Rebecca's Little Secret (13 page)

“Yes, I do.” She dug through some papers and pulled out Rebecca’s schedule.

Jeff noted her class location and immediately told Harriet he would be back after lunch. Then he headed for the university, only a few blocks away, to find Rebecca.

When he reached the classroom, Rebecca had twenty minutes left of the class. He could wait until it was over, but he was impatient and imagined Rebecca would be, too, if she knew the situation.

He stepped into the classroom and immediately spotted Rebecca. Then he approached the professor. “I apologize for interrupting your class, but Rebecca Barlow has a family emergency. I hope you’ll excuse her.”

“And you are?”

“Jeff Jacobs, her family’s attorney.”

“Very well. Ms. Barlow, you are excused.”

Rebecca had already packed up her books. Her cheeks were pale, and she hurried down to Jeff, ques
tions in her eyes. He took her elbow and guided her quickly out of the class. “Joey is fine, everyone is fine. Don’t look so panicked.”

“Then what’s the emergency?”

“We think we’ve found Rachel.”

“Rachel? What? My twin? What are you talking about? How did you find her?”

“That’s the amazing thing. She saw that picture in the paper and wanted to know who you were because you both look so similar. She doesn’t know if she’s adopted or not. She’d asked her mother, but her mother had told her she wasn’t. Will has taken her home and they’re trying to reach Vanessa.”

“Did you bring your car?”

“Yes.”

“Well, let’s go.”

R
ACHEL
M
ORGAN SAT ON THE SOFA
, talking to Vivian and Will. She felt like she’d fallen down a rabbit hole like Alice in Wonderland. Her life had been turned upside down a month ago, and now it was taking on yet another turn. She was discovering the possibility that she’d been adopted and had a twin sister…and four other siblings.

“I’m sorry. I’m a little overwhelmed,” she finally said.

“I’m sure you are, dear. But when you meet Rebecca and Vanessa, you’ll see why we’re so sure you are their sister.”

Rachel managed a smile. Then they all heard the front door close.

“Mom? I got your message and rushed right home. Where are you?”

“It’s Vanessa,” Vivian said. Will put a hand on her shoulder to keep her from standing. He went to the door. “In here, Vanessa.”

“Will, Mom said—”

“Yes. She’s in here.”

Vanessa pushed past Will into the room. Then she stopped and stared. “Oh, my!”

“Hello,” Rachel said slowly, assessing the young woman’s appearance. She looked a great deal like Rachel, but not identical. This was the one that was three years younger. This young woman had been raised in this spectacular house, well fed, well dressed, and well educated.

“Hello. I’m Vanessa.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Your name is Rachel?”

“Yes. Rachel Morgan.”

Vanessa reluctantly took her eyes off Rachel. “Where’s Rebecca? Isn’t she here yet?”

“No. Jeff went to get her. Is that a car I hear outside?” Vivian asked, leaning forward.

Vanessa ran to the window. “Yes, it’s Jeff and Rebecca.” She turned and left the room. In a moment Vanessa returned with the two of them.

Rebecca froze as soon as she entered the room. So did Rachel. The two young women stared at each other, astounded by the similarities in their looks. Eventually Rebecca walked closer and closer until
they were face-to-face. “It’s like looking in a mirror,” Rebecca said softly.

“I think you look younger than me,” Rachel said.

“No, I think we look the same.”

“Do
you
believe we’re sisters?” Rachel asked slowly.

“Oh, yes, I do. Will has a picture of the two of us when we were babies.”

“I asked my mother why she had no pictures of me before my third birthday, but she said she couldn’t afford the film.”

“I think she lied to you, but probably because she loved you and was afraid of losing you. Our parents were killed in a car crash shortly before our third birthday. All of the kids were put up for adoption because we didn’t have any other family to take care of us. Wally and Jim, the two oldest, were the only ones not adopted. They went into the foster care system.”

“I think my mother has some questions to answer.”

“Don’t be too hard on her, dear,” Vivian said.

“You don’t understand, Mrs. Greenfield. I found out last month that she’d spent all my savings I’d been earning since I was fifteen and borrowed against my future earnings. I’ve worked for ten years and have nothing to show for it, thanks to her. I think she deserves for me to be hard on her.”

“Oh, my,” Vivian said.

“What kind of work have you been doing for ten years?” Jeff asked.

