Page 324 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“You already made us proud, Felix. I watched you grow over the summer, and you became a man.”
“Thanks, Pa.” This had been a monumental summer in so many ways, and now he was ready to face the rest of his life.
* * *
When they arrived at the Bonner home in Blackfield, Helen rushed out to greet the carriage.
“Felix. I’m so glad to see you.” She opened the front gate.
“Hi, Helen. I missed you, too.” Felix hopped out of the carriage. “You remember Mr. Sterling?”
“Why yes.” She wore a big smile. “How are you, Mr. Sterling?”
“I’m doing fine, Helen. Thank you for asking.” He climbed out of the carriage and walked back to help Felix with the trunk.
Helen stepped back. “My…such a big trunk.”
“It’s a few keepsakes I collected over the summer.” Felix and Grover carried the trunk to the wide porch.
Grover glanced around the porch. “Where do you want this, Felix?”
“Here will be fine, Pa.” Felix nodded toward a spot by the door.
Hattie Bonner appeared at the door. “Felix, you’re home.”
“Hello, Mother.” Felix smiled. “How have you been?”
“I am doing very well, thank you.”
“Do you remember Mr. Sterling?”
“Of course. How are you, Grover?”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
“I’m so sorry about the situation with Cornelius. I feel terrible about what he did.” Hattie opened the wide screen door and joined them on the porch.
“It’s all in the past now, Hattie.”
“The sheriff says he will be in prison for at least ten years. I’m not sure what happened to him. He went crazy.”
“At least nobody got seriously hurt,” Grover said.
“Yes. For that, we are thankful. Helen and I have been running the store and have stayed quite busy. I even had to hire another clerk.”
“I am pleased to hear you have been successful, Hattie.”
“And Felix, my, how you changed.” She placed her hand on his arm and turned him to get a good look at her son. “You became a strong, caring man over the summer.”
“Aw, Mother.” Felix blushed.
She turned to their guest. “Can I offer you a glass of cold tea, Grover?”
“Thank you, no, Hattie. I need to get back to the ranch. You may have heard our Joseph died two weeks ago, and I don’t like leaving Mabel alone by herself too long.”
“The Bowdens came into the store and shared the news, Grover. I’m so sorry.”
“We’ve all been moping around the house since we buried him. Felix was emotionally drained. He and Joey became very close this summer.”
