Kathleen Pickering - The Father of Her Son

Her life is not front page news!

News anchor Evan McKenna knows a good thing when he sees it. And Kelly Sullivan and her son Matt definitely fall into that category. If Evan had his way, he’d be part of their little family. Only Kelly is proving resistant to his charms. He knows an attraction this strong is more than one-sided, so something else is keeping them apart. Despite his best efforts, he can’t convince her to tell him.

Then Kelly’s past becomes a major news story, which puts Matt’s safety in jeopardy. Evan is willing to do anything to protect them. For the first time, his career takes a backseat to something more important—family and a future with Kelly. Now he just has to prove it to her….

“Are you helping us for the ratings?”

The look of absolute disgust on Evan’s face had Kelly regretting her words.

“Low blow, Kelly. Why would you ask that?”

She shrugged. “You’re a newsman. I just dealt with some pretty awful reporters, and a reporter with no conscience started this problem. Can you blame me?”

“If I asked you to marry me, do you think I would betray you?” His voice lowered to almost a whisper.

It seemed an honest enough question, yet she still couldn’t stop her doubt. “Offering marriage could be part of your plan.”

He leaned back as if gauging the authenticity of her suggestion. “You’re kidding, right?”

“You don’t understand how much trusting others in the past has hurt me. Matt and I were doing very well until now.”

But a small part of her was beginning to think Evan was that one man she could trust.

Dear Reader,

One of the great perks of fiction writing is I have the opportunity to raise readers’ awareness of social issues within an entertaining platform. Most of my fiction is derived from real-life stories. I get huge satisfaction in creating challenges that my heroes and heroines meet head-on with dignity, grace and a good dose of humor to reach that wonderful happily-ever-after.

The Father of Her Son came into being when chatting about the plot with my author friend Heather Graham. After listening to my idea, Heather said, “Did you know that if a woman is raped in the state of New York, gets pregnant and chooses to keep her child, the state will grant the rapist custodial rights to that baby?”

That floored me! You will be glad to know that amendments are currently being tabled to change that law, but that very sad fact is all too true today.

Then I thought of all those stories of politicians who have behaved in ways completely counter to their platforms and I started wondering: What if a nanny was raped by her employer, became pregnant and discovered that this dangerous man could gain joint custody of her baby and effectively control the rest of her life? What would she do? Me? I’d go underground. No one would ever know who the father of my baby was. And so, The Father of Her Son was born.

I hope you will enjoy both Kelly Sullivan’s and Evan McKenna’s journey through this story. I loved writing it. I loved the opportunity to platform a law that is in dire need of change for the rights of women. I hope you enjoy this story. Please visit me at www.kathleenpickering.comand let me know!

I am so grateful that you are out there, dear reader. And thank you for choosing to read The Father of Her Son. I am honored to spend this one-on-one time with you.

With love,

Kathleen Pickering

The Father of Her Son

Kathleen Pickering

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen Pickering believes stories, like myths of old, are excellent tools for teaching life lessons while entertaining. She loves “happily ever after” but believes her characters have to overcome their life challenges with dignity, grace and a good dose of humor to deserve that special ending. Kathleen draws her characters and stories from real-life situations and finds traveling to research her work an added perk. So beware. If she meets you, you may wind up in one of her novels!

Before you start reading, why not sign up?

Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

SIGN ME UP!

Or simply visit

signup.millsandboon.co.uk

Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

To Tony Agius and Lisa Russell…who didn’t let life stop the love.

Here’s wishing you every happiness!

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Excerpt

CHAPTER ONE

THE ATMOSPHERE AROUND the Manhattan newsroom offices at NCTV seemed unusually charged as Evan McKenna pushed through the glass doors on the seventh floor of the Fifth Avenue television station. His assistant, Sarah, paced outside his office, steno pad and file folder in hand.

He’d just come from a quick breakfast across the street at the Neverland Diner, where the proprietor, his friend, a fiery Irish redhead with mesmerizing green eyes and the perfect spray of freckles on her nose, had distracted him a bit longer than expected. He had an important interview scheduled with presidential hopeful Buzz Campbell in an hour but that didn’t explain the extracharged air or his assistant’s frown. Sarah saw him coming and met him halfway.

“What’s up, Sarah?”

She dropped the file into his hands, his favorite pen attached to the steno pad. “He’s here already.”

“Who?”

“Senator Campbell. I sent you a text, but you didn’t answer.”

He ran a hand through his collar-length black hair, his aqua eyes flashing regret. Of course he didn’t answer. He’d been too preoccupied with Kelly Sullivan to heed the alert. He checked his watch. “He’s thirty minutes early. Senators usually keep you waiting.”

“Something about having another engagement. Last minute. He’s in makeup with Steve and Dean.”

“Why Dean?”

She smirked. “He rode the elevator with the senator. Apparently they share the same fraternity. Dean made sure Campbell knew it and has been in the middle of the conversation ever since.”

Evan shook his head. Dean was the type of office friend who would stay just that—an office friend. The guy was good at reporting stories, but his overenthusiasm reeked of insincerity. Evan seldom gave the guy much thought unless Dean was in his face for something. He could see Dean tripping over himself to get time with the senator in Evan’s absence, despite the fact that Evan had landed the interview.

He pulled his pen from its holder and clicked it a few times. “Is the set ready?”

“Yes. They’re waiting for my call.”

“Okay. Tell them we’ll be down in twenty minutes.”

There were five people seated with the senator in the makeup room. Senator Robert “The Buzz” Campbell was holding court with the ease and confidence of a man who knew the effect he had on a crowd. Tanya, the makeup artist, had draped the senator’s shoulders and was touching up his complexion, which honestly didn’t need much help, under the glare of the white lights. He was average height but built like an athlete. His thick blond hair, summer tan and deep blue eyes exuded those movie star looks that would earn him votes from the female population.