Cherry Pie Read Free Page A

asked.
    Conn didn’t have to think about it. “Almost eight years.”
    Ford looked surprised. “Eight years? How old are you?”
    “Twenty-five.”
    He shook his head. “You don’t look it. I had you pegged at barely legal.”
    “Still have some scruples left, huh?” Conn asked without thinking. He jerked his head around to stare at Ford as soon as he said it.
    “Hmm,” Ford said mildly, “I didn’t think it was that obvious. Only a few people in town have figured out I’m gay.” He pinned Conn with a sharp gaze. “How did you know?”
    Conn wasn’t going to get into that. Not here, not now, and not with this stranger. He’d dealt with enough personal demons today. They just stared at each other, neither giving anything away.
    “Mr. Ford?” A voice interrupted the stare down, and they both turned to the house. A man stood in the doorway: average height, sandy brown hair, polite smile on his face. When Ford turned to him, he stepped out with his hand outstretched. He stopped a few steps away, and his hand fell to his side. “Conn? Connor Meecham?” he asked incredulously.
    “Hey, Evan,” Conn said. Personal demons indeed. He’d thought he’d have more time. But no, the past was about to slap him upside the head.
    A big grin split Evan’s face. “Good God!” He grabbed Conn’s hand and pumped it up and down. “We thought you were dead. Couldn’t think of anything else that would keep you away from your mama’s funeral.”
    Conn smiled ruefully. “Nope, not dead. But the state of Georgia found something to keep me away.”
    Evan’s gaze narrowed. He looked between Conn and Ford. “You’ve been out to your mama’s?”
    Conn nodded. “Yeah. Mr. Ford here was nice enough to give me a ride.”
    “Why here?” Evan asked with a frown. “Toby’s still in town, you know, and a bunch of the other guys.”
    Ford wasn’t going to help. He just stood there, watching the awkward reunion. “I need a place to stay.”
    Evan scratched his jaw with his thumb. “There’s a new motel not far down 87,” he answered as if Conn had been asking for directions. “But that’s about it. Most people just pass through on the way to and from the beach. You know the drill.”
    Conn blew out a breath that fluttered the hair on his forehead. He laid his cards on the table. “I just got off probation and out of rehab, Evan. I’ve got no job and no money. So Ford brought me here. I didn’t even know you ran the place.”
    Evan looked as if he’d been smacked with a two-by-four for a second. He recovered quickly with a little shake of his head. “I’m a pastor now at the Unitarian church on Summit. You remember?”
    Conn nodded, glad Evan had chosen to address that rather than his checkered past. Evan glanced over at Ford. He placed his hand lightly on Conn’s upper arm and pulled him toward the house. “Come on. Let’s talk.” He smiled at Ford. “Thanks for bringing him, John.”
    Ford finally spoke. “I’m glad I did now. Take care of him, Evan.” He turned to Conn and held his hand out. “Good luck, Connor.”
    Conn shook his hand and was dismayed at how reluctant he was to let go. Strangers were easy. He closed his eyes briefly and felt a quick squeeze of his hand before Ford let go. He opened his eyes to see Ford giving him an understanding look. “Go on,” Ford said quietly. Conn turned to Evan with a deep breath, and he went.
     
    “What happened, Conn?” Evan asked quietly after they entered his office and he closed the door.
    “You run this place for the church?” Conn asked instead of answering. He needed a minute.
    “Yes and no. It’s a nonprofit run by several churches. Today is my day to man the house.”
    Conn was staring out the window, watching the street. It was going to be hot today. Probably rain this afternoon. He heard Evan’s office chair squeak as he moved behind him.
    “How do you know Ford?” Conn was more than a little interested in that. He wasn’t sure exactly