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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.”
“IF 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.”
JEFF 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.”
They drove to Chelsea’s home in silence. It was wrong to compare Rebecca and Chelsea. They were two completely different people. And Rebecca had had time to get used to having a child. He couldn’t imagine Chelsea pregnant or even having children, now that he thought about it. In fact, he couldn’t believe the subject never came up before. And he needed to change that. Just before she got out of the car, he asked, “How many children do you want us to have?”
“I haven’t really thought about it. But certainly none anytime soon. I want us to travel and to have fun together, just the two of us. Maybe we could have one child when I’m in my mid-thirties. That’s still safe. But I don’t think I’d want more than one.”
She leaned over and kissed him before she got out of the car and went into the house.
Jeff couldn’t believe how many momentous revelations had been brought to his attention today. How could he have proposed to Chelsea without ever asking her about children? He wanted children. More than one child. He’d been an only child and he’d hated it. It was lonely, and there was too much responsibility and burden to carry for one person, so much pressure and nobody to share it with.
Chelsea was one of two children. It had occurred to Jeff that her brother had been an accident, since there were seven years between them. But he hadn’t asked. Maybe he didn’t want to know…or maybe he was afraid of Chelsea’s response.
REBECCA HAD SPENT THE afternoon talking to Joey about stepmothers and the advantage of having a father. By dinnertime, she’d made some progress, but not much.
Rebecca dressed in jeans and a cotton sweater, along with athletic shoes, then made sure her son was in clean clothes. She’d combed his hair, but it didn’t behave very well. To her he looked adorable. She hoped Chelsea would think so.
She’d called Jeff and told him they would meet him at the fast-food restaurant since he had to pick up Chelsea. He reluctantly agreed. Rebecca and Joey arrived five minutes early. She ordered and paid for their food, so there would be no awkward confrontation later. They found a table for four and settled in on one side of the table. Joey wanted to open his meal at once, but Rebecca insisted he wait for the others to arrive and order their food.
When Jeff and Chelsea came in, Rebecca waved to them. Either she was severely underdressed or Chelsea was overdressed with her pink sleeveless top that didn’t quite reach her waist and a skirt that flared around her thighs. Rebecca guessed that the top was made of cashmere, which made it very expensive, and out of place for this type of restaurant.
Jeff frowned when he saw they already had their food. Chelsea sat down at the table, and he asked her what she wanted. She asked for the kids’ meal.
“Goody!” Joey exclaimed. “Can I have your toy if you don’t want it?”
“Chelsea, I should introduce you to Joey, my son, who has already asked for your toy. If you want to keep it, please do so.” Rebecca gave her son a reproving look.
“Mommy! She wouldn’t want a toy soldier!”
“She might, Joey, and I’ve told you it’s not nice to ask for something.”
Joey ducked his head and muttered, “Okay.”
Jeff promised to be right back and went to purchase their food. Rebecca tried to make conversation with Chelsea, but it was forced and awkward. They were all relieved when Jeff returned.
“Here’s your meal,” he told Chelsea as he sat the box in front of her. He had gotten a cheeseburger and fries for himself.
Rebecca told Joey he finally could open his box and begin eating.
He opened his box, but his interest was fixed on what toy he’d received. “Oh. I got the green soldier.” Disappointment filled his voice.
“What’s wrong with the green soldier?” Jeff asked.
“I already have three green soldiers, but I wanted a blue soldier.”
Chelsea looked up after opening her box. “I have a blue soldier.” Her voice was offhand.
Joey looked at his mother, but she shook her head no.
After a minute, when Chelsea had begun eating her hamburger, Joey said politely, “I’ll trade soldiers with you, if you want.”
Chelsea looked at Jeff, who nodded yes. She still hesitated a minute. Then she said, “You can have it.”
Joey was thrilled. “Thank you!” he exclaimed.
Joey immediately began playing with the two soldiers. Rebecca had to remind him to eat his dinner, and the boy reluctantly took a bite of his hamburger. Jeff began asking him questions about what he liked to do, which also kept Joey busy.
Rebecca continued to try to make conversation with Chelsea while they ate, since she showed no interest in Jeff’s conversation with Joey. “Did you attend Southern Methodist University?” Rebecca asked.
“No. I went to Stanford,” Chelsea said, naming a highly ranked college in California.
