Page 318 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“Sheriff.” Joey nodded his head.
“What’s up?” Sheriff Jackson asked.
“We had an incident at the ranch this morning that I need to report,” Grover said. “A gunman came to the house, forced himself in, bounded up the stairs, and woke Felix and Joey. He pointed a loaded pistol at Joey, threatening to shoot him if Felix didn’t do what he said. Then he held a gun to Felix’s back, forcing him down the stairs and onto his horse. I don’t appreciate threats to my family, sheriff.”
“Any idea who this gunman was?”
“Cornelius Bonner. I guess he didn’t like Felix’s decision to return to the ranch, so he came to kidnap him. I tried to stop him, but my options were limited when he pulled a gun. I didn’t want anyone shot.”
Sheriff Jackson nodded. “Smart thinking. Two horses stood tied up in front of the Bonner store, and one of them matched the horse Felix rode to win the calf roping contest. I thought he decided to come back to town.”
Joey stepped forward. “It was decided for him, sheriff.”
Grover placed a hand on Joey's shoulder and nodded. “What Joey says is correct, sheriff. Felix chose to stay at the ranch and asked me to take him in. He became part of our family and a best friend to Joey here. I want to press charges if I can.”
Sheriff Jackson stood and reached for his hat. “Let me go talk to Bonner. I need to get his side of this story and determine his intentions. It sounds like he’s holding Felix against his will, but he is a Bonner, so he is subject to his father's wishes.”
“Felix is a legal adult now. He turned 18 in April. He's old enough to make his own decisions regardless of what his father wants, right?”
The sheriff nodded. “Technically, that is correct. But I need to talk to Cornelius and Felix to understand what happened from their perspective. If someone accused you, you would expect the same courtesy. In fact, that did happen recently, so I’m sure you understand.”
Grover nodded. “You have a point, Sheriff. Let’s go over to Bonner’s store and hear what they have to say.”
They left the sheriff’s office and walked toward the store on the other side of the town square. “I figured Bonner would back off after that faked robbery,” Sheriff said. Their boots clomped against the wooden sidewalk. “That whole situation never made sense to me. Bonner didn’t do a good job with details.”
“How come you didn’t arrest him, sheriff?” Joey asked. He walked tall in the company of the town lawman and his strong father.
“Ain’t no law against a man ransacking his own store and beating himself up.” The sheriff chuckled.
“I guess that’s right,” Joey said. They arrived at the Bonner store.
“You two stay outside until I can talk to Bonner. I’m sure he’s expecting something, and seeing you may make him feel trapped.”
“Got it, Sheriff,” Grover said.
* * *
“Welcome, sheriff.” Felix greeted him as he entered the store. “What can I help you with today?”
“Howdy, Felix. What brings you to the store? I thought you were ranching.”
“Father came to the ranch with a gun and forced me back here.” Felix didn’t worry about another confrontation with his father
Cornelius glared down at Sheriff Jackson and Felix from the second floor.
“Cornelius. What’s this I hear about you threatening Joey Sterling with a gun?” The Sheriff asked, loud enough for everyone in the store to hear.
“None of your concern, Sheriff,” Cornelius growled. “It’s family business.”
“It’s not family business if you enter someone else’s home uninvited, draw a gun, and take it upon yourself to search that home.”
“As I said, Sheriff, none of your business. This is a Bonner/Sterling feud.”
“So Grover Sterling had a gun, too, did he?”
“Not that I noticed, but he did have my property, and I wanted it back.” Cornelius stood at the second-floor railing, arms folded across his chest. “I expect you’ll be moving along now, Sheriff.”
Sheriff Jackson eyed Felix and motioned toward the door for him to follow. “Let’s talk outside.” He turned back to Cornelius, touched his hat brim, and then stepped toward the door with Felix behind him.
