Rebecca's Little Secret (2 page)

“No! I wouldn’t do that. But I feel guilty for not having told him before now.”

“Will’s right, dear. Better late than never. I’m sure he’ll understand when you explain.”

Rebecca wasn’t sure Jeff would understand. She felt sure he would acknowledge Joey as his son, but he might never speak to her again.

“Are you sure?” she asked faintly, giving them one last chance to tell her she should run away and hide. Joey had been her only family for so long. She was a little worried about sharing him, even with Jeff. Jeff and his wife.

“If you want to do the right thing, Rebecca,” Will said slowly, “then, yes, you have to tell Jeff about Joey.”

“I know. I just dread facing him.”

“I’ll go with you when you tell him if you want me to,” Will offered.

Rebecca actually smiled at his gesture. “Thank you, Will, but I think I’d better face the music alone. Though I guess I’ll be looking for a new job after Monday.”

“We’ll help you find one, dear,” Vivian assured her. “There has to be another job available.”

All Rebecca could do was smile gratefully. Already she was struggling with how she would face Jeff and tell him about his son.

J
EFF
J
ACOBS WAS DISTRACTED
all weekend long. He tried to hide it, but he felt sure Chelsea realized it. And the reason for his distraction. He’d tried to explain the surprise of seeing Rebecca there in his own office after having looked for her five years ago. But he hadn’t succeeded.

He needed time to absorb Rebecca’s return to his life. And he needed the answers to a lot of questions. Like why had her parents kicked her out of their house. Her father had been difficult, but he hadn’t threatened to disown her before. But when Jeff had called the house, her father had told him she didn’t live there anymore. Then he’d hung up.

Jeff had called back the next day when he knew her mother would be the only one at home. She had said the same thing, only in a nicer tone of voice. But she’d added that she couldn’t say anything else.

He’d flown up the next weekend and visited their
old haunts. He’d already discovered that Rebecca was no longer attending classes at university. He checked with Information, too, but she wasn’t listed. He even went so far as to check with the police.

He’d come back to Dallas distraught. His uncle had just lost his wife to cancer, after their trip to Arkansas. That was the reason Jeff hadn’t managed to call Rebecca right away. He’d done what he could for his aunt and uncle. After all, they had taken him in and raised him.

So he and his uncle mourned together. After a year or so, his uncle began to push him to date. Jeff did so, because he understood his uncle’s reasoning. He met several nice women, but still, he kept Rebecca in his heart. Gradually his memories dulled.

After a while, he began to think about his future. After his uncle’s death, he realized how important family was. When he met Chelsea, he didn’t “fall in love” with her, as he had with Rebecca, but she was a nice woman and they became friends.

When she pushed for something more than friendship, he agreed and proposed marriage. Now he wondered why he’d done such a thing.

When he got to work Monday morning, he questioned Harriet about Rebecca.

“I only know she’s Vivian’s daughter’s sister. And she’s living with them. She’s a lovely girl.”

“Yes, she is. When does she come in to work?”

“At one, after her classes.”

“Fine, I want to talk to her when she comes in.”

“Yes, sir.” Harriet didn’t make any comment, but
Jeff avoided her knowing gaze and escaped to his office. He didn’t need anyone to remind him about Chelsea.

He settled into his office, trying to concentrate on business while he waited to see Rebecca again.

A
FTER
R
EBECCA’S LAST CLASS
, she darted into the ladies’ room and combed her hair and powdered her nose. It was going to be hard enough to face Jeff without knowing her nose was shining. When she’d done all she could to improve her appearance, she reluctantly gathered her books and walked the two blocks to her job.

As she entered the office, she immediately said to Harriet, “I need to speak to Jeff as soon as I can.”

“Really? Well, he wants to talk to you, too. Just a minute.” She picked up the phone and said, “Jeff, Rebecca is here and would like to meet with you as soon as possible.”

After she hung up the phone, she said, “Go right in, Rebecca.”

