Page 76 of Sin With Me

“Got ya. Staysafe.”

I hung up, and the first ray of morning light shone over the horizon. I hurried out the chapel and froze as soon as I stepped over the threshold.

Shit!

“Hey there, little buddy,” I said to the black and white furry animal. “I’m not going to hurtyou.”

The skunk lifted itstail.

“I know you can’t understand me, but I’m the good guy here, and I really need a break. You’re welcome to continue guarding this chapel, and I’ll just leave.”

It pivoted on its back feet, twisting its rear end towardme.

No, no, no.

I shuffled my feet to the left, away from him, and took off without looking back. An intense smell followed me as I sprinted toward town, praying that the little skunk hadn’t sprayed my jeans. The stench didn’t ease, though, and followed me all the way to town. When I passed the Bistro on my way to church, I saw a new car parked there, and I stopped. I quickly peeked through the window, then ducked.

“Is this the way you want me to pay for my sins?” I looked up to the heavens before dashing for the church door across the street.

As soon as I entered, I saw a slim figure kneeling in one of the front pews. Kate’s head was bowed and remained so until I ran toward her. She turned at the sound of my steps, her brows narrowing as I came closer.

I grabbed her by her wrist and pulled her out of the pew and into the church nook between two pillars. “Kate, I need to talk to you. Now.”

She twisted her wrist, checked the time, and gave me a quizzicallook.

“Yes, I know it’s confession time, but this can’t wait,” Isaid.

“Actually, I have something to say to you as well. What’s that smell?” she asked. “And why are your jeans so dirty? I thought you were leavingtown.”

I looked down at my soiled jeans, disregarding her disapprovinglook.

“Plans changed and I was ambushed by a skunk,” Isaid.

“And you both rolled around in thedirt?”

“No, we didn’t. Kate, you need to come with menow.”

“Is it too early for a confession?” she asked.

“Kate, I told you that you need to confess to Father John about our… oursin.”

“It’s not about that, but I do need to confessnow.”

“Now is not a goodtime.”

“Are you denying me a sacrament, Father?”

I sighed. I had a feeling that Kate wouldn’t let this go until she confessed whatever was on her mind tome.

“No, I’m not. But I need to change.”

“This can’t wait,” She said. “If I don’t tell you what I need to tell you right now, I’ll… I’ll… I’m not leaving this church until I confess.”

Desperate for her to come with me, I locked my jaw and let out an exasperated breath. “Fine, let’s do this. But afterward, you’remine.”

Her mouth opened in shock, but as much as I liked watching her lips fall apart like that, I knew we didn’t have much time. Whether she liked it or not, from now on and until we had all our answers, she was stuck withme.

Kate’s confessions usually took less than three minutes, but if that meant that I could hold her attention for longer than a second, all the better. I sat down in the confessional and pulled the curtain in front of me closed, immediately trying to block out her voice.

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