Page 298 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“Sit down, you two. Grover is on his way, and we’ll eat in a minute.”
Felix sat at the table in his usual spot across from Joey. “What are we doing this afternoon?”
“We need to herd the cattle over to the spring.”
“Great. That means swimming, and we have not done that since the first time you showed me the spring after Pa brought me to the ranch.”
“I remember that. We’ll swim once we get the cattle over there. It'll be fun. Jacob and I used to splash around in the water. I’ll show you.”
Felix saw a twinkle in Joey’s eye, and his stomach fluttered. “I can't wait.” The anticipation made his dick swell.
“You two cowboys doing okay today?” Grover sat at the table.
“Yes, Pa,” the two answered in unison. Felix’s thoughts turned away from Joey and swimming.
“What’s planned for this afternoon?” Grover asked. Mabel set a bowl before him, steam rising from the hot beef stew.
“We’re herding the cattle over to the spring,” Joey said. A bowl of stew appeared before him.
“I’ve not herded cattle yet,” Felix said. Mabel set a bowl in front of him. He closed his eyes and breathed in the succulent aroma of the fresh stew. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“It’s dirty work.” Grover lifted a spoonful of hot stew and blew on it to cool it. “But the swimming afterward makes it all worthwhile. I used to take Jacob and Joey into the water when they were younger. Now you two men get to do all that.” The spoonful of stew disappeared into his mouth. His jaw worked as he chewed, then swallowed. “Felix, you mentioned something about wanting to go to college. Are you still interested?”
“You know I always wanted to go to college, Pa.” Felix tapped his spoon on the edge of his bowl. The metal against ceramic tink echoed in the kitchen. He lifted it to his mouth.
“I remember, and I was thinking…next year, Joey will be ready to go off to college. Do you two want to go together?”
Felix’s eyes got wide as saucers. “You mean it?”
“Do you remember the day you came to the ranch?”
“I’ll never forget that day, Pa. I thought I would hate this place.”
Grover chuckled, “Well, I’m glad that part didn’t come true. As I recall, you said your father thought college was for sissies.”
“I remember that Pa. Father didn’t cotton much to college.”
“Felix, no man should be denied the chance to get an education. Mabel and I both attended college, and I want my sons to do the same. Since you’re one of my sons now, you are included.”
Felix stared at his bowl, dumbfounded. He always dreamed of going to college, but his father would have none of it. “I don’t know what to say, Pa. Thank you doesn’t seem enough, but thank you.”
Grover reached over and tousled Felix’s hair. “You’re welcome, son. Now you work hard and wait for Joey to finish, then we’ll talk about where you both want to go.”
Felix and Joey finished their bowls of beef stew, then hurried out of the house to saddle their horses.
* * *
“Gosh, Joey.” Felix saddled Sparkle. “Pa is sending us to college together. I feel like I died and went to heaven.”
“To tell you the truth, I was worried about college.” Joey tightened the cinch on Lightning’s saddle. “I didn’t think I could do it, but now you’ll be there with me, and I know I can do anything.”
“You bet, Joey. We can rely on each other and show that college what top-notch students are made of.” Felix stuck his left foot in the stirrup and mounted Sparkle.
Joey laughed and mounted Lightning.
They rode out onto the ranch. In the distance, the herd grazed on dry prairie grass.
Felix eyed the cows as they approached. He remembered the day they roped a couple of calves for practice before the rodeo. The herd didn’t move at the time except to scatter a bit. “What do we do when we get there?”
