The Father of Her Son

Kelly frowned. “I don’t see a basketball hoop, Matt. For goodness’ sake, were you snooping?”

Evan pointed to an area blocked by another floating wall. Over its top, she would be able to see that the ceiling rose to a second level.

“It’s over there,” he said. “Come on. I’ll show you.”

Kelly followed him around the wall. A large open game area held a regulation pool table, an antique table with two chairs set for a chess game, a Ping-Pong table and yes, the rest of the room was laid out to accommodate a half court, regulation-height basketball hoop.

At the far end of the room, a detached staircase led up to a loft that housed his master bedroom suite backlit with more windows. Evan gestured toward the stairs.

“The stairs lead to my room. That hallway at the foot of the stairs goes to guest bedrooms. Would you like a tour?”

Kelly’s jaw dropped. “You live here? Alone?”

He shrugged. “I bought it when I took the home job. Do you like it?”

She smiled. “It’s wonderful. You’re a lucky man.”

Matt tugged on Evan’s hand. “What’s that?” He pointed to the pinball machine.

“Wow,” Kelly said.

Evan grinned. “That is an original Flash Gordon pinball machine. Ever play one?”

Matt’s wide-eyed look held awe. “I don’t know what it is.”

Evan crossed the distance to the pinball machine in a few strides. “Come on, Matt-man. I’ll set you up. The sounds are great. You can play while I finish making your birthday supper.”

Evan pinched a handful of quarters from a bowl on the table next to another overstuffed lounge chair. He tugged the ottoman over to the machine.

Matt scrambled onto the ottoman, looking into the pinball machine as if he’d discovered a secret world. “Wow! What does it do?”

Evan dropped a quarter into the slot. The machine lit up. Bells sounded and a dastardly but hilarious, “Ah, ha, ha!” resounded.

Matt yelled with delight. “How do you play?”

Evan showed Matt how to launch the silver ball and manipulate the flippers on the sides of the table. The machine dinged and pinged with lights flashing every time the ball hit a bumper beneath the glass. It didn’t take long for Matt to become completely absorbed with the game—especially with that large bowl of quarters on hand. The boy was grinning from ear to ear.

“Oh, man. This is the best birthday, ever!”

Satisfied that Matt was entertained for the moment, Evan gestured toward the kitchen, where a pot of water boiled on the stove. “Kelly, would you like a glass of wine?”

With a longing look at the pinball machine, she said, “I’ve never played.”

Chuckling, he led her to a chair at the black granite counter. “I’ll make sure you get a turn.” He circled to the work side of the counter. He poured a glass of Cabernet to match his. “Anything for you, Kelly. When are you going to figure that out?”

He regretted his words the moment they left his mouth. Kelly stiffened in her seat, her glass stopping in midair.

She pointed a finger at him. “Now, Sir Smooth, save the suave words for your lady friends.”

Oh, well. Now he had to save face. He held up a stopping hand. “Sorry. I can’t help myself with your hair down like that.”

She lowered her voice to a whisper. “If it wasn’t Matt’s birthday, we would not be here. Now behave!”

He tapped his glass to hers. “Mea culpa.”

Well, he’d pay in spades. Just watching her lift the glass to those luscious lips was payback enough. Damn. He’d love to be that glass.

Before taking another sip she gave him her sternest look. “No tomfoolery here now, Evan McKenna. You promised.”

He sipped his wine if only to do something with his mouth other than try to kiss her, and nearly groaned when she let the flavor of her wine swirl on her tongue before swallowing.

“Mmm. This is delicious.”

I’ll bet you are. If he was going to make this night a success he had to get his head out of the bedroom, or the living room floor, or the dining room table. He held up the bottle. “It’s a good year.”

“Oh, yes? And which year is that?”

“The year we met.”

She almost choked.

He reached over to pat her back. “Did I have that bad an effect on you?”

She held a hand to her throat. “That year was rather awful for me. I’d say the following year was a better time.”

“Why do you say that?”

She frowned. “Well, it doesn’t matter. That year began a prestigious career for you. So I’m happy to toast to a fine year.” She lifted her glass.

He studied her from across the counter. There she was dodging information, one more time. “Yes, there was that.”

