Danny walked away from Rafe, his heart heavy. It pained him to see his
friend acting so defensive. He knew that Rafe's harsh words and
accusations were not from malice, but from fear. He understood it, but he
didn't feel up to dealing with it right now. He had his own inner turmoil
to deal with.
Right now all he wanted was to hold Kate in his arms and cry. Cry for the pain and betrayal in his son's eyes. Cry for the pain Rafe and Evelyn were suffering. Cry for the years he had been forced to hold back and play the role of uncle instead of father. True, it had been his decision ultimately, but it hadn't been made lightly. He simply hadn't seen any other choice. Too many things were already in motion and Shelby was not a place were you could go against convention. The town mavens would have ripped them all to shreds if the whole story were known.
Most likely only Rafe would have come out unscathed, the rest of them would have been dragged through the mud, much to the town's morbid glee. Rafe would have been considered the hero for marrying his best friend's girl when she was in trouble - the town's charming, but wild boy, finally settling down. He'd dated half the girls in High School; coaches and parents loved him, but they all had worried about his adventurous streak. Marrying Evelyn because she was pregnant made him not only a war hero, but suddenly he would have been no longer considered wild - he'd be noble and self-sacrificing.
The rest of them - himself, Kate, Evelyn, young Danny - would have been tarnished forever. Evelyn would have been considered a loose woman and lucky to have been saved by Rafe. She'd be accepted for Rafe's sake, but given the cold shoulder if he wasn't with her. Young Danny would have been pitied by all, and though technically wouldn't he be a bastard, it was more than likely that he would be reminded of his 'unfortunate' heritage throughout his life; it would be brought up at every major event of his life and he would never be able to live it down.
All this would have been moot if Danny had had the decency to die over in China - a hero's death, saving his best friend's life. It was better than what the townspeople had predicted for the son of Cole Walker, war veteran and drunk. If he had died, then Evelyn and Danny would have been accepted without a word, even if the truth would have come out as Rafe and Evelyn had planned when Danny was old enough to understand. There would have been whispers, of course, there always were in small towns, but they would have belonged.
But of course, he hadn't died and to make matters worse he hadn't come home alone. If the town had known the truth then he would have been considered heartless for abandoning Evelyn and showing up with Kate who was already suspiciously pregnant. Danny could handle the criticism of himself, he'd lived with it all his life, but he wasn't about to let that happen to Kate - or Grace. If Evelyn would have been given the cold shoulder, Kate would have been completely shunned; considered a tramp, if not worse. They all deserved better than that.
Sadly, the possible scenarios that had flashed through Danny's mind while in China and as he made his way back to Tennessee weren't a matter of conjecture. He had seen similar dramas play out twice in his life. Once when he was a child and didn't really understand the situation, and again when he was a junior in high school and one of the cheerleaders had become pregnant. She had claimed that the father was one boy from a well to do family, when later on it came out that it had been another boy, not so well looked upon. He currently had that child in one of his English classes and he couldn't help but feel sorry for him. His mother had married the popular boy, but she was cold-shouldered and he was whispered about - there was nothing anyone could do about it. The boy had a huge chip on his shoulder because of it and was constantly in trouble. (is this explanation necessary, or should I shorten it somehow?)
Shelby was just too small-town and gossip ridden. Danny had hated it as a child and he hated it now. It didn't seem to matter that he grown up to become a well-loved and respected teacher, published author, war hero, and father of six well-behaved children. He was still seen, by many, as the poor charity case the McCawley's had taken in all those years ago after his father had shot himself during one of his drunken binges.
He knew that a few of the matron's were a bit disappointed by his sudden resurrection. Shot and killed in China was the perfect tragic ending to his tragic life. If they knew that he was actually the father of Evelyn's child it would have delighted them in a vicious, morbid way. A love triangle! And Danny knew that he would come out the worst of it, even if he hadn't known that Evelyn was pregnant when he had left Pearl Harbor. The simple truth was that the McCawleys were always seen as being better than the Walkers. Not that Danny would necessarily disagree, but he didn't want his children, or Kate, exposed to that anymore than they already were.
