Sydell Voeller Special Edition Page 9

  Some things were better left unsaid.

  Chapter Seven

  "You must be kidding!" Logan exclaimed to the taxi driver early the next morning. She scooted into the back seat of the bright yellow cab and continued. "You say the Greyhound buses aren't running? The employees are out on strike?"

  "That's right, lady," he drawled, not bothering to turn around. He was portly, chewed bubblegum and wore a blue and white baseball cap. "Been abroad for a while? The bus strike's been all over the front pages of the newspaper. The head honcho from the union is supposed to make his big speech on TV sometime tomorrow."

  "Oh." Logan clamped her mouth shut as her face flushed with embarrassed.

  She felt like Rip Van Winkle, coming back to the world after a long sleep. "Well. . .yes. . .I have been gone.. . ." Her voice trailed. Though she'd caught snatches of the news over her alarm clock radio at camp, somehow she must've missed hearing about the bus strike.

  "So what about the train?" she asked, glancing hurriedly at her watch. "Would you mind taking me to the train depot instead?" If she got lucky and could board a mid-morning train, she would still make it to camp before dinner time, she decided.

  "Sure, lady. Whatever you say. But there's a lay-over in Fernston City. Trip will take you longer than if you rode the bus." He appeared in no hurry to pull away from the curb.

  She shrugged, then spread her hands wide. "What choice have I?" Her thoughts turned to Dorothy who was vacationing in Hawaii right now. If Dorothy were in town, she'd probably insist on closing her antique shop for the day and driving Logan to camp herself.

  "Right, lady. We'll mosey on over to the train depot right now."

  With a cough and a sputter the taxi wheeled onto the wide boulevard fronting her condo.

  "Oh, by the way, you can call me Sam," he said, tossing a glance over his shoulder. Sam Drisler. Me and my kids, we moved up here at the beginning of the summer."

  "Hello, Sam." Logan offered him a smile and told him briefly about Camp Rippling Waters. "Where did you and your kids moved from?" she added politely.

  "Big Bear."

  "Where's that?"

  "Big Bear, Montana. Population 523."

  The driver behind then honked, then swerved sharply as he sped by.

  Logan glanced at her watch again. "Sam, can't you please go a little faster?"

  "Now you just relax lady and leave the driving to me."

  She sat farther back in her seat and said no more. What use was it?

  They trundled their way across a bridge that spanned the river on the east side of town. Sam seemed determined to avoid the fast lane. He certainly wasn't like the typical cab drivers she'd known in California.

  Finally they approached the hub of Westland. Assorted tall buildings silhouetted the sky. Freeways and overpasses crisscrossed everywhere. Soon the clock tower on the train depot loomed before them. They turned right, then proceeded past a block of small shops and eateries that led to the depot.

  "Hope you got lots of patience today, lady," Sam said, as he pulled to a stop in the passenger loading zone. "I hear the lines in the train depot are almost at a gridlock. What with the bus strike and all, seems everybody's got the same idea as you. . ."

  "I'm sure they do, Sam. But thanks for letting me know." She paid her fare, tipped him and climbed out of the cab.

  Inside the depot, she learned all too soon that Sam was right. Not only were the lines three times the normal length, reservations for the mid-morning train were already filled. Fighting back her growing frustration, she purchased a ticket for the one o'clock departure and stuffed it into her purse.

  Amid the crush of people, she shouldered her way to the snack bar and bought a chocolate covered doughnut and a cup of black coffee. Maybe a little food would still the quivery sensation in her stomach, she told herself. You'd think she'd been away from the city for a year instead of a few weeks. This certainly wasn't the first time she'd experienced a set-back in travel plans, but now her nerves were as tight as a guitar string. She wandered to a rare empty spot at the end of a bench and sat down, forcing herself to eat.

  The depot smelled like a curious mixture of floor wax, leather luggage and fast fried food. It might not hurt to call camp headquarters and let them know what had happened, she decided as she took a bite of the doughnut. But no one would be expecting her for at least a few hours yet. There'd be just enough time for that during her short lay-over in Fernston City.

