Page 89 of The Texas Sterling Collection
Princess stayed alongside Sarge without much encouragement from Rod. They had ridden only a few times since they married in February. Rod was now retired, so they would spend more time on the horses. And Princess became Rod’s horse after Walt died. They had the summer ahead of them. Wyl saw the bond forming between Rod and Princess. He had come a long way since his first real horseback ride last Thanksgiving. He glanced at his husband, handsome in his cowboy hat and sitting tall in the saddle.
“I needed them to know I had no plans for change,” Rod said. “Workers always worry when a new boss shows up. They’ve been through the change from your dad to Walt and Walt to you.” Rod glanced at me. “I don’t suppose Mitzi had anything to do with the hands or horses while she was here.”
Wyl shook his head. “I don’t think so. Walt never mentioned anything. After being here for two weeks after our parents died, I didn’t take additional leave. I wasn’t around during Mitzi’s reign. She probably shunned anything that bordered on actual work, being a rich wife and all.”
“Apparently she was…and still is…a real piece of work.”
“I guess she figured since she can’t go after the ranch, she’ll focus on the ranchers,” Wyl said. “That’s ranchers plural. I’m sorry you got dragged into this mess.”
“I didn’t get dragged into anything, babe. I’m sure my secretary planted the seed that resulted in Mitzi’s last visit.”
“Just our hard luck we had two bitches in our backgrounds,” Wyl chuckled. “Anyway, back to your session with the hands. You did well today.”
“Their acceptance of you made me smile, and you seemed well at ease with them,” Wyl said. “We crossed a big hurdle today. The crew all know we share a bed. Except for Shifty, they don’t seem to care.”
“I enjoyed getting to know the hands. I was alarmed at Shifty’s declaration and attitude. The encounter with Dusty last fall gave me a taste of how some people think. There will always be those who disapprove, but the guys all enjoyed sharing their stories. They were all smiles as they told me about the jobs they do. Now they know my role here on our ranch, and I know theirs.”
Wyl glanced at his husband. “I still love it when you sayour ranch.I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”
“Same goes for me, Devil Dog.”
Wyl jerked his head. “Devil Dog? Where did you hear that?”
“It’s a nickname for a Marine, right?” Rod glanced at him. “I checked online. I can’t call you Soldier, as that’s an Army term. Airman is an Air Force term. Jarhead is a Navy term. Then I found out what the term is for Marines. Devil Dog. I thought I’d try it out, but it doesn’t fit you.”
Wyl chuckled. “Justbabewill do. Now let’s get back to the ranch office. Shifty will be by to collect his final pay.”
“I watched him as he left the group,” Rod said. “Do you think he’ll make trouble?”
Wyl shrugged. “He’s one of the hands I hadn’t met, so I don’t really know him. But given his attitude, we should be prepared for anything. He’s no longer an employee. He’ll be off the ranch as of this afternoon. He didn’t impress me as a guy with much influence or friends. I’m hoping he’ll just fade away.”
Wyl didn’t want Rod to sense impending trouble, but guys like Shifty always carried a chip on their shoulder. He’ll likely make trouble at some point. Just what that trouble might be, Wyl didn’t know.
Chapter Three
Built of reinforced concrete to withstand a tornado, the fully secured ranch office, now Rod’s, stood fifty yards from the house. He unlocked the door and led Wyl inside.
“Figure Shifty’s pay through today and give him cash,” Wyl said. “He’ll be by in a minute to pick it up.”
“I’m curious about why we pay them in cash,” Rod said.
“Dad always paid the hands in cash. Many ranch hands don’t have bank accounts, so it’s easier on them. Each of their individual quarters includes a small safe, similar to those found in hotel rooms, providing a secure place to store their money. They are free to do banking in town if they want.”
“That makes sense,” Rod said.
Shifty’s attitude this morning reminded Rod of Dusty’s tirade. The one that made Wyl run. But Shifty aimed his snarky words at them both. He and Patrick had never encountered such hatred in their years together. Of course, they were in Dallas. Rural areas were different in terms of gay tolerance.
“Do you think Shifty will cause trouble?” Rod took a deep, relaxing breath. “He saidit’s going around town.What did he mean? I’m not worried that people know we’re married, but the kind of guys Shifty probably hangs around with could make trouble for us.” Rod looked to Wyl for comfort.
Wyl plopped into the chair next to the desk and huffed out a breath. “This kind of potential trouble went through my mind during those two weeks last fall when I avoided you. I accused Walt of doing the same thing before he explained his reaction and talked some sense into me. And the Dusty incident forced everything back to the surface, and I fled. But you came and found me and soothed my fears. At that point, I decided to be myself regardless of what others thought. Any issue they had with me or you was their problem, not mine. Based on what Shifty said, there is a rumor in town. We need to uncover that rumor so we can deal with it.”
“I bet it’s Mitzi.” Rod’s fingers pounded the keyboard as he pulled up Shifty’s payroll record and entered the final numbers. His uneasiness morphed into anger. The need to protect his husband rose to the top. Wyl was right. He must be himself no matter what others think. Rumors would be ignored by anyone who knew him or Wyl. The rest were not his worry. The printer whirred and spat out the page to put in Shifty’s final pay envelope.
“You’re probably right.” Wyl twirled the dial with the combination to the safe. With a clunk of the handle, the door squeaked open. “This is a small town. The rumor mill churns faster in small towns, and Mitzi is just oily enough to get Stella to start something.” The cash box scraped across the metal shelf as he pulled it out and handed it to Rod.
The metal chilled Rod’s hands. “I know people will probably say I’m a gold digger who turned you gay, but I won’t stand by and let them talk bad about you. You’re a Sterling, and your family has been in this town since it was founded.” He set the cash box on his desk and opened it.
Wyl stepped behind Rod and massaged his shoulders. “Babe, relax. Remember, you’re a Sterling, too. It was me who popped the question and me who signed the paperwork to make the ranch half yours. Small-minded people can say what they want, but that doesn’t matter. Nobody with any influence will buck the Sterlings.”