Kate. Kate would be vilified even worse than Evelyn. Already there was enough speculation about their intimate wedding on the farm when he finally made it home and Sam's birthday. No one had yet to come out and say anything directly, but every August the old biddies would try to trip him up as to how many years they had been married, as if it mattered anymore.
No, Danny didn't like Shelby very much sometimes, but he couldn't leave. Well, he could, he knew. He and Kate could move anywhere in the world if they wanted, but Danny, his first born, was here. Evelyn had married Rafe and Rafe owned the farm and ran his father's crop dusting business and so the Walkers stayed. Kate understood that he could not leave his son and for that Danny would be forever grateful.
The sound of happy, high-pitched voices and laughter brought Danny out of his thoughts as he walked. He had made it all the way across the field without noticing. Soon Drew and Matty were coming into view around the bend in the road, laughing loudly as an irate Sam chased after them. Josh came next with Eva on his hip, her blonde head already drooping.
Grace was the first one to notice him, her steps slowing as soon as she saw him, her eyes staring.
Drew and Matty whizzed by not even seeing him on the side of the road.
Sam managed a, "Hi dad!" in passing.
A few moments later Josh walked by, a small smile on his tanned face.
"You doing okay, son?" Danny asked him, trying to sound as normal as possible.
"Fine," Josh nodded, though his footsteps slowed and his smile faded. "Are you okay, Dad?" he asked, his brown eyes filling with concern.
Danny smiled tightly, Josh really was the most sensitive of his children. He should have known he couldn't fool him. "I've been better," he told the boy honestly. "You take Eva in and help your mom - make sure Sam doesn't kill anyone. I need to talk to Grace for a minute."
Josh glanced over his shoulder to where Grace stood twenty feet away and then back at his father, his solemn eyes not missing the strained looks on both their faces. "Okay," he finally agreed. "Do you want me to tell mom you'll be late?"
"No, we won't be long."
After one more look Josh nodded and walked on, Eva still fast asleep on his shoulder. Danny watched them until they reached the front porch and then turned to face Grace who had moved to stand a few feet away from him. She was wearing an old dress over her swimsuit, her hair still damp at the ends. Her eyes were red with unshed tears and her bottom lip began to tremble as she looked at him.
"Hey, Gracie," Danny said softly, holding his arms open to her.
"Daddy," she cried softly as she flung herself at him, her tears finally falling. "I'm so sorry. So sorry. I wish we had never gone into town and met that horrible old woman."
"Why didn't you just ask me, Grace?" Danny asked softly. "Why this whole game about a school paper? Why didn't you - or Danny - just ask?"
"I don't know," she admitted tearfully. "Danny didn't want to talk about it and I didn't know how to ask. I thought if I could figure it out it would help him. instead of spending weeks wondering." She looked up at her father, her eyes pleading. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt. anyone."
"It's okay, Gracie," Danny said, holding her close. "It was a secret that was meant to be told one day. It just kept getting pushed further and further away."
"But why?" Grace asked, looking up at him again. "I've known about. Michael forever."
"Yes," Danny agreed. "But you have grandparents - the Helmsfords and your Grandma Williams who wanted to know you."
Grace snorted, a disdainful look marring her young face. "Fat lot of good it does me."
"And," Danny stressed, "you were born before I was in China. People might miscount a month or two, but not a year. You situation is very different from Danny's."
"I guess," Grace admitted. "Those old biddies at church."
"Grace, don't be disrespectful," Danny chided her, though secretly he agreed with her assessment.
She rolled her eyes at him. "I know, but I just hate the way they talk about me sometimes. Especially now that they know my father was a Helmsford."
"I know."
"How's Danny?" Grace finally asked, her voice cracking slightly.
"He's upset," Danny told her. "And angry. And confused. He's staying at the clearing tonight."
"Oh. Can I.?" she motioned behind her towards the clearing.
Sighing, Danny shook his head. "No, not tonight. I think he needs some time to think. Maybe later you can take him some food, but I don't want you staying with him long. Okay?"
"Okay," she agreed reluctantly.
Danny placed a kiss on her forehead and then put his arm around her shoulder. "Let's get inside before your mom starts to worry."