“Modeling.” She saw their skeptical looks. “Oh, I’m not a high-fashion model. I don’t have the cheekbones. I have the ‘girl next door’ look. I’m in a lot of catalogs and flyers. I made it to the Neiman’s Christmas catalog for the first time this year.”

“That’s very exciting,” Vivian said.

“It was. I had quite a savings until my mother started spending it. She said I owed it to her because she never got any child support.”

“Have you seen a lawyer?” Jeff asked.

“You expect me to sue my own mother?”

“No, but some well-placed threats might recover whatever she has or could sell.”

“Are you a lawyer?”

“Yes.”

“Want the job?”

Jeff grinned. “It wouldn’t be my favorite job, but I’d do anything for Rebecca’s family.”

“My, you’ve made quite a conquest, Rebecca,” Rachel said, smiling at Rebecca.

“No, no, you don’t understand. Jeff is engaged to be married, but he’s also my little boy’s father.” Rachel’s frown made her hasten to add, “He didn’t know about Joey until he’d already gotten engaged.”

“That sounds bizarre,” Rachel said, still staring at Jeff.

“I’ll explain later, but if Jeff will try to recover your money, I’d hire him if I were you.”

“Then, yes, please, Jeff.”

“I’ll get your information after lunch.”

“I think I’ll give my mother a call. I want some answers, and I don’t want to wait.”

“If you’d like to go into the library, you can be alone, Rachel,” Vivian suggested.

“Thank you, Vivian. Could Vanessa and Rebecca come with me?”

“Of course, child. Whatever you want.”

The three young women went into the library together.

Jeff looked at Will. “Do you think there’s any doubt?”

“No, I don’t. But we’ll see what her mother says. She’d better get all the information she needs from her mother before the woman finds out you’re going to come after her money.”

“Can you believe a mother would steal from her own child? I thought Rebecca’s parents were no good, but I think even they were better than Rachel’s mother.”

“It is amazing, isn’t it? Who knows what forces motivate a person to behave so poorly—to go out and hurt their children? I can’t even begin to understand it,” Will said. “Do you think you can recover much of it?”

“It depends. If the woman is driving a new car, has a savings account, has bought some jewelry or furniture, then I can at least get her fifty cents on the dollar. That’s better than nothing.”

“Yeah. I hope you can help her.”

“Dear,” Vivian said to Will, “you don’t mind if I offer to have her live here, do you? She doesn’t have anyone but her mother, and she’s not very nice. I’d like her to be here with Vanessa and Rebecca.”

“I expected as much, my little den mother,” Will said with a grin. “I think that’s a great idea.”

“Oh, Will, you are so wonderful.”

“I think you’re both pretty wonderful,” Jeff said.

Suddenly the door opened, and the three women came back in.

Rachel was the one to speak. “She lied to me. My family name was Barlow, and Rebecca and I
are
twins. And Vanessa is my baby sister.” Her eyes watered but her chin remained firm. “I really can’t believe this is happening but I appreciate your looking for me.”

Rebecca and Vanessa hugged her. A few of those tears had escaped when she ended that embrace.

“My dear Rachel, we have a spare bedroom. Why don’t you come live here with us?”

“Oh, no. I have an apartment. Mostly, I need some
where my mail can be collected, and a place to stay for a day or two when I come back in town from a shoot.”

“All the more reason you should move in here. Paying rent for a place you don’t use doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

“I don’t want to impose on you.” Rachel stared when everyone broke into laughter.

Rebecca hugged her again. “Rachel, there’s no such thing with Vivian and Will. Did we tell you Vivian’s having a baby? We’re all so excited. And you’ll meet Betty in a minute. That’s why they can be so generous. Betty helps take care of all of us.”

“Are you sure?” Rachel asked, dumbfounded.

“We’re sure,” Vivian said with a gentle smile.

“And I can be your business manager,” Rebecca said. “I can take your mother’s place.”

“I don’t even know you, but I’d certainly trust you more than her after all the deception.”

Betty came in to call them to lunch. She hadn’t seen the twins together. Earlier she hadn’t realized it was Rachel rather than Rebecca. When she entered the room, her mouth open to call them to lunch, she froze, staring at the two girls.

“Betty, I’d like you to meet Rachel, Rebecca’s twin.”

“Lordy mercy, they’re as alike as two peas in a pod.”

“Yes, they are,” Will agreed. “Rachel’s going to move in here, too, but she won’t be here often. She’s a model.”

