The Long Ride Home by Marsha Hubler Read Free Book Online

wrote down the one phone number and then sat poised, her fingers ready to type.
    “Well,” Mr. Chambers said, “why don’t you plug ‘Jacy Nicholson’ in a few search engines and see what happens. The men might have businesses or sell products that they’re advertising on their own websites.”
    “Good idea, Dad,” Skye said as she started to type.
    In seconds, the screen displayed “No Match.”
    “Well,” Skye said, “Besides three addresses, I have this one phone number. Could I call this guy right now? He just might be my father.”
    “Skye,” Mrs. Chambers said, “have you thought at all about what you plan to say? You can’t call and just blurt out, ‘Hello, this is your long-lost daughter. Can we talk?’”
    Skye pursed her lips and folded her arms. “I see what you mean. That would definitely be a total shock.”
    “Why don’t you think about it awhile,” Mr. Chambers said. “The first words you say will be very important. And if he has voice mail, would you want to leave a message? That’s something else that’s very important to think about.”
    Skye slumped back in her chair and sighed. “You’re right, Dad. Can I try calling in an hour?”
    “Whenever you feel that you’re ready,” Mr. Chambers said gently.
    “I probably shouldn’t leave a message,” Skye said. “If it would be the wrong Jacy, he wouldn’t know what in the world I’m talking about. And even if it would be the right one, I’d rather talk to him directly.”
    “A wise decision,” Mr. Chambers said.
    Mrs. Chambers swiveled her chair to the side of the table and faced her husband. “Tom, you don’t have anything pressing back home next week, do you?”
    Mr. Chambers sat, still staring at the screen. With his chin resting on clenched fists, his thoughts were far away.
    “Dad?” Skye poked the man’s shoulder.
    “Huh? Oh, sorry. Just thinking,” Mr. Chambers finally said. “I didn’t schedule any appointments for my computer business for the whole week after this trek. It takes me that long to get back into the groove of ‘life’ again after any trip, no matter where we go. So, if you’re asking if we can go to Gatlinburg next week, the answer is yes.”
    “Do you really mean it?” Skye’s voice reached its highest octave. “We can actually try to find my father?”
    Mrs. Chambers gave Skye a warm smile. “Honey, we can do this. We have the time.”
    “And I think we might be able to mix some business with pleasure, if you know what I mean,” Mr. Chambers said.
    “Tom, are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Mrs. Chambers asked.
    Mr. Chambers gave his wife one of his sly grins. “Skye, plug in ‘AQHA’ and see if the American Quarter Horse Association is sponsoring any horse shows in the Gatlinburg area.”
    “Horse shows?” Skye asked and paused. “Oh, I get it,” she said, starting to type.
    Mr. Chambers relaxed in his chair and folded his arms. “If there are any horse shows in that part of Tennessee—and I’m sure there are this time of the year—we can register ASAP and compete. When we get to Gatlinburg, we can’t be looking for Jacy Nicholson twenty-four/seven, so if we enter a horse show or two, we might win some prize money to help us with our expenses. And I’m sure our four equines don’t want to face a week of nothing but munching hay and snoozing.”
    “Tom, that’s an excellent idea,” Mrs. Chambers said. “We can check out the KOA campgrounds with accommodations for large pets. Some of those campsites have makeshift barns for fur-friends like ours. When we find a suitable camp, we’ll drive down our stakes there for as long as necessary.” She glanced at Skye, who was engrossed with the information on the screen. “And although it looks like our gal isn’t into the tourist mode at the moment, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have some very nice attractions that we might be able to check out.”
    “We’d have to call Chad and ask if he’ll stay at Keystone