  Right now Kim and Camp Rippling Waters seemed half a world away. Zack, too. Especially Zack. In the short time she'd been away, she missed him terribly. But there were more urgent matters right now—like getting back to Kim. What was she doing right now? Had she made it through the night okay without any more bad dreams?

  The next few hours dragged by. She filed her nails, visited the rest room a time or two, and at noon bought a stale ham and cheese sandwich wrapped in plastic. Moreover, she'd not only purchased the last issue of the daily news at the stand next to the snack bar, but had read nearly every word at least two times.

  "Attention all passengers boarding the Coast Liner Number two, departing for Fernston City, Belmont, Pearsall, Braxville and Mapleton." Logan strained to hear. "Your train is due to arrive soon. Please form a line at gate number five."

  What a relief she thought as she got to her feet and hurried to the designated area. As she slipped into the back of the line, she studied the other passengers. Teenagers wearing jeans and tee-shirts who toted guitar cases. Mothers with children. Retired folks and businessmen carrying brief cases. Without a doubt, everyone was as eager to be on his way as she.

  The line inched forward as the people moved through the wide open doorway that led to the trains. Craning her neck, she spied the approaching engine. Ah, what a welcome sight!

  The engine slowed to a crawl. Car after car rumbled by. But the train didn't stop.

  Logan blinked twice. Something was wrong. . .extremely wrong! Surely there'd been a mistake. Surely this wasn't the train to Mapleton. But the announcer had said it was. Soon the caboose disappeared out of sight.

  The crowd gaped in utter bewilderment. "Dad-burn it!" a man alongside of her cried out. "What happened?"

  "Yeah!" someone else put in. "That's supposed to be my train!" A murmur of agreement rose up from the others.

  "Ladies and gentlemen!" An employee from the baggage room emerged hurriedly into the crowd. "Obviously there's been a big mistake. Please proceed to the front of the depot as quickly as possible. There are several waiting taxi cabs that can drive you to Fernston City. It's on the house. With our most sincere apologies."

  "But what if our cabs can't catch up with the train?" a bird-like young woman with a little boy in tow asked anxiously.

  The man gave an apologetic shrug. "I'm afraid right now, this is the best we can do."

  Logan's knees trembled as she dashed to the front of the depot. She felt like pinching herself. Was this really happening? What else could go wrong?

  Ducking inside the first waiting cab with the young mother and her son, Logan saw the driver was Sam. She bit her lip, not sure whether to laugh or to cry.

  "Hurry, Sam." Logan coaxed, noticing his furrowed brow. "You heard the news, didn't you? We've got to catch up with our train in Fernston City."

  "Ah, no sweat," he replied. "This happened once when I was cabbing back in Big Bear. I guess the engineer didn't have any passengers to let off, so he figured there weren't any waitin' to get on either. Anyway, far as I'm concerned those train drivers. . .why, they just get in too big of a hurry these days. . ." He crept out of the loading zone and added, "By the way, anyone know how to find the depot in Fernston City?"

  "Gosh, Mister! That's supposed to be your job," the mother exclaimed as her son started to cry.

  "Sam," Logan put in with forced control. "You mean you've never been there?"

  He shrugged. "I told you earlier, lady. Me and my kids, we just moved here from Big Bear. But don't worry, we'll find it."
>
  "I'll try to help you, Sam," Logan said, her thoughts racing. She'd never been to Fernston City, much less the train depot there. "But please hurry. There's not a second to waste!" She pressed a fist to her mouth. What would it take to make him understand? One wrong turn, one missed exit, and they'd never catch up.

  As Sam pulled slowly out of the loading area, the little boy's crying turned to a wail. The young mother attempted to comfort him, then sent Logan a worried look. Logan was certain the mother was about to cry too.

  * * *

  "Logan! What took you so long?" Zack exclaimed over the other end of the pay phone. "It's after five!"

