Stormy Connections

Chapter 6 - New conversations and honesty about life.

Four women, four stories—delayed by weather but not by life. What do they learn from each other in those few hours at the airport?

To begin from the first chapter, START HERE.

Previous chapter is HERE.

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As Riley, Val, Skylar, and Raven left their respective planes and walked down the jetway to the terminal, the metal structure rattled in the wind and pelting rain.

Scanning their phones for their next flight, they saw that all planes were marked delayed. Not to be discouraged, they walked towards the assigned gate and, seeing the crowds milling around, decided to enter the first-class lounge.

It, too, was crowded, but a corner table had just been vacated. The first to arrive was Riley. She chose a seat with a view of the storm and gathered her belongings close as she sat down.

Within a moment, Riley noticed another woman looking for a seat. She recognized her friend Val and pointed to the empty chairs at her newly claimed table.

“Hi Val! I can’t believe I’ve run into you! Would you care to join me?”

“Oh, thank you. Some storm, eh?

“It sure is. The airport is crazy. This was the only place I could find a seat.”

No sooner than Val’s words were uttered, two more women circled the lounge, looking for a place to wait out the storm. At the same time, Riley and Val invited them to sit.

Raven, dressed in well-worn western wear, introduced herself first. Skylar followed with a thankful smile.

“Riley, we met once before. You and Quinn.”

Riley looked at Raven inquisitively. “I’m sorry. I don’t remember. When was it?”

“I’m not surprised you don’t remember. It was right after you moved to Echo Canyon. At my cousin’s house.”

“Your cousin?”

“Yes. Your neighbor, Ben.”

“Oh my heavens. Ben’s cousin! Yes, I remember Ben talking about you, and now that you say it, I recall our brief introduction. There were so many people I met that evening. But yes. It comes back to me now.”

As the introductions were finished, an announcement came: "Attention all passengers booked on Flight 272 to Sabáka. Due to the weather here and along the flight path, Flight 272 has been delayed. We do not have a departure time or gate, but the National Weather Service expects it to be at least three hours.

“Well, I guess we should settle in. Drinks, anyone?” Riley pushed the call button on the table while saying this.

Everyone nodded in agreement and passed the tablet around to record their orders.

Riley ordered a gin and tonic, which is usual when not drinking wine. Skylar had an Old Fashioned. Val looked up a Negroni and, upon seeing a green check pop up, added her request to their list. Raven ordered a Dirty Martini and, as she pressed send, turned to the three women. “Well, nothing like four women who are sure of their preferences,” she said, looking at each in their eyes, “and like their alcohol?”

Val raised a figurative glass. “I’ll drink to that! When we have our drinks, that is. Assuming everyone is headed to Sabáka, is that home for all of us? I moved a few years ago from western Washington to retire and live just outside Echo Canyon.”

Riley jumped in next. “I’m originally from the UK but spent about 35 years in Vermont and moved to Echo Canyon almost six years ago.”

“What a coincidence. I am just returning from an archaeological dig in the UK. I’m thankful my role is complete, and I can come home. My husband and I live south of Echo Canyon.”

Skylar chuckled to herself, winking at the group. “I’m looking forward to returning and getting my hands in the garden dirt rather than old dirt, as we call our dig sites.”

“What about you, Raven?”

Raven had been listening intently to everyone’s short introductions. Glancing out the window at the swirling storm, she saw a mirror of her thoughts about the future and the challenges awaiting her.

“I was born and raised in Echo Canyon. My family’s roots go back generations there. And I agree with your statement, Val. I am also ready to get my hands back in the soil. Gardening has always felt like coming home to me. It's where I find peace and connect with something deeper. I hope to follow those connections within myself when I am home."

“I agree, Raven. Growing up on a farm in Washington, the land was our asset. It’s always been a huge part of my life, no matter how much or little time I had to garden or work the land.”

Taking her drink from the robo-waiter, Riley considered Val’s statement. “I never had that connection to the land, Val. Growing up, I was more into helping my dad with his woodworking projects. Those led me to my interest in architecture. Dad and his brother built our house in Vermont, and most of the furniture. However, now that I’m living in Echo Canyon, and with Ben’s help, I’ve become more attached to gardening and adding interest to my home with potted plants and gardens.

Riley looked at Raven with an amazed expression. “Raven, Ben and your relatives lived here? How many generations? Ben doesn’t talk much about the old days.”

“No, he never has. We call him the Quiet One. I don’t know much beyond my fourth great-grandmother. You know, stories were handed down from generations. On my mother’s side, we were part of the Sabákari nation.”

