Page 252 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“Let’s pull it out.” Wyl reached for the leather handle and pulled. The leather disintegrated, and his elbow hit Rod in the chest.
“Ow, honey. Be careful.” Rod laughed, then choked on the dust he inhaled. “Let me help you.” He coughed.
Wyl moved to one side, and Rod knelt on the other. They reached in and pulled. The brass corners scraped against the basement floor as they pulled the trunk out.
“Well, it's not too heavy.” Wyl wiped his forehead with his sleeve. “We can assume it doesn’t contain gold or silver.”
Rod chuckled. “Wouldn’t it be something?”
Wyl inspected the locked clasp on the front. “We need to pry this open, too. No telling where a key is. If we found it, the lock is so old the key wouldn’t work.”
“Let’s move the trunk to better light to open its secrets.” Rod knelt to grasp one end.
Wyl tilted it so they could lift it, and they carried it across the basement and set it on the floor in a well-lighted area near the steps. Wyl took the pry bar and wedged it behind the old clasp. It snapped open with a loud pop. “Are you ready to open the hidden treasures?”
Rod nodded. “I’m hoping it’s family history.” The hinges creaked as he lifted the lid.
Chapter Two - 1898
“Mr. Crabtree cornered me in the store this afternoon. He claims you told his daughter Emmaline she was too fat.” Cornelius Bonner pounded the padded arm of his high-back living room chair before pointing a shaking finger at his son. “She told him she wanted to marry a real man, not a wimpy bookworm like Felix Bonner.” Cornelius glared at Felix; his face flushed. “Explain yourself.”
Felix avoided direct eye contact. His father’s glare could shatter a crystal tumbler at fifty paces. “Father, I did not mention Emmaline’s weight in my conversation with her. I am enough of a gentleman to never speak to a lady about such things. She brought up the topic of weight herself, and I countered with praise for her beautiful face and outgoing personality.” He risked a glance at his father’s face. “I did express the hope that one day the right man would come along to appreciate her beauty.” Felix caught the slightest glimmer of amusement in his father’s expression, gone as fast as it appeared, replaced by the requisite frown.
“So, what are your intentions toward Emmaline Crabtree? You took her on a buggy ride after church. Did you not propose marriage?” Cornelius’ crossed arms and menacing scowl reinforced his irritation.
Felix shook his head. “No, Father. I do not wish to make Emmaline my wife. I see no point in pursuing a relationship with someone I do not treasure.” Not only did he dislike Emmaline, but girls did not interest him. The other boys at school frequently talked about girls. However, reading and studying interested Felix much more than girls. He made no close friends, but it was okay. Competition interested him less than socializing.
“So, you are the wimpy bookworm Emmaline mentioned?”
His first thought was,'Yes, I am.'But his father wanted a different answer. “Father, you have always encouraged my studies. I focused on my schoolwork to please you.”
“Studying is one thing, but avoiding one's manly duties is something else.”
Manly duties? Felix shuddered. “Father, Emmaline’s giggle is irritating, and her girth equals Sylvester’s.” A cartoon-like image flashed through Felix’s mind, with Emmaline on the left and the Bonner horse Sylvester on the right, an equal sign between them. He rubbed a hand across his face to erase the stifled chuckle before his father noticed. “I cannot imagine abiding by her giggle for the remainder of my life, short as it would be beneath her crushing weight. I prefer choosing my own wife.”
Cornelius huffed. “Well, who? Josephine Black? Constance Merriweather? Cynthia Murphy? I know their fathers. Those girls are too skinny and petite to be of any value as a wife. You need someone with strong bones who can bear many children.”
Felix flinched. He learned what it took to sire children in science class, and he wanted none of that. “Father, what about beauty and charm? Does not a wife need characteristics other than obesity and fruitful loins?”
“What?” His father’s face reddened. “Are you mocking me, son?” His tone reflected his anger. “How dare you speak to me in that fashion.” He pointed to the stairs in the entry hall of the spacious two-story home on a hill half a mile outside Blackfield. “Now, you go up to your room while I figure out how to make a real man out of you.”
“Yes, Father.” Felix left the parlor and rushed up the stairs two at a time, resisting the urge to slam his bedroom door. His father trying to force him into a relationship he did not want made him hammer his mattress in anger. He hated not being able to stand up to the domineering man.
* * *
Several days passed with no further mention of Emmaline or marriage. Felix put the conversation out of his mind, preferring to focus on reading or caring for the horses. Early Sunday morning, after breakfast and his chores, he lounged on his bed, engrossed in the latest Conan Doyle book. Midmorning, a rumble of voices sounded downstairs, but he paid no attention until his father called for him.
“Felix, come down here.”
Felix set asideThe Tragedy of the Koroskoand hurried down the stairs to find his father and another gentleman standing in the parlor. He waited at the bottom of the stairs.
“Felix, come.” Cornelius flicked his fingers more as an order than an invitation. “This is Grover Sterling. He and his wife are regular customers of Bonner Dry Goods. He owns the Sterling Ranch west of town.”
Felix approached the two men. His father never drew him into conversations with visitors, so he was unsure of his role.
Cornelius nodded toward Grover. “I’ve asked Mr. Sterling to take you into his employ for the summer and teach you to be a man.”
Shock coursed through Felix. He worked in his father’s store. Why did his father decide to ask this other gentleman to employ him? This Mr. Sterling?