Rebecca had expected questions from Harriet, and she hadn’t been sure how she would answer them. But there were no questions. Oh, well, she would face questions when she talked to Jeff.

He stood and came across the room to greet her. “Come in, Becca.” He reached for her, as if he were about to hug her again.

Rebecca drew back. She couldn’t bear such close contact with what she had to tell him. “I—I need to talk to you.”

Jeff frowned. “Of course, I want to talk to you, too.”

Without waiting to be asked, Rebecca sat down in one of the big leather chairs in front of his desk. She didn’t think her legs would continue to hold her up.

To her surprise, Jeff sat down in the other chair, close to her. “Aren’t—aren’t you going to sit in your chair behind the desk?”

He laughed. “This isn’t a legal matter, is it? We’re just friends talking, aren’t we?”

Rebecca didn’t smile. And she couldn’t answer his question. Looking away from him, she said, “Look, Jeff. I’m sure you have many questions for me, but I need to tell you the truth about why my parents disowned me.”

“Okay, but whatever it was that you did, I doubt that I’ll agree with their decision. That’s not how parents should behave.”

“It’s not something
I
did,” she protested indignantly. “It’s something
we
did.”

He stared at her.

Without waiting for him to ask a question, she stumbled on, hoping their conversation would soon be over. “After you left, I discovered I was pregnant.”

Jeff continued to stare at her, horror dawning in his eyes. “That’s why your parents—damn! I’m sorry. I should have been there for you. I guess you had no choice about what to do. Why didn’t you call me?”

“Because it was obvious your aunt and uncle con
sidered me unsuitable. If my own parents thought me white trash, I figured your relatives would, too.”

“Surely you didn’t think I would think you below me?”

“I don’t know. I was in shock. I had a little savings, and my mother slipped me some money. It was difficult at first.”

He reached over to take her hand, but she wouldn’t let him touch her.

“I’m sorry, Becca. I wish I’d known and we wouldn’t have lost our baby.”

She stared at him. “You think I had an abortion? You think I killed our baby?” Her voice rose in horror.

“I understand. You were all alone. You didn’t have many options.”

“I came to tell you that my son will be four on October 2. I don’t know if you have any interest in him at all, only learning about him now. That’s fine. I thought I owed it to you to tell you that you are a father.” She got up out of her chair and headed for the door.

He grabbed her arm, stopping her. “I have a son? You’re telling me you had the baby and all this time you neglected to tell me that I had a son?”

“Yes,” Rebecca said succinctly, a mixture of guilt and irritation affecting her.

“And you think I might not care? Do you think I’ve changed that much, Rebecca? Do you not know me at all? Do you think I don’t miss having family, someone of my own blood? Yes, I want a part in my son’s life.

“In fact, I think you owe me the next four years, since you managed to take the first four years without me.”

“Have you finished ranting?” she asked coldly.

“No, I haven’t!” he snapped back. “I have four years’ worth of ranting stored up. How dare you not tell me that I had a child! You know me better than to think I wouldn’t care!”

“I knew you five years ago, Jeff. I don’t know you at all now. Your fiancée may not be prepared to be a stepmom, even if you want to be involved in Joey’s life. You need to take that into consideration.”

“Hell! I haven’t had time to consider anything. And that’s your fault!” He was almost shouting now.

The office door opened. “Jeff, is everything all right?” Harriet asked hesitantly.

“No, Harriet, it’s not. Come in here.”

“Jeff, I don’t think—” Rebecca began.

“Do you think I’m going to keep my son a secret, Rebecca? That I’m ashamed of him? Well, I’m not. And I’m going to be involved in his life, so Harriet might as well know.”

“And do you need to yell when you tell Harriet?” Rebecca asked, her features cold.

“I can yell if I want to. It’s my office!”

“Jeff, I’ve never seen you like this. What’s wrong?” Harriet demanded, giving him a motherly look.

