Page 320 of The Texas Sterling Collection
Joey grabbed Felix from his father. “Yes. Thank you.”
Felix held Joey and looked at Pa Sterling. “Where is the sheriff? Did he take my father to jail?”
“I went to get the deputy while the sheriff kept an eye on your father. The deputy came and took him to jail. The sheriff went with the doctor to get the bullet removed and his shoulder patched up.”
Overwhelmed by the events of the morning, Hattie sighed. “I think we’ll close the store for the day. Felix, would you help me lock up?”
Felix nodded and turned to Joey. “Stay here with Pa. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Grover put his arm around Joey’s shoulders. The shy, withdrawn, uncertain young man who came to the ranch two months ago turned into a confident, protective, capable man. He had enough sense to know not to argue with a man pointing a gun at him, but was not afraid to stand up for his rights or put himself in danger to protect someone he loved. Cornelius’s goal of making a man out of Felix was realized. Too bad Cornelius would never care.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The following day, Mabel set breakfast on the table as Joey and Felix came downstairs.
“Good morning, my two handsome cowboys…or should I say handsome young men.” Mabel smiled at them. “Did you sleep okay?”
“Yes, Ma.” Felix pulled out his chair and sat. “We slept fine.”
“Breakfast sure does smell good.” Joey sat in his chair. “We’re hungry.”
“Grover will be right in, and then we can eat,” Mabel said. No meal ever began without Grover at the table unless he was gone. Joey had never known any other way, and Felix respected the practice of celebrating Grover’s status as head of the family. In a way, it honored Mabel, too, as that was the way she wanted it.
“Good morning, everyone.” Grover entered the kitchen and sat.
“Good morning, Pa,” said the two best friends in unison.
“What do you two have planned for today?” He asked. He spooned scrambled eggs onto his plate from the platter in the center of the table.
“I’m taking Felix up to my thinking spot,” Joey said. “The one up on the bluff that overlooks the entire ranch and beyond.”
“You haven’t been up there much this summer, have you?”
“Yes. That’s where Felix found me.”
“So he has been there before.”
“Up on the bluff, yes. The rocky outcropping where I sit and think, no.”
“I’m sure Felix will enjoy seeing your thinking spot,” Grover chuckled.
Joey grinned, “Pa, I am glad you agreed to let Felix come and work with us this summer.”
“I know, Joey. I thought you two might become friends by the end of summer. I never thought you would become best friends so fast.”
“I’m glad you agreed to let me come here too, Pa,” Felix said. “It’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“I think it’s the best thing that ever happened to Joey, too,” Mabel said. “He’s a different man than he was before you arrived.”
“Ma, can you make us a couple of sandwiches to take along?” Joey asked. “It takes half an hour to get up to the top, so it's not an easy ride.”
“Let’s finish our breakfast, and I’ll make the sandwiches while you two saddle up your horses.”
“Watch out for rattlesnakes,” Grover said. “I’ve seen quite a few this year.”
* * *
Sandwiches packed in their saddlebags, they rode out onto the ranch.