She smiled sweetly. “Is there anything I can do to help with the meal?”

She looked uncomfortable again and it pained him that she felt she had to be so protective. He shook his head. “You serve folks every day. I want you to relax and enjoy yourself.”

Behind them the pinball machine dinged wildly. Matt jumped up and down on the ottoman. “Score!”

“Easy on the furniture, son.”

“Okay.” Without even looking at Kelly, he slipped another quarter into the machine and began playing again.

“Don’t worry. I bought the furniture to handle my rowdiest friends. Matt can do no harm in here. Let him be free.”

Kelly smiled. “That’s nice. Thank you. He doesn’t get much room in the apartment.”

“Well, you and Matt are welcome here anytime.”

“I’ll be sure to call first. Wouldn’t want to interrupt a hot date.”

He laughed. Boy, did she have the wrong idea. “Not much worry there.”

She slanted him a sideways glance. “Oh, please. Your reputation precedes you.”

“Lies. All of them.”

“Hmm. I seem to remember some political, fund-raising auction and you were the main prize for a dinner date.”

“Oh, don’t remind me of that hellish night.”

She chuckled. “If I remember correctly, three women pooled their money and you ended up taking them all out. Even I bought the tabloids to read about your escapades.”

He slapped his chest. “Tell me you didn’t.”

“I didn’t. But, I was tempted.”

He leaned closer. “And what about you?”

“I never...”

“Yes?”

There it was again. Their easy conversation stalled midway by Kelly’s refusal to speak her mind. What would it take to make her trust him?

She sipped her wine. “I never discuss my private life.”

He laughed. “Touché.”

He’d have to try another way to penetrate her defenses. Instead, he tasted the sauce. Not bad. He turned the burner off. Dropped fresh pasta into the boiling water. “Just five minutes and we can eat.”

He stirred the pasta in the pot, wanting very much to stir another proverbial pot. Taking a shot at the hard questions with Kelly would certainly quash any flirting he had on his mind.

He added more wine to her glass. “So tell me, Kelly. Who is your best friend?”

She frowned. “Bunny, I’d say.”

“No, she is your employee.”

“Well, she has also grown to be my friend.”

He sipped his wine. “As luck would have it.” He took another tack. “Then tell me this. Is she your confidante? Someone you can trust?”

“No. Herby was the closest person to me and now he’s gone.”

The pinball machine sounded. “Bwaa, ha, ha!” Matt’s laughter pulled their attention to him.

Across the counter, Evan could sense Kelly’s defenses rising, as he expected. He found it hard to believe that someone as personable as Kelly didn’t allow anyone except a kindly old gent into her inner sanctuary.

She turned her attention back to him. “Why do you ask, Evan?”

He poured the steaming pasta into a colander in the sink then shook the extra water from the noodles. He placed a pasta bowl next to the sink.

“You seemed distressed yesterday afternoon when Steve and I arrived at Neverland. You did a fine job of distracting Steve, my dear, but not me. I was wondering if you have anyone to talk to when something bothers you.”

She managed a smile. “Not much bothers me, Evan.”

He shook his head. “You don’t fool me, Kelly Sullivan. Something rattled your cage yesterday, and I saw it. As your friend, I want you to know, I’m here if you ever need me.”

He was talking as he worked, pouring the pasta into the serving bowl, ladling the sauce over the top, pulling the Parmesan cheese from the refrigerator and slicing a chunk into the hand grater.

Kelly placed her goblet on the counter, pulling herself up on the stool like a Valkyrie. “I appreciate the offer, Evan, but let me be honest with you.”

Uh-oh. Would she unleash her Irish ire even before Matt had his cake? “Okay. Shoot.”

“You are a newsman. A very clever, crafty and intelligent researcher who surpasses his counterparts in every way.”

He didn’t expect the compliment. “Why, thank you, Red.”

She shook her head. “I am not done.”

He met her fiery gaze. “Oh.”

“You have been snooping for answers about my life since you returned. I like my privacy. If I wanted to share things with you or anyone, I would have. Sometimes you’re a tad too big for your britches—even if they do fit you to a fine turn.”

He burst out laughing at that. “Well I’ve never been shot down and built up so effectively in one delivery.”

