A Love So Strong

by Kathryn Shay

  "Then let me say one thing. That case you asked me about a few weeks ago? I’ve done some research on paternity suits. Custody doesn’t always go to the woman anymore, particularly when the man is well-respected in town. In the case of a child, without the union of marriage, it’s easy enough to prove paternity and get at least partial custody, if not full custody." He leaned forward. "I also checked into Molly Kimball’s background. I—"

  Jase heard a gasp in the doorway. Looking up, he saw Jill clutching the doorjamb. Her hand slid protectively to her stomach. Thomas turned around. "Oh, hello, Jill. Jase and I were just discussing a case."

  Her gaze turned flinty. "Yes, I heard. If you’ll excuse me."

  Goddamn it, Jase thought. What next?

  He sought out Molly’s sister as soon as he could. She was behind closed doors with her husband. And they were yelling. He could hear them from the hall.

  "Stay out of it, honey."

  "No. I won’t. Damn it, why doesn’t she answer?"

  "Jilly, calm down."

  Knocking briefly, Jase let himself in the office. Riley paced the room and Jill held the phone to her ear. They both looked up.

  "Well, if it isn’t Benedict Arnold," Jill said.

  "Look, you misunderstood."

  "I misunderstood? You and Thomas weren’t plotting how to take Molly’s baby away?" Jill’s piercing gaze was so frosty it chilled him. "No wonder she hid the fact that you were the father."

  He approached the desk. "I’m not planning anything. Thomas made some assumptions he had no right to make. I was in the process of setting him straight.”

  "You’re lying." She crossed to the closet in her office and drew out her coat.

  "Where are you going?" Riley asked.

  "To Molly’s house. She needs to know what’s going on."

  Jase stilled. "Please, don’t do that. Things are already precarious enough between us."

  "And who the hell’s fault is that?"

  "It’s mine. But I’m really trying to make up for ending it between us. Honestly, I’m making progress, I swear."

  "You want the baby."

  "I want Molly, too." At her doubting look, he added forcefully, "I wasn’t plotting to take the baby."

  Jill came over to him. Coat on, she rose up on tiptoes. "You damn well were. But I’ll tell you this. I’ll fight you legally. Molly will make a wonderful mother. I’ll make sure she has the chance."

  His voice hiked up a notch and he emphasized each word. "I don’t want to take the baby away from her."

  "I don’t believe you." Jill headed for the door. "In any case, I’m not the one to convince."

  "If you tell her what you overheard, she’ll never believe anything I say."

  "You should have thought of that before you hatched any plot with Stevens." With that, Jill turned and walked out.

  oOo

  Jill walked into Logan’s restaurant at noontime, ready to spit nails if her expression was any indication. Molly saw Riley hurrying in behind her, then Jase. She scowled and looked over the bar at Logan. Dressed casually in a green sweater that made his eyes glow like a cat’s, he put down the glass he was drying and came around the bar to stand next to her.

  "Jill?" Molly cocked her head. "What’s going on?"

  "There’s something you need to know."

  Riley came up behind her. "Jilly, please. This is between her and Jase."

  Jase reached them. His face was lined with exhaustion and worry. "At least let me tell her what you overheard."

  Briefly, Jill looked torn. Molly felt her stomach pitch. She knew in her heart this was going to hurt. Bad.

  Riley grasped Jill’s arm. "Honey, think if it was us. Wouldn’t you want to work this out with me?"

  Leaning into him, she whispered, "You’d never do this to me."

  Jase turned to Molly. "If you care about me at all, let’s go somewhere so I can clear this up."

  Don’t do it, her mind warned. Let Jill tell you.

  But she faced Logan. He said, "Use my office," then grasped her arm. "I’ll be right here if you need me."

  Molly led the way back to Logan’s office. Like his apartment above the store, the place was bare of any personal things. She reached the desk and leaned against the edge, folding her arms across her middle. Insufficient armor against the blow Jase was about to deliver. "Okay, what happened?"

  "Jill overheard a conversation between me and Thomas Stevens this morning. She misunderstood what was going on."

