The Father of Her Son

Kelly didn’t need to write a ticket for Evan. Once Jake spotted him, he knew exactly how to prepare Evan’s breakfast. Her television anchor celebrity was a creature of habit. Kelly glanced back into the kitchen and saw Jake already preparing Evan’s hash browns and scrambled eggs with Jack cheese and chili peppers.

She left him to answer Matt’s relentless questions while she attended to other patrons. As she filled coffee cups and took orders, Kelly congratulated herself one more time for not letting on that Evan’s appearance this morning—just as his reappearance four months ago, looking more filled out, worldly wise and more strikingly handsome than ever—had shaken her right down to her well-worn running shoes.

Before his return, she’d almost forgotten about the hunky black-haired, blue-eyed newsman she’d met her first day on the job. She’d spotted him jaywalking across the street during Manhattan morning hour like Moses parting the Red Sea. When he walked through the doors of Herby’s diner she’d been so taken by his smile that she poured his cup too full, spilling coffee over the counter.

It was amazing how after seven years, Evan had simply waltzed into Neverland as if a mere day had passed as eager to see her as if he’d never left. He had been quick to explain how the assignment in Paris had turned into a job on the continent. Kelly was surprised to realize she still stewed over his lack of communication over the years and had no desire to hear his excuses. They had struck up a lovely friendship back then that he dropped as abruptly as he had started. Didn’t he know that telephones and email were modern-day conveniences that friends used to keep in touch...even seven years ago?

In reality, Evan had only grazed her thoughts while he was away. Too much had happened. Between dropping out of college for Matt’s birth, working the diner and those two hard years caring for Herby—the diner’s owner and her salvation before he passed away—Kelly didn’t have much time for quiet musings. She had taken pains to be sure Evan understood that she had no more to offer him than friendship, a cup of coffee and an occasional free meal. She had a son to raise and protect. A business to run. Owning the diner and the apartment upstairs that she’d inherited from Herby afforded her an independence she never expected.

She had become a mother and businesswoman with intentions of her own, and she meant to stick by them. A distraction like dating, especially with a charming yet intensely career-driven man like Evan McKenna, was simply unwelcome. If she dated at all she’d be better off with a quiet, easy-mannered guy who worked as hard as she did and had no craving for power or fame.

“Penny for your thoughts, Red?”

Evan had been watching her with more attention than usual.

She had been moving at a brisk clip delivering plates and writing up tickets. She hadn’t realized her mind was reflecting so easily on her face.

“I’m trying to decide if you should get the fresh bacon or the scraps for the stray dogs out back.”

A bearded man next to Matt guffawed.

Her son looked mortified. “Mom!”

Evan drummed his fingers on the counter to a silent beat, exchanging a conspiratorial glance with Matt. Instead of his usual retort, he simply stated, “If you knew what I had planned, you’d give me the whole pig.”

She turned to face him, planting fists on hips. “What are you up to, Evan?”

He tapped his breast pocket. “Got something here I’m willing to share to celebrate the interview, despite the fact you missed the show. It all depends on whether you can get a babysitter for Matt.”

“Mrs. Walsh will watch me!” Matt seemed to know what Evan had planned.

Reaching into the breast pocket of the impeccable navy suit, Evan slid two tickets across the counter. “Front row seats to Billy Elliot.”

She couldn’t help but grin. He must have overheard her telling Bunny yesterday that Billy Elliot was the one Broadway show she wanted to see this season. Temptation tugged, but a clearer head removed its silly hand. Nothing would be sweeter than a few hours’ escape into another world, not to mention Evan’s grin seemed to be doing silly things to her heart, which to her surprise, puttered a tad faster in her chest.

It didn’t matter. Kelly wouldn’t accept the offer. Not only was Evan not her type, there was no room in her plans for a relationship. A boyfriend would only distract her from raising her son. Dating would remove her from the diner for which she was eternally grateful and planned to make more successful than Herby could ever imagine. And lastly, what she was least willing to acknowledge, was that she had never dated...anyone.

She met Evan’s hopeful gaze with a grin. “Nice try, Evan. Won’t happen.”

“Oh, Mom.” Matt’s disappointment was palpable.