She nodded once. “The pleasure is mine.”

He wanted to thank her for the pleasure of just watching her get all heated up defending herself. He loved the way her chest heaved beneath the gauzy green dress with the embroidery that matched the dye and traced the V-neck of the dress right into her delightful cleavage. That, along with the jangle of her bracelets mixed with her bravado and unabashed ease in standing her ground with him, all turned him on something fierce. He tore his eyes from the daring in her emerald-green gaze and pulled garlic bread from the warming drawer beneath the oven. He tossed the salad with his favorite homemade balsamic dressing, if only to give himself time to regroup. This intoxicating woman was having an even more profound effect on him simply by sitting in his kitchen.

She settled back down into her seat, as if ready to move on from the topic. “You are quite the chef.”

He tapped his wineglass to hers. “There is so much you don’t know about me, Ms. Sullivan. Hopefully, we’ll change that.”

He lifted his focus to the game room. “Yo, Matt-man. Help me serve dinner.”

“Almost done!” Matt was becoming a pinball wizard in his own right, working the flippers as if he had been born in the sixties.

Evan laughed. “I think I’ve created a monster.”

Kelly sipped her wine. “I suppose we’ve all created a few of those in our time, now, Evan. Haven’t we?”

CHAPTER FIVE

WHEN THE PHONE rang at five-thirty Monday morning, Kelly was already up preparing lunch for Matt’s first day of school. She reached for the phone frowning. Either someone was in distress or calling long-distance. Those long-distance calls usually left her distressed. She wasn’t happy when she read the caller ID. She considered not answering, but Mum would chase her down until they finally spoke. She might as well take the call. Matt still slept.

“Top of the morning to ya, Kelly m’ love!”

Kelly scrunched her face. “And a fine morning it is, Mum. What a surprise to hear from you so early.”

“It’s almost noon here. I knew you’d be up being the businesswoman you are. Have you found yourself a husband yet?”

She rolled her eyes at the familiar question. “Saints be praised, no. Neverland is all mine, and I don’t have to share it with anyone.”

“You’ve always been a peculiar child.”

“Mum, did you call me just to air your insults?”

“I’m only well meaning. You know that.”

What would Mum say if she knew about her six-year-old grandson? Keeping Matt’s existence unknown to her family had been easy since none of them ever ventured farther than the Kinsale county line. As far as Matt was concerned, Grampy Herby had been his grandfather, and his death had closed that door. He was too young to consider anything else. Although they were few and far between, Kelly was vigilant in never taking long-distance calls when Matt was within earshot. Of all of her careful planning and covering her tracks, this was the trickiest tightrope she walked.

“So, what can I do for you today, Mum? How is Da?”

“He’s just fine. I’m calling to tell you that Michael has moved to New York. He left yesterday. Have ye heard from him?”

A lump caught in her throat. “Michael?”

“Yes! They’ve assigned him as pastor of a lovely parish in Brooklyn. I know he’ll be busy, but he wants to see you as soon as possible. Being near his baby sister was part of his reason for going to the States.”

The floor shifted beneath her feet. Oh, my God! She dropped onto the stool at the counter. With her brother living a train ride away, she would be busted in no time.

“Kelly? Are you there?”

“Yes. Of course. That is wonderful news. How can I find him?”

“His new parish is called The Church of The Little Flower, after Saint Theresa. Isn’t that lovely?”

“He will be wonderful for the congregation, I’m sure. Is it a large church?” Lord, she would begin babbling soon, but staunch Catholic that her mother was, anything to do with the church was exciting conversation. Kelly asked nonsense so she could get her wits about her.

“It’s a good size, he tells me. He showed me a photo before he left. The church is lovely. Beautiful windows.”

“I have to call him. Do you know his phone number?” She scribbled the number on a notepad. “I’ll contact him as soon as I can. This is quite a surprise.”

Mum chuckled. “I knew you’d be happy. I’ll be going now. Your Da will be wanting his lunch. Will you call me to tell me how your reunion goes?”

“Of course!” Her heart was about to pound out of her chest.

“That’s a good daughter.”

“Big hug and kiss to all. Bye, Mum.”