  "What was going on?"

  "Thomas wanted to know what was between you and me. I told him I cared about you. I went to Paris to find you. Must be Jill didn’t overhear that part.”

  “What did she hear?”

  “Apparently, that didn’t make any difference to Thomas. He went on about the baby, said that if I wanted him to, he could help me get partial or full custody of our baby."

  Molly’s world dimmed. She grasped onto the desk for support. "Oh, my God."

  "Sweetheart, this came totally from Thomas. I never instigated any of it. I’d never try to take our baby away from you."

  She recalled his words in Paris. I want claim to this baby.

  "How did Thomas know about the baby, if you weren’t in on the plot?"

  "It’s not a plot." He ran a hand through his dark hair and swore. Like a guilty man. "Right after you said it was Logan’s baby, I consulted him about the paternity testing."

  "So you did tell him."

  "No, I said I had a case where paternity was at issue. He advised me." At her skeptical look, he added, "I never followed through on the paternity test order.”

  "Not yet."

  "I know this looks bad. But the situation isn’t what it appears to be. I told Thomas he was way off base, and I’d never do this to you."

  If only she could believe him. Oh, God, her worst fear was materializing.

  "Look, I have a solution to all this. Let’s get married."

  "What?"

  "Let’s get married. Then it will be a moot point."

  Lawyer jargon. Somewhere in her mind, Molly knew she was losing control, not thinking rationally, but she couldn’t stop herself. "You mean merge, don’t you, so you’ll have legal claim as a father. Is that what Thomas advised you to do?"

  "I don’t deserve that. I’m trying to compromise, to make this right for all of us."

  Her insides were cold. Numb. Her hands began to tremble. "Are you? Isn’t there something missing from your oh-so-romantic proposal?"

  "What?"

  She bit her lip so she wouldn’t cry. "I won’t marry you, Jase. You never said you loved me."

  "Of course I love you. What do you think this whole thing has been about?"

  "Getting claim to a child you don’t think I’m fit to raise."

  "Look, we have our differences. On life and child rearing. You’re wonderful with Tommy. We can compromise."

  She turned her back on him to block out the words that she’d longed for months to hear come out of his mouth. "No."

  The wall clock ticked loudly in the tense silence. He came up to her. She shrugged him off. He didn’t step back, so she reached over to the desk and picked up the phone, pressed a button and when Logan answered, said, "Could you come in here? I need you."

  Jase grasped her arms. Hoarsely, he said, "Molly, please. Don’t do this."

  Like an avenging angel, Logan burst through the door. He jostled Jase out of the way to get to Molly. "Are you all right?

  Molly leaned into him. "Just make him go away."

  Logan straightened and faced Jase. "Get out of here, McKay. For good."

  Riley came up to Jase. "Come on, let’s go."

  "Molly, please, don’t do this."

  She didn’t answer, only clutched Logan’s arm. Finally, Jase turned and headed to the door, where he stopped and pivoted. "One last thing." His eyes were hollow. "You never said you loved me, either. That didn’t make it any less true." And with that he was gone.

  Ho
pelessly, she buried her face in Logan’s shirt. "God, Logan, he’s going to take my baby."

  "No, he’s not." He tipped her chin. "Look, I haven’t said anything before because I thought you might work things out with McKay. But I’ll say it now. Molly, I’m a powerful man. I have connections. Compared to me, the Stevens are babes in the woods. Marry me, and I can keep them from ever touching you or the baby."

  oOo

  "Molly, are you sure you want to do this?" Jill watched her in the mirror, as Molly stood adjusting the collar of the taupe-colored, calf-length wedding dress. Her heart was a leaden weight in her chest and it showed in the smudges beneath her eyes and the strain around her mouth.

  "Yes." She practically choked on the word. "I got another formal summons to have the paternity test." Which she’d discarded without reading. "That about clinches it, don’t you think?"

  Her sister frowned. "I guess." She fussed with the flowers Molly wore in her hair, which swung loosely to her waist. The way Jase liked it best. "But I’m having second thoughts about Jase’s motives. And Riley’s convinced he wasn’t trying to take the baby."

