The Father of Her Son. Kathleen Pickering

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      CHAPTER THREE

      ONE FACT CONSUMED Evan’s thoughts as he headed back to the office. Kelly hadn’t said no to Saturday night. This was the closest he’d gotten to a yes from her and he hightailed it out of Neverland before she could reconsider her halfhearted agreement.

      When he’d first returned to New York, Steve Fiore said Kelly owned the revamped Neverland diner. Evan’s heart did a little twist when he found her ensconced behind the counter, eyes wide at the sight of him.

      Yet, Kelly had changed. He’d realized why the minute she introduced him to Matt. Evan had done the math. Matt had been conceived within months after he and Kelly first met, on the first day Herby, the old softie, had hired her.

      Kelly wouldn’t budge on revealing the paternity of the boy. Honestly, he didn’t care. He was more concerned that perhaps some deadbeat needed to be paying child support. If that was the case, he’d be more than happy to hunt down the bastard. Kelly clearly loved her son to distraction, but whatever she went through to get that great kid into her life, the deed had left its mark. Kelly had lost her innocence. She had become cautious while still remaining alluring. Caring, but from the distance of a football field.

      Why the hell hadn’t he called her while he was gone? Checked up on her?

      He knew why. But he didn’t even want to go there. Not now that his career launched as he had planned. He swallowed the guilt that he may have hurt her. Back then, he didn’t have the time to concentrate on a relationship. Funny how the tables had turned. Now that his career was on solid ground, he was ready to find a wife and begin a family. After all the women he’d dated, his sights continued to zero in on Kelly. No other woman compared. Getting her to date him would help fill the void in his happiness as only a companion could.

      Yes, indeed. He was all for second chances. And for finding answers. He wanted to help Kelly as much as he wanted to date her. Someday, he’d unearth Matt’s father. If the guy had hurt Kelly in any way, he’d make sure the dude got his comeuppance.

      Evan’s notoriety in the news world came from his doggedness with a story. If he got wind of possible news, he sniffed out every corner, every fact, every morsel of research until he put flesh on the skeletons he found.

      The radar he depended on to alert him to something fishy was pinging intensely over Neverland’s cable being out of service. Something didn’t add up. Yesterday when he confided in Kelly that Buzz Campbell was his secret interview, she had been holding her precious Nikon camera. When he said Campbell’s name the delicate instrument slipped from her hands. Evan managed to catch the camera before it hit the floor, but he hadn’t missed the intense shock that had filled those gorgeous green eyes.

      Leaving Neverland now, it hit like a jolt that he actually knew nothing about Kelly other than the usual safe, small talk. Irish born. Parents strict Roman Catholics. Her father owned a limousine service, her mother was a homemaker. Two older brothers, married with kids. A sister and another brother, Michael, the priest. Kelly couldn’t afford to not work. Raising Matt left no time for dating.

      She’d delivered the obvious facts.

      All in a tidy little nutshell.

      Was there more to the sultry redhead than met the eye? Was she a fugitive from Ireland? A runaway from a marriage? Whatever the secret, his gut prodded him to learn more. All avenues pointed to Matt. Kelly was a pro at keeping topics away from her personal life. Like the enchantress she was, she got folks talking about themselves, leaving little room for self-revelation. And when one did ask questions, as Evan always had, she was quick with that sexy little shrug, pensive look or heart-stopping smile and an evasive answer.

      Well, now, Kelly was giving him cause for thought. Her clumsiness after he told her about the senator could very well have been coincidence—slippery fingers, given how quickly she’d been moving around. But something in her face, like mortification or fear, hit the alarm button. His instincts had made him one hell of a good newsman. He’d never ignored them before, and he surely would not now.

      He wanted to understand this woman who fascinated him. Only, what if he found bad news? Like an abandoned husband somewhere or that she was a conspirator in some illegal activity with the IRA. For sure, even his own family had problems with that faction. What if she’d kidnapped Matt and he wasn’t really hers?

      Nah. The kid had her eyes. His gut told him Kelly’s trouble was personal; something that made her cautious. Distant. He didn’t think what she was hiding would be enough to keep him away. If anything, it triggered his protective inclinations. He hadn’t felt like that...ever.

      He’d always assumed he’d eventually settle down. His momma didn’t raise a fool. He’d watched his parents, who still loved each other after thirty years. That’s what Evan wanted in his relationship. Something simple and passionate that could stand the test of time.

      Question was, how would he fit simple and passionate into his high-powered, СКАЧАТЬ