The Father of Her Son. Kathleen Pickering

omitted information.”

      He frowned. “I’m thinking you might be due for another round in the confessional.”

      “Believe me, the good Lord knows all my faults.”

      “Sounds to me like you’ve carved out some rules of your own to get by.”

      “They’ve gotten me this far, Michael. Don’t be judging me now.”

      “As if my judgment would matter. So, when?”

      She tapped a finger to her lips. “Friday? For dinner?”

      He turned to escort her from the garden. “That will do. We have a lot of time to catch up on. Come early so you can do those stations of the cross.”

      CHAPTER SIX

      EVAN’S EARLY ARRIVAL at Neverland the next day took her by surprise. She slid a coffee cup across the counter, ignoring his self-important grin.

      “Sunday morning, Evan? Thought you’d sleep in.”

      “Not when I promised Matt to take you both to the zoo.”

      “What?”

      Evan glanced at Matt on the stool to his left, which now had Steve Fiore’s name stenciled on the floor below. “You didn’t tell her?”

      Matt had the good sense to look reticent. He squeezed one eye shut as he looked at Kelly. “Well, if I told her she might say no, and I wanna go.”

      Kelly’s eyes widened. “Dishonesty is not the answer, young man.”

      He held up open hands. “I wasn’t dishonest. I just didn’t say anything!”

      Kelly almost fell over. Matt was now using her own tools as a way to obtain his goal. She was downright mortified. Her motive had been self-preservation.

      Evan sipped his coffee as if completely innocent of the impending train wreck. Going to the zoo was a bad idea. It would be their second time out together in a “family” setting in a week. She didn’t want to give either Evan or Matt the wrong idea.

      “Evan, I know you mean well...”

      He held up a stopping hand. “My limo will be arriving in fifteen minutes. Instead of telling me the usual reasons, how about you run upstairs, get into some play clothes and let’s go. I hear the monkeys are especially funny at lunchtime.”

      The absurdity of his statement made her chuckle. “And why is that?”

      He shrugged. “I have no idea. I just made that up.”

      Matt leaned over the counter. “Come on, Mom! We’ll have fun. They even have two gorillas!”

      Evan pounded his chest. “We can play Tarzan and Jane.”

      Bunny sidled next to Kelly. “I’ll go if she says no.”

      Two women at the table adjacent to the counter said, “We’ll go, too.”

      Bunny nudged Kelly’s arm. “Take your son to the zoo. He had a wonderful first week at school. Celebrate a little.”

      Matt folded his hands as if praying. “Please, Mom? Please? Please? Please?”

      As much as her gut said no, she could not resist the barrage of possibilities. Most of all, Evan’s question, Do you have someone to confide in? She sure would like to bounce some ideas off another adult on how to approach Matt’s introduction to her brother. A man’s perspective just might help.

      “Well, I suppose it’s not every day we get to ride in a limousine to the zoo.”

      Evan clapped his hands. “Excellent, Red. I’ll make sure the monkeys don’t eat all your peanuts.”

      She grinned. “It’s not the monkeys that concern me.”

      “Hold on there. I’m your friend. Remember?”

      She took off her apron. “Just making a point, Evan McKenna. Now give me ten minutes and I’ll be right down.”

      * * *

      AN HOUR LATER, with a bag of peanuts in hand and wearing a turquoise T-shirt, denim skirt and strappy sandals, Kelly realized she couldn’t remember the last time she’d impulsively taken a day off to play. She pushed her sunglasses onto her nose against the noontime glare to watch Evan and Matt imitate the elephants. She had been studying the zoo map, wanting to see the gorillas, snow leopard and lemurs before they finished their tour.

      She laughed out loud. She’d actually mapped out an agenda for her own amusement. How long had it been since she’d done that?

      Evan looked over. “What’s so funny, Red?”

      She shook her head. “Oh, nothing. You two are more amusing than the wildlife.”

      He grinned. “Really?”

      Why was it that he could make everything she said sound like a come-on? Maybe because a hunk like him had women throwing themselves at him all the time, and he was used to flirting. “Oh, sure. I can’t wait to compare you to the gorilla next. Should be a perfect fit.”

      He grinned. “If only they had mules here.”

      “Hey, if you are comparing me...”

      “Oh, never you, lass. You’re as malleable as marshmallow fluff.”

      “Now I’m insulted!”

      His laughter was disarming. “Kelly, I’ve never met a more independent or resilient woman than you. Now, how about some lunch before we tackle the rest of the zoo?”

      Matt jumped up and down. “I want a hot dog, French fries and a root beer.”

      “Done.”

      Evan reached for Kelly’s hand, and the gesture was clearly impulsive because he let his hand drop at the surprise she felt fill her face.

      Instead he ruffled Matt’s hair. “There’s a concession stand down this path. One hot dog, coming up.”

      He fell into step beside her while Matt ran ahead, then tracked back to them. “I hope you are enjoying yourself as much as I am.”

      “Actually, I didn’t realize how much I needed to take a day off. I have to admit you had a good idea.”

      “I find it comfortable being with you. I like this.” The sweeping gesture of his hands indicated the three of them and their surroundings.

      “Well, I don’t want you or Matt getting the wrong impression.”

      He frowned. “Don’t tell me you are going to launch...”

      She held up a hand. “Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate your friendship. More than you can imagine.”

      “But we can only be friends because you don’t date?”

      “Yes.”

      “Kelly, you really do not have to reiterate that fact every time we meet. I heard you the first, second, third and the millionth time. I get it. But I like you. I like Matt. I’m hoping we can be friends. And friends spend time with each other. Can you tolerate that?”

      They reached the concession stand. Oblivious to their conversation, Matt pointed to the picture of an ice-cream cone plastered on a poster near the ordering window.

      “Can I get one, Mom?”

      She paused to read the brief menu on the board. “Let’s eat our lunch first and see how we feel afterward.”

      Evan nudged her. “Does the same answer apply to my question?”

      She laughed. “No, Evan. I can answer you right off. I am happy to be your friend. Thank you for understanding.” She chuckled. “I can tell you that my gal friends will be green with envy.”

      “So