“Rebecca gave birth to my son nearly four years ago and she’s just getting around to telling me.”

Harriet looked shocked.

Rebecca wanted to walk out of the office and never see either of them again. Jeff wasn’t even trying to understand. Okay, he had a right to be angry, but he was throwing a temper tantrum in Rebecca’s opinion.

“And she gave him up for adoption?” Harriet asked, obviously following her own line of thought.

“No, she didn’t do that.”

Harriet turned to Rebecca. “You kept your baby and raised him by yourself? That must’ve been hard.”

Unwanted tears filled Rebecca’s eyes at Harriet’s sympathy. She quickly looked down so no one would see such weakness. “Yes, it was, Harriet. Thank you for saying that.”

“Is the boy here in Dallas with you now? Vivian
didn’t mention him to me. Does he look like Jeff?” Harriet moved closer to Rebecca.

“I’m not sure. Do you want to see a picture of him?” Rebecca only made the offer to Harriet, but when she opened her billfold to show Harriet, Jeff came to look, too.

“Look, Jeff. He looks just like you. What a fine boy!” Harriet turned to Rebecca. “You’ve done a good job raising him.”

“I hope so. I’ve tried.”

Jeff turned his back to both women and rubbed his neck. Then he turned around. “Becca, I owe you an apology for my reaction. I’m still angry that I’ve been robbed of the first four years of my son’s life, but I’m grateful to you for giving him life and for taking good care of him.”

“And I apologize for not contacting you. But you hadn’t called and I thought you’d move on to a—a better life. I convinced myself you wouldn’t be interested. I developed a mentality of me and Joey against the world.”

“His name is Joey?” Jeff asked urgently.

She nodded.

“My dad’s name was Joe.”

“I know.”

“You named him after my dad?” Jeff asked, his eyes filling with tears.

“His full name is Joseph Lee Barlow.”

Jeff had been named Jefferson Lee by his father. Rebecca wanted Joey to have some part of his father
in his name. Jeff turned away again. After he composed himself, he said, “I want to see him.”

Harriet said, “You don’t have anything on your schedule except for Mrs. Yancy wanting to change her will again. I can reschedule her.”

“Thanks, Harriet. Ready, Rebecca?”

Rebecca felt like she’d lost track of what was happening. “Ready for what?”

“I want to see Joey. Now. Will you introduce me to my son?”

“Yes, but—but I haven’t told him. I haven’t prepared him—”

“Good. Let’s go.”

“I
F YOU’LL WAIT HERE
,” Rebecca said, having led Jeff to the library, “I’ll go find Joey.”

“You don’t know exactly where he is?”

“No. Betty will know.” She left him alone and headed for the kitchen. “Betty, where’s Joey?”

“What are you doing home now? Are you sick?” the housekeeper asked, moving toward her to touch her forehead.

“No, I’m not sick. I’ve brought Joey’s daddy home to meet him.”

Betty’s eyes widened, but she didn’t ask any questions. “Joey is helping Peter wash Miz Vivian’s car.”

“Thank you.”

“Peter said he wouldn’t let him get wet,” Betty called after her as Rebecca headed for the driveway, where Peter, Betty’s husband, was washing a car.

“Mommy!” Joey squealed in excitement. “I’m helping Peter!”

“I can see that, but I need you to come inside and meet someone.”

Her son pouted and protested that Peter needed him, but Peter assured him there would be other car washes he could help with.

A disgruntled Joey followed his mother into the house. Once they were inside, Rebecca stopped. “Did you get wet?”

“Not much,” Joey said, looking at his mother from under his lashes.

“I think we’d better go change. Joey,” she said in what she hoped was a casual voice, “do you remember asking about your daddy?”

That question got Joey’s attention. “Yeah. Why?”

“Because he’s here. He didn’t know about you until today, and he’s come at once to meet you.”

“My real daddy?” the little boy asked skeptically.

“Of course your real daddy. I wouldn’t lie about that.”

