Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
On the Fourth of July, Joey and Felix saddled up. They rode into town for the rodeo and the festivities. They practiced well and wanted to snag a ribbon in the calf roping competition. They rode side by side. Grover and Mabel followed in the carriage.
“Do you think your family will come to the festivities?” Joey asked.
“Mother usually takes a picnic, and our family enjoys the afternoon. But Father doesn’t allow time for such things.
He’s down at the store, hoping for business.
” Felix sighed. “I don’t think he’ll come to watch the rodeo.
” His father’s letter broke his heart and pushed him into a two-week period of hating everyone and everything.
Despite his father’s actions, he hoped his father would someday extend a compliment or a kind word.
Doing well in the rodeo competition would prove Felix possessed skills and abilities beyond being a store clerk and fathering children with a woman he didn’t like.
He wanted his father to see how much he had learned from the Sterlings.
“Will your brother and sisters be there?”
“Winston will be at the park. He loves the carnival. Margaret and Helen will act the proper ladies, although Margaret and Winston still run and play. Helen and I are close. She’s the one I told you I talk to at home.”
“Your family sounds nice, Felix. I didn’t have anyone except Jacob. When he left, I was alone.”
“Joey?” Felix said as they approached the park.
“What?” Joey gazed at his best friend. Lightning kept pace with Sparkle.
“I’m your family now.” Felix smiled, halting Sparkle near a tree.
“I’m glad. I think of you as more than family, though.” Joey grinned from ear to ear. “Let’s tie up the horses and walk around the park.”
“Okay.” Felix thought of Joey as more than family, too.
Since he stopped trying to get Joey to hate him, he couldn’t imagine being apart from his own personal cowboy.
The feelings they shared when they touched were terrific, but Felix didn’t need to touch Joey to feel the love between them.
Merely having Joey where he could see him gave him a warm, fuzzy feeling.
They walked around the park, watching all the people gathered for the celebration.
The festival featured numerous booths, and the traditional contest for baked goods, canned goods, and handmade items took place in a nearby building.
Almost every gal in the county brought something to enter.
Joey and Felix strolled into the building, immediately noticing the wonderful aroma of loaves of bread and pies.
“I’m getting hungry smelling all this,” Joey said.
“Me too. Let’s see if we can find Ma and Pa. I think she packed a basket of goodies for us.” Felix tugged at Joey’s sleeve, and they hurried out the door.
They found Grover and Mabel in the shade of an elm tree by the creek at the edge of the park.
“Let’s get Sparkle and Lightning and move them here,” Joey said. They fetched their horses and tied them to the carriage near where Ma and Pa settled. A blanket in the shade next to Ma and Pa waited for them.
“You two getting hungry?” Mabel unfolded the checkered tablecloth and spread it out.
“You bet.” Felix’s mouth watered in anticipation of the fantastic picnic Ma brought.
“We strolled through the baked goods, and they smelled wonderful.” Joey wiped his hands on the blanket to remove the dust. “It made us both hungry.”
“Have a piece.” She uncovered the bowl of fried chicken. “This should hold you for a while.”
They each grabbed a chicken leg and bit into the savory meat. The crispy coating crunched between their teeth as they ate.
“Felix?” a voice sounded behind him. He turned to see Helen a few feet away.
Felix jumped up, wiping his mouth on his sleeve and holding his half-eaten chicken leg. “Helen. I'm happy to see you.” He pulled her into a hug and turned to the Sterlings.
“Helen, this is my summer family, the Sterlings.” He pointed with the chicken leg. “This is Ma and Pa Sterling and their son Joey.”
“It’s lovely to meet you.” Helen smiled. “I’m Felix’s sister, Helen.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too, Helen. Felix didn’t tell us he had such a beautiful and charming sister.” Mabel smiled at Helen and Felix.
“He’s not much of a talker, I’m afraid.” Helen nudged Felix on the shoulder. “But he’s a pretty good brother…as far as brothers go.”
“Hey…I’ve been a great brother.” Felix grinned at Helen.
“He’s certainly been a blessing at our house,” Grover said. “Joey here is a different person since Felix came to the ranch. These two get along well.”
“He’s like a brother to me, too, Helen.” Joey wore a broad grin.
“I’m not surprised,” Helen said. “He needed to get away from Father for a while.”
“Won’t you join us for lunch?” Mabel asked.
“No, thank you. Mother brought a spread for us on the other side of the park. I wanted to walk around and see everything, and I spotted Felix. I need to get back.”
“We’ll walk over there in a bit, Helen,” Felix said. “I want to be sure Mother knows about the rodeo competition. I’m entering the calf roping contest.”
“What? You’re entering a contest? I didn’t know you knew anything about calf roping.”
“He’s a natural,” Joey boasted. “I taught him what I know, and he picked it up quicker than anyone I ever saw.”
“I’ll second that,” Grover said. “He should have been a rancher long ago. He’s taken to it quickly and appears to be enjoying himself.”
“Wow,” Helen gasped. “You competing in the rodeo is hard to believe, Felix. I’ll tell Mother about your event and tell her to expect you this afternoon. She’ll be glad to see you.”
“We’ll stop by later.” Felix made sure to include Joey.
“It was nice meeting you,” Helen said. “I’m glad Felix is doing so well. He is like a different person.”
“Bye, Helen. Give our best to your mother,” Mabel said.
Helen gave a wave as she strolled back into the crowd.
“She's nice,” Mabel said. “I never asked about your brothers and sisters.”
“Helen is my oldest sister. She’s a year younger than I am. Then Margaret, who is thirteen, and Winston, who is ten.”
“Sounds like a nice family, Felix.” Grover smiled. “You’re a lucky guy.”
“Thanks, Pa,” Felix said. I am lucky to have you, Ma, and Joey as my family. He was never happier in his life.
* * *
Helen strolled back to her family. Cornelius brought a small table and chairs to the park. Hattie refused to sit on the ground. She packed cold sandwiches, a jar of cool tea, and a platter of cookies.
“Mother, I ran into Felix,” Helen said as she approached the family.
“Oh…I didn’t know he would be in town.”
“He says he is competing in the rodeo this afternoon. Calf roping, I believe he mentioned.” Helen could hardly wait to see Felix compete.
“Your brother doesn’t know anything about roping.”
Helen detected an annoyed edge to her mother’s voice. “Apparently, he learned all about it from Joey Sterling. I think we should at least go and watch him compete.” She tried not to sound defensive.
“You’re probably right, dear,” Hattie sighed. “Winston, run up to Father’s store and let him know. I’m sure he’ll want to watch Felix compete.”
“Yes, Mother,” Winston scurried off toward the town square.