Page 88 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“Thank you, Felipe.”
Felipe motioned them to follow. “Come. I will introduce you to the hands.”
A group of men milled about in front of the bunkhouse.
After quieting the group, Felipe did the introductions. “Hombres, meet Rod Sterling. He is the new business manager and half-owner of the ranch. He signs your paychecks, so be nice to him.”
Smiles and laughter came from most of the group.
“We have a good crew, Mr. Rod,” Felipe turned to the group. “Introduce yourselves, men.”
Pedro, Luke, Shifty, Ralph, Charles, and Doug each gave their name. They could be described as a scruffy-looking lot, but were clean, lean, and muscular. Four of them had worked the ranch for five years or more. Two joined the team within the past year. Wyl didn’t know all the hands personally but did know their names.
Suddenly, the one named Shifty spoke in a West Texas drawl, “I hear you two is bedmates.” He folded his arms defiantly across his chest, and narrowed his beady eyes. “I ain’t workin’ for no queers.”
Wyl matched Shifty’s stance. “Where did you hear that, Shifty?”
“It’s going around town,” Shifty said. “And I still ain’t workin’ for no queers.”
“I consider that statement your official resignation. Rod, prepare Shifty’s final pay. He’s released. Has anyone else got a problem with Rod and me? If you do, speak up now. I won’t put up with any trouble.”
The rest of the hands searched for signs of life on the barren ground, shifting posture and scraping their boots through the dirt. Nobody uttered a word.
“Men, you must respect Mr. Wyl and Mr. Rod.” Felipe’s robust and authoritative voice drew their attention. “They own this ranch, and if you no want to work for them, speak now. And don’t never let me hear you say nothing bad about either of them.”
Rod noticed that all the remaining hands paid close attention to Felipe as he spoke, and all nodded. Maybe things would be okay with the hands after all.
“Felipe, hire a new hand to replace Shifty,” Wyl said. “And everyone gets a twenty-five-dollar per week raise. You guys work hard, and a raise is well-deserved.”
The ranch hands grinned and fist-bumped at the news, but Shifty grumbled as he shuffled off to collect his belongings. He seemed the kind of guy who would create problems, especially considering his announcement and the fact that he had just lost his job. Rod sensed trouble brewing.
The remaining hands ambled over to welcome Rod, shaking his hand and stating their full names so he would remember. Rod’s tensions eased. They seemed happy to have him as a new boss.
* * *
Wyl pulled Felipe aside while Rod visited with the hands.
“Felipe, are any of these guys good friends with Shifty?”
“No, Mr. Wyl. Shifty, he a hombre solitario. How you say…a loner? He no have no friends.”
Laughter arose from the group of cowpokes. Wyl glanced over and saw Rod animatedly waving his arms as he told a story to the men. Pride bloomed in his chest as he watched his husband interact with their cowpokes. Rod showed no outward discomfort with Shifty’s announcement. Wyl turned back to Felipe. “I’m sorry to hear Shifty didn’t have friends. At least his dismissal won’t affect the rest of the hands. Let me know if he tries to create any trouble, and make sure the other guys are okay.”
“Yessir, Mr. Wyl,” Felipe nodded. “I keep an eye out.”
“You’re a good man, Felipe.” Wyl extended his hand, and Felipe shook it.
“Thank you, Mr. Wyl.” Felipe strode back toward the group of hands.
Wyl stood by the horses and watched Rod entertain the hands as he waited for him to finish bonding.
Rod glanced over, then waved at the hands as he walked toward his husband.
When Rod neared Princess, Wyl mounted Sarge. “Looks like you were a hit.” He rested his palms on the saddle horn, watching Rod hoist himself into the saddle.
“I told them about my experience with a rent-a-horse years ago and how the horse did what it wanted, and I hung on for dear life. Perhaps I elaborated a bit, but they all found the story funny. They are a good bunch of guys.”
Wyl gigged Sarge into a slow walk. “What you did with the men is good. They’ll respect you more now that you’ve bonded with them.”