Her intention of changing Joey’s clothes so he would impress his father went down the drain. Suddenly Joey darted toward the library. “Is he in here?” he asked over his shoulder.

“Yes, but—”

Joey was already through the door.

Rebecca hurriedly followed him in time to hear him say, “You’re not my real daddy!”

“Joey, don’t be rude, please. Let me introduce you to Jeff Jacobs. Jeff, this is Joey.” She tightened her
hands on her son’s shoulders before she added, “And, yes, Jeff is your real daddy.”

“But you told me he was strong like Superman! He doesn’t even have a cape!”

Much to Rebecca’s relief, Jeff laughed. “I’m a lot stronger than your mom. Maybe that’s why she said that.”

“Yeah. We was scared and she said if you was there, you’d protect us.”

“We
were
scared, Joey,” Rebecca corrected.

Joey gave her one of his disgusted looks. He didn’t count grammar among the important things in life.

Jeff had been standing. Before the awkward silence got too long, he said, “May we sit down and talk a little? I’ve missed four years of your life. I’d like to know what you like to do. Your favorite foods, those kinds of things.”

Joey looked at Jeff and then his mother.

Rebecca braced herself for what was coming.

“When we have something to celebrate, Mommy takes me to McDonald’s!”

“Joey, you just had lunch. And it’s not nice to ask to be invited.” Rebecca felt her cheeks turning red.

“But, Mommy, he asked what I like. And I like to go there.”

“Fair enough,” Jeff said. “How about I take you there for dinner this evening?”

“That would be great. Me and Mommy will like that.”

Rebecca hurriedly said, “I won’t be going, honey. It’s a chance for you to get to know your daddy.”

Joey looked at Jeff and frowned. “I don’t want to go without you, Mommy.”

Before she could begin to persuade him, Jeff said, “That’s fine if Mommy comes. I’ll invite my fiancée, too, so you can meet her.”

“What’s a fiancée?” Joey asked.

“She’s the lady I’m going to marry.”

Joey backed up to lean against his mother’s legs. “Uh-uh, I’m not changing mommies. I’m keeping my mommy.”

Rebecca bent down and kissed her son’s cheek. “I’m glad you want to keep me, sweetie, but that’s not what your daddy meant. Chelsea would be your stepmother and I would be your mommy.”

“Stepmother? Like the one in Cinderella? That would be bad! I don’t want a stepmother!”

“Joey, mind your manners. I’ll explain later.”

Jeff looked at the little boy with his stubborn chin. “Maybe that’s a good idea. You’ll have time to explain everything and we can talk at McDonald’s. Okay, squirt?”

“What’s a squirt?” Joey asked.

“Your mom will explain that, too.” Jeff moved toward the door. “About seven?”

“Actually,” Rebecca said, “little boys like to eat around six, if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind. You don’t need to go back to work today. I’ll explain to Harriet that you’ve got today off and that you’ll be there tomorrow.”

Rebecca froze. “You’re not going to fire me?”

“Why would I do that?”

“Maybe because you’re mad at me?”

“I’m not. Besides, my new partner comes in the morning. You’ll be able to help out until he hires a full-time secretary.”

J
EFF SAT IN HIS CAR
for several minutes, trying to take in all he’d learned this afternoon. He had a son. He’d always wanted children some day but this wasn’t exactly how he’d expected to form his family. Still, he wanted to hold him, to hug him, to be there for him. But Jeff knew he was a stranger to Joey, and it would take him time to warm up to him and show his love.

He remembered the photo Rebecca pulled out. Joey looked like he did as a boy, but he did have Rebecca’s stubborn chin. Jeff laughed. That was no surprise, but it probably explained how she managed to raise Joey alone.

Now he had to face Chelsea and explain how his life had changed in one afternoon. He was supposed to take her to dinner, and McDonald’s wasn’t what she would be expecting.