"I love you daddy," Grace whispered, leaning into him as they walked.
"I love you too, Gracie."
"We're going to be okay, right?" she asked softly. "All of us? Danny, Aunt Ev, Uncle Rafe?"
"Yes, we will be okay," he reassured her with a squeeze. "We'll be okay. eventually."
Kate looked up from the potatoes she was mashing, her eyes searching the faces of her husband and daughter. It didn't take much to see the tension in both their faces. Grace's eyes were red from crying and Danny's looked suspiciously irritated. Danny tried to smile reassuringly at her but failed miserably. After fifteen years together he couldn't hide anything from her.
"Grace, go hurry and change," Kate told her. "Then I want you to dish up dinner - chicken's in the over. Josh is setting the table and Sam's watching Eva. Dinner's in fifteen minutes. Your father and I will be in the study."
Silently Grace nodded, hurrying to her room. Kate had learned over the years that if she wanted something done it was best to give explicit orders. The kids responded best that way, and so did Danny for that matter. With eight people living under one roof it was the only way to keep things running smoothly.
After rinsing her hands, Kate nodded to her husband who followed her out of the kitchen. He hadn't moved from the doorway or uttered a single word since he had walked in. This worried her. Danny always gave her a hug and kiss when he came in, no matter what she was doing or who she was with. Now he just stared at her like a drowning man, making her heart tighten with dread. Something was wrong.
She opened the door to the study and ushered him in. He immediately slumped into one of the wingback chairs, closing his eyes as if he had a bad headache. Watching him intently, Kate closed the door with a soft click.
"Okay, what's happened?" she finally asked,crossing over to him. "Josh said something was up and Grace has been crying. you don't look much better." Gently she ran a hand through his hair. "What is it?"
Danny didn't reply, but instead pulled her into his lap, burying his face in her neck. Kate could feel his warm breath washing over her skin as he took several unsteady breaths. Wrapping her arms around him she waited for him to speak. In her mind she went over what could have happened that would upset her husband so much. She had heard the crop duster up in the air earlier, so Rafe was okay. Evelyn had driven past not an hour ago. All the kids were home and getting ready for dinner. That left. Her heart sank at the thought.
"Did. Did something happen to Danny?" she finally asked when it appeared that he couldn't speak.
Taking a deep shuddering breath, Danny did his best to collect himself. "He's fine. physically."
"Physically?" Kate questioned softly, her mind racing.
"He. He. Oh God Kate," Danny finally looked up at her, a lone tear falling down his cheek. "He knows. He found out. And he's so angry and. hurt. He's never looked at me that way before, like he doesn't even want to be near me. And I don't know what to do or say. And Rafe is being an ass. I." he faltered, pulling her close once again.
Kate was a stunned. Just this week she and Danny had been talking about the need for them to tell the boy the truth. They understood why Rafe and Evelyn were dragging their feet, but they were fast coming to a point where he might not be as understanding of the sudden revelation of his parentage. Kate had felt strongly that he had to be told before he figured it out for himself - he was looking more and more like his father everyday. The boy was not an idiot. He had the right to hear it from the people he loved and trusted. And now it looked like it was too late.
"How? How did he." she began to ask, but then the answer came to her. "Grace," she whispered. "She's been writing that paper."
Danny laughed, though there wasn't much humor in it. "She's a mighty clever girl, our Grace. She wasn't writing a paper." He looked up at Kate and gave her a squeeze, knowing that Kate would be upset. "She meant well, Kate, and I've already had a talk with her. She feels bad enough."
Kate looked down wryly at her husband, running an affectionate hand through his hair. "I'm sure you talked to her, but I don't know what good it did. She's had you wrapped around her little finger since she was six months old. That girl needs to learn not to interfere in other people's lives."
"Kate," Danny said soothingly, giving her another squeeze. "Believe me, she's sorry. She was only trying to help Danny. Seems they ran into the old county librarian a few weeks ago and she said some things that got them to thinking. Danny refused to talk about it and Grace took the initiative to investigate for him - to give him some peace of mind. She was just doing what she thought was best for a friend."
Kate let out an aggrieved sigh. "I'll deal with her later. How are you doing?"
