The Father of Her Son - By Kathleen Pickering Page 0,55
black priest vestments, he portrayed an excellent example of a distinguished, savvy man of the cloth and she didn’t think this way just because Michael was her brother. If he were a stranger she would have taken a second glance at him. Michael’s quiet confidence and handsome, intelligent face could well inspire a person to attend one of his services just to listen to his particular view on humanity’s collective soul. She would depend on her confidence in Michael’s honest point of view when he delivered whatever information had him concentrating so hard as he looked out the window.
“You look like you’re deep in meditation.”
He stood, a smile immediately crossing his lips. “Kelly.”
His hug felt so very good. She breathed in his familiar woodsy scent and felt an immediate tie to home, turf and family. “I am glad you are on this side of the ocean, Michael. Hugging you makes the world seem wonderful.”
“Aye. Please, sit. I’m hoping you’ll feel the same after we chat.”
Now, that comment didn’t sound promising. She declined the menu the waitress offered. “I’ll just have coffee.”
Michael ordered the same and a slice of cheesecake.
Kelly studied her brother. “What’s wrong?”
He shook his head. “We have work to do on damage control of huge proportions.”
Thinking they were both on the same page, she said, “So, you saw Evan’s broadcast this morning, as well. I am so angry with him. Thank you for saying Matt and I can stay with you.”
Michael shrugged. “You may not need to stay with me after all.”
“Why not?”
“I had lunch with Evan.”
An unbidden heat flushed her cheeks. “So that’s why you’re in town?”
He nodded. “I’m not going behind your back. He asked me to meet him.”
“Why?”
“Evan spoke with Senator Campbell after his show. News is not good.”
No doubt, Buzz Campbell had reacted to Evan’s challenge. Her defenses rose like a cone over a nuclear silo. “I am not surprised. What did he say?”
Michael expelled a long breath. “It seems that Campbell has obtained the DNA results he wanted. He has proof that Matthew is his son.”
Her throat tightened. “How?”
“One of Evan’s coworkers took a discarded juice box Matt had used.”
She slapped the table. “I knew he shouldn’t have gone in that day!”
“It may have been for the better. Legally, Campbell would have had you surrender Matt for testing anyway. In the long run this saved your son discomfort.”
A wave of despair filled her; Kelly’s worst nightmare was coming to pass. “So, now what?”
“You may be angry at Evan for his public statement but it had the desired effect.”
“What do you mean?”
Despite the concern in his eyes, Michael smiled. “Campbell wants to play hardball. Evan seems to have just the bat to slam the old boy out of the field.”
“That seems impossible.”
“Well, the plan is tricky, but it can work if you cooperate.”
“What do I have to do?”
Michael’s gaze homed in on hers. “Marry Evan.”
“What?” She fell back in her chair. “Surely you jest, Michael.”
They both fell silent as the waitress arrived with their coffees. Kelly took a moment to catch the breath lodged in her throat. Watching the woman place the beverages, oblivious to her distress, made the entire situation seem fake. How could Michael waltz into her life after eight years and expect her to share coffee with him in a civil manner and accept an arranged marriage while her world crumbled around her? When the waitress departed, Kelly dived right in.
“Don’t you go adopting Evan McKenna’s insanity, Michael. I need your levelheaded thinking here. A good attorney can handle what needs to be done.”
“Not this time, Kelly. Listen to me.”
“I won’t, Michael. I don’t trust Evan’s motives. I can’t believe you agree with him!”
“Kelly, this is not about you or Evan. Do you or do you not want to keep your son?”
She stopped cold. “How can you ask such a question?”
“Because you are losing focus on what is important here.”
“I won’t accept a lie.”
Michael shrugged. “To save your son you just may have to rethink your position. Campbell said that if Evan can erase any link between you, Matt and the senator, he’ll make the DNA test disappear. Otherwise he’ll use the test and his muscle to take Matt from you—permanently.”
The earth shifted beneath her. “So, it is finally happening. Buzz is coming after me.”
Michael shook his head. “Only if forced. Seems the White House is more important than you or Matt, thank God. With these accusations hanging over his head, he’ll demand custody of Matt to correct his mistake in