Chapter 2
Chapter Two
“I’ve spent most of my time on the ranch for seven months now,” Rod said. “The only place I haven’t seen is the compound where the ranch hands stay.”
“We haven’t been there?” Wyl said.
“Babe, between finalizing Walt’s estate, our February wedding, and my final semester at WBCC, I wasn’t here full-time until a month ago. We just haven’t gotten around to it.”
“I’ll have Felipe call the hands together,” Wyl said.
“Meeting you will help them feel at ease. They report to Felipe, but most have been here through Mom and Dad’s tragedy, Walt handling the ranch by himself, me coming home and helping run the ranch, Walt’s death, and now you.
We have a couple of guys who have been with us for about a year.
All are hard-working and loyal. Felipe did fine with the two gay ranch hands we had a few years back, so I don’t expect any objections. ”
“The two who won the TGRA rodeo you mentioned on our drive to Big Spring for the symphony concert?” Rod said. “The talk where you forgot to mention you were gay?”
Wyl chuckled and nodded. “Your memory is too good, and that worries me. But yes, those two cowboys. Felipe won’t have an issue with us being married and you assuming half ownership.
He saw us together at Walt’s burial, and I’m sure his wife has mentioned the move to the master bedroom and two closets of clothes.
So, he knows, and I’m sure you two will get along fine. ”
Rod pondered. “How did the other ranch hands feel about those two?”
“Walt never mentioned any issues, so I don’t expect any objections from them. They are a good bunch of guys.”
* * *
The following day, after breakfast, they mounted and rode across the prairie.
Abundant late spring rains and a cool early June left a blanket of greenery dotted with patches of wildflowers.
Rod fell in love with the ranch more each day, and horseback riding alongside his husband was one of his favorite activities.
He had learned a lot about ranching in the month since he retired from the college, but he had yet to meet the ranch hands.
He was a little nervous. Being around the cowboys was new, and he and Wyl were out and proud, but would they object to having gay bosses?
The gay bashing he endured at Blackfield High still haunted him.
Times had changed, but had they? They approached the compound where the hands lived.
“I’ve only seen this from afar,” Rod said. “So, we have six ranch hands. Felipe is the ranch foreman, and his wife cleans our house and keeps the kitchen stocked with groceries. Have I forgotten anything?”
Wyl’s hat brim dipped as he nodded. “You have a good memory, cowboy.”
“And the hands are housed in the bunkhouse?”
Again, Wyl’s hat dipped. “Yes, but it’s more than a traditional bunkhouse. For them, it’s home, so we made it comfortable and gave each some privacy.”
“I bet they appreciate the extras,” Rod said. “And the ranch has separate stables and a small arena so the hands can practice riding and roping?”
“Yes. We encourage them to compete against each other or in rodeo events in the surrounding counties. Not a requirement, but the arena allows them to prepare.”
“Like the two hands who entered the TGRA competition?”
“Exactly. The barn on this compound includes stalls for eight horses. One for each of the six hands we keep on staff, one for Felipe, and a spare stall. Next to the barn is the practice arena. The TGRA winners honed their skills in that arena. We cover the fees for them to participate in local rodeo events if they choose to do so. This area features a separate ranch entrance from the highway, allowing hands to come and go without using the main road to our house. An inside road lets the hands get to the office without going to the highway.”
“I’m impressed,” Rod said. “I remember you pointing out this area the first day we rode, but so much happened after that.”
Wyl nodded toward the compound. “I see Felipe coming to greet us. He came to the US from Argentina fifteen years ago. Dad hired him as a foreman ten years ago. Felipe has an impressive background with both cattle and horses.”
At the compound, they dismounted. “Felipe, you remember Rod. He’s the business manager and half-owner of Sterling Ranch.”
Felipe grabbed Rod’s proffered hand with a firm grip. “Mr. Rod, I remember you from Mr. Walt’s accident and burial. Welcome.”
“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.”
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 say our 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. “Just babe will 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.