Chapter 3
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 said it’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. ”
Rod grabbed the cash to count Shifty’s pay. “Your hands feel so good on my tense shoulders, babe. Reminds me of the first night you gave me a shoulder massage. You always know exactly how to make me feel better.”
Wyl cupped Rod’s head in his hands and tilted it back for an upside-down kiss. “Keeping my husband happy makes me happy too.”
With a contented sigh, Rod mouthed the numbers as he thumbed the bills. Coins clicked into the plastic tray before Rod put the cash and coins on the final pay sheet, folded it, and stuffed everything into an envelope.
A vehicle chugged and creaked to a stop outside the office. The engine coughed and sputtered before dying. A door slammed, and footsteps clomped up the office stairs.
“You ready for this?” Wyl moved to stand beside the desk.
“Yep.” Rod stood.
The screen door opened, and Shifty stomped in. “You got pay for me?” His weather-worn face was contorted in a snarl, and he gave them the hairy eyeball. Darts of disgust shot through his glare.
“Yes, I do,” Rod held the envelope, but didn’t offer it.
Drawing strength from when he stood up to Dusty, a surge of confidence hit him.
“Let me tell you something first, Anderson.” Rod glared at Shifty.
“You can say whatever you want about me. I don’t give a fuck.
” He pointed to Wyl. “But this man gave you a job with a fair wage and a comfortable place to live. Your comments this morning showed a lot of disrespect for him, and I don’t appreciate that. ”
“Who the fuck cares.” Shifty wouldn’t meet Rod’s eyes, gazing at the floor instead.
Rod pounded his fist on the desk. “I the fuck care, Anderson. And if you want to find another job in this town or West Texas, you’d better learn how to treat your employers with respect.
” Rod glowered at Shifty. “Now, here’s your pay,” Rod held out the envelope.
“And if I hear you made any negative comments about Wyl or Sterling Ranch, you’ll deal with me. Understood?”
“Yeah,” Shifty snatched the envelope.
“Now get out of here, Anderson, and don’t come this way again. Your kind isn’t welcome on Sterling Ranch.”
Shifty turned and stomped out the door and down the steps, mumbling to himself as he walked away. “Oughta git a gun and take care of this.”
Rod rushed past Wyl and stood in the doorway. “Anderson,” Rod stated loudly, “I heard that threat. The sheriff will be glad to hear about it, too.”
Wyl joined Rod at the door, and they watched as Shifty got in and slammed the truck door.
It didn’t catch the first time, so he cussed and slammed it again.
The old engine clattered to life, and the gears ground audibly as he shifted into first. The engine revved before he let out the clutch and sped off in a cloud of West Texas dust and exhaust smoke.
Wyl turned to Rod, his arms across his chest. “Who are you, and what have you done with my husband?” The mile-wide grin on his face reflected the pride blooming inside.
“What?” Rod grinned.
“C’mere,” Wyl pulled Rod into a hug. The electricity he felt the first night they hugged still happened.
Rod snaked his arms around Wyl’s waist.
Wyl rubbed his palms up and down Rod’s back, enjoying the feel of the man in his arms. “I’m so proud of you. What happened to being afraid of gay bashing?”
“Wyl, back in Kerrville, when Dusty said those things about you and me, it made me angry.” Rod looked at Wyl. “When he grabbed my shirt and threatened me, a feeling of power surged. I realized the most important reason for defending myself was you.”
Wyl leaned in for a kiss. “What Dusty thinks, says, or does, doesn’t hurt me.”
“I know, but it hurts me when someone talks bad about you. I won’t put up with that shit.”
“Thank you, Roddy. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“I’ll call the sheriff and ask him to keep an eye on Shifty,” Wyl said.
“He’ll end up in one of the local bars. After a few drinks, he’ll try to stir up trouble.
Damn…and I thought Mitzi was trouble. Shifty has a screw loose somewhere, so both are trouble.
” He picked up the phone. “Have you met the sheriff?”
“I don’t think so. I try to avoid interacting with lawmen.” Rod grinned again.
“Jack Johnson has been sheriff for several years. He’s been a Sterling ally since before he became sheriff. He came to Walt’s funeral, and no doubt noticed you sitting with me.” Wyl punched in the number. “I’m sure he is eager to meet you.”
Rod nodded. “Be sure to tell Jack about Shifty’s threat with the gun. Whether he meant it or not, he said it…and he could do it.”
