The Father of Her Son - By Kathleen Pickering Page 0,84
code we held between us. He said he’d done it for my own good. I don’t believe that was entirely true.”
He sipped the clear liquid from his flute. A soft smile curled his lips. “This champagne was Winston Churchill’s favorite. We drink in good company. Bully for us.”
Frowning, she toasted him once more. Those refreshing, delightful bubbles were wreaking havoc with her emotions to begin with. Hearing that Evan quit his job because of her made her want to gulp the remains and refill the glass. He’d waited all day to tell her, as if the information was an afterthought.
“What are you going to do?”
He shrugged. “Honestly? Right now it frees me up to research my original plan to protect you against Buzz. I wasn’t kidding when I said I believe we can get him convicted.”
“How?”
“Ideally? Plan A is to ask you to speak publicly about what truly happened between you and Buzz. Then get Quince to explain how you had no choice but to hide Matt to protect you both from further damaging interactions with Buzz. That would clarify why you went underground with your child. I can guarantee you that the majority of the population has no idea how damaging the current laws are against women who keep children born from rape.”
Kelly practically choked. “No, Evan. I can’t do that!”
He held up a hand. “I know, Red. Hear me out.”
This time she took a mouthful of champagne and swallowed it in a lump down her throat.
Evan noticed. “Easy, girl. Small sips. This is worth enjoying.”
“The way you’re jumping from my personal life to your love of this champagne is nerve-racking.”
He settled back in his chair. “May I explain myself?”
She was suddenly feeling edgy. His insistence that she do his bidding—exactly what she didn’t want to do—had her guard rising. She waved a hand. “Certainly.”
“All I’m trying to do is calm you down. Do you really think I don’t understand how traumatized you were by this experience with Buzz? Do you think I don’t understand how disappointed you must have been when your life turned upside down and steered you away from your original plans? Do you think I don’t understand the absolute conviction, courage and strength it took to work those exhausting hours for the past seven years as a single mom to keep your son safe while still finding joy in your child and your life? Do you think that I don’t admire your independent spirit? Or that while I might turn you on as a lover—and oh, by the way, a lover like you I have never known—you are such a classy and morally sound woman that you still refused to jump at the chance to marry me, even to lighten your burden?
“I can guarantee that you never even once considered me as a cash source because you are so fiercely proud. Did you know that I don’t even think that I could sacrifice my happiness to marry a person I did not love in a complete last effort to protect my son? You amaze me, Kelly Sullivan. You absolutely have rocked my world. So finally, I ask you. Do you think for one second that I would ask you to do anything that would hurt you or Matt?”
Her mouth fell open. Evan Thomas McKenna was completely clear on what she had gone through to reach this point in her life. Knew the heartache and danger she faced right now, lost his job over it and married her anyway.
Unbelievable.
He leaned close and intertwined his left hand with hers so their rings reflected the soft candlelight. “I believe it is in your best interest to accuse Buzz Campbell of rape and have the bastard tried, convicted and thrown in jail.”
When she went to protest he held up a stopping hand.
“But, I will honor your need to protect Matt, even though I think he would come to understand how much you love him despite his origins. So, mark my words. I will put Buzz Campbell in jail with or without your help. I just want you to be clear on what I’m going to do.”
“The devastation runs so much deeper than Matt and me, Evan. I’m thinking of Madeline Campbell and Emily and Mary Kate. I loved that family. If I call Buzz a liar and declare rape, my accusations would damage those three in the exact same manner Dean’s interview damaged me and Matthew. I simply will not hurt anyone else over that man’s crime. If you