When he reached the Wexham home, he paused. Suddenly he realized that he didn’t like the Wexhams’ home. It wasn’t a home. It was a house with expensive things in it. He couldn’t see bringing Joey there.

Then he thought about Vivian Greenfield’s house. Jeff had always liked her house. He’d first visited it almost five years ago with his uncle. Vivian’s house was a home, warm and inviting. He wanted that kind of house for his son.

With a sigh, he got out of the car and went to the
door, ringing the doorbell. The housekeeper answered the door. She wasn’t part of the family, like Betty and Peter. Mrs. Wexham never let her forget her place.

“Is Chelsea in?” he asked.

“Yes, sir. I’ll tell her you’re here.” She led him to the parlor and left the room. He stood there, looking at the brocade antique sofa and the accompanying chairs. He decided that he would ask Chelsea to go for a ride. He certainly didn’t want their conversation interrupted.

“Jeff! This is a surprise. How nice,” Chelsea said with a beautiful smile.

“I know. I should’ve called but, well—you’ll understand when I tell you what’s happened. Can we go for a ride?”

She was wearing slacks and a shirt. “I’m not dressed to go out, Jeff. I could change—”

“No, Chelsea, we won’t get out of the car. But this is important. Please.”

She gave him a curious look. “All right. Let me tell Mother.”

She came back several minutes later. “Sorry. She had to lecture me about going out like this,” she said with a smile.

For the first time, Jeff considered what kind of parent Chelsea would be. He could picture Joey in a proper suit, standing rigidly at attention. And being seriously unhappy.

He shoved that thought away and led Chelsea to his BMW. He drove to a nearby park, pulled into a free space, then rolled down the windows and turned
off the motor. It was a mild fall day, not too hot as long as there was a breeze.

“Okay, what happened today? Is it good? Did you get a new client?” Chelsea asked.

“It’s more personal than that. It’s rather complicated as well. Rebecca—Rebecca told me that she was pregnant when I left Arkansas. She has been raising my son alone since his birth.”

“And she didn’t tell you? Well, I think you’ve got a good case to get out of paying child support.” Chelsea was looking at her nails, as if trying to decide if she liked the color.

“I have no intention of avoiding child support payments. He’s my son.”

“Are you sure? I think you should have a paternity test done. She could’ve gotten knocked up by some jerk who ran off and she sees an opportunity to get some money.”

“Chelsea, how could you be so cold? Rebecca’s not like that!” Jeff snapped.

“Jeff, you haven’t seen her in five years. She may have changed.” She looked up at him. “Right?”

“It’s possible, I guess.”

“So get the test.”

“When you meet him, you’ll understand why that isn’t necessary.”

She gave him a droll look. “We’ll see.”

“Yes, you will. Tonight. I invited Joey and Rebecca to join us for dinner tonight.”

Before he could continue, Chelsea protested. “Jeff, I’m not sure that a five-star French restaurant allows
children. And even if they do, a little boy won’t like it.”

“I know. So we’re going to McDonald’s.”

“You must be kidding. No one goes to McDonald’s.”

“People with children go to McDonald’s. And I now have a child. I’m trying to be as honest as I can be, Chelsea. Joey is going to be a part of my life. I want him to be a part of your life, too.”

“A little boy? How old is he?”

“He’s almost four. He’s in preschool.”

“So we’re talking visitation for an occasional weekend?”

Jeff sank his teeth into his bottom lip. “Maybe more than that. I’m not sure right now. Let’s just take it one step at a time. We’ll go to McDonald’s and—”

“I don’t want to go to McDonald’s. I’ll eat at home.” She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him.

“It’s your choice. But Rebecca is coming with us, and you know how the gossips are.” He shrugged his shoulders. “If you’re with me, nobody will think anything of it.”

He let his words settle into her head. Then he said, “But it’s up to you, Chelsea. I don’t want to force you to do something you don’t want to do.”

She glared at him. “I’ll go, but you’re going to owe me big time, Jeff Jacobs.”