"I feel like I've been gut kicked," he admitted after a moment, once again laying his head against her shoulder. He closed his eyes and relaxed as Kate began to rub his neck, playing with the short hairs of his nape. "I knew something was wrong the moment he walked into the barn. He was so. stiff. And Grace was looking between the two of us like we might explode or something. And then he just asked - 'Are you my father?' I couldn't lie to him, or stall. So I told him yes. What else could I say?"
"Nothing," Kate agreed, her heart breaking for her husband and Danny.
"He wanted answers right away," Danny continued, his voice slightly muffled. "I tried to suggest that we wait for Rafe and Evelyn, but he wouldn't hear of it, so I told him. I explained as best I could and now Rafe's all up in arms about it. He's mad at me; mad at Danny; mad at the world. And Evelyn. she's just. devastated. When Danny came home to get his sleeping bag - he decided to stay in the clearing for the night - she offered to talk to him, to answer any questions he might have, but he refused. Said he wanted more time to think. I think. I think," Danny swallowed nervously. "I think he overheard Rafe and I arguing. I think he was listening on the porch. He gave Rafe this look of such. bitterness. Rafe saw it. I saw it. Danny and Rafe are already at odds and now this. What are we going to do?"
Kate kissed his forehead. "We are going to sit down and have dinner with the kids," she told him matter-of-factly. "We won't mention any of this for now. We can talk to Sam and Josh tonight. Drew and Matty can wait until later. Then I'm going to take some dinner over to Rafe and Evelyn, to see how they are fairing, I don't really expect that they will be hungry. Then maybe I'll take Danny something, unless Evelyn wants to. He may be upset, but he's still a teenage boy. He'll need some food."
"Fine," Danny nodded, "but I told Grace she could take him something. as long as she didn't stay too long."
Kate's mouth thinned. "Grace can sit and think about what she's done for awhile." She held up her hand when Danny looked to protest. "Besides," she added wryly, "I'm sure she'll sneak out and go see him tonight."
Danny smiled at her, his eyes finally showing some sign of life. "What would I do without you?"
"Let's hope you never have to find out," she replied. Leaning in they kissed softly before Kate stood up. "Let's go love, dinner's waiting."
"Yes ma'am."
Right now all he wanted was to hold Kate in his arms and cry. Cry for the pain and betrayal in his son's eyes. Cry for the pain Rafe and Evelyn were suffering. Cry for the years he had been forced to hold back and play the role of uncle instead of father. True, it had been his decision ultimately, but it hadn't been made lightly. He simply hadn't seen any other choice. Too many things were already in motion and Shelby was not a place were you could go against convention. The town mavens would have ripped them all to shreds if the whole story were known.
Most likely only Rafe would have come out unscathed, the rest of them would have been dragged through the mud, much to the town's morbid glee. Rafe would have been considered the hero for marrying his best friend's girl when she was in trouble - the town's charming, but wild boy, finally settling down. He'd dated half the girls in High School; coaches and parents loved him, but they all had worried about his adventurous streak. Marrying Evelyn because she was pregnant made him not only a war hero, but suddenly he would have been no longer considered wild - he'd be noble and self-sacrificing.
The rest of them - himself, Kate, Evelyn, young Danny - would have been tarnished forever. Evelyn would have been considered a loose woman and lucky to have been saved by Rafe. She'd be accepted for Rafe's sake, but given the cold shoulder if he wasn't with her. Young Danny would have been pitied by all, and though technically wouldn't he be a bastard, it was more than likely that he would be reminded of his 'unfortunate' heritage throughout his life; it would be brought up at every major event of his life and he would never be able to live it down.
All this would have been moot if Danny had had the decency to die over in China - a hero's death, saving his best friend's life. It was better than what the townspeople had predicted for the son of Cole Walker, war veteran and drunk. If he had died, then Evelyn and Danny would have been accepted without a word, even if the truth would have come out as Rafe and Evelyn had planned when Danny was old enough to understand. There would have been whispers, of course, there always were in small towns, but they would have belonged.
