Page 24 of The Boy from Half Moon

“Fourth?” I whispered. “What the?” I mumbled.

“The guy before you turned out to be engaged. Gay, but engaged. He was terminated after Mr. Browning couldn’t break them up. Here again, all word of mouth. Apparently, that one considered suing, but never did. Anyway, I have zero proof of that, but the one before him was the one that filed the restraining order against Mr. Browning.”

“That’s only three,” I pointed out.

“The other one is in prison,” he said.

My heart seized at his words. “For?” I inquired.

“I cannot verify this because I was hired two years ago, and this was just before I joined the firm, but it has been alleged and spoken of around here frequently, that the man beat the shit out of Mr. Browning after being constantly harassed after breaking up with him.”

“No,” I stated, not wanting to be involved in rumors. “Alec? No way!” I exclaimed.

“I don’t have the necessary passwords for classified case files, so I haven’t seen them, but I hear there are files there regarding the lawsuit. If you can, search for Browning vs Hamill. Apparently, the tea is all there.”

I wanted to ignore the claims Tyler made, but I could see signs that perhaps Alec was capable of these accusations.

“I like you, Tate,” he said. “I’d be very careful concerning Mr. Browning.”

“Noted,” I said. “How about we never speak of this conversation again?” I suggested.

“You’re not going to rat on me, are you? I need this job.”

“Here, in this office,” I motioned around the room. “Everything said is between me and you only.”

Tyler left the office, and I spun around in my chair just in time to see Alec meeting a floral delivery truck in the parking lot.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Luke

“Father Franklin will see you now, Brother Luke.”

I smiled at Sister Mary-Ellen and stepped through the door she held open. Franklin was sitting behind his desk, looking like he’d just eaten a sour apple.

“Have a seat, Luke,” he said, motioning toward an L-shaped sectional across the room.

“Thank you, Father,” I said.

Franklin stood and came to sit on the larger piece of the sectional where the two formed an L-shape, his knee touching mine. I tried to scoot down a bit to avoid touching.

“Stay where you are, Luke,” he stated, gripping my thigh with his huge hand. “Now, what brings you in today?”

I gathered my nerve, which was difficult because he had a firm grip on my leg. “I was hoping, sir,” I began, before tripping over my words. I inhaled a deep breath and tried again. “Well… hoping to…”

“Spit it out, boy,” he gruffed, scorn lifting one corner of his mouth. “I’m a busy man.”

“May I please work full time at the furniture store in Bend, Father?” I blurted out.

He looked distrustful. Of course, that was his usual look when it came to requests from his flock. I was prepared to defend my appeal and came with what I hoped was a convincing one.

“The bakery not good enough for you?”

“No, sir,” I said, suddenly hearing how that could be interpreted. “I mean, the bakery is wonderful, sir, but I feel I can be of more use at the furniture store since I’m apprenticing with Brother Jim. And I truly want to apprentice full time and make furniture building my trade, sir.”

“Have you inquired with Brother Jim about this?”

I knew this line of questioning would come and was prepared for it. “I felt it best to speak with you first, Father.”

He studied me while I did my best to keep my composure. The man literally terrified me, and for good reason. As afraid of him as I was, I needed his permission to do what I so desperately wanted to do.

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