“And, I don’t appreciate you tangling Matt into your shenanigans.”

Evan ignored her. “Look closer. Row One. Center.”

She pushed the creamer and sugar toward Evan from its place by the napkin box. “I said, no. Now, be a nice patron and eat quickly. I have a busy morning ahead of me.”

Bunny passed Kelly and stopped when she saw the tickets. Two full plates in hand, she looked from the tickets to Kelly. “Billy Elliot? Are you going?”

Kelly laughed out loud at her trusted manager, who had no trouble waiting tables when the morning, lunch or dinner rush began. “No, Bunny. You and Evan both know I do not date.”

Bunny nodded once, then flashed Evan a saucy glance. “Right, then. I’ll be happy to go with you if she’s too lame-brained to go.”

If Evan was disappointed that Kelly turned him down—yet again, he didn’t show it. This was his eighth try in as many weeks to ask her out. Yet he grinned, shaking his head.

“Well then, ladies. It looks as though you two should take each other. The show starts at nine. The dinner rush should be over by then.”

The women exchanged looks. Even though Kelly had sabotaged his interview, Evan still asked her out. Rebuffed again, he was surrendering the tickets. The man was either a fool, a glutton for punishment or uncommonly generous. Something about the playful and confident look in his eyes both intoxicated and unnerved her. For her own security, Kelly needed to be in control when it came to men—but she had to do something. After all, Evan was a friend.

“Then you must let me pay for the tickets.”

Evan pushed the tickets back and called to Bunny as she planted the overflowing plates before two businessmen at the other end of the counter. “Take your boss out tonight, Bun. She looks like she could use a break.”

Wiping her hands on her apron, Bunny rushed back to scoop up the tickets before Kelly could change her mind. “Absolutely. It’s Tuesday. Quiet enough for us both to escape. Thanks, Evan!”

Kelly mustered a smile. “Yes. Thank you, Evan. You are way too kind.”

She ducked behind the heat-shield window to catch her best cook’s eye from the line of three who ran the morning grill. “Be sure you use the sweetest peppers in his-self’s potatoes. He is eating for free this morning.”

The burly man, sporting a skull and crossbones earring, winked in return. “They’re ready.”

Kelly retrieved Evan’s plate and refilled his coffee mug.

Evan tapped the deep sea-green granite countertop; the one major extravagance Kelly made when renovating the diner. “You enjoy the show tonight. Don’t mind me. I’ll just drown my rejection in Jake’s free, down-home Louisiana cooking.”

She reached under the counter for her ever-present Nikon and snapped a photo of Evan in sheer bliss at Jake’s superb cooking. Smiling to herself, she said, “That’ll be a keeper.”

He swallowed his food. “You certainly are a beautiful sight with a camera for a nose, Kelly Sullivan. I think you missed your calling.”

She gestured to the wall of framed photos she’d taken of patrons eating her food. “I think it’s time your mug took front and center on the Wall of Fame. Don’t you think?”

“Ahh, I thought you’d never offer!”

Matt had grown bored with their conversation and slid off his stool. A booth just outside Kelly’s office was designated as the rest station for family and staff. Matt tugged on Evan’s jacket and pointed to the booth. “Wanna play with my Lego?”

Evan actually looked disappointed. “Sorry, Matt-man. I have to get back to the office. How about we’ll build a spaceship next time?”

“Okay. I’m gonna start mine now!”

Kelly watched him climb into the booth beneath a large framed photo of her and Matt, taken by holding the camera at arm’s length. She smiled. “Again, Evan, thank you for the theater tickets. I hope to repay the gesture one day.”

He wiped his plate with a chunk of bread. “Dinner with me on Saturday night will work wonders to assuage my damaged pride.” The way one eyebrow arched to complement that crooked, playful smile made her stomach flip-flop.

“But, you know...”

He interrupted before she finished her worn-out declaration of no dating. “It’s not a date. It’s dinner for Matt for his birthday.”

The cable man appeared through the door. Bunny glanced her way before leading the man to the back corner of the building.

