?”

“…Uh-uh…”

“Disneyland, Lake Tahoe or Hollywood?”

“Nope…”

“Grand Canyon or Yosemite?”

“…Getting warmer…”

Abby plucked more lemon chicken and chewed
thoughtfully. “Let’s concentrate on Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada,
Arizona or New Mexico. Those are really Old West states and perhaps
that’s where your thinking is headed.”

Sarah nodded. “Yes, I think you’re right.”
Then she sat up straight and brightened. Abby could almost see the
cartoon of a light bulb go on above her head.

“What?”

“…Where was ‘
Big Country’
filmed?”

“… You’re asking
me
?” Abby
laughed.

“No, I’m just talking out loud. It was filmed
in various locations in California and Arizona… No, it’s the idea
of the location…”

“What about it?”

“It’s remote. Accessibility is possible, but
you have to work for it.”

“So…” Abby rolled that idea around. “You want
to find a remote place where something only the Old West can
supply. How about fishing?”

“That could be part of it…”

“Think cowboy stuff – roping, horseback
riding…”

Sarah laughed. “Now we’re getting
someplace…”

Abby picked up a glossy brochure and her eyes
lit up. “Listen, Sarah…” She started reading, “‘
Walker Guest
Ranch is a working horse and cattle ranch located in the remote
northeastern corner of Nevada. The ranch offers a variety of
activities for guests, family and friends. It is a surprisingly
comfortable sanctuary in the midst of a vast landscape by the
Humboldt and Ruby Mountain Ranges, hills and meadows.’”

“Let me see that…” Sarah took the brochure
from Abby and continued to read the inside and outside flap. “This
looks terrific…”

“Yeah, you’d be riding, roping and sleeping
out under the stars. All those things you’ve wanted to do. Maybe
you’ll meet a cute cowboy…”

Sarah swatted her with the brochure. “That’s
the last thing I want to do, Abby. Once I get past Ben, I’ve had it
with guys for a while – I’m certainly not looking to get into
another relationship anytime soon.”

Abby just raised one eyebrow and smirked.
“Maybe Gregory Peck lives there…”

Ignoring her, Sarah smiled. “And it’s in
Nevada. You remember my mother was born in Reno, but lived most of
her life in Lovelock, not far away.”

“Nevada… Sounds good. Very Old West… How
about the horse or cattle drives? Sound good?”

“I think I’d love to go on a horse drive,
whatever that is…” She started yawning and put down her
chopsticks.

“…That’s my cue. Time for me to go home… Four
hours searching for the most incredible vacation has worn us both
out.”

“Yes, I need to get some sleep. Dad and
Grandfather have asked me to help in the gubernatorial campaign
coming up.”

“Sounds like lots of envelope stuffing…”

“And phone calls, and fundraising… long
nights… crummy food…”

Abby laughed. “You have to deal with it.
Gotta go… See you soon, Sarah.”

After Abby had gone, Sarah took another look
at the Nevada guest ranch brochure. It looked good to her on so
many levels. One of its biggest attractions was that it offered a
simpler life for a while – And that was worth its weight in gold. A
simpler life… What is really possible? She supposed people found
it, but nobody she knew. Baltimore was bustling all the time… She
wanted to slow down, think and smell a few flowers – sage,
maybe…

Sarah took the brochure into her bedroom and
laid it on her nightstand. After changing into pajamas and brushing
her teeth, Sarah crawled into bed and felt like the day had been
one hundred years long. She dreamily thought about following a herd
of horses galloping out in a big country… Landscape painted green
and yellow and brown with God’s paintbrush. Jagged mountains
reaching up to touch massive clouds sitting in a pale blue sky… It
was enough to make her eyes droop and allowed her to fall asleep
thinking --

Horses… stillness… starry skies…
guitars…

####

Former Governor Henry Hughes was astonished
-- His eyes widened, his mouth dropped open. He and Sarah were
standing in the center of campaign headquarters with staff bustling
all around them. Phones rang, placards fell and were picked up,
people were talking and laughing, political slogans hung on the
walls…

“Sarah, you want to take off for a week
now?
The new gubernatorial campaign is starting and you know
that I need you… both you and Ben. I’m advising the incumbent
governor on how best to win this upcoming race. It’s going to be
incredibly close with the challenger in the primary… How can you
possibly think about leaving now?”

Henry Hughes was an imposing figure. Over six
feet tall with a full head of silver hair, much like his son’s,
Hughes was impressive. He commanded respect and got it, although he
had a real soft spot for his only granddaughter and loved her to
distraction. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her, but she
needed to help him too, when necessary. This was one of those
times…

Sarah gulped looking up at him. He didn’t
mean to intimidate her, but she knew he meant business.

“Grandfather, I haven’t had a vacation in two
years and I really need one. Couldn’t you get someone else this
time?” She thought her voice sounded whiny.

He looked at her sternly, but lovingly. Henry
took her hands in his.

“Sweetie, I know that you need time off, but
this isn’t the time. You are invaluable to me with all your social
and business skills. It’ll only be for about five weeks and then
you can take off. Please?”

How could she refuse her grandfather? She
loved him more than life…

Sarah swallowed hard. “Okay, whatever you
say. I’ll wait a while longer.”

Walking out to her car, Robert called. “The
Governor just called me. What’s this about going on vacation?”
Sarah shook her head. Why did he insist on calling his father ‘the
Governor’?

All this effort was beginning to weigh her
down – And she hadn’t even approached her boss yet…

“… Dad…”

“Honey, if you want to quit and come work for
me, I’ll start you in a few months, so you can help your
grandfather. Would that help you out?”

“It would help out with the job, but not the
vacation. I really need some time away, Dad…”

“I understand, but this is probably the worst
time ever to be taking off. Please think it over and call me
tonight. I have a staff meeting starting in five minutes and need
to go… Love you, honey…” And he hung up.

Sarah opened her car door and sat down,
looking through her windshield, but not seeing. All she needed now
was a call from the absentee boyfriend reminding her of family duty
and obligation. She didn’t have to wait long… Her phone rang.

“Hello, Ben.”

“Sarah, what’s this about you leaving on
vacation? Your grandfather just told me. I can’t believe you’d
abandon your family obligations at such a crucial time…”