Read Cherry Pie for Free Online Page A

paint.”
    “Today?”
    Connor sounded strange. It wouldn’t have been noticeable in anyone else. But John had become used to his even tones and calm demeanor. “Yes. Today.”
    Connor set his coffee cup down on the step beside him. He clasped his hands between his knees. “All right.”
    John sighed. He’d forgotten for a second how hard it was for Connor, seeing people in Mercury again. “All right,” he said gently. Connor didn’t move, so John went inside to change.
     
    “Connor.”
    The voice wasn’t exactly welcoming. John looked up and flinched. It was a cop. An older guy. His badge said SHERIFF.
    Connor didn’t turn from the paint display for almost a minute. The man just waited. Connor slid the yellow card back in its slot and then turned. “Mr. Wilkins.”
    “I’m sheriff now,” he told Connor. “People around here use the title.”
    Connor tilted his head. “Do they?”
    John was surprised at Connor’s attitude. Clearly there was some history here. John silently cursed Connor’s reluctance to talk about himself. He didn’t like not knowing what was happening. He felt vulnerable. He didn’t know what Connor needed him to do.
    “How long are you in town for?” the sheriff asked. He didn’t sound as if he wanted Connor around at all.
    Connor shrugged. “Don’t know.”
    The sheriff’s mouth moved as if he were chewing on his cheek. “I got your records from your probation officer.”
    Connor looked around, so John did too. The only other person in the store was the clerk, and he was watering some plants near the door. He didn’t turn around. Connor’s tense shoulders relaxed a bit, and John took a step closer. He wished he hadn’t. The sheriff’s red-rimmed eyes fell on him. He was a big, balding bruiser of a man, with a nose and cheeks marked by broken capillaries.
    “I hear this boy’s staying with you.”
    John didn’t like the tone of that. “He’s staying in his old room, yes.” His response was cool. He hadn’t done anything wrong, and neither had Connor. At least not in Mercury. It suddenly occurred to John that he had no idea why Connor had been in jail. He felt like a fool. That should have been his first question when Connor had asked to stay. But something about the tall, quiet man had made it irrelevant at the time.
    The sheriff crossed his arms and widened his stance. That never boded well when they did it in the movies. “You got a job?”
    “Who? Me?” John asked in surprise.
    The sheriff looked at him as if he were mentally challenged. “No. Connor.”
    “N—”
    John cut Connor off. “Yes. He works for me.”
    The sheriff looked even grimmer at John’s answer, if that were possible. “Doin’ what?”
    “He’s helping me fix up the house. He knows it better than anyone.”
    “I don’t want any panhandling or vagrancy, you hear?” He spoke harshly to Connor. “What’s he paying you?”
    “Room and board.” Connor’s cheeks were red, but John thought it was more from anger than embarrassment.
    “And anything else he needs until he figures out what he’s going to do,” John added. “He has no need to panhandle and is in no way a vagrant.”
    The sheriff glared at John, clearly angry at his interference. So be it. John really didn’t care.
    “I knew you were in prison.” The sheriff’s statement was smug. “I kept an eye on you for your mama.”
    Connor’s nostrils were flared with anger. “You tell her?”
    “Not until the end. When she wanted me to go get you and bring you home. I had to tell her why I couldn’t.”
    Connor paled. “You bastard,” he whispered. John took another step closer. He was gritting his teeth to stay quiet.
    “Didn’t tell her why.” The sheriff’s tone had changed, as if he’d said what he wanted to say. “Just told her you’d gotten in some trouble, and I was going to help you out.”
    “You mean you lied, as usual.” Connor’s voice was lower than normal, menacing.
    “Watch your tone, boy,”