Page 264 of The Texas Sterling Collection
Joey had that smile and glimmer again. Felix gazed ahead at the grove of trees, his mind wandering to having a best friend. Did other men like looking at their best friend’s smiling face as much as he did? Did other men feel a tingle between their legs when they saw their best friend almost naked? He had a lot to learn about having a best friend.
Joey pointed to the trees. “Those silver-leaf oak trees surround the spring. We’ll stop and let the horses drink.”
Felix guided Sparkle behind Joey and Lightning down a slight incline. They dismounted and led the horses to the spring for a drink. The sound of water bubbling out of the ground and into a crystal-clear pool below created a peaceful atmosphere. The pool looked inviting, and Felix’s imagination turned to Joey in his boxer shorts, splashing in the water. His arousal stirred again, and he turned his thoughts to Emmaline Crabtree and his father’s insistence that he court her. The bulge in his trousers shrank as a shudder floated through his shoulders. “I see why you like this place, Joey. It’s peaceful.”
“We’ll be driving cattle in a few weeks, moving them from the north pasture to this area. We’ll be plenty dirty, and can come here to wash off the dust.”
A pleasing sensation flooded Felix at the thought of undressing in front of Joey. Whether it meant anticipation or dread, he couldn’t be sure. Having a best friend confused him. “I never went on a cattle drive. Don’t they kinda go where they want?”
“Yes, but sometimes we want them to go to a particular area, and they don’t want to leave where they are. You’ll see.”
They mounted up and rode north from the spring. Felix glanced over, and Joey was smiling at him.
“So, I bet you had lots of girls chasing you in high school.” Joey steered Lightning toward the cattle herd. “You’re a nice guy, and handsome like Jacob.”
Felix paused, unsure how to respond. No one, much less another man, ever called him handsome. But coming from Joey, he preened a bit. “I never hung out with other students much. Father wanted me to focus on my studies and do well in high school, so I had no friends or sweethearts.” He hoped to satisfy Joey’s curiosity.
“Well, I had no sweethearts either, Felix. In my rural school, there weren’t many girls my age, and the few that were didn’t suit me. I hung around with the other boys, joking about the gals and getting into mischief.”
“I think it’s great you had friends. I never had close friends. It surprised me this morning when you said I was your best friend. It made me feel part of this ranch.” Felix didn’t knowwhy, but it did.
“Hey…like I said. We’ll be around each other all summer. Might as well make the best of it.”
Felix liked everything about Joey. His appearance, mannerisms, voice, and friendly nature. He wanted to spend as much time with Joey as possible, learning to be a best friend. He hoped Joey felt the same way.
“You can see the cattle grazing over there.” Joey motioned in the direction they were riding. “Our ranch is about two miles square. We graze 30 head, give or take. You and me will be herding them this summer, driving them to the spring, then to the corral next to the barn.”
“I read about cattle drives from Texas to Kansas, but never thought I would participate in one.”
Joey laughed. “We stay behind them and make a lot of noise. It’s not the most fun thing I can think of doing. And it’s dirty work, which means washing off in the spring.” Joey winked.
Felix caught Joey's wink, and heat rose to his cheeks. The idea of swimming in the spring with Joey roared back into his head. He changed the topic. “What else will we do besides drive cattle?”
“We’ll ride fences.”
“Pa Sterling mentioned that as he brought me to the ranch. He laughed when I asked if it was painful. What’s riding fences?” Felix glanced at Joey. “A game where you sit on the fence?”
Joey barked a laugh. “You’re toying with me, aren’t you?”
Felix shook his head. “No, I never heard of riding fences, so I don’t know what it means.” He did know Joey’s laughter warmed his insides and made him smile.
“Sorry. I need to remember you aren’t rancher stock.” He grinned at Felix. “Yet, cowboy.”
“So we don’t straddle the fence?”
Joey chuckled out a response. “No. We’ll ride along the fence looking for broken posts, sagging wire, or breaks. If we find any problems, we fix them.”
“I see. It sounds less dirty than driving cattle.” Felix found himself disappointed that no dip in the spring was needed.
“Not the most fun thing I can think of, but you are right…not as dirty as driving cattle.” Joey smiled.
That tingle emerged again between Felix’s legs, and he made himself thinkEmmaline Crabtree…Emmaline Crabtree…The tingle evaporated. “What else will we do?”
“We’ll brand cattle. New calves need to have our brand put on them, so we’ll be roping and branding later this summer.”
“What does branding involve?” Felix knew nothing about cows except that beef came from them.
“We rope the calves, lay them on their sides, bind their legs, and use a hot iron to burn our ranch symbol into the hides.”