But of course, he hadn't died and to make matters worse he hadn't come home alone. If the town had known the truth then he would have been considered heartless for abandoning Evelyn and showing up with Kate who was already suspiciously pregnant. Danny could handle the criticism of himself, he'd lived with it all his life, but he wasn't about to let that happen to Kate - or Grace. If Evelyn would have been given the cold shoulder, Kate would have been completely shunned; considered a tramp, if not worse. They all deserved better than that.
Sadly, the possible scenarios that had flashed through Danny's mind while in China and as he made his way back to Tennessee weren't a matter of conjecture. He had seen similar dramas play out twice in his life. Once when he was a child and didn't really understand the situation, and again when he was a junior in high school and one of the cheerleaders had become pregnant. She had claimed that the father was one boy from a well to do family, when later on it came out that it had been another boy, not so well looked upon. He currently had that child in one of his English classes and he couldn't help but feel sorry for him. His mother had married the popular boy, but she was cold-shouldered and he was whispered about - there was nothing anyone could do about it. The boy had a huge chip on his shoulder because of it and was constantly in trouble. (is this explanation necessary, or should I shorten it somehow?)
Shelby was just too small-town and gossip ridden. Danny had hated it as a child and he hated it now. It didn't seem to matter that he grown up to become a well-loved and respected teacher, published author, war hero, and father of six well-behaved children. He was still seen, by many, as the poor charity case the McCawley's had taken in all those years ago after his father had shot himself during one of his drunken binges.
He knew that a few of the matron's were a bit disappointed by his sudden resurrection. Shot and killed in China was the perfect tragic ending to his tragic life. If they knew that he was actually the father of Evelyn's child it would have delighted them in a vicious, morbid way. A love triangle! And Danny knew that he would come out the worst of it, even if he hadn't known that Evelyn was pregnant when he had left Pearl Harbor. The simple truth was that the McCawleys were always seen as being better than the Walkers. Not that Danny would necessarily disagree, but he didn't want his children, or Kate, exposed to that anymore than they already were.
Kate. Kate would be vilified even worse than Evelyn. Already there was enough speculation about their intimate wedding on the farm when he finally made it home and Sam's birthday. No one had yet to come out and say anything directly, but every August the old biddies would try to trip him up as to how many years they had been married, as if it mattered anymore.
No, Danny didn't like Shelby very much sometimes, but he couldn't leave. Well, he could, he knew. He and Kate could move anywhere in the world if they wanted, but Danny, his first born, was here. Evelyn had married Rafe and Rafe owned the farm and ran his father's crop dusting business and so the Walkers stayed. Kate understood that he could not leave his son and for that Danny would be forever grateful.
The sound of happy, high-pitched voices and laughter brought Danny out of his thoughts as he walked. He had made it all the way across the field without noticing. Soon Drew and Matty were coming into view around the bend in the road, laughing loudly as an irate Sam chased after them. Josh came next with Eva on his hip, her blonde head already drooping.
Grace was the first one to notice him, her steps slowing as soon as she saw him, her eyes staring.
Drew and Matty whizzed by not even seeing him on the side of the road.
Sam managed a, "Hi dad!" in passing.
A few moments later Josh walked by, a small smile on his tanned face.
"You doing okay, son?" Danny asked him, trying to sound as normal as possible.
"Fine," Josh nodded, though his footsteps slowed and his smile faded. "Are you okay, Dad?" he asked, his brown eyes filling with concern.
Danny smiled tightly, Josh really was the most sensitive of his children. He should have known he couldn't fool him. "I've been better," he told the boy honestly. "You take Eva in and help your mom - make sure Sam doesn't kill anyone. I need to talk to Grace for a minute."
Josh glanced over his shoulder to where Grace stood twenty feet away and then back at his father, his solemn eyes not missing the strained looks on both their faces. "Okay," he finally agreed. "Do you want me to tell mom you'll be late?"
"No, we won't be long."
After one more look Josh nodded and walked on, Eva still fast asleep on his shoulder. Danny watched them until they reached the front porch and then turned to face Grace who had moved to stand a few feet away from him. She was wearing an old dress over her swimsuit, her hair still damp at the ends. Her eyes were red with unshed tears and her bottom lip began to tremble as she looked at him.
