Page 68 of Son of a Preacher Man

“Oh, yeah.”

The pull between him and Bo wasn’t purely physical, though. It was something else, something more. That they even met at all was kismet. It was as if the universe put them in each other’s path for a reason. Most folks don’t understand that kind of thing.

“So, Linn met him through you then?”

If catching me sucking Bo off on a tour bus counts, then sure. In this very park. At this very festival. Almost four years ago to the day.

“Is that how you both ended up in the city?”

“Err, not exactly,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Linnea and Bo became friends on their own.”

Her brow arched, Kelly looked at him, obviously confused. Kodiak wished he had his pen with him, or a beer because this wasn’t the best time or place to have this conversation. And quite honestly, he’d been dreading it.

He took a breath and blew it out. “When I left for the army, Linnea and I lived worlds apart for a very long time. While I was waiting for my future bride to grow up, I did a lot of things I shouldn’t have.”

“Like Bo?”

His throat tightening, Kodiak nodded. “After Jonathan, I never had the desire to be with another man. Until him. There was something about Bo. Can’t explain it. We’ve gotten each other through some rough shit over the years.” Pausing, his fingers plowed through his hair. “He saved my life.”

“What do you mean?”

They’d reached the beer garden at the entrance to the midway, and now, he definitely needed one—or two. And likely, so would Kelly. Kodiak ordered two in the large souvenir steins—thirty-two ounces, easy. Handing her one, they continued walking.

“You know Linnea’s grandmother raised her.”

Swiping her tongue across the foam on her upper lip, she nodded. “Yeah, you mentioned that.”

“Well, when Catherine died, she left Crossfield and came here.” He took a long pull and swallowed. “I did too.”

Kelly was smart. She’d figure it out now. It might be easier that way. Then he wouldn’t have to say the words. Swallowing, Kodiak prepared himself for the abject reaction that was sure to come.

“And that’s when we found out it was my father who impregnated her mother when she was just sixteen years old.”

It took a minute before the words sank in, then she gasped. “Wait…all those years you didn’t know you had the same father?”

Ding, ding, ding.

Still, she hadn’t quite connected all the dots yet.

“He and Catherine kept it a secret from us. That’s what finally broke me.”

Not Jonathan.

Not Jeffrey, or Rachel, or even Reverend John.

It had all been for nothing. By gaining a sister, he’d lost everything.

They stopped walking and looking into her eyes, he tucked a wayward strand of silky hair behind her ear. “And Bo knew it. He flew with me to California and made sure I got the help I needed.”

“Jesus.” Reaching for him, Kelly stroked his face.

She looked at him with love and concern. Not revulsion or horror, or least of all, pity. It would come, though. And she wouldn’t love him then.

The Ferris wheel rotated high above them, bright lights flashing across its spokes reflected in her eyes. Rubbing his palm over her fingers, Kodiak held her hand to his cheek. Kelly loved him today, and he was going to hold onto that for as long as it lasted. Lowering his forehead to hers, he softly kissed her lips.

“Told you, Snicks, I’m fucked up.”

But I’m better now.

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