Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
A loud pounding echoed through the downstairs hallway at dawn the following day. Mabel was getting dressed for the day, and Grover was in the outhouse. She rushed to the door, tying her sash as she hurried. She opened the door to find Cornelius Bonner.
“Mr. Bonner. What brings you here so early?”
“I need to talk to your husband,” Cornelius growled. “It’s urgent.”
Mabel unlatched the screen.
Cornelius drew open the screen and rushed into the hallway. He scanned the front rooms left and right before his glare settled on the stairs.
Mabel rushed toward him and raised her voice. “Grover will be right in. Why don’t you wait in the sitting room?”
“Lady,” his menacing voice came through gritted teeth. “You and your husband steal my boy and tell me to wait?” His evil sneer landed on her. He shoved her to the side and bounded up the stairs.
“Grover,” she shouted at the top of her lungs, hurrying up the stairs after Cornelius.
* * *
Still drowsy from sleep, Felix heard shouting, then footsteps pounding up the wooden stairs.
The door to Joey’s room across the hall slammed open, then seconds later, the door to his room slammed open.
He gasped and tensed as his father rushed into the room, eyes narrow and an expression on his bruised face like he smelled something terrible.
“Father…” Felix said, surprise and fear in his voice.
“So this is what they’ve done to you, is it?” Cornelius shouted.
Now wide awake, Joey gasped and reached back to protect Felix from the madman standing in their room.
“Helen said you two became close friends. I didn’t know it included sharing a bed. You disgust me, boy.” His father’s nostrils flared as his face morphed into an evil, toothy sneer.
“Cornelius, you need to leave,” Mabel shouted, entering the room. “You have no right to come into our home.”
“Bonner,” Grover’s voice came loud and clear from the hallway as he bounded up the wooden stairs. “Get out!” Grover reached the doorway and pulled Mabel out to protect her, then stood and blocked the exit, arms crossed. “Do I have to drag you down the stairs and throw you out of my house?”
Cornelius moved to the window, turned to face everyone, and pulled a revolver out of his waistband. The gun clicked as he cocked the hammer. “We’ll see about that, Sterling. I suggest you back off unless you want your boy with a bullet in him.”
“Father,” Felix shouted. He bolted over Joey and lay in front of him. “Don’t you dare hurt Joey. What do you want?”
“Get dressed, boy.” Cornelius spat out boy like it was a swear word. “You are my flesh and blood, and no big-hearted do-gooder will get away with stealing my property. I need you in the store.” Cornelius waved the gun around like he meant business.
Felix’s narrow, angry eyes glared at his father as he reached for his clothes. “I’ll come with you, but if you harm anyone in this room, I’ll make such a mess of that store you’ll wish you never had me.”
“What was that?” Cornelius said through gritted teeth, not taking his eyes off Grover.
“Bonner, you won’t get away with this,” Grover growled.
“This revolver says different,” Cornelius waved the gun.
“No gunfire. I’m hurrying.” Felix kept an eye on his unstable and irrational father. The least little thing could set him off.
Grover stood firm, his angry breath heaving, unable to move at the risk of someone getting shot.
Cornelius waved the gun at Joey. “You. Go get his horse ready.”
“Yes, sir,” Joey said with a shaky voice. He reached for his clothes and dressed as he hobbled toward the bedroom door, hopping on one foot as he pulled on his boots.
Grover backed into the hallway to let Joey pass, then reentered Felix’s room, arms still crossed.
As long as a gun was involved, Felix knew there was nothing Grover could do to help him. He pulled on his clothes and boots, his heart pounding and his hands shaking. He was scared for the Sterlings and angered at his father.
“Let’s go, boy. We need to open the store.” Cornelius waved the gun toward the door, the menacing scowl still on his face.
“Father put the gun away. I’m going with you like you want.”
“I don’t trust you, boy. You surprised me when you stood up to me in the store. I’m not going to be surprised again. C’mere.” Cornelius waggled his fingers at Felix.
Felix went to him, and Cornelius grabbed his shoulder and pushed him in front, holding the gun to his back. “Anyone tries anything, Felix gets it.”
Grover backed into the hallway, protecting Mabel.
Felix felt the gun pressed against his back and his father’s hand fisting his shoulder.
Their boots clomped down the stairs. Felix pushed the screen door open, and they crossed the porch and walked toward the gate.
Grover and Mabel followed them, keeping a distance between themselves and the unstable madman, Cornelius.
Joey held the reins of Sparkle, waiting. Felix saw the worry in Joey’s eyes, and he winked and mouthed I love you as he saddled up. His father rushed to his own horse and climbed on.
“Let’s go,” Cornelius growled, waving the gun at Felix.
They tore down the ranch road at a fast gallop. Felix knew Grover and Joey would come after him. He only needed to please his father until his rescuers arrived at the store.
* * *
“What are we going to do, Pa?”
The hoofbeats faded, leaving only the dust trail as Felix and his father rode off.
“We’re going after Felix, Joey. But we need to let them get back to town.
I don’t want a confrontation out in the country without witnesses.
” Grover put his arm around Joey’s shoulders.
“Don’t worry. Cornelius won’t hurt Felix.
You go saddle up our horses, and we’ll ride into town to the sheriff’s office. ”
As Joey hurried off to get the horses ready, Mabel asked. “How can I help? You need something to eat before you go?”
“I don’t think either of us could eat, Mabel.” Grover put his arms around her. “What kind of man threatens to shoot his own son? The quicker we get Felix away from him, the easier we’ll all breathe.”
Joey rode up on Lightning, Patches in tow. “Pa, I want Felix to be okay.” His voice trembled. “Do you think he knows we’re coming after him?”
“He knows, Joey,” Grover climbed into the saddle. “I saw him turn to you and say he loved you as he got on Sparkle. He also knows how I feel about his father. He’s waiting for us to rescue him, and we will bring him home.”
Mabel gazed at her two strong men. “I hope Cornelius doesn’t hurt him.”
“His father won’t hurt him,” Grover assured her and Joey.
“His lifelong plan of having Felix take over the family business disappeared when Felix chose the ranch over the store, and he’s angry at his loss of control.
Cornelius won’t harm the one thing that could make his dream come true, even if he found you two in bed together. ” Grover winked at Joey.
Joey’s face flushed. “Sorry, Pa. You and Ma knew we were sharing a room. I never figured on you seeing us in the same bed.”
“It’s okay, Joey.” Grover chuckled. “I was more worried about Bonner waving that gun than your sleeping arrangements. Now, let’s focus on getting Felix back. We all know running a store is the last thing a champion calf roper wants to do. First stop, the sheriff’s office.”
“Sheriff’s office?” Panic flowed through Joey’s words. “Aren’t we going to save Felix?”
“Joey, forcing himself into our house and threatening my family with a loaded gun is illegal. Bonner must be arrested. If we go in there without Sheriff Jackson, Bonner will likely shoot both of us. We must tell the sheriff what happened and let him handle things.”
“I understand, Pa. Let’s get going.”
Mabel watched her two men ride off toward Blackfield.