Page 261 of The Texas Sterling Collection
His family didn’t hug or show other affection. Felix discovered he liked the Sterling hugging. He returned the hug as best he could, given his inexperience. He had no idea how long hugs should last, so he stepped back. “I slept very well, Mrs. Sterling. Thank you.”
“Oh, honey, let’s not be so formal.” She wrapped a hand around his bicep. “You’re family to us while you’re here. Why don’t you call meMa Sterling, and you can call GroverPa Sterling.”
“Thanks, Ma Sterling. I like that.” Felix grinned. On the surprise ride to the ranch yesterday, he figured being stuck in the middle of nowhere with strangers would be uncomfortable. Still, the Sterlings were not strange at all. He wished his own family were as relaxed and friendly. He shuddered at the thought of his mother motioning toward his father and saying, 'You can call him Pa.It was so ridiculous it almost made him laugh. But he managed to keep it to a tight-lipped smile.
The screen door hinges squeaked, and Joey stomped the dust off his boots before coming in and letting the door bang shut behind him. His gaze drifted toward Felix, and his face broke into a smile. “Hey, Felix. It’s good to see you up and at ’em this morning.” He hung his hat on the wall rack by the back door, glancing at his mother while he did so.
“Joey, don’t slam the door.” Ma Sterling scolded him.
“Sorry, ma.” Joey washed his hands in the sink and wiped them on his pants to dry.
“Joey, towel.” Ma tsk’d at him.
“Where have you been, Joey?” Felix stood behind the same chair he occupied at supper the night before, hands on the chair back.
“Out tending to the horses.” Joey grabbed the kitchen towel and finished drying his hands. “I always check on them first thing, making sure the food and water supplies didn’t run out overnight.”
Felix remembered Pa Sterling saying something about him learning to be a cowboy. He figured being a cowboy included taking care of the horses. He did that in Blackfield, so he would pick it up the easiest. He pointed at Joey. “Next time, wake me. I’m here to help.”
“Tomorrow.” Joey winked. “This is your first full day. We’ll explore the ranch today and work you into the routine.”
The pleasing sensation flowed through Felix’s stomach at Joey’s wink. Some sort of private signal between them. He enjoyed the idea of signals between him and Joey—unique signals between friends. Special friends. How did he come to be eighteen without friends? Oh yes, all the boys at school taunted him. Did he cause it somehow? Did he expect them to dislike him and set them up to do so in his mind?
“Sit.” Mabel winked at Felix. “I’ll have your breakfast in a minute.”
“Thanks, Ma Sterling.” He sat, and the wonderful aroma of frying bacon made his stomach rumble.
Mabel came and tousled his hair. “Somebody’s hungry this morning.” She winked again at Felix.
Felix caught the winks. Perhaps it was a Sterling thing. First Joey, then Ma Sterling. He realized a smile took over his face. He didn’t smile much at home. But here, a smile on his face seemed natural.
Mabel put plates of bacon and eggs in front of each man. Butter and a crock of homemade peach jam were already on the table. A platter of steaming, homemade baking powder biscuits clunked at the center of the table before she sat with her men.
The conversation died while they ate. Felix gobbled down the eggs and bacon, then dragged the last bit of biscuit across his plate to scrape up every morsel, popping it in his mouth and licking his fingers. He couldn’t figure out if being on the ranch or having his new family made it so good. Felix’s mother cooked, but nothing like this.
Joey laughed at him. “You want jam for those fingers, Felix?”
Grover chuckled, and Mabel reached over and tugged his ear. “You go right ahead and lick those fingers, Felix. Don’t pay Joey no mind.”
Felix smiled and talked around the biscuit stuffed in his cheek. “Thanks, Ma Sterling.”
Joey’s chair scraped the floor as he stood. “You ready to go for a ride, Felix?”
“You bet. I’m ready to saddle up Sparkle and ride the ranch.”
“You’re giving him Sparkle?” Grover hid a smile behind his mug of coffee, poised for a sip.
“He said he wants a spirited horse, Pa. Sparkle is gentle-spirited, so perfect for Felix, I’m thinking.”
“Okay,” Grover shook his head and spoke with a chuckle. “If you think he’s ready.”
After watching the exchange between Joey and Pa Sterling, Felix pushed his chair back and stood. “I rode a horse most of my life, Pa Sterling. I can handle a horse with spirit.”
Grover smiled. “If Sparkle gives you any trouble, you tell Joey, okay?”
“I’ll be fine, Pa Sterling. I’m looking forward to having Joey show me around.” Felix hoped his confidence came through in his words. He needed his new summer family to trust him. And to prove to himself that he could do whatever they expected.
Joey started for the back door, then stopped and turned to Felix. “I need to run upstairs for something. I’ll be right back.” He bounded out of the kitchen.
