Chapter Seventeen

Day after Christmas

 

Phillip, Manuel, Rush and a teenager named Joey rode the fences, looking for damage. They found a spot that Manuel declared weak, and marked it off with a hot orange ribbon to come back to with the tools to fix it. Either Joey or Manuel would drive the truck back and make repairs.

The air was cold and dry, making it hurt to breathe through his nostrils, but the scenery couldn’t be finer. Rolling hills as far as he could see. Black Angus grazing in the pastures. Even the turning windmill next to a cattail-fringed pond made a fine picture.

And Rush had made Phillip’s day by introducing him as his new hire to Joey. Joey shook his hand and welcomed him to the ranch. Although he’d turned eighteen a month before, he was still in high school, planning on going to Texas State next fall.

Which explained why Rush was ready to hire someone new.

And Manuel? He’d just nodded, as if he’d known it. He probably had. Phillip figured nothing happened on the ranch that Manuel didn’t know about. If he shadowed the foreman, learned from him, maybe in time he really would be able to replace him.

Well not replace. Neither Rush nor Manuel would go for that, but maybe try to step into those big boots. Phillip didn’t think he could do better.

And tonight?

He had a date. A real, live, true date. An eat-dinner-and-get-to-know-you date.

Phillip grinned. He’d done it. Broken the curse. He wasn’t a beggar anymore. He’d managed to change his life, without using his influence on anyone. He’d done it. By himself. And he was damned proud of himself right now.

They headed back to the house for lunch. Life was good. And it was going to get better. They trotted up to the corral at the back of the horse barn and dismounted.

“We just turn them out in the corral while we eat. No reason to unsaddle them.” Joey grinned as he opened the gate. Phillip took the reins of the other horses and led them inside, while Rush and Manuel made a beeline to the house to wash up.

“So, this is your first ranch job?” Joey asked as they walked back. He matched Phillip’s limp, not rushing past him, but keeping steady with him. Phillip liked that bit of kindness. Joey seemed like a good kid.

’Course, he was only a few years older than Joey, but Joey had tons of ranch experience on him.

“Sort of. When I was younger, my grandfather had a farm. I spent most every summer with him. If you want to know how to grow beans, okra and watermelon, I’m your guy.” He chuckled. “But I’ve always dreamed of being a cowboy.”

“Well, I’ve always dreamed of being a math teacher. I’m going to get my degree and come back here and teach elementary school.” He rolled his eyes. “I know, it sounds lame, teaching, but I love it. This job is just to earn money for school.”

“Rush and Manuel know that?”

“Sure. Rush even told me if I get on the Dean’s list, he’d pay my next semester. Calls it the Weston Scholarship.” He shook his head. “He’s a great guy. You’re going to really like it here.”

“I know. He’s been good to me too.”

They reached the porch and went up the steps. After kicking off the trail dust on their boots, they stepped inside. The guys were still there, lounging about watching sports on the big screen television, snacking on leftovers from the fabulous meal Sammi, Rush and Brian had cooked up for Christmas dinner.

The table was set, ready for lunch for the hands. Phillip and Joey washed up at the kitchen sink as Sammi and Edward dealt with making sandwiches.

“Where’s Brian, Mitchell and Jack?” Phillip looked over his shoulder as he dried his hands off on a towel, then passed it to Joey.

Edward turned. “Jack and Brian had to go to work today. They left after breakfast. Jack said to say goodbye and he’ll see you around. I’m here for today, then going back to the spa tomorrow.”

“Mitchell had to work, too. He’s coming back for me on Saturday. In the meantime, I’m going to Edward’s spa for a day of beauty!” Sammi grinned. “Can’t wait!”

“Nice.” Phillip came to the table and eased his way down with a grunt. His knee had been acting up all morning. Sitting cross-legged on the floor untangling strings of lights and pushing that wheelbarrow filled with oats hadn’t helped. But if he meant to work here, he’d have to get used to it.

Edward frowned. “You okay, honey?” He took a seat next to Phillip. “I noticed your limp is worse today.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. An old injury, that’s all.” He rubbed his knee then smiled. “Bothers me now and then.”

Edward touched his arm. “I can fix that, Phillip. If you’ll let me.”

“Fix it? No way. Doctor said it was a torn meniscus. Needs surgery.”

“So why didn’t you get it fixed?” Sammi asked from across the table.

“No insurance. Surgery is expensive. It’s nothing I can’t live with.” He shrugged.

“But what if I could…ease it a bit? Massage can work wonders.” Edward gave Phillip’s arm a squeeze, then flicked his gaze to Sammi.

