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

was eating him these days. Was the problem really sexual immorality as elder Gregory had suggested? Whatever it was, it had made Chris become withdrawn and unapproachable.
    The fifteen-minute drive to the hospital would pass in absolute silence, if Chris had his way, Theo realized. He pondered for a minute or two if he should bother him. His curiosity won out and he turned to Chris, modulating his voice to soothing tones.
    “What's eating you?”
    “Lots of things,” Chris replied, glancing at him. “You have on your counselor's voice so I am going to assume that you are in counselor mode, Pastor Palmer.”
    Theo frowned. “No…I am more in friend mode. When Brother Gregory asked you about sexual immorality you looked pretty guilty.”
    Chris sighed. “I am having some issues. I can't talk about them right now.”
    “Does it have anything to do with a woman?” Theo probed gently. “Usually they are the chief culprits when it comes to tying up a man in knots and creating uncertainty and tension.”
    Chris glanced at him and nodded. “As a matter of fact, it is a woman. She's beautiful and feisty and I love her deeply…” He paused. “I would do anything for her, you know…”
    Theo nodded, pleased for his friend. At least the unholy fascination with his wife would stop, now that Chris was fixated on someone else , Theo reasoned.
    “So who is she?” Theo asked curiously. As far as he knew none of the church sisters were ever given the time of day by Chris. In fact, when Elder Gregory had suggested Phoebe as a potential candidate for Chris he had found it funny.
    Phoebe was Gregory's niece, a beautiful woman who was exceptionally self-centered. She was known to act very desperate when it came to men, to the point of stalking them. The men of the church had made a pact to stay as far away from her as possible.
    “I think we should talk about it at another time,” Chris said, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel.
    Theo nodded thoughtfully.
    Chris drove into the hospital's parking lot and released a pent-up sigh. “I am sure that you are nervous about the baby arriving early.”
    “Yes, I am.” Theo released his seatbelt and got out of the car hurriedly.  “I am going to mention this conversation with you again. Don’t think that I won't.”
    Chris grimaced. “I am sure you will, but for now let’s think about Kelly.”
    Theo glanced at him briefly. Chris had said Kelly reverently, almost as though … Theo shook his head. Chris was simply not acting like himself.
    Together they headed for the maternity unit. It was Theo's third time there as a father, and he hurried to the front desk with Chris walking closely behind him.
    “Kelly Palmer,” he said to the nurse.
    “Room 540,” the nurse informed him, looking at the chart. “You are a bit late, she just gave birth. Couple hours more and you would have had an Independence baby.” She glanced at her watch. “You have a bouncing baby boy.”
    She glanced curiously at Theo, and then at Chris and then said, “Mommy is doing okay. A little tired as can be expected. You can go in only one at a time.”
    Chris was feeling nervous standing there beside Theo. He didn’t want to leave, after all, he suspected that the baby was his. Kelly had been avoiding him like the plague, refusing his calls, opting not to go to church. Her attitude was driving him crazy.
    She had effectively cut him out of her life and he wanted to know why. He needed to see this baby that was supposedly premature. He had wanted to quiz Theo about it but held back. He didn’t want Theo to suspect anything. He wanted Kelly to make the decision to choose him of her own free will. He didn’t want to be the one to tell Theo, and quizzing him would really install some doubts in his mind.
    “Okay,” Theo said excitedly, holding out his hand to Chris and pumping it energetically. “I will go in first, look at my newest son.”
    He looked at Chris. “I am sure you want to offer your