Vic watches out the side window hoping to catch a glimpse of a landmark or anything else that might let her know where Walt is headed. She's not concerned about where they'll end up, only curious. In fact, she kind of likes how Walt has taken control over the evening and is willing to go along for the ride. She knows he's been holding back to a point and it's largely because of her pending divorce. Even through his...weak moments, Walt has kept to his morals. He's not willing to be with someone who belongs to another man, even if it's only belonging in the legal sense. She can't wait to see how he reacts when he learns that her divorce is finally over. She feels like a weight has been lifted and she's ready to move forward with Walt. They can take their relationship in whatever direction they choose and act on whatever urges and desires they may have.
Vic has thought a lot about how she wants to tell Walt. Her gut reaction was to go to him as soon as the judge had signed the papers but she thought it best to wait until they were both off duty. The station wasn't where she wanted to deliver this kind of news and she was concerned that her compulsive tendencies would take over if she actually saw him or spoke with him on the phone. She really didn't want to just blurt it out. That's why she was thankful work kept the two of them going separate directions all afternoon. Maintaining the kind of self control it would have taken to keep this to herself if they were together might have done her in. At one distracted point when she was in the office and Walt was not, she had glanced at Ruby writing one of her many post-it notes to the Sheriff. That was it. Vic started formulating a plan. Having a plan would help her to keep herself in check. She kept it short and simple:
Red Pony
6:00
Vic had wondered how Walt would react to her post-it. Up to this point she has always asked him to do things, leaving him the option to turn her down if he wanted to, though he never did. But this time she couldn't have him say no. She needed to tell him tonight. She wasn't sure how he would react to a directive rather than a request from her but Ruby unknowingly provided the inspiration to get it done. It was a risk but one she thought would be worth taking. She half expected Walt to read the note, call and politely excuse himself from her company this evening with an explanation of having to work late. She was pushing him further out of his comfort zone after all. However, instead of withdrawing or running the other way, Walt had pushed back. Vic knows she needs a man who will do that. Someone who will not be intimidated by her assertive personality. Someone who will allow her to take charge up to a point and then take the reins when he decides it's warranted.
It isn't too long before Walt pulls the Bullet onto a private road Vic hasn't been on before. They pass through a simple timber gate with a rustic sign across the top.
"Klondike? Isn't that the dude ranch where rich people from the city come and pretend to be cowboys?"
"Yep." He's continuing down a winding lane flanked by trees on both sides.
Okay. She wasn't sure what she expected but this wasn't really it. Still, she likes that Walt is taking control so she goes with it, "A real life City Slickers, huh? Maybe we'll run into Billy Crystal."
"What?"
Figuring Walt had never seen the movie, she lets it go, "Never mind."
"The Klondike Ranch ranch is owned by Richard and Patty Tass. It's been in their family since the early 1920's."
"You know I'm, uh, not much for horses. I hope we aren't here to rustle some cows this evening?"
"Nope, there's not much going on here tonight. All the cattle and the guests are out at the mountain camp until tomorrow."
As they drive down the road, a ranch house and some log cabins come into view. Walt continues around the house and past a large corral and barn in the direction of the mountains behind them.
The sun is slipping behind the Bighorns and at this time of the day their shadows are reaching farther than the mountains themselves are tall. It creates a striking contrast as they fall across the light, open pastures that stretch out from their base. Walt drives about another 2 miles before pulling to a stop and cutting off the engine. Here trees line a river in clusters. Vic notices flames from a small fire in a clearing about 3 yards from the water's edge and there's a flannel blanket laid out close to the fire. She smiles. This is more to her liking than horses and cattle.
By the time shes taken it all in, Walt has walked around to her door and opened it for her. He has a bouquet of flowers in his hand.
"Where did you have those hidden?"
"A man never reveals his secrets. Do you like them?" He's feeling a little self conscious about the traditional gesture.
"They're exactly right!"
Vic steps out and places one hand on the side of Walt's face, leaning in to give him a warm kiss, "Thank you."
She takes the flowers from him. He places his hand on the small of her back and leads her over to the blanket.
"Wait her, I'll get dinner."
She's still standing admiring the water dancing over the rocks in its path when he returns with the beer and bag of food from the Red Pony.
He gestures to the water, "Crazy Woman Creek."
"You trying to tell me something, Walt?"
He smiles, "Nope. There's about a two mile stretch of it that runs through the ranch. This being private land allows for them to have their own trout fishin' paradise."
"It's beautiful." She turns to Walt with in inquisitive look, "Are we fishing after we eat?"
He chuckles as he lowers head, "Nope, no fishing...no cattle," He looks back up at her, "Just you and me, some delicious food and a couple a beers."
She sighs, "That sounds perfect."
"Yep."
They both sit and Walt starts to pull Styrofoam boxes out of the bag. In addition to the silverware Walt grabbed from her kitchen he also picked up two plates.
"You were thinking ahead."
"Like I said, I don't like eating with plastic and real forks and knives don't mix well with styrofoam."
"What are we having this evening?"
"You don't know? Didn't you order it?"
"Yes I ordered it. But, nothing specific. I asked Henry to make your favorite. I didn't ask him what that was."
"Well, Henry is likely to change my favorite as the mood strikes him. Let's see what he cooked tonight." Walt smiles when he starts opening boxes, "Salad, steak and baked potato. Cant really get much better than that."
"What's this?" Vic holds picks up a small round container.
"Some of Henry's special marinade. Haven't you had one of his steaks before?"
"I normally order a burger and a beer when I'm at Henry's. You know, bar food."
"Of course."
Vic looks over into the next box Walt has opened. It's a bacon cheese burger made just the way she likes it, "He may change your favorite but I see he hasn't changed mine."
They carefully move the food over to the plates and begin to eat in a comfortable silence. Vic wants to enjoy Walt's company for a while before discussing her day. The news that before seemed so urgent to share seems to have taken a back seat to simply spending time with the man next to her. When they are both almost finished eating she gestures around where they are sitting, "So, how did you manage this?"
"Rich and I are friends from way back. When I realized you weren't meeting me at the Red Pony I decided to call an audible. You were keeping me guessing so I thought I should return the favor. I called him from the Red Pony and asked if we could come out, if he'd get this set up for me."
"And the flowers?"
"What can I say, I'm a little old fashioned."
"Yes, I know."
"Vic, I know our relationship has been in a holding pattern because of your...situation. I also know you'd rather it not be. I wanted to do something nice, to let you know that I'm still engaged in this whole thing. Even though our relationship is uh, limited right now."
"Right." Vic sets down her burger and rubs her hands together, suddenly very nervous.
He tilts his head to the side at the gesture, "Vic? Is everything okay?...Is there, uh..." He swallows hard, "Something you need to tell me?"
She nods her head and he quickly flashes back though the day in his mind: Her absence this morning and not telling him where she was. The man he saw leaving her house this evening. The huge smile on her face as she watched him leave. He's tried not to jump to conclusions but he really needs to know what's going on. He sets down his fork and knife, "What is it?"
Sorry for the delay. Life still doesn't seem to be slowing down like I had hoped it would. The next chapter is rolling but I honestly can't say when I will get it finished. I will do the best I can to make it soon. We are in the home stretch with this story with two or three more chapters planned. Thanks again for hanging in there with me!