Chapter Two
“Mr. Crabtree cornered me in the store this afternoon. He claims you told his daughter Emmaline she was too fat.” Cornelius Bonner pounded the padded arm of his high-back living room chair before pointing a shaking finger at his son.
“She told him she wanted to marry a real man, not a wimpy bookworm like Felix Bonner.” Cornelius glared at Felix; his face flushed. “Explain yourself.”
Felix avoided direct eye contact. His father’s glare could shatter a crystal tumbler at fifty paces.
“Father, I did not mention Emmaline’s weight in my conversation with her.
I am enough of a gentleman to never speak to a lady about such things.
She brought up the topic of weight herself, and I countered with praise for her beautiful face and outgoing personality.
” He risked a glance at his father’s face.
“I did express the hope that one day the right man would come along to appreciate her beauty.” Felix caught the slightest glimmer of amusement in his father’s expression, gone as fast as it appeared, replaced by the requisite frown.
“So, what are your intentions toward Emmaline Crabtree? You took her on a buggy ride after church. Did you not propose marriage?” Cornelius’ crossed arms and menacing scowl reinforced his irritation.
Felix shook his head. “No, Father. I do not wish to make Emmaline my wife. I see no point in pursuing a relationship with someone I do not treasure.” Not only did he dislike Emmaline, but girls did not interest him.
The other boys at school frequently talked about girls.
However, reading and studying interested Felix much more than girls.
He made no close friends, but it was okay.
Competition interested him less than socializing.
“So, you are the wimpy bookworm Emmaline mentioned?”
His first thought was, 'Yes, I am.' But his father wanted a different answer. “Father, you have always encouraged my studies. I focused on my schoolwork to please you.”
“Studying is one thing, but avoiding one's manly duties is something else.”
Manly duties? Felix shuddered. “Father, Emmaline’s giggle is irritating, and her girth equals Sylvester’s.
” A cartoon-like image flashed through Felix’s mind, with Emmaline on the left and the Bonner horse Sylvester on the right, an equal sign between them.
He rubbed a hand across his face to erase the stifled chuckle before his father noticed.
“I cannot imagine abiding by her giggle for the remainder of my life, short as it would be beneath her crushing weight. I prefer choosing my own wife.”
Cornelius huffed. “Well, who? Josephine Black? Constance Merriweather? Cynthia Murphy? I know their fathers. Those girls are too skinny and petite to be of any value as a wife. You need someone with strong bones who can bear many children.”
Felix flinched. He learned what it took to sire children in science class, and he wanted none of that. “Father, what about beauty and charm? Does not a wife need characteristics other than obesity and fruitful loins?”
“What?” His father’s face reddened. “Are you mocking me, son?” His tone reflected his anger.
“How dare you speak to me in that fashion.” He pointed to the stairs in the entry hall of the spacious two-story home on a hill half a mile outside Blackfield.
“Now, you go up to your room while I figure out how to make a real man out of you.”
“Yes, Father.” Felix left the parlor and rushed up the stairs two at a time, resisting the urge to slam his bedroom door. His father trying to force him into a relationship he did not want made him hammer his mattress in anger. He hated not being able to stand up to the domineering man.
* * *
Several days passed with no further mention of Emmaline or marriage.
Felix put the conversation out of his mind, preferring to focus on reading or caring for the horses.
Early Sunday morning, after breakfast and his chores, he lounged on his bed, engrossed in the latest Conan Doyle book.
Midmorning, a rumble of voices sounded downstairs, but he paid no attention until his father called for him.
“Felix, come down here.”
Felix set aside The Tragedy of the Korosko and hurried down the stairs to find his father and another gentleman standing in the parlor. He waited at the bottom of the stairs.
“Felix, come.” Cornelius flicked his fingers more as an order than an invitation. “This is Grover Sterling. He and his wife are regular customers of Bonner Dry Goods. He owns the Sterling Ranch west of town.”
Felix approached the two men. His father never drew him into conversations with visitors, so he was unsure of his role.
Cornelius nodded toward Grover. “I’ve asked Mr. Sterling to take you into his employ for the summer and teach you to be a man.”
Shock coursed through Felix. He worked in his father’s store. Why did his father decide to ask this other gentleman to employ him? This Mr. Sterling?
“Son, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Grover extended his hand to Felix.
Felix hoped Mr. Sterling missed his shocked expression. “Yes, sir.” Felix accepted the proffered hand.
An imposing man with a deep, booming voice and a friendly face described Mr. Sterling. At what had to be six-foot-five, he stood taller than either Cornelius at six feet or Felix at five-ten. His broad shoulders and muscled arms told Felix he could take care of himself in a fight.
“I think you will enjoy your stay at the ranch with the missus and me for the summer.” The handshake was warm and friendly.
His voice carried no threat. “My son Joseph will teach you about ranching. He’s a fine horseman and cowboy and is excited about having someone to help him.
The work will toughen you up, son, and by the end of the summer, you will be ready to come back and work with your father. ”
Toughening up didn’t sound fun. Felix visualized hard labor with shackles around his ankles to keep him from running away.
Perhaps fat cow Emmaline deserved a second thought.
“I look forward to the opportunity, sir.” Felix released the handshake, aware of the lie he told.
He never lied, but to preserve the calm atmosphere, he figured it best not to be honest with his father or Mr. Sterling.
“Fine. Let’s get going. You pack a bag, and I’ll meet you at the carriage when you’re ready.”
Something about Mr. Sterling’s deep voice reassured Felix. He glanced up to see a smile. “Yes, sir.” Felix hurried up the stairs.
In his room, he grabbed a carpetbag and stuffed it with underclothes, cotton socks, shirts, and trousers.
He added his razor, shaving mug, and a brush for his hair.
He picked up the diary that his sister, Helen, had given him for Christmas.
A unique gift, it remained unused. But faced with an uncertain summer full of hard labor, he decided he might want to write down his experiences while at the ranch.
He also added the Conan Doyle book to his bag, figuring he could read if he weren't too tired from all the toughening up Mr. Sterling had mentioned. Sitting on the bed, he tugged on his boots. Ranchers wore boots, right? His best shoes beckoned from the closet, but those would be useless on a ranch. He didn’t think anyone wore shoes to ride horses, at least not in West Texas.
He glanced around the only room he ever knew and wondered if he would occupy this room again.
Downstairs, he dropped his bag and hat by the front door before going into the kitchen to say goodbye to his mother.
“Father is sending me away for the summer.”
Hattie touched his arm. “Your father told me, Felix. I know this is a surprise, but your father thinks it’s best if you work on Mr. Sterling’s ranch. The break will do you good.” She handed him a couple of small items of wrapped paper. “Sandwiches for your ride.”
Felix took the sandwiches. “Thank you, Mother. Tell Helen, Margaret, and Winston, I will miss them.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek as she hugged him.
“Do you not wish to tell them goodbye?”
Felix shook his head. “No. I'm surprised Father is sending me away. They will want the reason I am leaving, and I do not have an answer.”
“I understand.” She gave him a pat on the shoulder. “Goodbye, Felix.”
His father waited by the front door. Felix shook his outstretched hand. “Goodbye, Father.”
“I’ll be keeping up with your progress, son. Make me proud.”
“Yes, Father.” Felix hoped for any sign of encouragement in his father’s expression but found none.
Despite the difficulty getting along with his father, he never thought his reluctance to take Emmaline as a wife would result in his dismissal from the family.
He sighed, picked up his bag, put on his hat, and walked out the door to an uncertain summer.