“Well, she’s pretty enough. A’course, Rebecca and Vanessa are, too.”

“Yes, they are,” Rachel agreed. “I could hook them up with some jobs if they’re interested.”

“I’m in college, attending classes,” Vanessa said.

“Me, too. And I couldn’t travel and leave Joey.” Rebecca gave an apologetic smile to her twin.

“I haven’t met Joey yet.”

“He comes home from preschool a little later. Peter, Betty’s husband, picks him up for me. Usually, I go from class to Jeff’s office to work.”

“Let’s go into lunch,” Vivian suggested, leading the way.

They were still lingering over lunch when Joey came home. Betty brought him into the dining room. Both Rebecca and Rachel were sitting on one side of the table, across from Vanessa and Jeff.

“Mommy!” Joey called as he came in, heading for the first twin. Then he caught sight of the second twin. He came to an abrupt halt. “Mommy?”

“I’m Mommy, sweetie,” Rebecca said. “This is my twin sister, Rachel.”

Joey climbed into his mother’s lap and whispered, “She looks just like you.”

“I know. That’s what being twins means.”

“Oh. But how do I tell you apart?”

“I’ll always tell you which one is me.”

“Okay.” He raised his head and looked at Rachel. “Hello.”

“Hello, Joey. I’m delighted to meet you.”

Instead of answering Rachel, Joey smiled at his mother. “Her voice is different from yours.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Good.”

Jeff, having made the same observation, smiled at his son. It had relieved his mind, too.

After lunch, Jeff asked Rachel questions about her mother’s finances. Then he went back to the office, telling Rebecca she didn’t need to come to work that afternoon.

“Generous boss,” Rachel said, elbowing Rebecca in a friendly manner.

“Yes, he is. Want to go pack up your apartment this afternoon?”

“I don’t think we can do it in one afternoon.”

“Then we’d definitely better get started. When’s your next job?”

“I leave Friday for the Caribbean.”

“Wow, you’re lucky,” Vanessa said.

“Yeah, but I don’t get to look around or tour the islands at all. And after posing in swimsuits for five or six hours on the beach, I don’t want to spend any more time there.”

“I can understand that,” Rebecca said, “but I’m not a beach person.”

“I am,” Vanessa said, “but you’re probably right. That would be too many hours on the beach. I like to shower and get the sand out of my mouth.” She turned to her mother. “Mom, do you mind if I go help Rachel and Rebecca pack up her apartment?”

“No, of course not, dear. Who will be home for dinner?”

Rebecca looked at Rachel and then Vanessa. “I think we all will be. After packing all afternoon, we’ll probably have huge appetites.”

“I’ll tell Betty,” Vivian said with a laugh.

“Not on my account. I can’t put on any weight before a shoot.”

“There’s another reason I don’t want to be a model,” Vanessa said. “I don’t want anything to mess with my appetite.”

Chuckling, the three young women linked arms and headed for the front door.

I
T WAS A BUSY WEEK
at the law office. In addition to his regular clients, Jeff worked on Rachel’s situation, which involved an ugly interview with her adoptive mother. The woman was a selfish, not-too-bright person.

Jeff had used veiled threats, but unfortunately he didn’t think there would be a lot he could reclaim on Rachel’s behalf. Still, he intended to do the best he could.

On Thursday, toward the end of the day, Bill came into his office. “Have you talked to Chelsea this week?”

“Chelsea?” Jeff asked, his mind still on other things.

“Yeah, you remember her, your fiancée?” Bill said in a sarcastic tone.

“Sorry. My mind was on a case. No, I haven’t talked to Chelsea this week. It’s been sort of hectic.”

“Yeah, especially with Rebecca not working this week.” Bill paused before adding, “I’m going to have to hire a secretary, even when Rebecca returns to work.”

“Yeah. I’m sure she’ll be back next week. But you’re right about needing to hire someone. You might ask Harriet if she knows a good prospect.”

“Good idea. Um, could you try to call Chelsea?”

Jeff stared at Bill. “Try? You make it sound like you don’t think I can.”

“Well, I’ve tried several times, but her mother always says she’s indisposed at the moment and offers to take a message.”

Jeff frowned. Then he picked up the phone and dialed Chelsea’s number. Just as Bill had predicted, the phone was answered by Chelsea’s mother.

“Mrs. Wexham, this is Jeff. Is Chelsea around?”

“I’m afraid she’s not feeling well, Jeff. May I take a message?”

