Page 306 of The Texas Sterling Collection
Joey took a deep breath. “Mmmmm…I smell breakfast cooking. We'd better get down there.” He reached the floor for his drawers and cleaned up himself and Felix. He then got out of bed and sauntered to the washbasin.
“Come on, cowboy,” Joey motioned with his arm. “Get over here and let me clean you up before we get dressed.”
Felix hopped out of bed and went to Joey. He let Joey wash him before returning the favor and washing Joey. They dried, dressed, and headed downstairs for breakfast.
Pancakes browned on a griddle and sausage patties sizzled in the big cast-iron skillet. Breakfast aromas made their stomachs growl.
“Good morning, cowboys.” Mabel hugged each of them as they went to sit down. “Hungry?”
“You bet, Ma,” they both answered.
“It smells wonderful,” Felix crooned.
“It sure does. Where’s Pa?” Joey asked.
“He’s finishing shaving. He’ll be out in a minute.” Mabel flipped the pancakes.
Grover entered the kitchen and sat down. “Mornin’.” He reached for the steaming mug of coffee Mabel set for him.
“Mornin’ Pa,” the two best friends chimed in as Mabel set a plate of pancakes and sausage in front of each of them.
“What do you two have planned for this morning?” Grover poured honey over his pancakes.
“Nothing special.” Joey cut into one of his sausage patties, and steam rose from the patty as he stabbed it with his fork and lifted it to his mouth.
Felix was already enjoying the flavor of the cooked sausage, chewing and swallowing before he spoke. “We should ride the fences, Joey. I haven’t done that in a few days.”
Joey snickered. “Yeah, since you tried to be mad at me, and it didn’t work.”
Heat rose up Felix’s neck. “You were making me crazy.”
“You made me crazy, Felix.”
Grover pointed his index finger back and forth between them. “You two ever do that again, and I’m taking you both to the woodshed.”
“Yes, Pa.” They both grinned.
“Riding fences sounds like a good idea.” Grover cut into his pancakes.
Joey nodded. “It’s more fun when we do it together. I know how boring it is to ride fences alone.”
“I agree.” Felix shoved a bit of pancake into his mouth.
“The Bowdens stopped by yesterday while you cowboys were out in the barn,” Mabel said. “They invited us over for the afternoon, then supper.”
“When are we going?” Joey added more honey to his pancakes.
“We’ll go over around two o’clock.” Grover paused to swallow his bite. “Mabel and I will take the buggy, and you two can ride over on your horses. You can pick peaches at the Bowdens, and Mabel will lay in a supply of preserves for us. And if you’re nice,” Grover waved his fork back and forth at the two cowboys. “She’ll make a fresh peach cobbler for dessert tomorrow.”
“You bet.” Felix smiled at the idea of a sweet peach cobbler. One thing he knew for sure was that eating on the ranch was always good.
* * *
Felix and Joey spent the morning riding fences. They didn’t find anything, but soon arrived at the spring. It was a hot late July day, and they had some time before lunch. They stripped down and jumped into the cool water to wash off.
Felix edged up behind Joey and put his arms around Joey’s chest.
Joey leaned his head back and rested it on Felix’s shoulder. “I love it when you touch me.”
