Page 312 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“We saw the sheriff yesterday,” Joey said. “He waved at us as he passed.”
Felix nodded, then raised a curious eyebrow. “What do you mean by frame?”
“That’s when you blame someone for something they did not do.”
“Oh,” Felix inspected his knees. He raised his head and locked eyes with Grover. “So somebody beat up Father, and he told the sheriff you did it?”
Grover shook his head. “Felix, we think your father beat himself up and ransacked his store. He was so determined to get me in trouble, he harmed himself to make his point.”
Felix’s eyes widened. “Why did he want to get you in trouble, Pa?”
“Because he thinks I stole you from him, Felix.”
“You didn’t steal me, Pa. At first, I came here becausehewanted me to. Then I came here becauseIwanted to. No, because I needed to.”
“I know, Felix, but your father never believed that.”
Felix drew a shuddering breath. “I’m sorry, Pa.”
“Felix, I don’t know what your father will do. I’ll protect you no matter what. You’re part of our family now, and we protect family. What your father does is his business.”
Felix stood, avoiding the eyes of his new family. “I can’t let Father harm any of you. I’d better go talk to him.”
Grover went to Felix and put a hand on his shoulder. “I don’t think your father will listen to you. Since you’re a Sterling now, let me handle him. Joey goes crazy when you’re not here. “So for his sake and ours, go with Joey to ride fences and let what happens, happen.”
Felix narrowed his eyes. “If he does anything to this family…”
Grover held up a hand. “That frightened, timid young man I brought to the ranch has become a confident, award-winning rancher. Don’t let your father rob you of all you accomplished.”
Felix’s worry dissolved, and he wrapped his arms around Grover. “Thanks, Pa.”
Grover hugged him back. “You two go on now. Those fences need inspecting, and the spring is waiting,” Grover winked.
“C’mon, Joey. Let’s finish riding fences. I think we need fresh air.”
Joey turned to his parents. “Bringing Felix out here is the best thing you ever did.”
Mabel stood. “We’re glad he came, too.” She walked over to hug both Felix and Joey.
“Bye.” Boots clomped against the hardwood floors as the two young cowboys rushed to the back door, grabbed their hats, and left the house to ride fences.
“That was a fine thing you did, Grover.” Mabel put her arm around her husband, leading him toward the kitchen. “I’m sorry it had to end this way. Felix seemed to be okay with everything.”
Grover nodded and put his arm around his wife’s shoulders as they strolled down the hall. “I think he was more worried about us than about his father. We have a fine third son there, Mabel.”
“We sure do.”
* * *
Joey and Felix didn’t ride fences; they galloped fences. While they watched for problems, both knew riding fences ended at the spring, and both understood what swimming in the spring meant.
Of course, they didn’t find anything wrong with the fences. Within thirty minutes, they were at the spring. They hopped off their horses, tethered them to a tree near the spring, and stripped down as fast as possible. They jumped into the water and reached for each other in a collision of bodies.
Felix wrapped his arms around Joey. “I couldn't wait to hug you. I need to be close to you right now.”
“I want to hug you forever,” Joey whispered in Felix’s ear. “I love the spring because we can be naked together.”
Joey's hot breath teased Felix's ear. “Back into me like you did before,” Felix pleaded. “You made me feel so amazing when you did.”
