lines were gone for a moment and it was like the sun had come out after a storm. Mike found that he wanted to chase away her clouds so she would always look sunny.
He wouldn’t go to the school board, but he would find a way to help her somehow. He hated seeing her lose her job. He knew how much she wanted the baby. There must be a way she could have both. And he had to convince her that she didn’t have to protect him. He didn’t give a damn what people said.
She sighed. “If only I had tenure, it wouldn’t be so easy to get rid of me.”
“What did Cliff say to you?”
“That the school board could not allow a woman in the classroom who was pregnant and unmarried.”
Mike continued to pace in front of the fireplace. “So the M word is the key factor here. How did you find out that people think I’m junior’s father?”
“Mr. Bloomhurst told me, then came right out and asked. After that he said it was a stupid question.”
“Why?”
“He said if you were the baby’s father, he and I wouldn’t be having the discussion at all. What do you suppose he meant by that?”
Mike knew exactly what Cliff had meant He was surprised he hadn’t thought of it himself. He came to a halt and looked at her. It was brilliant. He liked her; she liked him; they both liked kids. Why not?
“Mike, you have a strange look on your face. What are you thinking about?”
“I have it, Kelly. The perfect solution to our problem.”
“It’s not our problem. It’s my problem and I’d appreciate it if you would—”
“I’d appreciate it if you would be quiet and listen to my ingenious solution.”
“All right. What is the magic answer?”
“Marry me.”
Kelly’s eyes widened. “Marry you?”
“Yes.”
“This is not a joking matter, Mike. Like I said before, if you can’t be supportive, then go away.”
“I’m not kidding.”
“Then you’ve been tackled one too many times without a helmet.”
“There’s nothing wrong with my head, Kelly. This is the right thing to do.”
“Right for whom? I don’t need a man to rescue me.
“You need to be married. And how you’re going to do that without a man is beyond me.” Mike started pacing again.
“I’ve sworn off men.”
“Have you sworn off friends, too, Kelly?” He stopped and folded his arms over his chest. “I want to help.”
“I appreciate that, Mike. But marriage?” She looked at him helplessly. “Friends change your flat tire. They loan you five dollars to tide you over until payday. They tell you when there’s lipstick on your teeth. They don’t marry you because you’re going to have a baby.”
“Why not?” The way he was looking at her, Kelly could swear he was dead serious.
She was truly touched by Mike’s gesture, but it was out of the question. “Before I try to beat some sense into you, I have a why of my own.”
“Shoot,” he said, and braced himself.
“Why would you want to get married again? Since your divorce you’ve been swearing that no woman would drag you down ball-and-chain lane again. So why would you do this?”
“Why should I marry thee, let me count the whys.”
“You’re not a poet, Mike. And you’re not funny.”
“I’m not trying to be funny.” He put his hands on his hips. “I’ve got a proposition for you.”
“Is this one going to be more outrageous than the last one?” She rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help laughing.
“I’m going to ignore your sarcasm, Ms. Walker. How about this? If I can come up with ten good reasons why we should get married, you’ll say yes to my proposal.”
Kelly had him now. There was no way he could come up with one really good reason, let alone ten. “All right. You’re on. Is there a time limit?”
He looked offended. “This isn’t ‘Jeopardy.’”
“That all depends on your point of view.” She settled herself comfortably against the cushions of the couch and looked at him, waiting for him to start. “Any time you’re ready. Reason number one.”
He leaned a shoulder against the oak mantel and thought for a minute. “You don’t hate football. My first wife couldn’t stand it, except for the so-called celebrity perks.”
“Remember, these have to be good reasons.”
“What’s better than football? But if you don’t think that’s good enough, I’ve got nine more.” He started walking back and forth in front of her. Then he stopped and said, “Okay, I’ve got it. If I’m married, women will leave me alone, and I won’t have to beat them off with a stick. And we could use two-for-one coupons at restaurants.”
“Will you stop being ridiculous? Marriage is not a prerequisite for a dinner date. And don’t forget I live across the driveway. I haven’t seen more than a babe or two beating a path to your door. That doesn’t seem like a problem that requires this drastic a solution.” She folded her arms and looked at him sternly. “I need serious, personal reasons.”
“All right. What about repaying your family for taking me in as a kid when I needed discipline and guidance? What about the fact that the night before she died, I promised your mother I’d look out for you? And the fact that I didn’t keep that promise or you wouldn’t be in this situation now?”
His commitment to that vow touched her deeply. He was a wonderful guy and it was comforting to know she had someone like him in her corner. But she had to convince him that he wasn’t to blame for everything that happened to her.
“My.parents wanted you to live with us because they cared about kids and you were in trouble. They knew you’d turn out all right, all you needed was a firm hand. They were absolutely right.” She placed her palm on her stomach. “My mother didn’t expect you to be my keeper. I’m not your responsibility, Mike.”
“Yeah? Then why do I still feel responsible? You called me the night after the funeral, right after your brother went back to Phoenix. I wasn’t here.”
“And I called Doug because I needed someone to talk to. What I
