Already, Lena glanced between Fee and Stretch, her pitiful gaze finally falling on Cash.
“Donuts,” Fee said, still holding the boxes out. “I’m sure you have a long day of planning ahead.”
“Yes.” Stepping aside but not taking the food, Lena allowed them entry, closing the door behind them and throwing the house into semi-darkness. If not for the soft hum of voices, Fee would’ve sworn it was the middle of the night. “Louis, thank you for coming back last night.”
His cheeks reddened and he looked at his feet.
“Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord,” Lena quoted, grating on Fee’s nerves.
“Stretch, er, Louis,” she changed at Lena’s mean look, “didn’t return after he promised. I know this. Totally my fault, Lena. When we got to our hotel, I was tired and hungry. Stretch wanted to get me settled in before he came back. Then, we got to talking and time got away from us.”
“Shut up, Fee,” Stretch rushed out on a whisper. “You’ll have her quoting about living in sin.”
Oh, Jesus, perish the thought.
They remained in the hallway, not moving. Because of what she’d said? Scared to open her mouth and say the wrong thing, she stood in silent misery.
“Where did you sleep, Cash?” Lena asked.
Cash narrowed his eyes, his hair-trigger temper on the verge of erupting. “In a bed. Why?”
“With my son?”
Stretch’s flush deepened and he leaned more of his weight on his cane. “Mom—”
“What business is that of yours?” Cash barked, never one to take bullshit.
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. That isn’t the case with Louis. I certainly didn’t train him to be a filthy beast.”
All at once, whatever confidence Stretch had gotten from last night, over the weeks they’d gotten to know each other, escaped him. Before Fee’s eyes, he deflated.
Hands on hips, Lena glared at Cash. “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.”
This bitch.
“Look, lady,” Cash began. “You’re working on my last fucking nerve with your bible quoting. When you find the fucking verse about casting the first fucking stone, talk to me. Otherwise, shut the fuck up.”
Hands flying to her mouth, Lena gasped.
Stretch closed his eyes. Taking pity, Fee sat the donut boxes down on a wooden chair and jumped into the fray. She was glad the voices in the background continued on. They didn’t need to add Dillon and Uncle Harry to this volatility.
“Lena, it is never good to discuss religion,” she said. “My momma always told me religion and politics were the quickest way to lose friends.”
Lena transferred her glare to Fee. “I’m not discussing religion, young lady. I’m living it. What are you doing but covering for their sins? That makes you no better. Worse.”
“Mom, I won’t have you insulting Ophelia,” Stretch snapped, surprising all of them into silence. “You’re spouting your verses? What about this one? There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? I’m here to help you and to help plan Dad’s services. I thought it could be a fresh start for you and me. You called me. That’s the reason I’m here.”
Tears rushing to her eyes, Lena lifted her chin. “You remember the teachings of your childhood.”
“Of course I do. I’m still your son. I’m still human. Just because I’ve grown into a man you’re ashamed of, doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings. I bleed like you. But this is it. If I walk away with bad blood between us, write me off as your son. When I left, I didn’t want to go. I was forced out. I’m back now. I want a fresh start.”
“I was so angry with you for making your father, uncles, and cousins, hurt you. I’ve prayed for your soul. Prayed for the day that you’d choose what’s right and normal.”
“I’ve always liked girls,” Stretch mumbled.
Fee laid her head on his chest and hugged him, smiling when he kissed her forehead.
She tilted his head toward her. “I want to fuck you,” she whispered.
He startled and stared at her as if he didn’t believe her. As if he wasn’t a beautiful man, worthy of hot sex in forbidden places. She’d have to show him otherwise. “Meet me in the bathroom as soon as you can.”
Grazing his cock with her arm, she grinned at the hardness, then turned to his mother. If grief and disgust pinched her face before, outrage had been added into the mixture, but Fee wouldn’t apologize. She’d whispered to Stretch and, unless Lena’s mind stayed in the gutter, she couldn’t know what they talked about.