Page 294 of The Texas Sterling Collection
Felix looked deep into Grover’s eyes. “Pa, I want to stay here if you and Ma will have me. If I go back to Blackfield, I’ll run away to somewhere else. I cannot live with my father any longer.”
“Fine. Your word is all I need. When your father comes for you, tell him you decided to stay on the ranch with us. I will back up your decision and tell your father we welcome you to our home.”
“Thanks, Pa,” Felix said.
Grover stood up. “Come here, son.”
Felix walked over, and Grover wrapped his arms around him in a fatherly hug. “Never be ashamed of who you are, and never wonder where you belong. You are loved here; this is your home as long as you want to be here.”
Felix returned the hug. “Thank you.” Ma touched his shoulder, and he turned to her for a hug.
“Honey, no child should ever be without a family. We are here for you.” She released her hug, and Felix sat down. Joey beamed at him from across the table.
Felix was home.
Chapter Twenty
Sunday afternoon, Felix and Joey cleaned the barn, having the time of their lives. As long as they were together, the task didn’t matter. They bonded, so enthusiasm punctuated everything they did.
Felix had placed the Bonner horse, Sylvester, in an empty stall. His father would want the horse back, but he would have to come to the ranch for it. Felix would not risk the wrath of the man who never called him by name.
* * *
At the house, a knock came at the open front door. Mabel went to answer.
“Yes,” she responded, “can I help you?”
“Madam, I’m Cornelius Bonner, Felix’s father.”
“Oh my goodness, please come in, Mr. Bonner.” She unlatched the screen door and opened it.
Cornelius flinched at the squeak of the hinges as he stepped inside. No hardware noise is allowed in his home.
“I’m Mabel Sterling.” She let the screen door close, turned to her guest, and motioned toward the doorway to the left. “Please, have a seat in the parlor. I’ll bring my husband.” She rushed into the back of the house.
Cornelius strolled into the parlor, his arms crossed. He had never been to Sterling Ranch. The house was a bit rustic for his taste.
“Cornelius,” Grover Sterling appeared in the doorway. “To what do we owe the pleasure?” He extended his hand in greeting.
“You know very well to what,” Cornelius responded gruffly. He ignored the proffered hand and glared at Grover with piercing, narrow eyes. “You have my son and horse; I want both back.”
“I see,” Grover lowered his hand. “Felix tells me you ordered him out of the store and the house. Is this true?”
Cornelius gritted his teeth. “He disrespected his father.”
“I’m surprised, Cornelius.” Grover crossed his arms. “Almost two months ago, you sent Felix to us, and I never met a more respectful young man in my life. What prompted his outburst?”
“As I said, my son is none of your business, Sterling.” An angry tremor appeared in Cornelius’ words. “A son should not show disrespect.”
“That is true, Cornelius.” Grover did not stoop to the unfriendly last-name level Cornelius adopted. “But have you shown respect to your son?” He leaned forward. “Did you compliment him on his win at the rodeo?” He leaned back to his full height, narrowing his eyes. “Did you ask what he learned while here at the ranch? You asked me to take him for the summer and make a man out of him. It seems the ploy was more for your satisfaction than anything to do with Felix.”
“Those things are not important to me.” Cornelius waved his hand dismissively. He would never accept chastisement from a simple rancher. He ran a successful business and would run his family the way he wanted. His children were his concern and nobody else’s.
“Cornelius, do you consider what is important to Felix?” Grover scolded. “Your son cannot exist in a void. You make demands upon him, but you give nothing in return. When did you last hug your son or tell him you loved him?”
Cornelius folded his arms across his chest. “Sterling, how I raise my children is none of your concern. This useless discussion is over. I want my boy, and I want my horse.”
“The horse you can have, Bonner.” Grover uncrossed his arms and put his hands in his pockets. “Felix Bonner is no boy. He is a man and a damn fine man at that. That man decided to stay here.”
