Relief and joy flooded through me, making me light-headed. I surged forward, capturing his lips in a desperate kiss. He responded immediately, his arms tightening around me as if he couldn’t bear to let go. I could taste the sweetness of apple pie on his tongue, mingling with the saltiness of sweat.
When we finally broke apart, both breathing hard, I couldn’t stop the smile spreading across my face. “We’ll figure it out,” I promised. “Okay?”
Connor nodded. “Okay. Just… be patient with me, alright? I’ve got a lot of years of bad habits to unlearn.”
I squeezed him once more. “I think I can do that.”
“Thanks pup.” He bent down, grabbing my cowboy hat from the forest floor and dusting it off before he placed it back on my head. “We’ll talk about this more later. Right now, we need to get back before Evelyn rounds up a search party.”
With one last gentle kiss, Connor and I headed back to the church, following the path to the edge of the parking lot. As soon as the light reached us, we separated, keeping an acceptable distance between us. It didn’t look like anyone had missed us too badly as we stepped inside.
However, the moment we were past the threshold I looked up. And there, standing with his arms crossed and a furious look on his face, was the last person I wanted to see.
My father.
Chapter 24
Connor
Both Ryder and I stood frozen in our tracks. Pete, who wasn’t supposed to come to the church dinner, was standing there, obviously waiting for us. Evelyn was behind him, her cheeks tinged red and her brow furrowed in concern. It was clear the two of them had been arguing. Pastor John stood nearby, clearly trying to intervene. But from the way Pete’s eyes narrowed in on us, I knew we were fucked. No amount of intervention was going to stop him. The look in his eye told me he knew what was going on.
My heart sank. This was the moment I’d been dreading ever since Ryder and I had gotten involved. I always knew that if Pete found out about us, he’d destroy us both. And now, as I stood there only a foot from his son, I saw my freedom slowly fading away. The writing was on the wall.
“So,” Pete growled, his gaze darting between the two of us. “Where have youtwobeen?”
“I... we were just getting some fresh air,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
Pete’s face twisted with disgust. “Fresh air? Is that what you call it?”
My mind raced, desperately searching for a way out of this situation. I needed to protect Ryder, needed to keep Pete’s fury directed at me instead of his son. But before I could say anything else, Ryder stepped forward.
“Dad, it’s not what you think?—”
“Shut up!” Pete snapped, his voice cutting through the sudden hush that had fallen over the church hall. Several people turned to stare. “You think I’m stupid? You think I don’t know what’s been going on?”
I glanced at Ryder, saw the fear in his eyes, and something inside me hardened. Seven years in prison had taught me to recognize when a situation was about to turn violent. Pete’s flushed face, his clenched fists, the slight sway in his stance. He’d been drinking, that much was clear.
“Mr. McGrath,” I said carefully, “maybe we should take this outside.”
“Don’t you dare tell me what to do,” Pete growled, taking a step toward me. “You’re nothing but a convicted criminal. You’re on my property because I allow it. And this is how you repay me? By corrupting my son?”
Evelyn moved forward, placing herself between Pete and us. “That’s enough, Pete. You’re making a scene.”
“A scene?” Pete laughed, the sound harsh and bitter. “You haven’t seen a scene yet, Evelyn. You think I don’t know you’ve been helping them? Passing notes like they’re in high school?”
My stomach dropped. How long had he known? How much had he seen?
“Pete,” Pastor John said, his voice calm but firm. “This is God’s house. Let’s all take a breath and?—”
“Don’t talk to me about God,” Pete spat. “Not when you’re harboring sinners under your own roof.”
The room had gone completely silent now, all eyes on our little drama unfolding by the entrance. I could feel the weight ofthose stares, the judgment, the curiosity. But I kept my focus on Pete, watching for any sudden movements.
“Dad, please,” Ryder tried again, his voice shaking. “You need to go home and sleep this off. I’ll drive you.”
“Home?” Pete’s eyes widened in mock surprise. “You think you’re ever coming home again? After what I just saw?”
My blood ran cold. What exactly had he seen?