  "Riley is Jase’s best friend."

  Jill grasped her shoulders. "Jase has been miserable all week at work. And I finally talked to him. He swears he wants you and the baby. He sounds so sincere, honey."

  Molly swallowed hard. "He came to see Logan, too, and said as much. I think even Logan’s wavering." She sniffed back tears. "It’s still too much to risk. He doesn’t know about tonight, does he?"

  "No, we promised you we wouldn’t tell him. He’s at our law firm shindig at the country club."

  "Probably with Sarina Matthews. Logan heard she’d been at Tommy’s party." So it hadn’t been just family. That, and the fear that consumed her, was making her do this thing, which now seemed obscene. She faced Jill. "How do I look?"

  "Like you’re on death row. You shouldn’t marry a man you don’t love."

  You never told me you loved me, either. That doesn’t make it any less true. God, they were both so cautious. No wonder they couldn’t make it work between them.

  "Logan’s a dream come true for any woman."

  "Why does he want to do this? Did he ever say?"

  "Just that something happened to him a long time ago and he’d never marry because of it. And that with his lifestyle—being away so much—a love match wasn’t going to cut it anyway." She sighed. "I know in my heart he’s an honorable man and, right now, his protection is what I need. I don’t have much other choice."

  "We could fight Jase legally. You and me."

  She took in her sister’s pale face. "You’ve been spending entirely too much time on my problems. And you’ve been at odds with Riley. None of this is good for you two. Now, let’s go. I don’t want to be late for my own wedding."

  As they headed out of the little chapel’s anteroom—ironically where Jase had found out about the baby—the pangs of misgiving hit her like a physical blow. She saw Jase in Paris bathing her face when she was sick, holding her hand down the Seine, driving into her with the force of a man who couldn’t get enough of her. Oh, God, what if he did love her? What if she was making a huge mistake?

  oOo

  Staring into the mirror in the bedroom he’d shared with Mary, Jase finished doing up the bow tie of his tux. He looked good for near forty. He was going to have fun at the firm’s party tonight. "Who the hell do you think you’re fooling?"

  The last seven days had been a dark week. He thought he was miserable before, but now, because he really believed the relationship was over between him and Molly, he was despondent.

  He hadn’t contacted her personally. It was an unselfish act. Jill had said she was worried about all the stress on her sister, so he was leaving Molly alone for her health. And for his daughter’s.

  He’d also rescinded the paternity test order. He’d had it delivered, along with another document, so she’d finally see he wasn’t after the baby. There was nothing else he could do.

  "Daddy, this came for you." He glanced up to see Tommy in the doorway of his bedroom.

  "What is it?"

  "A letter came after school. Nonna made me promise to give it to you. I forgot."

  "That’s okay, champ. Hand it over." Jase took the letter and after Tommy left, he absently scanned the envelope. No return address. It appeared to be some kind of invitation. Tearing open the flap, he pulled out the sheet and read it. His brain whirled. His heart leaped. And anger surged through him. "Over my dead body," he mumbled and stalked to the door.

  oOo

  Logan looked like something out of GQ, dressed in a tux and with his longish hair trimmed. "Ready, honey?" he asked, taking Molly’s hand.

  She put hers in his and they started for the altar. Logan held on tight, though he did glance over his shoulder a couple of times. She stopped before they reached the minister and Jill and Riley. "Logan, if you’re having second thoughts, we can —"

  "No, it’s not that. It’s…"

  "Stop right there, Kane."

  Turning around, Molly froze. Jase loomed in the back of the chapel, big and beautiful in a raven tux and snowy white shirt, which set off his dark good looks.

  She heard Jill say, "Oh, Rye, you said you wouldn’t interfere."

  "I didn’t, honey. Honest."

  "Then who…?"

  With Jase bearing down the aisle, Logan said quietly, "Give me a minute." He stepped in front of Molly. "Hold on, McKay."

  "No way in hell." Confidence boomed from Jase’s voice.

  Logan arched a brow. "I’m trained to kill. I can do it to you with a flick of my wrist."