She hung up way too fast, but she couldn’t help it. What was she going to do? She sat, head in hands in the predawn light thinking her world was about to cave in around her head. How would she explain Matt to Michael, let alone Michael to Matt? Well, when the time came she’d be honest and matter-of-fact. If he was old enough to tackle a first day of school, he’d be old enough to wrap his brain around the idea that they had family in a foreign country. She’d figure out the details later.

She lifted her head. She’d dealt with worse. Offense made the best defense she’d always heard. As she finished packing Matt’s lunch, a plan started forming in her mind. Good Catholic girl that she was, she just might have to make a visit to church.

* * *

LUCKILY, MATT’S SCHOOL was within walking distance and the morning was sunny and warm. He looked like a little man in his light blue Henley and chino shorts. He gripped the straps of his new Urban Hero backpack with enough nervous energy to make Kelly glad to be accompanying the small troupe of kids and their mothers. Actually, nothing would have stopped her from this momentous occasion in her son’s life. If all of New York clamored for breakfast at Neverland, she’d send them away, or make them wait. Life would always go on, but these precious moments were meant to be cherished.

She walked with Donna while Matt and Jared chattered with their friends. When they arrived at the school with kids swarming everywhere, Matt froze in place. Kelly hugged him hard as the teachers began rounding up the kids.

“You’ll have a great day today, Matt. I’ll be right here waiting for you at two-thirty.”

Matt watched the other kids lining up as if deciding whether or not it was a good idea to join them. Kelly leaned over. “Remember when we checked out your classroom last week? I can’t wait to hear about all the fun things you do when I see you later.”

Jared tugged on his shirt. “C’mon, dude!”

Jared’s enthusiasm seemed to cinch Matt’s resolve. “Okay, Mom. See you later!”

Kelly stared at the doorway he disappeared through, amazed at the mixture of pride and abandonment she felt that her baby was stepping out into the world without her. He’d probably fare better than she would, worrying about him all day.

She and Donna headed back for Neverland.

“So, I’ve been dying to ask you. How did your date go Saturday night with Evan?”

The absurdity of the question made her laugh. “Matt’s birthday dinner was great fun. Did you know Evan has half of a basketball court in his game room?”

Donna chuckled. “Okay, avoid the question.”

“It was no date, Donna, but it was really nice of Evan to go to all that effort for Matt. He’s a good friend.”

Do you have anyone to confide in? Evan’s question flooded her mind. Was it only two nights ago that he had made the evening so very comfortable for both her and Matt? The thought of having him for a confidant reached deeper than she had imagined, but then again, he was a man used to adjusting the world to get what he wanted. She pushed the thought of Evan from her mind and was glad when they reached Neverland. “So, I’ll see you back at school around two-fifteen, Donna?”

“Okay! I’m headed downtown. Jeff and I are celebrating our anniversary this weekend. I have to find a gift.”

Anniversary. A husband. Time spent together. She wondered if she’d ever know what that was like. She tied on her apron and approached the nearest customers to take their orders.

* * *

MICHAEL HAD CALLED twice but she hadn’t answered the phone. She couldn’t until she had the chance to put her plan into action. She’d had to wait until Saturday. Now, she passed through the front doors of the Church of the Little Flower. As she worked her way down the center aisle, she was struck by the cool air wafting through the shadowed vestibule, the smell of incense, beeswax and summer flowers that were bunched in bouquets along the altar. With one phone call to the rectory, Kelly learned that the pastor and the only other priest in the rectory listened to Confession on Saturday afternoons.

The only problem, Kelly thought as she watched the two confessionals with the little red lights glowing above the priests’ doors, was to discern which cubicle held her brother. If Kelly was going to pull off her plan, she at least needed the ear of the correct priest.

An elderly woman exited from behind the curtain of the closest confessional. Kelly approached her.

“Excuse me. I’d like to speak with Pastor Sullivan. Do you know where he is?”

The woman indicated the confessional from which she came. “He’s in there, my dear.” She patted Kelly’s arm and headed for the kneeling bench before a small altar in an alcove.