"Hey, Gracie," Danny said softly, holding his arms open to her.
"Daddy," she cried softly as she flung herself at him, her tears finally falling. "I'm so sorry. So sorry. I wish we had never gone into town and met that horrible old woman."
"Why didn't you just ask me, Grace?" Danny asked softly. "Why this whole game about a school paper? Why didn't you - or Danny - just ask?"
"I don't know," she admitted tearfully. "Danny didn't want to talk about it and I didn't know how to ask. I thought if I could figure it out it would help him. instead of spending weeks wondering." She looked up at her father, her eyes pleading. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt. anyone."
"It's okay, Gracie," Danny said, holding her close. "It was a secret that was meant to be told one day. It just kept getting pushed further and further away."
"But why?" Grace asked, looking up at him again. "I've known about. Michael forever."
"Yes," Danny agreed. "But you have grandparents - the Helmsfords and your Grandma Williams who wanted to know you."
Grace snorted, a disdainful look marring her young face. "Fat lot of good it does me."
"And," Danny stressed, "you were born before I was in China. People might miscount a month or two, but not a year. You situation is very different from Danny's."
"I guess," Grace admitted. "Those old biddies at church."
"Grace, don't be disrespectful," Danny chided her, though secretly he agreed with her assessment.
She rolled her eyes at him. "I know, but I just hate the way they talk about me sometimes. Especially now that they know my father was a Helmsford."
"I know."
"How's Danny?" Grace finally asked, her voice cracking slightly.
"He's upset," Danny told her. "And angry. And confused. He's staying at the clearing tonight."
"Oh. Can I.?" she motioned behind her towards the clearing.
Sighing, Danny shook his head. "No, not tonight. I think he needs some time to think. Maybe later you can take him some food, but I don't want you staying with him long. Okay?"
"Okay," she agreed reluctantly.
Danny placed a kiss on her forehead and then put his arm around her shoulder. "Let's get inside before your mom starts to worry."
"I love you daddy," Grace whispered, leaning into him as they walked.
"I love you too, Gracie."
"We're going to be okay, right?" she asked softly. "All of us? Danny, Aunt Ev, Uncle Rafe?"
"Yes, we will be okay," he reassured her with a squeeze. "We'll be okay. eventually."
Kate looked up from the potatoes she was mashing, her eyes searching the faces of her husband and daughter. It didn't take much to see the tension in both their faces. Grace's eyes were red from crying and Danny's looked suspiciously irritated. Danny tried to smile reassuringly at her but failed miserably. After fifteen years together he couldn't hide anything from her.
"Grace, go hurry and change," Kate told her. "Then I want you to dish up dinner - chicken's in the over. Josh is setting the table and Sam's watching Eva. Dinner's in fifteen minutes. Your father and I will be in the study."
Silently Grace nodded, hurrying to her room. Kate had learned over the years that if she wanted something done it was best to give explicit orders. The kids responded best that way, and so did Danny for that matter. With eight people living under one roof it was the only way to keep things running smoothly.
After rinsing her hands, Kate nodded to her husband who followed her out of the kitchen. He hadn't moved from the doorway or uttered a single word since he had walked in. This worried her. Danny always gave her a hug and kiss when he came in, no matter what she was doing or who she was with. Now he just stared at her like a drowning man, making her heart tighten with dread. Something was wrong.
She opened the door to the study and ushered him in. He immediately slumped into one of the wingback chairs, closing his eyes as if he had a bad headache. Watching him intently, Kate closed the door with a soft click.
"Okay, what's happened?" she finally asked,crossing over to him. "Josh said something was up and Grace has been crying. you don't look much better." Gently she ran a hand through his hair. "What is it?"
Danny didn't reply, but instead pulled her into his lap, burying his face in her neck. Kate could feel his warm breath washing over her skin as he took several unsteady breaths. Wrapping her arms around him she waited for him to speak. In her mind she went over what could have happened that would upset her husband so much. She had heard the crop duster up in the air earlier, so Rafe was okay. Evelyn had driven past not an hour ago. All the kids were home and getting ready for dinner. That left. Her heart sank at the thought.
"Did. Did something happen to Danny?" she finally asked when it appeared that he couldn't speak.
