Page 292 of The Texas Sterling Collection
At the house, he ran upstairs. He stripped off the clothes he wore at the store, then rolled them up and put his belt around them. Since he planned never to return, he took what fit in his saddlebags. He retrieved a small envelope from the top drawer of his bureau, safely hidden. The gold cross and delicate chain his grandmother gave him were inside the envelope. He hadn't taken it with him before because being shipped off to the ranch made him uncertain. Now, he needed to take it and as many possessions as he could carry. Wearing it was the easiest way to keep track of it. He fastened it around his neck, then put on his ranching clothes and the hat Joey gave him. Downstairs, he found Helen in the kitchen. He needed to tell her what happened and say goodbye.
“Helen, I’m leaving. Father and I argued, and he kicked me out. Told me to leave the store and the house. I’ve endured enough of this loveless existence. I’ll go insane if I stay.”
“Felix, I expected this.” She stopped peeling potatoes and looked at him. “I am surprised you stayed as long as you did.”
“I’m sorry, Helen. You and I always talked, and I'll miss that.”
Helen paused, looking down at the sink. “You’re in love with Joseph, aren’t you?” Helen spoke in a whisper as she turned to him.
Felix remained silent for a moment, stunned by her question. Then asked, “How did you know?”
“It showed when you introduced me to him and his family. I never saw you smile as much as you did that day. I knew you were happy.”
“Helen, you don’t understand what it’s like to be in a family that exhibits love and caring. The Sterlings welcomed me into their home. Mr. and Mrs. Sterling asked me to call them “Pa” and “Ma.” They treated me like their own son. I never experienced such happiness.”
“And Joseph?”
“Joey and I became friends on the first day. Then I got a letter from Father. He never used my name in the letter, said he loved me, or asked how I was doing. He only said Emmaline waited for me.”
Helen laughed. “Father is fixated on you marrying Emmaline. At least I won’t worry about having her for a sister-in-law.”
Felix chuckled. “After I got Father’s letter, I tried to make Joey hate me.” He paused and sighed, memories crowding his mind. “He told me he loved me, but I didn’t want that. I didn’t want Joey to get hurt by me, so I pushed him away. My plan didn’t work. I’ve never felt this way about anybody, Helen. Joey makes me happier than anyone in the world.”
“I’ll miss you, Felix, but I want you to be happy. Will you come back and see me?”
Felix shook his head. “Not if father is here.”
“Father and Mother are visiting her sister in San Antonio at the end of August. Maybe you can come then.”
“That sounds good, Helen. Joey and I can make a trip to town, and we can all visit.”
Felix reached out and hugged Helen.
“Tell Mother I said goodbye, and tell Margaret and Winston I love them.” He kissed Helen on the forehead and walked to the stables to saddle up his horse. He was leaving for good. Helen stood on the back porch and waved to him as he rode west.
Chapter Nineteen
Joey spent time cleaning the barn before supper. Two weeks had elapsed since Felix’s father took him. Joey’s heart still ached. When he got to Sparkle’s stall, he grabbed Sparkle around the neck and sobbed. He didn’t think he would ever get over not having Felix around.
“Hi,” a quiet voice spoke behind him.
Felix?Joey thought.It can’t be. He turned. Felix stood waiting. “Felix…”
Joey rushed into Felix’s open arms. The two hugged and sobbed together.
“Gosh, I missed you,” Felix said.
Joey pulled back to look into Felix’s eyes and wiped a tear from his cheek. “I missed you more, Felix.” He took in the desire in Felix’s eyes. A look that he missed for two weeks.
“I told my father off, and he kicked me out.” Felix gasped between sobs. “Do you think I can stay here for a few days until I figure out what I want to do?”
“You can stay here as long as you want,” Joey choked out, still not believing Felix was back. “I can’t stand being apart from you.”
“Me too, Joey.”
“Loft. Now.” Joey commanded. He dragged Felix to the loft ladder. The two scurried up the steps and were soon embracing again. Joey grabbed Felix’s face and pulled him into a passionate kiss as Felix started unbuttoning Joey’s shirt. They gasped for air as their kiss broke, and they tore the clothes off each other. Before long, they stood naked, sporting hard dicks. Joey pulled them down onto the horse blanket.
“I missed that hard dick,” Felix said, “and I missed you touching mine.”