  "I intended to call during the lay-over—but then, well, there wasn't any lay-over. Oh Zack, you'll never believe this. . ." In a rush, she filled gave him the details of her frenzied day. Somehow Sam had managed to find the train depot and they'd climbed aboard in barely the nick of time.

  "So when can you come and get me?" she asked Zack, twisting the phone cord around her wrist.

  "In about half an hour. Wait for me inside, maybe somewhere near the ticket counter. I'm in the middle of removing a sliver from Renee's hand, but I should be done shortly."

  Not a minute later than he'd promised, she spotted him striding inside the depot. As she gave a quick wave, he met her gaze. His expression was tight.

  "Come on, let's hurry," he said, cupping her elbow and escorting her outside to the waiting van.

  Her heart twisted with disappointment. This wasn't the way she'd imagined their meeting at all. She longed for him to greet her with a lingering kiss. She yearned to hear him say he'd missed her as much as she'd missed him.

  He slanted her an unreadable look as he slipped into the driver's seat alongside of her and turned the key in the ignition. "There's something I have to tell you," he said tersely.

  "What? Did something else happen to Richard?"

  "No, nothing like that. Last time I called Children's about an hour ago, they said Richard was doing fine."

  "Then what is it, Zack?"

  He just sat there, letting the engine idle. "This morning Kim and I were getting ready for her to ride Midnight. But something must've spooked the mare. For no apparent reason, she lit back with her hind feet and struck Kim on the forehead. Kim has a big lump and a three inch laceration."

  Logan's mind whirled. "How could you let this happen? How, Zack? I haven't been away even twenty-four hours and now you tell me my sister's been hurt."

  "But that's not fair. This could've happened even if you had been at camp."

  "Poor Kim!" Logan's thoughts raced on. "Did you have to do stitches? Was the laceration deep?"

  "Yes, but the edges came together quite nicely. I'll doubt if they'll even be much of a scar. And she shows absolutely no signs of a concussion. All Kim's complaining of is a slight headache. We're keeping her in the infirmary right now with Maggie." He pulled out of the narrow parking strip and onto the main highway, his lips drawn in a thin line.

  "It appears to me you're not the least bit concerned," Logan accused.

  "That's not true. I am concerned. Not so much about Kim's injury, but her reaction to it. Maybe it's only temporary, but she seems to be reverting back to some previous behavior patterns."

  "She's withdrawing again?"

  "I'm afraid so. This afternoon, after I determined she could leave the infirmary to take part in some quiet activities in the crafts cabin, she totally refused. Later when I tried to coax her back into Midnight's stall to help me feed the mare, she turned thumbs down on that, too."

  Logan lifted a shoulder. "It's obvious, Zack. Midnight frightened her."

  "Yes, and I'm afraid of what that could mean in the long run. Somehow, I've got to convince her to get back on that horse."

  Her anger began to fade. "So that must mean you're still intent on getting her into the therapeutic horseback riding program."

  "Right. I'm convinced this is exactly what Kim needs—maybe it'll even spark that same interest in her she had for gymnastics.

  "But what about other activities? Aren't they equally beneficial? Why can't we just let her forget the horseback riding?"

  "All activities are beneficial in one way or another," Zack answered. "But as I said before, Kim needs a challenge. She's not just any kid—not with her background. Besides, it's been demonstrated that a horse's movement often simulates a human's walking. It's highly possible Kim might walk again someday. This program might be exactly what it takes to make that happen."

  Logan nodded thoughtfully, taking in everything he said. "Exactly how far from Westland is it?"

  "About an hour east."

  She let out a whistle. "That's a lot of driving, Zack."

  "Perhaps I can help out part of the time."

  She ran her hand through her hair and sighed. The rays of the late afternoon sun warmed the inside of the van. By rights, she reasoned, her mood should equal the improved weather. She should be overjoyed coming back to Kimberly—and Zack. But the reality of the accident and Kim's subsequent withdrawal marred her happy expectations.

  "I don't know," she said at last. "This is getting more complicated all the time. And now that Kim's withdrawing again. . ."

