LLucy’s Revenge(Divine Creek Ranch 15)(57)

Roberta’s eyes bulged. “It’s unholy!”

So it starts. He’d hoped to have time to settle in a bit, formulate a strategy, and figure out how to tell his family to butt out of his personal life. “What’s unholy?”

Roberta waved her hand between the two of them and the kitchen, a look of pure disgust on her face. “You weren’t raised to be this way. It’s unnatural. It’s bad enough that the two of you hang out all the time, encouraging rumors, but now you’ve added her?”

Patrick held up a hand. “Whoa? Back up.”

Roberta rolled her eyes. “I’m not stupid, Patrick. I get it. You’re gay. Just stay in the closet, for crying out loud. This is a small town. But that?” She pointed again at the kitchen, her voice a strained whisper. “That’s unacceptable. You can’t give in.” Patrick thought Beck did an admirable job of hiding his surprise at the revelation that he was gay.

“Give in to what? And I’m really curious why you think I’m gay.”

“Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it? And now you’ve added another and made it a ménage.” She shuddered in disgust. “It’s wrong. And you better cut it out before it gets around town.”

Patrick held out his hand palm up.

“What?” she asked in confusion.

“My key. Right now.”

Roberta scoffed as she removed the key from the ring. “You know you’re going to need me again, Patrick. Who helped after your marriage failed? Who was there for you? This is childish.”

“No, you threatening to tattle to Dad about something that’s none of his business—or yours—is childish.”

He took the key from her after she removed it from the ring. “And you babysat for me once while I was in court, two years ago. Maizy is the one who’s helped me. I don’t owe you any explanation but I’m going to tell you this once. I’m not gay. Beck’s not gay. We both want Lucy in our lives.” He leaned closer so they were practically nose to nose. “But if we were gay, it still wouldn’t be any of your damned business. And you can tell that self-righteous bitch, Tabitha Lester, that she can kiss my ass.”

Beck made a tsking sound. “You might also mention to your friend that it’s impolite to spy on people. We were inside a business, after hours, and your friend was peeping in on us. You should give your brother more credit, Roberta.”

Roberta stood to her full height and looked down her nose at Beck which was comical since he was at least a head taller than her. “Don’t you presume to tell me what I should do, Beck O’Malley. Tabitha is a very well thought of in certain circles of this community.”

“Oh, yeah? Same circles as Elizabeth, I’ll bet. You need to find better friends, Roberta. I would think you’d be pleased to see your brother happy.”

Her lips twisted into an unattractive moue before she said, “Not at the expense of his son.”

Patrick could hear his son chattering away to Lucy and her soft reply to him. He resented his sister’s insinuation. “I put the needs of my son above any other personal needs, Roberta. No one can doubt that.” But I have a right to some happiness, too, don’t I?

Roberta smirked. “I guess you’ll know soon enough when word gets out.”

“Is that a threat?”

“No. It’s a reality. I talked to Rhonda last night and could tell something was off when she mentioned rather cryptically that you were at O’Reilley’s having dinner with ‘two others.’”

Patrick scoffed. “Did it occur to you that she didn’t give you any other details for a reason, Roberta? You always believe the worst of people. Thank you very much for watching my son last night. I won’t bother you again.”

Roberta’s rigid posture relaxed and there was a hint of remorse in her tone. “I don’t mind watching him. You know I love him just as much as Maizy. Just…Just please don’t take him around any of those…”

Patrick’s hackles started to rise. “Those what?”

“Those other ménages. Word will get out and you’ll be shunned in the family, or worse, your business ruined.”

“The only thing you’re really concerned about is how you’ll be perceived.”

“Damn right I am. I’ve worked hard to become a respected member of this community. Patrick, please. Just forget about this. Come back to church. They miss you there. Tabitha asks about you all the time.”

Patrick fought a shudder. “Sorry. If I ever go back to church, it won’t be to the church of the Frozen Chosen. I’ll find another church.” He hadn’t darkened the door of Elizabeth’s old church since before he’d found out about her deception. “And I thought I made it clear to you over a year ago that I have no interest in that bitter, judgmental viper you call a friend. Quit trying to get us together.”