Page 259 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“Felix, I bet it’s 5:00 already.”
Could it be that late? The time since he arrived at Sterling Ranch had evaporated. “This barn is huge. Our barn in Blackfield has only three stalls. We don’t have all these separate areas for tools and stuff.”
“It’s a ranch, Felix. We need these things to keep the ranch going. You’ll learn all about ranching over the summer.”
At the bottom of the ladder, Joey sported his eternal broad smile. “What’s making you so happy?”
“I’m glad to have somebody around. It's lonely out here all alone, and I’m excited to show you around.” Joey wrapped an arm around Felix’s shoulders and gave a couple of quick tugs before letting go. “If I go too fast, tell me.”
“My father told your father to teach me about ranching, so I’m here to learn.” Felix omitted the part about making a man out of him. He didn’t want Joey to think he was someone who couldn’t do manly things. He had never been a hugger, and his family were not touchers. However, the warm feelings that came over him when Joey touched him made him feel good. As if his presence mattered, Joey welcomed him. Was this what having a friend felt like?
“C’mon.” Joey motioned for Felix to follow out the north doors of the barn. “This is where I’ll teach you roping.”
“Roping?” His stomach knotted at the thought of competing. He’d never been interested in sports. His father did not encourage him to participate in competitive events, so Felix never did. The family did not play games at home, so he never learned about the concepts of winning and losing. In fact, he did not care about winning. Besides, roping sounded like something complicated. He’d seen some boys at his school practice and could not understand how the rope knew where to go. “I never roped before. I doubt I can learn that.”
“Don’t be crazy, Felix. Anyone can learn to rope.” Joey grabbed Felix’s hand and inspected his palm, running his fingers over the soft skin. “But you’ll need toughening up, cowboy.” Joey grinned, not letting go of Felix’s hand.
Felix felt a strange tingling when Joey touched him and pulled his hand away, pretending to inspect his own palm so Joey wouldn’t see the redness in his cheeks. “I’ll need gloves or something.”
“Hey.” Joey grabbed his shoulder. “Like I said, you’ll do fine. I won’t let you get hurt if that worries you.”
Felix looked up. “Thanks, Joey.” He didn’t want Joey to find out that being injured was not what worried him. Since Mr. Sterling mentioned Joey was good at roping, looking like a fool was his worry.
Back in the barn, they took currying brushes, combs, and picks and shared the task of currying Maybelle.
“Pa said you like to read.” Joey brushed one side of Maybelle while Felix inspected her hooves.
“Yes. Father encouraged me to do well in school, so I learned to enjoy books.” Felix picked a small stone from Maybelle’s left foreleg.
“I don’t read much, but Jacob and I used to enjoy a game of dominoes. Did you ever play dominoes, Felix?”
“I never played games, Joey.” Felix inspected the left rear hoof, but found nothing but a bit of loose dirt.
“I’ll show you sometime.” Joey moved around to brush Maybelle’s left side. “The game uses tiles with dots. You add up the dots, Felix. Can you do math?”
Felix didn’t find anything in Maybelle’s right hooves. “I’m great with math, Joey.”
Joey finished brushing Maybelle. “In that case, you'll like the game, Felix. Now, let’s put away these currying tools and see about supper.” He thumbed toward the house. “You ready?”
“Sure.” As they strolled toward the house, Felix was mesmerized by Joey’s voice as he pointed out the goat pen, chicken coop, and pig sty on the west side of the barn, all shaded by giant elm trees. They strolled toward the house, and Joey motioned to the cistern beside the windmill and the garden. About thirty yards out in a grove of trees was the dual outhouse. From the road, Felix did not see the enormous expanse of the ranch. The homestead had a family feel, and he wondered what it was like growing up here.
Joey nudged his shoulder, drawing him out of his thoughts. “So, any questions?”
“No. Your family has an amazing place, Joey.”
“You’ll be more amazed when you ride the ranch tomorrow. Riding Lightning on the wide-open prairie is one of my favorite things.”
“I’d love to do that, but I’m getting hungry right now. My mother didn’t serve supper until my father got home from the store. He didn’t close the store until 6:00, so we didn’t eat until 6:30.”
Joey grabbed the screen door handle and motioned for Felix to climb the steps first. “Ma feeds us around 5:30. That gives us time to check the horses before it gets dark.”
“How are my two men doing?” Mabel asked as they entered the kitchen.
“Fine, ma.” Joey led Felix to the sink. Joey turned on the single faucet, and water flowed into the basin. Felix grabbed the soap bar and dipped his hands into the cool water, then lathered up.
Joey bumped his shoulder and chuckled, “Let me have water too.”
Felix didn’t know what to do. Did friends clown around with each other? Taking a cue from Joey, he bumped him back. Joey laughed, and Felix got bold. “Getting kind of bossy, aren’t you?” He laughed and handed the soap to Joey.