  "But there may still be a way to snap her out of it." He cut her off. "We have a tradition here at Rippling Waters, a three night camp-out for the older children. Perhaps someone has already told you."

  "I've only heard bits and pieces."

  "Then I'll explain the rest. The purpose of the camp-out is to give our more experienced campers a challenge. Like digging a big pit and cooking supper in a bed of coals and sleeping out on the ground under the stars. We'll also take about a dozen of the horses in trailers and plan a few trail rides that'll be more challenging than what we can accomplish here. All along, I planned to start preparing Kim for that—before our little set-back. Maybe if we both talk it up, Kim will come around again."

  "Perhaps." She swallowed hard. Three nights? That was a long time. Why, she'd only been gone from Kim one night—and look what had happened. "Is Kim asking for me, Zack? Is she upset I left?"

  "No. . .no, on both counts. Actually she was rather excited to hear you got to ride in the helicopter. That was the one and only time I managed to rouse a bit of enthusiasm out of her." He slowed for a stop light.

  "Well, I guess we can be thankful for that much," she said levelly. "But as far as I'm concerned, this just proves my point. Horses are too temperamental. Skittish. Unpredictable. If Midnight's capable of spooking that easily, what on earth might happen after you get Kim out on some trail?"

  "Life is filled with risks, Logan. You and I are taking a risk right now cruising down this highway. But the bottom line is, Midnight's one of our older, most gentle riding horses. This morning's incident wasn't typical of something she'd do. I suppose I could always switch Kimberly to another horse, but I'm not sure that would be wise. Kim and Midnight have already bonded."

  "Some bonding!" Logan replied, crossing her hands across her chest. She slanted a sidelong glance at his profile, that lock of hair that always seemed to fall carelessly across his high forehead. Despite the tension that stretched between them, her pulse raced at the sight of him.

  "Hey, trust me," he said. "I've worked with horses all my life."

  "I'm trying, Zack."

  "Are you?" The expression on his face remained closed, the lines and angles of his profile sharply defined.

  She averted her gaze, not answering.

  They continued up the twisting mountain highway. Tall stands of trees whizzed by. Next came the lumber mill and the mill pond. The river that edged the side of the highway was still churning with muddy dark water from yesterday's storms.

  "I've got a suggestion." Zack's words sliced through the silence. "That is, if you'll hear me out," he added cautiously.

  She swallowed. Hadn't Zack already filled her head with enough suggestions?

  "Tomorrow," he began, "A group of med students from the university are coming to c
amp. They'll be staying all week long—Saturday and Sunday too—so we'll be in great shape for back-up coverage. Why don't you let me give you a couple of lessons horseback riding, just like I've been giving Kim? Then Wednesday evening, we can ride about five miles or so back into the hills to watch the meteor shower that always happens this time in August. It's supposed to be best after midnight."

  She raised an eyebrow. "And you're suggesting we should take off just like that?"

  "Why not?"

  "What about the horses? Surely you don't plan to bring them back at two or three in the morning!"

  "No, of course not. We'll wait till the sun comes up. I'll pack in a couple of sleeping bags and a pup tent for you. As for me, I prefer to sleep out under the stars."

  She shook her head. "No, I'm not interested. We can watch the meteor shower at camp—with the children. You were going to schedule a star party as soon as the weather cleared anyway."

  "We've already planned that for tonight."

  "My answer's no," she insisted. "Besides, what's this got to do with Kim?"

  "It's got everything to do with her."

  "Explain."

  He stared straight ahead, his brow creased as he veered onto the side-road that led back to camp.

  "All right. But first I'm going to give you some unsolicited advice. After I do, you may hate me forever, but I guess I have no choice but to risk that."

  Her heart twisted, dreading what she already suspected was to come. "Fine then. Just say it."

  "If you really want to help your sister, then you need to first help yourself. You need to get a handle on your own fear of horses."

  "Have you gone out of your mind? You expect me to actually ride a horse again—especially after what happened to me?"