God, the last thing he wanted was anyone feeling sorry for him or thinking he could get better with a little massage. If he didn’t stop this, Edward would never let it go. The man was just like his little bulldog.

He reached out and put his hand over Edward’s hand. Let it go. Drop it.

Edward sighed. “It’s up to you. I won’t mention it again.”

Sammi gasped and slapped the table. “That’s what it is!” He stared from Edward to Phillip and back.

“What are you talking about?” Edward cocked his head to the side.

Rush sat down next to Phillip. “What’s going on?”

“I’m not sure.” Phillip took a bite of his ham sandwich.

Sammi leaned over and whispered, “Phillip, Edward, I need to see both of you, right now.” He got up and left the room.

Edward shrugged at Phillip. “I guess we should follow, but we’ll never beat that dramatic exit.” He rose and Phillip glanced to Rush for permission.

“Go on. If you don’t, we’ll never get back to work.”

Phillip joined the other two in the living room. Sammi dragged Phillip down on one side of the couch and Edward on the other.

“What’s all this about? I can’t be wasting time here. I got to get back to work.”

Sammi huffed. “I’ll make it short and sweet. You’ve got a power, Phillip. I don’t know if you know it, but you use it to make people do what you want, right?”

All the blood in Phillip’s body rushed to his feet and for a moment, he thought he might faint. No one, other than his mother, had known about his power. It had been a matter of survival to keep the secret.

He peered at Edward, who leaned over and spoke to Sammi, “You said he was special.”

“I just didn’t know what it was.”

When he found the ability to speak, Phillip croaked out, “How did you know?”

“Remember.” He pointed to himself. “I can hear your thoughts. I heard you suggest to Edward to drop the massage stuff and he did. Just like that.” He snapped his fingers.

“He tried to…control me?” Edward put his hand on his hip and looked put out.

“No, it’s not control, it’s just sort of influencing. I’m sorry, but I just didn’t want to keep being reminded I’m not…whole. I didn’t mean any harm.”

“I forgive you.” Edward patted his thigh. “Just don’t do it again.”

“I won’t.” Phillip sighed. “I promise.”

“So, Edward, are you going to fix Phillip’s knee?”

Phillip groaned. “Not that again!”

Edward laughed. “Okay, the way I see it is something in the cosmic universe has put all of us together.”

“All of us?”

“Yes. People with powers. I know it’s weird, but believe me, it’s true. Sammi can hear thoughts, I can heal people with my touch, Rush can see in the dark and Brian gets premonitions.”

“That’s all.” Phillip blinked at them. “Hey, what about Jack?”

“Oh, he’s normal and so is Mitchell.” Edward waved his hand. “But they know about the rest of us.”

Phillip sat back and digested this. “So, this is some sort of town that gathers weird people?” Sounded like some TV show on one of those sci-fi channels. And just as unbelievable, if he didn’t have a power himself.

Edward gasped. “I never thought of it that way.”

“Can’t be. Mitchell and I live in Houston.” Sammi shook his head.

“This is nuts. Can you really heal my knee?” Phillip whispered because saying it aloud would be tempting fate.

“Yes. I can.” Edward put his hand on Phillip’s knee. “Will you let me?”

“Uh, sure. What the hell. Either it will work or not. Can’t say I got much to lose.”

The weight of Edward’s hand grew heavier and a warmth spread beneath it, flowing into Phillip’s knee. His breath caught, but he didn’t move as the heat and tingling increased.

Then, as if all the heat and pain flooded out of him, relief in his knee grew until the pain was gone. Vanished. Like it’d never been there. Holy crap!

Edward released him. “Okay?”

Phillip stood, bent his knee a few times. “It’s… It’s…” He walked to the stairs. No limp. Not even on a good day did his limp go away, much less the pain. Going up and down stairs was the hardest for him.

He took the stairs one at a time. Pain free. He didn’t even have to use the banister. Climbed to the top then started back down. Edward and Sammi stood at the bottom, gazing up at him.

“It’s gone! The pain is gone.” Phillip laughed. “I can’t believe it. Is this some sort of placebo thingy?”

“Nope. It’s fixed. I healed the tear. You’re back to normal.” Edward grinned.

Phillip jumped the last four steps and landed in front of Edward. He grabbed him and swung him around. “Thank you!” Winston barked at them as he chased them around in a circle. Then Phillip gave Edward a big kiss on the cheek.

He laughed as Phillip put him down. “You’re welcome. Us weirdos need to stick together.”

