Page 262 of The Texas Sterling Collection
Joey’s boots clomped up the stairs two at a time, then pounded the floor to his room and back to the stairs.
Curiosity gnawed at Felix. Was this a ranch thing? A cowboy thing? He grabbed his old brown fedora from the hat rack on the wall next to the door. “What’s he doing?”
Ma Sterling gazed at the ceiling as boots clomped the upstairs hall. “I have no idea.”
Heavy footfalls tromped down the stairs and back through the hallway into the kitchen. In Joey’s hands, a hat. With a broad grin, still breathing hard, Joey presented Felix with a light gray cowboy hat that looked new. “You’ll need this while you’re here.”
Felix didn’t know what to say or do. Nobody ever gave him anything except on Christmas or his birthday. “Joey, I…” Words caught in his throat.
“You’re here to learn to be a rancher, right, Felix?”
The sincerity in Joey’s eyes told Felix this gift came from the heart. He nodded.
“Ranchers wear cowboy hats. I have one. You don’t. Your hat is fine for riding around town, but I want you to wear this one.”
With shaking hands, Felix removed his old hat, accepted the new hat, and tried it on. It fit much better than the old battered brown fedora he brought from home. He glanced at Joey. “How does it look?”
“Perfect.” Joey’s smile lit up his eyes.
“Joey, that’s your best hat.” Mabel smiled and reached to adjust the hat on Felix’s head.
“But Ma, Felix needs a ranch hat, and I don’t use this one much.” Joey toed the floor with his boot, tossing a sheepish glance at Felix from the corner of his eye. “Besides, Felix is my best friend, so he deserves my best hat.”
Felix’s eyes widened, and his face stretched into another smile. Joey called him his best friend, and they met only yesterday. “Thanks, Joey.” Thishaving a friendbusiness was incredible.
Pa Sterling cleared his throat. “Now, Joey, don’t get too excited about having someone your age around the ranch. You’ll make Felix all nervous, declaring him your best friend after only one day.”
“But Pa, you don’t know how lonely I am without Jacob here. I’m excited to have someone my age to talk to.” Joey turned. “I’m sorry, Felix. I hope I didn’t make you feel bad.”
“I never had a friend before, Joey, much less a best friend.” Felix grinned from ear to ear. “I kinda like it. Now show me the ranch, best friend.”
“You men, be careful.” Grover took a sip of coffee and swallowed. “And look out for snakes.”
“Yes, Pa.” The screen door hinges squealed as Joey pushed it open for Felix.
Felix brushed against his new best friend as he strolled out the door. Snakes?
* * *
As they walked to the barn, their boots stirred up puffs of West Texas dust. The morning breeze carried the sweet scents of the prairie wildflowers. Felix stopped to gaze at the meadow east of the homestead. Wild blooms and prairie grasses bowed to each other, and the elm trees in front of the house swayed, waving their limbs as if welcoming the fresh morning. He took a deep breath. “This is magnificent, Joey. I can’t believe I dreaded coming here.”
“You dreaded it? How come?”
“It almost seemed like my dad sold me into slavery. He sent me out into the middle of nowhere with people I had never met to do things I had never done before. Wouldn’t you be a bit nervous if that happened to you?”
Joey's face twisted with curiosity. “I guess so. I hope we didn't scare you.”
Felix followed him into the barn. “Scare me?” He strolled to Sparkle’s stall. “Your family has done everything possible to make me feel at home. I’m looking forward to spending time on the ranch.”
Joey stopped at Lightning’s stall. “I’m glad, Felix. And sorry about that best friend comment. I guess I got excited about having someone my own age around.”
The gate latch clicked as Felix flipped it open. “I’m okay with being your best friend as long as you’ll be my best friend too.”
“I like that idea, cowboy.” Joey sported a mile-wide grin.
Felix eyed Joey. “Cowboy? You said that yesterday, but I figured you didn’t mean me.”
Joey’s grin continued. “Before the end of summer, you’ll be a real cowboy. I want to get a head start and call you one up front.”