Kelly stared at the vacant cubicle adjacent to the closed door where her brother sat. She hadn’t seen Michael in eight years and had spoken to him maybe that many times throughout the years because he had been so involved in the seminary and the two other parishes where he’d been assigned. He had no idea Kelly was in his church. Her knees almost buckled as she stepped closer. Inhaling a deep, fortifying breath, she pulled the curtain closed behind her, knelt and waited for her brother to open the small door to listen to her anonymously through the darkened screen.

She waited, her pulse pounding, until finally the door slid open.

“Good afternoon.”

She smiled at the sound of his gentle voice. She spoke quietly, imagining herself as a regular Brooklyn girl and hid her accent as best she could. “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been several years since my last confession and I need your help.”

“Several years is a long time.”

“I know, Father, but I didn’t know how to handle my situation.” She worked to keep from falling into her lilt since her brother’s accent was so very predominant.

“How can I help you, lass?”

She hesitated. She’d never told anyone her secret. Now she was about to reveal it to her brother, a family member, the kiss of death—even if she was in disguise.

“You can feel free to speak. I will not judge you.”

Tears filled her eyes. “I have a son out of wedlock. He just turned six and my family does not know he exists.”

Father Michael remained silent for a moment. “And this boy’s father?”

She shook her head, even though her brother could not see. “He does not know about the boy.”

“And why would you not tell him?”

The memory of that awful night flooded her. It was as if the dam of tears she held back for all these years poured from her at the sound of her brother’s concerned voice. “Because, Michael, the man raped me. I couldn’t get far enough away from him! I didn’t know I was pregnant until I was long gone.”

Oh, God, she used the hated R word and it cut into her heart like a razor blade. Blinded by her own tears, it was too late before she realized she’d returned to her native accent and her brother was charging from the confessional and reaching for her from behind the curtain.

“Kelly!”

He pulled her into his arms, holding her so tightly she could hardly breathe. She laid her head against his chest and sobbed, the cool fabric of his vestments soothing her hot skin. Each hiccupping breath released the pain and horror she’d tamped down for all those years in order to continue putting one foot in front of the other.

“What are you doing coming to confession like that? Why didn’t you call me?”

Kelly couldn’t stop crying, so Michael led her from the side door of the church to the garden behind the rectory. They sat together on a bench beneath an ancient oak tree. Becoming reduced to a weeping fool was not part of her original plan.

With her brother’s strong arm around her shoulder, those huge blue eyes watching her as if she’d crumble any moment, she sucked in the Sullivan courage and managed to smile at Michael through her tears.

“Well, I never thought that the first time I finally told my story I’d turn in to a blubbering schoolgirl.”

Michael tucked a finger beneath her chin and lifted her gaze to meet his. His handsome face framed with a mop of auburn hair was so familiar.

“So, I have the honor of being the first to hear that there is an addition to our family?”

She nodded. “Mum and Da are so closed minded. I couldn’t tell them and bring shame to my Matthew.”

He smiled. “So, he’s named for the apostle who began life as an outcast. You are deep, Kelly, my girl.”

“He’s a wonderful boy.”

He grabbed her hands. “Truly, you were raped?”

She sucked in a huge breath. “Yes, Michael, but please don’t ask me for details, because I won’t tell you. I had every intention of putting Matt up for adoption, but at the last moment, I couldn’t. He is my life.”

“Now, how shall we tell the family of your blessed news?”

She pulled away. “We won’t! Not yet, at least. I’m not ready.”

“That is wrong, Kelly.”

The anger that she had used all these years to shield her secret erupted. “Michael, I confessed this so-called sin to you, a priest, in God’s confessional. You are under oath to God and the Church to keep my secret.”

His eyes narrowed. “Why, you conniving little sister! Holding me to my vows is irreverent and untrustworthy.”

She frowned. “Perhaps, but it is Church doctrine, and I need the security of your silence.”

“And this is the greeting I get after not seeing you since you were nineteen.” He pulled her to her feet. “Did you become more mule-headed while growing into a beautiful woman?”

Just like her brother to add sugar to a dose of truth. “Michael, I would never have told anyone in our family about Matthew, especially now that I have become an American citizen, but you’ve come to my side of the world. Now that you are here, I see Matt cannot be kept secret from our family for much longer, but I must rely on your discretion. When I’m ready to tell our folks, I’ll need your help, but not until I am ready. I will not tolerate anyone treating my son unkindly.”