topic they were about to discuss.
Evan’s housekeeper had served coffee and pastries. A welcoming breeze cooled the warm air. With the boys occupied, Evan opened the file before him. He gave Kelly a meaningful glance.
“I’ve helped so many people in difficult situations but I never quite understood how the deck gets stacked against a woman who becomes pregnant from an assault.”
Father Michael frowned. “I’m sure shame keeps many women from coming forward for help.”
Evan shook his head. “It’s worse than that, Michael. New York State law is abysmal in protecting women in this situation.”
Hearing Evan voice what she already knew sent a wave of gratitude through Kelly. “Now you understand one of the reasons I kept my secret.”
Evan met her gaze. “You are an amazing woman, Kelly. I admired you before, but after what I’ve learned I am humbled by your strength.”
Julie leaned forward. “I don’t understand.”
Kelly couldn’t believe she could finally relive her trauma out loud without shame or secrecy. “I lost control of my life for a while after I left the Campbell’s. The chaos of emotions and shame had me reeling. I couldn’t quite believe that what had happened actually did. I was too afraid of Buzz Campbell to press charges. When I realized that a baby was made, I panicked. I went to a center for women for advice.”
“What did you learn?” The concern in the other woman’s face offered encouragement.
“That the state would support me financially if I either aborted the baby or gave him up for adoption.”
Michael’s voice reflected his surprise. “And if you kept the baby?”
Kelly’s lips pressed together to tamp down her long-buried anger. “The courts would not consider the incident a rape. I would receive no protection to keep the father away nor any monetary aid.”
“That’s outrageous!”
Evan added, “What’s worse, and why Kelly is so adamant about Matt’s identity staying secret, is that rape is not included on the very short list of reasons accepted by the court to terminate a man’s claim to paternity.”
“What?” Julie and Michael responded at the same time.
A press of unshed tears threatened to fall. Kelly swiped at one that escaped down her cheek. Heaven help her, this was the first time she had supporters fighting for her, and against Buzz Campbell. Herby George never knew she’d been raped. He had protected her and Matt as a father would. But these three sitting with her were raising the banner on her behalf without judgment or revulsion. She swallowed the flood of emotions rising in her throat.
“Evan is correct. In this state, a rapist may claim custody rights if a child is born from the attack and the mother chooses to keep the babe.”
Julie sat back in her chair. “So, Senator Campbell is well within his right to demand this DNA test.”
Kelly spoke softly. “And could most probably succeed in taking Matt from me because of his political position and the fact that I am a single mother.”
Michael slammed a fist on the table. “We will not permit that to happen.”
“I don’t know how we can stop him, Michael.”
“I do.”
They all looked at Evan. The determination in his face had Kelly raising her guard. She knew what he was going to say, but asked anyway. “What do you suggest, Evan?”
“Go public with your story, Kelly. It’s the only way to...”
“No.” The word escaped her lips before he even finished his sentence. “I love my son. I don’t care who the father was. For all anyone knows I received an anonymous donation from a sperm bank. But if Matthew came to understand that he was produced from violence, I cannot imagine what emotional effect that information would have on him. I will not expose him to such scandal.”
Evan pressed on. “Kelly, your son is too young to understand what assault means. We can handle how Matt receives this information until he is older. Right now, all he needs to understand is that you love him more than life. That fact is clear to everyone, especially to that little boy.”
“Can you edit the jibes from children in the school yard? Or from strangers in the grocery store who recognize us from television? Or from the slur campaign Buzz Campbell will surely launch? No. Matt will hear cruel words. I will not entertain the idea.”
Alarms had started pounding in her head. Was Evan insisting on this point of attack because the newsman in him wanted the latest story sensation to be his? Her heart sank when he confirmed her suspicion.
“Kelly,