“No, you don’t.” Mike was surprised at how angry he was; he didn’t want Kelly to move. Not because she was pregnant and it would be hard on her and the baby, and not because he hated knuckling under to gossipmongers, but because he liked having her across the driveway from him.

Kelly and her mother had moved in about six weeks before Mrs. Walker had died of cancer. Several years before the woman he thought of as a second mother had refused Mike’s offer of a loan to help her son, Jim, establish his accounting business in Phoenix. She had -mortgaged her home instead. When she had become ill, she hadn’t wanted Kelly and Jim to have to deal with a large payment, and had sold her property. Kelly had moved back from Arizona to take care of her mother, and Mike had insisted the two of them live in his empty guest house. They had agreed, but only if he would let them pay rent. After her mother had passed away, Kelly stayed. She didn’t know the money went into a bank account for her. If he couldn’t talk her out of moving, she might need it sooner than he’d expected.

“Don’t you see, Mike? I won’t let any of this hurt you. If I move, the rumors will go away.”

“If people already think I’m the father, your moving won’t change anything.” Mike stood up and started pacing. “I’m going to see Cliff in the morning and set him straight. I’m going to get your job back and raise so much hell an 8.0 earthquake will look like a walk in the park.”

“Don’t, Mike. First of all, Mr. Bloomhurst was told to fire me, and it was his job to do it. Besides, he didn’t start the rumor. Second, his hands are tied and he doesn’t deserve to have you come down on him. I’d prefer to go quietly.”

Mike saw the slight tremble of her lip, just before she caught it between her teeth. Then he saw red.

“I may not be able to do any good, but he’s sure as hell going to know how I feel,” he said.

“And what good will that do? What if you get fired, too?”

“I made enough money playing pro ball. I don’t need their job. And I sure as hell don’t need an ulcer. Someone needs to tell that uptight McCutcheon that she can’t mess with people’s lives.”

“She can and she did. But that’s my problem. If you get fired, what’s going to happen to your football team in the fall? You’ve been teaching and training your senior players since they were freshmen. That was your first year here. They have a chance at the league title for the first time in years. You can’t abandon them.”

“And you’re not abandoning your students?”

“I don’t have a choice. You do.”

“You’re a gifted teacher, Kelly. You can’t let a narrow-minded group of people run you off without a fight. The kids will be the real losers.”

“I haven’t got tenure. I have no weapons to fight with. And you’re right about the kids being the losers. The football program brings in a lot of revenue. Just think what would happen if you give the community a championship.”

As much as he hated to admit it, she was right. He had some talented young men who he had taken as skinny fourteen-year-olds and molded into fine players. If he left now and had to be replaced, this year’s football program would be sacked big-time. It could scrap the season for these guys, and more important than that, it would affect their chances to be looked at by colleges for athletic scholarships.

“Okay, you’ve got a point. I won’t give McCutcheon a piece of my mind.” He stopped pacing and pointed at her. “Don’t you dare tell me I can’t spare any to give her.”

“Everyone knows jocks have more muscles than brains.”

For the first time since she’d let him in, Kelly laughed. The worry and frown 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.”

Chapter Two

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.”