Page 76 of The Ghost of Ellwood

“Why?”

A sad smile touched his lips, and he said nothing further.

After I parked downtown, we exited the car and moved along the sidewalk at a slow pace.

The October air held a chill as a breeze swept around us. Another cold front was coming through later tonight. Though on the chilly side, it was a beautiful fall morning. The leaves had changed by this point, and many had fallen, decorating the grass and walkways in gusts of orange and yellow as the wind blew them around.

I reached for Theo’s hand.

He jerked away.

I stopped walking. “What’s wrong?”

“We can’t be seen holding hands in public, Ben,” Theo said, appearing just as terrified as he sounded. “We have to be careful. No one can know or we’ll both be thrown into a jail cell.”

Oh, my sweet Theo.

My chest cracked open at the fear in his eyes. I had told him things were better nowadays, but being told something and actually seeing it—believing it—was different.

Maybe it was coincidence, or maybe fate, but at that exact moment, the door to the coffee shop opened and two men walked out, holding hands. The taller man kissed the shorter one on his bearded cheek and they smiled before continuing down the sidewalk.

Theo gaped. “Ben…those men…they’re…and no one is stopping them…” Tears surfaced in his brown eyes and one slipped free when he turned to look at me. “It’s really true?”

I nodded and wiped away one of his tears.

He had seen James and Shane kiss each other, but that had been in the privacy of our home. Seeing men be so open about their sexuality in public was a shock to him.

“The café is down the street,” I said, letting my arm fall back to my side.

A crease marred the middle of Theo’s forehead as we walked, and his distant gaze said his mind was elsewhere. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what he was feeling or thinking.

He snapped out of it when we entered the café. He smiled as he looked around. The hostess greeted us and led us to a table near the window. A minute after being seated, the waitress came over to take our drink orders. And she seemed mighty interested in Theo, smiling and tucking her hair behind her ear.

“She totally likes you,” I said, once she walked away.

“Don’t be absurd,” Theo responded, though his cheeks held a faint blush. “Besides, I’m not available.”

“Not available, huh?” I teased. “Who’s the lucky guy?”

“Oh, you might know him.” Theo scanned the menu. “He is a novelist who tells stories of horror and death, and he sometimes looks as though he belongs in one of his books because of the untidy state of his hair and his tendency to wear the same clothes for days on end.”

I blinked. “Are you poking fun at me? And here I thought you were a gentleman.”

His eyes remained downcast as he read over the menu, but a grin curved his lips.

“So sorry to interrupt your meal, but can I get a quick selfie with you?” a girl asked, standing beside me. “I’m a huge fan.”

“Uh, of course.” I stood from the table.

She took the photo, complimented me some more, and then went on her way.

“Does that happen all the time?” Theo asked, cocking his head. “You’re a celebrity, Ben.”

“It happens more here than it did in New York,” I answered. “Everyone’s so busy in the city, and it’s crowded. I once saw a man walk down the street in nothing but a speedo and no one even turned their head. Here in Ivy Grove, I find it occurring more and more.”

The waitress brought our coffees and took our food orders. Theo chose the breakfast platter of pancakes, eggs, sausage links, and fresh fruit, and I ordered the same.

“Do you miss the city?” Theo asked, stirring sugar and cream into his cup.