  Oh, my God.

  Jase stood tall. "That’s what you’ll have to do to keep me from Molly."

  Molly’s jaw dropped as a real and rare smile dawned on Logan’s face. "That’s what I was waiting for, man."

  "What?" Molly muttered. "I don’t understand."

  Logan glanced over his shoulder. "I’ll be damned, Molly. He does love you."

  Drawing in a breath, Molly wavered. Jase pushed Logan out of the way and strode to her. Wordlessly, he bent over and scooped her up, turned and headed down the aisle. Her arms circled his neck for balance…and out of relief. Her heart felt…lighter. "What are you doing?"

  "Keeping the woman I love from making a terrible mistake."

  "Jase, no, this isn’t the answer."

  "Marrying a man you don’t love because you’re afraid of me sure as hell isn’t." Holding her to his chest, he nudged open the door and hurried down the sidewalk to his car. "It’s cool out, but the heater’s on, so you’ll be all right."

  He managed to get her in the car. She sat where she was until he circled around and slid inside. Raising his arm to the back of her seat, he faced her squarely and grasped onto her shoulder. "I don’t understand why you’d do this, Mol. Yesterday, I sent you the paternity test rescission order along with a legal document forsaking all claim to the baby. You didn’t have to marry Kane to escape me."

  "I—" She shrugged. "I didn’t open it."

  Shaking his head, he turned to the wheel. "Women." He started to drive.

  "Jase, listen, we need to talk."

  "No, we’re done talking."

  "Where are we going?"

  "To a party."

  "What?"

  "You’ll see." She did when they pulled up to Hyde Point Country Club, an imposing Tudor structure lit up for the night. "The firm’s having a party. We’re going inside."

  "Jase, I’m not dressed for this."

  "You’re perfectly dressed." He leaned over and kissed her hard. "For what I have in mind."

  Before she could get out of the car, he was around the other side and leaned in and lifted her up again; then he carried her inside. Embarrassed, she hid her face in his jacket. But he didn’t put her down; he stalked into the ballroom, where the party was under way, and headed straight for the band.

  A sixties song was just ending. At the makeshift stage, he set her on her f
eet, and took the mike from the band leader. "Hi, everybody. I have an announcement to make." People, all in tuxes and gowns, turned to the stage. "This is Molly Kimball McKay." Molly grasped his arm. "We just got married. I wanted all my colleagues to know."

  Spontaneous clapping began. "Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have a honeymoon to begin." Ignoring the applause, he picked her up again like a real bride and went out the way they entered. Soon, they were in the car.

  "Jase, please, talk to me."

  "No, that’s how we get into trouble. We’re done talking. Actions speak louder than words." He started the car and drove toward downtown.

  "We’re not married."

  A cocky grin complemented the devil in his eyes, making him look young. "Well, we’re going to have to tie the knot, now. Or you’ll embarrass me so badly I’ll be forced to leave town. And my job. And all my friends."

  A small laugh escaped her. "This is so unlike you."

  He chuckled. "Yeah, and isn’t it great?" His hand slid over and captured her knee. "In some ways, I am like the lawyer in that movie, the Redford character. So, hang on!"

  "Jase, that’s not important anymore. It’s a stupid movie. Those people aren’t us."

  "Hush." They reached the center of town and pulled up to the park. He stopped the car and went for the door.

  "Jase, what are you doing?"

  "Watch." He slid his legs out, but didn’t get up. Leaning over, he did something, then before she knew it, he was out of the car and on the grass.

  Without his shoes and socks. Just like in the movie.

  From the middle of the park, he faced the car. Arms spread out, he yelled at the top of his lungs, "I love you Molly Kimball. I am a stuffed shirt, but I’ll change. I promise. Marry me!"

  Molly shook her head and leaped out of the car. She ran across the grass, and threw herself at him. "Oh, Jase. You don’t have to do this. I’ve been wrong, too. I’ve been inflexible. I’m so sorry. I’ll be better."

  His arms banded around her and he went still. He met her forehead with his. "Then you’ll marry me?"

  "Yes, I will."