Chapter 26 #2
“It’s the same area where you found me, only I didn’t show you the place I’m talking about,” Joey said.
“I went there to think when Ma told me I couldn’t love another man, and you were not speaking to me.
Before Pa brought you to the ranch, I used to go there for the wonderful view and to think about things.
Since you came along, all I think about is you. ”
“I want to see your thinking place. I bet it’s wonderful,” Felix paused long enough to tease Joey, then said, “and I think about you all the time, too.”
Joey laughed and gigged Lightning to gallop ahead. Felix gigged Sparkle and caught up, and the two cowboys flew across the prairie to the barn.
* * *
After lunch, they spent the afternoon cleaning the stables, starting with Sparkle’s stall.
“I should get my own horse.” Felix used a broom to sweep as Joey shoveled the old hay out of the stall.
“Why?” Joey stopped shoveling. “You have a horse. Sparkle.”
“No…I mean a horse that's mine.” Felix eyed Joey.” Not a Sterling horse I borrow for the summer.”
“Sparkle is your horse, Felix.” Joey held out a hand in a giving gesture, emphasizing his point.
“No.” Felix put his left hand on his hip, holding the broom handle with his right. “Sparkle is a Sterling horse. I need a Bonner horse.”
“Listen to me,” Joey said as he leaned on the shovel handle. “Sparkle wouldn’t let anybody ride him before you came along. That’s why Pa was so surprised when I gave you Sparkle when you first came. Pa was ready to sell Sparkle.”
“You gave me a wild horse?” Felix’s eyes widened at what seemed like a joke on the new kid.
“Felix,” Joey smiled. “I gave you a horse I knew you could handle. Sparkle never responded to anyone like he responds to you. Sparkle is your horse and only your horse.”
Felix pondered Joey's words. “So Sparkle picked me.” He realized what Joey meant.
“Yes. Sparkle likes you, respects you, and won the calf roping contest for you. Of course, you led him, and he responded to your every command. But he knew what to do and made sure you were where you needed to be to rope the calf.”
“I never thought of it that way, Joey. But you’re right, Sparkle responds to me.”
“Sparkle responds only to you. So, do you still want to get your own horse?” Joey picked up the shovel again, ready to resume the cleaning chore.
“Nope…I have a horse.” Felix resumed his sweeping.
“You have a fine horse. One of the best.” Joey's shovel began scraping the stall floor.
They finished cleaning the stables and putting fresh hay in the mangers. The afternoon vanished, and the evening approached as they walked to the house.
“What did you two do this afternoon?” Mabel asked as they washed up for supper.
“We did our stable-cleaning chores, Ma.” Felix nudged Joey away from the sink. Joey pushed back, and soon they were in a pushing contest, laughing at each other.
“You two behave.” Mabel laughed with them. She turned the chicken pieces frying in the cast-iron skillet, then stirred the potatoes she was about to mash.
Grover walked into the kitchen and went to the sink to wash up. His two sons were seated at the table.
“Felix, are you still doing okay?”
“Yes, Pa. Joey and I cleaned the stables this afternoon. I mentioned I needed my own horse, and he told me Sparkle was my horse.”
“Joey is right, Felix. I bet he told you I thought of selling Sparkle because he didn’t let anyone ride him. Then you came along, and I never saw a horse respond so well to a rider. You have a magic touch, Felix. You’re the only one Sparkle likes.”
“I like Sparkle too,” Felix said.
“He’s yours, Felix.”
“Thanks, Pa.”
Mabel finished mashing the potatoes. She placed the chicken platter on the table along with the mashed potatoes, a bowl of cream gravy, and cooked carrots.
“Pa, I’ve been thinking about when Joey goes back to school. What will I do for a year while he’s in school?” Felix asked.
Joey’s eyes widened as if something frightened him.
“What’s wrong, Joey?” Felix asked.
“Nothing. I never thought about going back to school without you.”
“It’s only school, Joey. You’re not moving all the way to Abilene or anything. You’ll be back after school every day to help me with the stables.”
“You're right, Felix,” Grover said. “You will take over a few of Joey's chores this summer, like cleaning the stables daily. And, of course, you can ride the fences every week like you did when you stopped speaking to Joey this summer.”
Felix coughed a one-syllable chuckle, not wanting to be reminded of how he had treated Joey and the entire Sterling family for those two weeks. He was ashamed of his behavior and glad everyone had forgiven him.
“I can do that,” he said. “I want to be sure I have lots of things to do. I like being on the ranch and doing the work, Pa.”
“I’m glad you do, Felix. We like having you here as our son.”
“I’ll second that.” Mabel glopped a spoonful of potatoes on everyone’s plate. The men helped themselves to the chicken and dug into the delicious meal.
After dinner, the family retired to the parlor. The two best friends played dominoes, Grover read a book John Bowden had given him, and Mabel did her sewing. It was an ideal family setting.
The two young men grew tired and went upstairs to their room for bed. As they curled up together, Joey spooned Felix.
“I like it when you lie beside me,” Felix whispered. “I can’t believe I ever thought this was bad.”
“We have both learned a lot about each other this summer.” Joey nuzzled Felix’s ear. “Until you came along, I figured I would find a girl and get married someday. Now I know that will never happen. I found the person I want to spend the rest of my life with, and he’s in my arms right now.”
Felix turned to face Joey and pulled him into a passionate kiss. They never enjoyed sex three times in one day, but that magic was about to happen. Their world was perfect.