“Oh. Then that’s where the name for the city Sabáka came from?” Skylar moved to the edge of her seat as Raven’s words piqued her interest. This was her passion.

“Yes, Skylar. Initially, it was called the Santo Alejo de La Montañas, which means Saint Alejo of the Mountains.  But, as researchers uncovered the area's history, the city council decided to bring the city’s name back to its roots and ancestry with Sabáka. Smiling, Raven added, “And it’s easier to say.

With her passion evident, Skylar leaned forward, eager to dive deeper into the conversation. "I've always been fascinated by ancient cultures. The artifacts we find tell such powerful stories. And I did find one when we were working on the community garden. I'll have to show it to you."

"Maybe one day you can help uncover some of our buried stories," Raven suggested with a smile.

Riley joined in. "It seems we all like getting our hands dirty. Skylar, you mentioned you were on a dig in the UK. Where exactly?"

"I was in a small town in Ireland. Galway."

"You have to be kidding! That’s where I was born! But I was only there for four years before we moved to Sussex County outside London. I’ve been back to Galway, but not for a few years. My brother, Kean, lives there."

"Kean? Is that a common name? I met a Kean in a pub there. Could he be your brother? He's a train conductor on the route from Galway to London."

"Crikey! That’s my brother! I can’t believe you met him!"

"Well, Riley, I not only met him, but we shared many pints at the pub. I so enjoyed his company. A nice young man, so easy to talk to."

"He’s older than I am. A young man? You’re not old, Skylar."

"Well, old enough to think of you and him as youngsters. Just wait until you’re my age. You’ll understand then."

"How was he?"

As Riley and Skylar continued their conversation, Raven and Val chatted softly nearby.

"Raven, you said you were in Wyoming. What took you there?" Val asked.

"I work with horses and their owners. A client had a young mare that was acting out."

"Acting out? Like a child?"

"Well, yes. That’s an excellent analogy. In this case, Star's owner, William, used to groom and ride her regularly. But his ranch is growing, so he hasn’t spent much time with her. She started getting skittish and ill-behaved, nipping at William and jumping at the smallest noises."

"Were you able to resolve her issues?"

"Yes, but not just hers. William also needs to adapt his schedule to be more hands-on with Star. We worked together for a week, and they were getting along fabulously by the time I left. I hope they will come to my stables on their way to a show in New Mexico this fall.”

Fiddling with the moisture on her glass, Raven continued, "That's also something I have been thinking about. I want to stay closer to home now and have clients come to me. I love working with horses, but I have a strong pull to utilize the knowledge and traditions of my ancestors and teach others what I've learned over the years. But that may be harder than I think."

"You seem like you'd be great at showing others your methods. I want to hear more about that! But first, how many horses do you have on your ranch? I miss riding. My parents have a couple of Mustangs and a pony on their farm. My husband and I used to ride whenever our schedules allowed."

"Right now, there are four. Ben keeps his horse there when he's in town, and I have two that I ride. My mare, Solana, is six, and Spirit, my stallion, is four. I also have a gentle riding mare, Luna, who is ten. You can ride her if you’d like when you come over."

Val's eyes lit up, and she almost jumped out of her chair like an excited child. "Oh, Raven, that would be wonderful. Thank you so much!"

"Of course. I like having friends over to ride. I can only spend so many hours a day in the saddle."

"So tell me more about your life in Washington."

The conversations between the four women wove in and out among their stories. Another round of drinks was delivered, and they polished off sandwiches as they shared laughs and insights.

An announcement broke through their chatter, welcoming news that they could board in 30 minutes.

As they gathered their belongings, Skylar asked, "How are you all getting home from the airport?"

"If you’d like, I can have Jim drop each of you off at your homes," Skylar offered. "We have a large SUV, plenty of room for everyone."

Grateful for the offer, the new friends exchanged smiles and nodded in agreement. With thanks and a sense of camaraderie, they boarded the plane to their final destination—Sabáka.

The flight and drive were quiet, their earlier conversations fading into a reflective silence as fatigue settled in. The storm had passed, but the impact of their shared experiences lingered. Skylar and Jim drove them through the peaceful desert night when they landed. The rain was now a mere memory, leaving the washes with only a trace of moisture.

As the SUV cruised along the familiar roads, each woman fell into her thoughts. Skylar, who had initially kept the conversation going, drifted into contemplation, just like the others. They were all back in the land they loved, but how would they shape the next chapter of their lives now?

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