Guilt tugged on Kelly like an anchor around her neck as she watched the cable guy disappear into her office. Evan had easily forgiven her for not airing his show this morning, but from his excitement yesterday over snagging that interview with the awful Buzz Campbell, not supporting him had hurt Evan even if the circumstance did appear out of her control. She’d have to make amends this time simply to allay her own guilty feelings.

She swallowed hard. “It’s Tuesday, Evan. Do I have to give you an answer now?”

He shrugged. “I am a busy man, Kelly Sullivan. I don’t make time for just anyone. I’d appreciate a commitment.”

His lips twitched to keep from grinning. She liked that, but at the same time she chafed at pushy men. Kelly chided herself. Evan had been sweet with his continued offers to take her out. Seven years of celibacy was a hard taskmaster. Staring into Evan’s smiling eyes made it difficult to drum up reasons to support her stringent decision.

She was a different person from the scared and lonely girl he’d met seven years ago. She had full control of her world now. Yet, she could not deny that if Evan wasn’t so headstrong or ambitious, his looks alone could be enough to make her say yes.

Could she handle one dinner with Evan—especially with Matt in the mix? Matt worshipped Evan. He would love the time with him. Or would the dinner give Matt ideas about Evan becoming a part of their private life? She needed more time to stew over the invitation.

“Ask me later, Your Majesty. I need to take one more look at the FBI records to make sure you’re not a wanted felon.”

He finished the last of his coffee. “Then yes it is, Red. Those records will come up clean. We’ll confirm details Saturday morning. Thanks for breakfast.”

He eased off the stool and waved to Matt before exiting the diner, whistling.

Bunny sidled up next to her, watching Evan leave. “I told the cable man the cord got caught under the chair wheel. I’m making him shorten the cable line.”

Kelly wrapped an arm around her friend for a brief squeeze. “Brilliant solution, Bunny. Thank you.”

She shrugged. “Well, your plan of pulling the cable to land a date couldn’t have worked any better.”

“That was no plan!”

Bunny moved to a table with new customers. “Then why else would you take such a drastic measure to get his undivided attention?”

Kelly left that question unanswered. Better to endure the smile on Bunny’s face—which would surely last past lunch—rather than explain the truth. “It’s a birthday dinner for Matt. He’s going to love it.”

Matt heard his name and pulled his attention from his building bricks. “Does Evan know I want a homemade ice-cream cake?”

Bunny burst into laughter.

Kelly headed for the next customer. “No, son, but I’ll surely tell him.”

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, fast-rising career? The job took up all of his time. An anchor newsman was just that: weighted and staying put. Constant interviews. Meetings. Brainstorming ideas with his staff. He had become the face most New Yorkers wanted to watch every morning at eight. Could he honestly become a family man when he had married his job?

Perhaps. If his wife was as busy as he. His thoughts drifted back to Kelly, a rare breed that one. He didn’t want to change Kelly one bit. He just wanted to orbit the same world as her and Matt for a while to see if they and he matched.

Evan craved to know what had happened in Kelly’s life to produce Matt. He had his suspicions. Given her insistence on remaining independent and self-sufficient, he could only assume she’d been bullied, or overcontrolled. He was pretty sure she would not lie, but would she omit information? Yes, she was certainly capable of editing answers with a tongue as smooth as a leprechaun’s. He’d continue to follow his hunches. With time, he’d ferret out the answer.

He punched the elevator button in the lobby. Enough. Pushing Kelly and Matt from his mind, he started thinking about this next interview. Thoughts about Kelly had to be put on the back burner until Friday. Right. Like that was possible.

* * *

IT FELT LIKE a bit of hell not going to Neverland for breakfast for the rest of the week. The nature of his job had him on the set early and tying up loose ends afterward, but he’d always managed to shoot over to Kelly’s for breakfast before tackling the tasks after the show. This time, he dived directly into the after-show work instead of going to Neverland. He didn’t want to give Kelly a chance to back away from Saturday’s plans. He’d gotten this far, and he wasn’t about to blow it.