“You’re right. I’ll tell him.”
* * *
“Sheriff Johnson.” Jack’s commanding presence was authoritative and a bit cocky. Tall and lean, he wore his badge and gun proudly and wouldn’t take shit from anybody. He served as deputy before he ran for sheriff and easily won the election. Everyone in town liked and respected Jack.
“Hey, Jack. Wyl Sterling here. How are you?” Wyl had a smile in his voice.
“Hey, Wyl. Doing fine. You two doing okay?” Jack asked.
“Us two?” Wyl asked.
“Wyl, I saw you both sitting in the family pew at Walt’s funeral.
And y’all got hitched in February. The county clerk in New Mexico sent a copy of the license to our county clerk, who notified me.
Since the marriage is unusual, it’s best that we know in case trouble arises.
It’s June. This is a small town. Word got around somehow, but I have no idea how people found out.
” Jack chuckled. “Congratulations, by the way.”
“Thanks, Jack. Listen, I called to alert you to a potential situation. We let Shifty Anderson go today. He’s been with us only a year or so and raised an objection today about working for Rod and me.” Wyl kept his eye on Rod, searching for any nervous reaction.
“What kind of issue? I understand Rod is helping you at the ranch now.”
“Yeah, Rod is the business manager and half-owner of the ranch. But it’s not the ranch Shifty had a problem with; it’s our relationship.
Shifty announced he wasn’t working for queers, which I took as his resignation.
He picked up his final pay a few minutes ago.
He’s probably headed for one of the local watering holes.
He’ll have a few drinks, and there is no telling what he might pull. ”
“Okay, Wyl. I’ll ask my men to keep an eye on him.”
“Jack, I don’t want any lynch mobs showing up at the ranch. I appreciate anything you can do to stop a problem before it becomes a situation,” Wyl said.
“Shifty doesn’t vary much in his drinking habits, so we’ll watch the bar he frequents,” Jack said.
“Oh…one more thing. After collecting his final pay, Shifty stomped to his old truck, muttering something about getting a gun and taking care of this. From our perspective, that constitutes a threat.”
“I agree, Wyl. We’ll find him, tail him, and make sure he doesn’t follow through.”
“Thanks, Jack. I knew we could count on you. Call us here at the ranch if something comes up.”
* * *
After Wyl hung up, he drew an uncertain Rod into his arms. “Babe, fired ranch hands always carry a grudge. We don’t fire many, but it never ends well when we have to. Jack will keep an eye on things so we’re safe.”
Rod buried his face in Wyl’s neck. “I went from cowardly to brave and back to cowardly in the last fifteen minutes. This is all my fault. Perhaps I should return to the campus and let you handle things here. I’m fucking things up.”
Wyl placed a knuckle under Rod’s chin. “Hey, cowboy, stop worrying, and let’s go to the house and have a drink.”
“But it’s noon,” Rod said.
Wyl grinned. “Noon-schmoon. After dealing with Shifty, we both need a shot of tequila. Let’s unsaddle and curry the horses, have that drink, then think about lunch.”
They closed the office and spent thirty minutes getting the horses settled before strolling back to the house. After washing up, Wyl poured each of them a tequila shot and handed Rod a glass.
“Here’s to overcoming the challenges of ranch life,” Wyl said. “Without challenges, we wouldn’t know the good times.”
They tapped their glasses and threw down the shot.
“Another?” Wyl asked.
“Hell yes,” Rod chuckled. “Like you said, we need it.”
Wyl poured another shot, and they downed those as well.
“Man… it’s getting hot in here.” Wyl tugged at his shirt collar. “I need to check the thermostat.”
“It’s not hot in here. It’s the tequila combined with your hot body.” Rod tugged at his own shirt collar, too.
Wyl grabbed Rod into a hug. “You’re the one with the hot body.”
“I don’t know what I did to deserve you.” Rod gave Wyl a quick kiss. “You know how to ease my fears.” Rod stepped back and grabbed Wyl’s hand, dragging him toward the kitchen. “Help me fix lunch?”
“You bet.”
After lunch, they settled back in the office.
Rod began taking over the ranch's business operations after retiring from the college at the end of May.
So far, he has learned the basics of banking, investments, personnel and payroll, maintenance and upkeep costs, and what made the ranch tick.
Now he was learning the finer details of oil royalties, government regulations, tax filings, ranch value, contracted services, and livestock records.
It was a complex business, and it would definitely keep Rod busy.