“Sure. Can you please tell her to call me. Has she seen a doctor?”

“No, it’s not that serious. I’m sure she’ll feel better in a few days.”

“If it affects her that long, shouldn’t she see a doctor?”

“Jeff, I’m her mother. I know what’s best for my daughter. She’ll return your call when she can.”

Jeff put down the phone, still frowning.

“Killer Mom, right?”

“Yeah. When did you first call?”

“Monday afternoon. I thought I’d tell her about Rebecca’s twin. I thought she’d want to know. She and Rebecca have grown pretty close.”

“Yeah. So if anyone can breach the mother’s guard, it would be Rebecca.” He picked up the phone again and dialed from memory. “Betty, is Rebecca there? Oh, good. May I speak with her?”

He stood there waiting, the tapping of his foot the only indication he was impatient. “Becca, could you do me a favor? Can you please try calling Chelsea. Both Bill and I have tried, and her mother makes excuses about why she can’t come to the phone. She says Chelsea isn’t feeling well, but she hasn’t gone to a doctor.”

He paused, then said, “Thanks. Let me know what happens. I’ll wait for your call.” Then he hung up the phone. He turned and looked at Bill. “Rebecca is going to try to get through to her.”

“Mind if I wait with you?” Bill asked.

“No, I don’t mind.” Jeff gestured to an empty chair. “Make yourself comfortable.” He sat down behind his desk and began working.

Bill opened his mouth, as if to speak. He closed it again and sat down in one of the leather chairs in front of Jeff’s desk. Then he got up again, unable to sit still. “I think I’ll go talk to Harriet about a secretary.”

“Good idea. I’ll let you know what Rebecca says.”

“Yeah. I appreciate it.”

Jeff’s phone rang a few minutes later. “Jacobs,” he said, hoping it was Rebecca.

“Jeff, I spoke to Chelsea. I’m going over to see her.”

“Why?”

“She’s not feeling well, and none of us have checked on her. I think she feels neglected.”

“Bill said he tried to call her several times, and her mother wouldn’t let him talk to her.”

“Probably true, but Bill isn’t her fiancé.”

Oooh. The dig hurt. “Becca—”

“I have to go.”

Before he could say anything else, he heard the dial tone, meaning she’d gone. Then he looked up and saw Bill staring at him from the doorway. “Rebecca talked to her. Now she’s going over to visit her. Said she thinks Chelsea feels I’ve neglected her.”

Bill frowned. “But why wouldn’t she take my calls?”

“I don’t know. I tried to ask Rebecca some questions, but she hung up before I could.”

“I should go over there. If she’s feeling well enough to see Rebecca, she should be able to see me,” Bill said.

“Because you’re…” Jeff paused, waiting for Bill to complete the sentence.

Bill met his gaze. “Because I’m her friend.”

“I think we’d both better wait for Rebecca to call back.”

R
EBECCA PARKED IN FRONT
of the Wexham home and picked up the box of chocolates she’d bought for
Chelsea. She felt like she should’ve dressed in velvet to visit the Wexhams, or at least silk.

After ringing the doorbell, she stood waiting for it to open. When it did, a gray-haired woman in a maid’s uniform stared at her.

“Hello. I’m Rebecca Barlow. I’m here to see Chelsea.”

“I’m not sure—”

“I talked to Chelsea a few moments ago and she invited me over.”

“Oh. Then I guess you can come in.” She backed away from the door.

With a smile, Rebecca passed her. “Is her room upstairs?”

“Yes, ma’am. Second door on the right.”

“Thank you.” Rebecca started up the stairs. Chelsea had said her mother would be gone for an hour to a meeting, which made it possible for Rebecca to get in to see her. Much to Rebecca’s amazement, Chelsea’s mother had been holding her daughter prisoner.

She knocked on the door. “Chelsea?”

Chelsea opened the door and invited her into a beautiful bedroom.

“Oh, your room is lovely, Chelsea. Did you decorate it yourself?” Rebecca said, noting the difference between this room and the rest of the house she’d seen. “It’s so warm and inviting.”

“Yes, I did my room myself. It was my twenty-first birthday gift from my dad. My mother hates it.”

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine. I was more confused than sick.”

After drawing a deep breath, Rebecca offered the chocolates. “I thought these might raise your spirits.”

“How did you know these were my favorites?” Chelsea asked as she opened the box and selected a piece of chocolate. Then she offered the chocolates to Rebecca.