Page 285 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“I don’t for sure, but he told me he and Jacob used to go up on the mesa, gaze at the ranch, and talk. Since you didn’t find him in town, and he hasn’t been around here, I’ll ride up and hope to find him.”
“It’s a steep and winding trail up to the top, Felix.”
“Sparkle will help me.”
Grover chuckled. “Well, if any horse can, I’m betting it’s Sparkle.”
Mabel patted his arm. “Felix, go find our Joey and bring him back.”
Felix sighed. “It might not be easy, Ma Sterling. I don’t know if Joey is upset with me or if he’ll listen to me. But I have to try.”
“I hope he’s there, Felix,” Grover said. “He may have gone anywhere, but you’re right…he and Jacob used to go up on the mesa when they wanted to get away.”
* * *
Felix saddled Sparkle and guided him toward the mesa. Pa Sterling said the trail led up from a gap in the rock formations on the west side. Felix found the opening and guided Sparkle through. They climbed up the side of the mesa, Sparkle sure-footed and never hesitating. It’s as if the horse took Felix on a mission to bring back someone important to him. Judging by the sun, Felix figured the climb took almost half an hour. He tried to remain calm as they climbed, but climbing a steep trail was a new and frightening experience. He kept his mind on Joey and hoped they would find him and Lightning safe, sound, and willing to listen.
They faced north as they emerged on the flat plateau at the top. Joey stood about a hundred yards away near the south rim. He guided Sparkle toward Joey and stopped a few yards away.
“Hi.” Felix dismounted and waited for Joey to respond, but Joey stood silent. Sparkle pushed against Felix’s back, nudging him toward Joey.
“Felix,” Joey coughed out the word.
Felix noticed the tears on Joey’s cheeks. “Are you okay?”
Joey shrugged. “It depends. Are you still mad at me?”
Felix rushed and grabbed Joey in a crushing embrace. “I’m not mad at you, Joey. I tried to let you find the little filly you wanted, but your ma and pa explained I was wrong.” He pulled back to search Joey’s eyes.
“Felix, neither of us can tell about the future, but the one thing I'm sure of is that I will always be your friend. Your close friend. The last thing I want right now is a girlfriend.”
Joey crushed their mouths together. The physical connection they shared said it all. But they needed to talk; this was as good a place as any.
Felix pulled back and stroked Joey’s bottom lip with his thumb, wiping away a bit of spit. “Joey, let’s talk, okay?”
Joey looked doubtful but nodded. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything is fine.” Felix tugged Joey over to a boulder, and they sat. “I apologize for the way I acted. If I made you hate me, I figured you'd find a girl to marry. I couldn’t tie you down. But Joey, I didn’t want you to leave me. I became miserable and angry with myself, and I took it out on everyone else. I want you to come home so we can be like we were before my father’s letter came.” Felix sighed. “Can you ever forgive me?”
Joey wrapped an arm around Felix in a hug. “Thank you for telling me. I never wanted a little filly, Felix. I said it in case your father made you find one. I only want you.” He stood, tugged Felix up, and squeezed him tight. “Yes, I forgive you. Now let’s go home.”
* * *
They rode into the stables to curry the horses, feed them, and settle them for the night. Grover and Mabel rushed into the barn, hugged Joey and Felix, and wanted to hear the story.
Felix and Joey shared the entire story of thelittle fillyand how it started the rift between them. After supper, they all retired to the sitting room, relaxed and happy to have everyone together again.
The two spent the night in Felix’s bed, enjoying the closeness they shared and the physical passion they both craved.
Chapter Fourteen
The following day, after breakfast, they saddled their horses and rode out to the herd to find two calves for roping practice.
Joey nodded toward the mooing cattle. “You can practice roping skills by getting a calf from the herd. I’ll find one too, and we’ll carry them back to the corral to use this afternoon for practice. After we’ve finished, we’ll bring them back to the herd.”
“Okay.” Felix readied his lariat. He’d only practiced on the dummy and on a goat. Calves were larger than goats and surrounded by bigger cows. It was different from chasing after a lone goat with limited escape space.
“I have my shotgun. If a mama cow gets aggressive, I’ll fire it into the air to scare her off.”