Taking a deep shuddering breath, Danny did his best to collect himself. "He's fine. physically."
"Physically?" Kate questioned softly, her mind racing.
"He. He. Oh God Kate," Danny finally looked up at her, a lone tear falling down his cheek. "He knows. He found out. And he's so angry and. hurt. He's never looked at me that way before, like he doesn't even want to be near me. And I don't know what to do or say. And Rafe is being an ass. I." he faltered, pulling her close once again.
Kate was a stunned. Just this week she and Danny had been talking about the need for them to tell the boy the truth. They understood why Rafe and Evelyn were dragging their feet, but they were fast coming to a point where he might not be as understanding of the sudden revelation of his parentage. Kate had felt strongly that he had to be told before he figured it out for himself - he was looking more and more like his father everyday. The boy was not an idiot. He had the right to hear it from the people he loved and trusted. And now it looked like it was too late.
"How? How did he." she began to ask, but then the answer came to her. "Grace," she whispered. "She's been writing that paper."
Danny laughed, though there wasn't much humor in it. "She's a mighty clever girl, our Grace. She wasn't writing a paper." He looked up at Kate and gave her a squeeze, knowing that Kate would be upset. "She meant well, Kate, and I've already had a talk with her. She feels bad enough."
Kate looked down wryly at her husband, running an affectionate hand through his hair. "I'm sure you talked to her, but I don't know what good it did. She's had you wrapped around her little finger since she was six months old. That girl needs to learn not to interfere in other people's lives."
"Kate," Danny said soothingly, giving her another squeeze. "Believe me, she's sorry. She was only trying to help Danny. Seems they ran into the old county librarian a few weeks ago and she said some things that got them to thinking. Danny refused to talk about it and Grace took the initiative to investigate for him - to give him some peace of mind. She was just doing what she thought was best for a friend."
Kate let out an aggrieved sigh. "I'll deal with her later. How are you doing?"
"I feel like I've been gut kicked," he admitted after a moment, once again laying his head against her shoulder. He closed his eyes and relaxed as Kate began to rub his neck, playing with the short hairs of his nape. "I knew something was wrong the moment he walked into the barn. He was so. stiff. And Grace was looking between the two of us like we might explode or something. And then he just asked - 'Are you my father?' I couldn't lie to him, or stall. So I told him yes. What else could I say?"
"Nothing," Kate agreed, her heart breaking for her husband and Danny.
"He wanted answers right away," Danny continued, his voice slightly muffled. "I tried to suggest that we wait for Rafe and Evelyn, but he wouldn't hear of it, so I told him. I explained as best I could and now Rafe's all up in arms about it. He's mad at me; mad at Danny; mad at the world. And Evelyn. she's just. devastated. When Danny came home to get his sleeping bag - he decided to stay in the clearing for the night - she offered to talk to him, to answer any questions he might have, but he refused. Said he wanted more time to think. I think. I think," Danny swallowed nervously. "I think he overheard Rafe and I arguing. I think he was listening on the porch. He gave Rafe this look of such. bitterness. Rafe saw it. I saw it. Danny and Rafe are already at odds and now this. What are we going to do?"
Kate kissed his forehead. "We are going to sit down and have dinner with the kids," she told him matter-of-factly. "We won't mention any of this for now. We can talk to Sam and Josh tonight. Drew and Matty can wait until later. Then I'm going to take some dinner over to Rafe and Evelyn, to see how they are fairing, I don't really expect that they will be hungry. Then maybe I'll take Danny something, unless Evelyn wants to. He may be upset, but he's still a teenage boy. He'll need some food."
"Fine," Danny nodded, "but I told Grace she could take him something. as long as she didn't stay too long."
Kate's mouth thinned. "Grace can sit and think about what she's done for awhile." She held up her hand when Danny looked to protest. "Besides," she added wryly, "I'm sure she'll sneak out and go see him tonight."
Danny smiled at her, his eyes finally showing some sign of life. "What would I do without you?"
"Let's hope you never have to find out," she replied. Leaning in they kissed softly before Kate stood up. "Let's go love, dinner's waiting."
"Yes ma'am."
