Read Online Losing Faith by Scotty Cade - Free Book Online Page B

interrupted by the sound of Cullen’s voice.
    “No. I’m sorry. It’s just… well, it’s been a difficult day. Don’t go.”
    “I’m sorry… but Cullen, really? If you want to be alone, I get it.”
    Cullen stepped up from the galley and laid a hand on Abel’s shoulder. “That’s one of the problems. I’ve been alone too much, and I’m getting sick of it. Please stay.”
    Abel didn’t want to go, but he didn’t want to intrude either. “Okay, but only if you insist.”
    “I insist. And thank you. Now, how would you like a glass of that wine?”
    Abel hesitated. “No, thank you. But I will take a glass of water.”
    Cullen sighed. “Damn. I’m so stupid. I forgot. You don’t drink.”
    “Never tried the stuff,” Abel admitted.
    Cullen opened the fridge. “I have club soda, cranberry juice, and orange juice.”
    “I think I’ll have a combination of all three. That is if it’s not too much trouble.”
    “Not at all.”
    While Cullen mixed Abel’s drink, Abel looked around the boat some more. He studied a photograph hanging on the wall of a family of four. He knew right away it had to be a picture of Cullen’s family. He looked just like his father and definitely had his mother’s smile. “This has to be your family.”
    “Yep. That’s my mom and dad, my little sister, Elaina, and me on Easter Sunday. I was eight.”
    “Are you a close family?”
    “We used to be. My father died almost two years to the day after that photo was taken.”
    “Can I ask of what?”
    Cullen handed Abel his drink. “Lung cancer. He was a chain smoker. In fact, he had cancer at the time that photo was taken. He just didn’t know it then.”
    “I’m really sorry. And your mom?”
    “She was killed about six years ago in a car accident.”
    “Oh, Cullen. Now I see why you’re on the outs with the Almighty.”
    Cullen laughed sarcastically. “You haven’t heard the half of it.”
    “I’d like to,” Abel said sincerely, taking a sip of this drink. “This is good. Thank you. What are you having?”
    “A little bourbon on the rocks. Episcopalians are allowed to drink, especially former Episcopalians.”
    Abel laughed. “It’s a good thing I don’t. I believe if I started in my current state, I might not stop. And that wouldn’t be good for my career.”
    Cullen placed a plate of cheese and fruit on the table. “Help yourself.”
    Abel did help himself and continued looking around with a cracker in hand. He studied all the pictures closely, and every other picture was of Cullen and an extremely good-looking man with sandy-blond hair. They were touching in one way or another in every photograph and smiling broadly. It appeared they were very happy and quite comfortable together.
    When Abel looked in Cullen’s direction, Cullen was leaning against the refrigerator, feet crossed at the ankle, sipping on his drink and watching him closely. He had a dark and brooding expression on his face, and Abel was concerned. “Everything okay?” Abel asked.
    “It depends.”
    Taken aback by that comment, Abel asked, “On what?”
    “Whether you’re gonna ask me about the person in all those photographs.”
    “I won’t if you don’t want me to.”
    “Not just yet, if you don’t mind. I think I need another couple shots of bourbon before we go down that road.”
    Abel nodded. Little things were starting to add up, and Abel had a pretty good idea who Cullen was, but he would leave it alone for now and let Cullen tell him when he was ready. It seemed they both had secrets.

Chapter Seven
     
     
    ABEL LEANED back and rubbed his stomach, feeling more full then he had in a very long time. “You’re an excellent grill master,” he said. “And I insist you allow me to clean.” He stood, gathered their plates and silverware, and carried them across the saloon to the galley.
    Cullen also leaned back, rested his arm across the back of the banquette, and took a sip of the red wine Abel had contributed to the