Rush strolled in. “What’s the celebration?” He looked from Phillip to the guys.

Edward came over to Rush, rose on his toes and whispered, “I just healed Phillip’s knee. He’s all better.”

“Oh.” Rush’s eyebrows rose. “So, he knows about you?”

“And you, and Brian and Sammi, too. We told him.”

“Wait. You told him about our powers?”

“Yes.” Sammi clapped hands. “He’s got one too.”

Before Phillip could stop Sammi, he’d spilled the beans. Not what Phillip had wanted.

Rush turned to him. “A power, huh? What is it?”

Phillip groaned. What if Rush found out and thought he’d used it to get a job? This could be horrible, but he should be honest. No way he could lie about it, not with Sammi and the others right there.

“I can sort of…influence people.”

Rush put his hands on his hips. “I’m not sure I like the way that sounds. Explain that to me, son.” His eyes narrowed.

“Well, if I touch you, I can push you into thinking of doing something.”

“Like I wanted to heal him, and he influenced me to drop it,” Edward added.

Rush stood there, and Phillip could see the wheels turning. It wasn’t good.

“Look, I’ve never used it on you or Brian. Never. I wanted to get the job by myself this time.” He covered his mouth. He hadn’t wanted to let that slip.

“This time?” Rush growled.

“Yeah, well, I sort of influenced the manager at the garage to hire me. But I was desperate!” He reached out to Rush, who took a step back.

Phillip couldn’t control his bottom lip’s quivering. He’d fucked up. Bad. Rush was going to fire him. All his dreams would be ruined. Fuck my life.

“I swear I never tried it with you.” His words came out weak and he hated the sound of them.

Sammi came forward and stood in front of Rush. “Rush, listen to me.” Rush brought his gaze down to Sammi. “He didn’t use it on you or Brian. I can hear his thoughts, you know. He’s not lying about it.” He put his hand on Rush’s cheek. “Phillip needed to do this on his own. He needed to not be”—Sammi glanced over at Phillip—“a beggar?” He smiled. “To choose his own path and make it happen. Right?”

“Right.” Phillip ran both hands through his hair. “And I did it. I proved to you I could handle this job. I was so happy…” He slumped into a chair. “But I’ll go, if that’s what you want. I understand if you can’t trust me.” He stared at his boots.

Rush let out a big breath. “Son.” Phillip raised his head. “I got to have your promise, as a man of honor, you won’t ever use it on anyone here at the ranch. You proved to me you can do that job. I want you to stay. Besides, if I fired you, Brian would kill me.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Part of having this sort of power is learning when and how to use it or not use it. Control is key, get it?”

Phillip nodded.

“Hey, is the party over? We got to get back to work!” Manuel shouted from the kitchen.

“Be there in a second!” Rush answered. “Now, come on, son. Let’s get going. There’s still hours of daylight to burn.” He punched Phillip’s arm in a playful manner.

Phillip hooted. “Yes, sir! I mean, Rush!” He glanced back at Edward and Sammi. “Hey, y’all, thanks for being my friends. What can I do to thank you?”

“Well…” Sammi bit his lip. “There is something, if you have some free time.”

“What is it? Name it!”

Sammi looked at Edward, took a deep breath and whispered, “I want to ride a horse. Can you teach me?”

Phillip laughed. “Of course! Let me make sure I can do it, clear it with Rush and Manuel. But sure, I can teach you to ride.”

Sammi hugged him. “I can’t wait!” He let him go and looked at him as if he’d just won the lotto’s big prize.

Phillip slapped him on the back. “Gotta go.”

Phillip followed the other men of the ranch out to the corral, where they caught their horses, mounted up and headed out to finish their chores.

Damn. His heart couldn’t take much more. If Rush had fired him…he’d have just given up. Left Spring Lake and gone to Houston, to whatever waited for him there.

Now, he didn’t have to worry over it. He’d found a home here. New friends. People who understood him. And accepted him for who he was and what he could do.

He didn’t feel like a weirdo anymore. He felt like…a normal man.

A normal man with a big date tonight with Estaban.

“Yeehaw!” Phillip slapped his reins on his horse’s rump and she broke into a gallop. He waved his hat in the air and stood in his stirrups, letting the wonder that was life raise him up as if he had wings.

“Slow down, cowboy!” Rush shouted.

“Darn fool kid!” Manuel laughed.

“Hey, wait for me!” Joey chimed in.

But before Phillip could catch his breath, the men, no, his friends, rode by his side, all of them waving their hats and hooting like…

Cowboys.