His next show featured a man who fought the courts for custody of his son from his estranged wife. According to his guest, after a whirlwind courtship, he’d married a woman with the best of intentions only to discover, after a year of marriage, that she suffered from dissociative identity disorder—or multiple personalities. After consulting with psychologists, he decided to end the marriage only to have his wife announce she was pregnant. The man stayed on for three more years until he realized that, as the child got older, exposure to his mother’s condition would be detrimental for his development—especially since one of the wife’s personalities tended toward violence.

Evan had learned that in child custody or children’s rights cases, the laws were often too broad to consider more delicate situations. Mothers were widely considered better nurturers for children than the fathers but laws were changing. His interviewee had gained full custody of his son.

Forward thinking, the man had tailored his burgeoning business to accommodate a day care on site for his son and the children of employees. He hired a staff of two preschool instructors. He paid the insurance and offered child care as an incentive to his employees. Not only was he able to bring his son to work but the working mothers on his payroll did, as well. The man’s bottom line increased because his employees were happy to be at work. Evan had wanted to feature this heroic dad and introduce alternatives for working parents and employers willing to take the initiative.

What drove Evan’s television interviews off the charts were these kinds of economic and social platforms that raised social consciousness. Talk show hosts talked about his topics for days afterward, many times pulling in the same folks he interviewed to follow up. But it was Evan who managed to find and interview these persons of interest first. Evan’s keen instinct for a good story kept his boss writing those bonus checks at the end of every quarter. He smiled when Steve knocked on his open office door.

“How about breaking for lunch?”

Evan checked the time in the corner of his computer monitor. Already past noon. “Where are you going?”

Steve shrugged. “Neverland? I’m craving one of Jake’s Friday specials.”

He needed to dodge the diner just one more day. “Hmm. Sounds great, but I’m putting the finishing touches on Monday’s show. I’m not coming in tomorrow.”

Steve raised an eyebrow. “Now, that’s a first.”

Evan met his friend’s concerned gaze. Steve came across as wily and distant like a silver fox, but Evan knew better. While Steve was Evan’s boss, the men had built a solid friendship during Evan’s time abroad. Steve had been an anchor at home, helping with story strategies and getting Evan the support he needed from the network while Evan roamed the continent on behalf of NCTV.

Beneath that austere exterior, Steve had a sense of humor and the heart of a family man. He still loved his wife of thirty-five years, boasted about his three grown kids and was waiting on the birth of his first grandchild.

“What’s the look for, Steve?”

“Only a woman could keep you from your desk tomorrow.”

Evan grinned. “Well, it is. And, she’s in Neverland and I don’t want to show up and give her a chance to back out.”

Steve slapped the door frame. “Well, I’ll be damned. So you groveled and she said yes.”

“You betchya, and proud of it.”

“Okay, then, how about lunch at Tao?”

Evan powered down his computer, leaving it in lock mode. He didn’t like to admit he couldn’t trust colleagues not to rifle through his files, but when it came to the ambitions of Dean Porter, anything could happen. He looked at his friend and decided, once again, against airing his concerns. Steve looked relaxed today. NCTV was running smoothly and up for an Emmy. No reason to throw darts at a balloon.

“On second thought, let’s go to Neverland. Tao is uptown and I don’t have much time. Kelly won’t dare mess with our plans with you at the counter.”

Steve chuckled. “That’s my man. I’d hate to miss Jake’s good cooking.”

* * *

THERE WERE ALWAYS new customers in Neverland. That was what made Manhattan so exciting. But Kelly didn’t like the way this particular man watched her while he ate Jake’s special corned beef sandwich.

Not that he looked dangerous. Gray suit, navy tie, blue button-down shirt. Well groomed, indeed, but there was something predatory in his smile, which he flashed every time she glanced his way. Better to get it over with and confront the man. She preferred handling clowns like this head-on, rather than finding them lurking around later.

She pointed to his empty glass. “Would you like another New Castle?”

“Sure.” He pushed his glass forward as she pulled another beer from the icebox.

She poured. “Everything fine with your meal?”

“Everything, except a few answers.”

She frowned, fully expecting a come-on. “What questions?”

He pulled a business card from his pocket. “I’m Jay Doyle. I report for the New York Sentinel.”

The gossip rag of the city. Good Lord, had someone spoken badly of Neverland? She offered him her most winning smile. “Lovely. What can I do for you?”