was leading up to their first question.
“Here with me this morning is Kelly Sullivan, who is the target of Campbell’s accusations. Kelly was the Campbell’s nanny seven years ago as stated in the news report.” He smiled at Kelly before returning his focus to the camera. “I’d like to add that Kelly just recently became my wife. I’ve taken a personal interest in proving that Senator Campbell has lied to everyone, including his own wife about what happened on the night Kelly’s son was conceived.”
Evan’s aqua-blue eyes turned to Kelly, full of understanding. His gaze helped her to concentrate on his words instead of the nerves making her head buzz.
“I want to make sure everyone understands the enormous amount of courage it has taken for you to speak the truth behind this incident after all this time.”
She nodded at his acknowledgment. “Evan, if not for that awful interview, I would still be keeping my counsel about my son. I am not happy to be discussing this publicly.” The answer rolled off her tongue of its own volition and surprised her as much as it did Evan. It was not what they had rehearsed earlier.
He shot her an imperceptibly encouraging nod. “And why are you speaking out now?”
It seemed impossible to say these words out loud because her superstitious heart believed words spoken could become real.
She swallowed hard. “Because Senator Campbell is taking legal action for custody of my son. In his own words, the senator said that my son would be his by Christmas. I have to stop him. I do not believe his intentions are honorable.”
Evan squeezed her hand. “Let’s get right to the point. Senator Campbell insists that you seduced him late one night after he fell asleep on the living room couch. Thus, bringing about your pregnancy. Is that what happened?”
Feeling the heat of an unwanted blush on her cheeks, she shook her head. “No. The night I became pregnant with my son, Senator Campbell entered my bedroom while I slept. He assaulted me.” Her throat tightened as she continued. “I had never been with a man before. I tried to escape him, but he’d locked the door, tore my nightgown and forced himself on me.”
She inhaled a huge breath, her gaze glued to Evan as if he was an anchor for her ship in a floundering sea.
His gaze softened, encouraging her. She could see by the crease in his brow that emotionally he was right there, tied into her. Her story was upsetting him all over again.
“And then what happened, Kelly?”
“The next morning, I quit. I took a taxi while the senator was on his morning jog because I was terrified of seeing him again.”
“Why is that?”
“Because after he...assaulted me, he let me know that this secret between us would also become part of my job description.”
Evan continued. “And when you discovered you were pregnant? Why did you keep your son a secret?”
Kelly’s voice became quiet. “I learned that if a woman who becomes pregnant from a rape chooses to keep the child, the state considers the accusation of rape as fraudulent and awards the perpetrator joint custody of the child. I believed Senator Campbell was a danger to me—and to my son. If the senator knew about Matthew, he would be granted access to my boy and to me. I could not take that chance.”
“So you raised your baby alone.”
She nodded once. “Yes, with the help of Herbert George, my employer at the diner.”
“What are your intentions now, Kelly?”
They had rehearsed the answer several times. She wanted to say it perfectly. It was the platform from which she would throw the first snowball.
“I am seeking to press charges against Senator Campbell for first degree rape. I would like to see the senator put in jail.”
* * *
THE PRESS OF news reporters at Neverland Diner once again overflowed into the street. While Kelly thought fending off their questions was a downright nuisance, Bunny and Jake assured her that Neverland was becoming a city hot spot from all the press. Business was booming. A reporter from a national magazine left a business card. The phone had been ringing off the hook from other news stations wanting to interview Kelly. She, in turn, had contacted Helen Thompson to alert her to the morning’s interview before it aired so that Helen could add Kelly’s actions to the campaign against Buzz Campbell.
In the meantime, Bunny had a niece who was looking for work. Bunny brought her in part-time to help