Private Sins (Three Rivers Series: Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

love him?”
    “Love who?”
    “Chris Donahue.” Erica got up and rummaged through the pantry for something sweet.
    “Top-shelf,” Kelly said dispiritedly. “I am weaning the kids off too many sweet things.”
    “Ah, Oreos.” Erica grabbed a pack and turned around to her sister triumphantly. “I am going on a diet next week, I swear.”
    “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Kelly said. “I've heard it all before.”
    “So do you?” Erica asked again.
    “I don’t know.” Kelly replied absently. “I don’t know anything. Right now I just want everything to go back to the way it was.”
     

CHAPTER FOUR
     
    Theo was reluctant to leave Kelly the Thursday evening of August 5. She was not looking too good, but he had scheduled a long overdue meeting with his elders. They were complaining that Chris Donahue was not doing his duties as first elder and they wanted to hash it out with him.
    Theo had realized that Chris was not attending church as he used to, and he had been meaning to talk to him. But Chris had managed to avoid him for the last few months on one pretext or another until Theo had all but given up. This meeting was long overdue, and he was eager to hear what was happening with his first elder.
    For the past four years Chris had been his right-hand man—very reliable when it came to church work and very popular with the young people. They preferred to go to Chris with their issues than him. Theo did not mind that as much, and he had gone out of his way to encourage Chris' involvement with the youth arm of the church.
    At the back of his mind he wished Chris would find a wife from the pick of young adoring women that followed him around, but every time he tried to talk to Chris about anything remotely personal he would shut down. He was super-private about his personal life, and knowing their mutual past with Kelly, Theo usually backed off.
    “Hon,” he said, looking at Kelly again. She was lying on the settee, a grimace on her face. “I can call off the meeting.”
    “No,” Kelly whispered, rubbing her belly. “It’s just a little cramp here and there. I will survive.”
    “Then I am asking Erica to come and stay with you till I get back,” Theo said, heading for the phone. “She's a nurse. She's the perfect company for you right now.”
    “Okay,” Kelly whispered, looking at him out of the slit of one eye and rubbing her belly.
    “My car is still at the garage, so I am getting a lift with Elder Gregory. Take care of yourself and our baby.” He kissed Kelly on her forehead and then on her belly.
    “Stop giving your mommy trouble,” Theo whispered to her belly.
    Kelly smiled. “I love you. Why don’t you take my car?”
    “No can do,” Theo said sternly. “If something happens to you, you might need to drive out of here.”
    “I love you,” Kelly whispered. “You are the most caring, concerned man.”
    “I love you more.” Theo stood up, “I hear Elder Greg at the gate. I'll try to hurry this meeting along, okay?”
    Kelly grunted and closed her eyes. Theo left the house reluctantly, his mind not completely on the meeting. Kelly had looked sick, and despite her protests that she was fine, he was not so sure.
     
    He entered the pastor's vestry, a cloud hanging over his head. Everyone was gathered around the table drinking what smelled like peppermint tea.
    “Sister Vinney made it,” Elder Giscombe said, referring to the church secretary. She usually stuck around for choir practice on a Tuesday. He pointed to the teapot. “It is refreshing. Have some.”
    “Thank you. Later I will,” Theo said, nodding at the men and two women. They formed the nucleus of the church leadership, and they were very serious about their jobs. He often felt very grateful to this group of people. They were really the ones who ran the church like a well-oiled machine. At times he had a flare up or two within the ranks, but he had never had a meeting to discuss the fate of the first elder.
    Chris was sitting in