“Oh. I’ve heard it’s hard to get into Stanford.”
“Not when my father went there and has contributed a lot of money to their building funds.”
“How nice,” Rebecca said. She couldn’t think of any other comment.
“I majored in French Literature,” Chelsea added.
“What kind of job can you get with that major?” Rebecca asked, truly curious about the practical application of her major.
Chelsea, however, appeared affronted. “A job? You think I’ll be looking for a job? I’m marrying Jeff.”
“Oh, of course,” Rebecca agreed.
“Mommy! Look, there’s Derek!” Joey squealed, jumping to his feet in his chair and knocking over his soda, splashing it all over Chelsea.
Chapter Three
“Oh, Joey, no!” Rebecca said, but it was too late to undo what Joey’s excitement had done. “I’m so sorry, Chelsea,” she hurriedly said, and began handing her all the napkins she had. “Joey, you need to apologize to Chelsea.”
“I’m sorry. Mommy, can I go play with Derek?”
“No. Go get some more napkins for Chelsea,” Rebecca ordered.
“More napkins won’t help!” Chelsea snapped. “Look what he’s done! My outfit is ruined and this is the first time I’ve worn it!”
“I’ll pay to have it cleaned, Chelsea. Perhaps the cleaners can repair the damage,” Rebecca said, hoping to satisfy Chelsea.
“I’m not sure they can do any good.”
Joey returned with more napkins. “Here, Chelsea. I’m sorry I spilled my drink,” Joey said, showing true contrition.
“You need to be more careful,” she said, standing and backing away from him.
Jeff spoke for the first time. “I’d better take Chelsea home.”
Rebecca nodded, biting her bottom lip to keep herself from responding to Chelsea’s lack of understanding, and noting that Jeff didn’t really stand up for his son or acknowledge that it was an accident.
Jeff rubbed Joey’s hair and said, “I’ll see you soon, Joey, okay?”
Joey nodded, but his gaze went to his mother, as if he wasn’t sure that was a good idea.
Rebecca could understand her son’s hesitation if seeing Jeff again meant seeing Chelsea. But she knew the woman wasn’t used to being around children. She smiled encouragement to Joey. To Jeff, she said, “We’re sorry. Please let me know how much the dry cleaning costs. We’ll be glad to pay for it.”
Jeff nodded and smiled, but Chelsea was standing by the door, her toe tapping out the seconds he kept her waiting. After Jeff reached her and held open the door, both Rebecca and Joey gave a sigh of relief.
“Now can I go play with Derek?”
“First you have to eat your hamburger. I’ll get you some water to drink.”
“But I want another soda.”
“I think we’ll stick with water.”
His face took on a stubborn look. “I want a soda.”
“You’re not going to get a soda. If you’re nice, you can play with Derek. If not, we’ll just go home.” Rebecca kept her voice calm, leaving the choice up to him.
“I’d like some water, please, Mommy.” Joey even managed to smile, determined he was going to play with his friend.
“Very nice. I’ll be right back.”
She brought him water, and he finished his hamburger in rapid fashion. Then he politely asked if he could go play with his friend.
Rebecca agreed, warning him they would have to leave in twenty minutes. After he ran to join his friend, she wished Jeff had been there to see his good behavior. And Chelsea, too. If she was going to be his stepmother, Rebecca wanted her to know that he could behave properly. He’d just gotten excited about seeing his friend.
REBECCA WASN’T EAGER TO GO to her job the next day. She was afraid Jeff would make remarks about Joey’s behavior. It was important for Jeff to like Joey. Joey’s self-image was at stake. She admitted to herself that his acceptance of Joey mattered to her, too. She wanted Jeff to believe she’d done a good job of raising their son.
Which also forced her to admit that Jeff’s opinion about everything mattered to her, even if he was marrying another woman. All these years, even though she hadn’t told Jeff about his son, she’d held him in her heart. She might not be able to have Jeff for her own, but she at least wanted her son to have him in his life.
She warily entered the law office that afternoon. When she barely avoided running into a tall, handsome man—not Jeff—she abruptly forgot her problems. “Oh, excuse me!” she exclaimed.
“I’m sure it was my fault. I was in too much of a hurry.”
She smiled and stepped back, assuming he was on his way out of the office.
“Are you here about a legal problem?” he asked, not moving.
“No,” Rebecca said, still smiling, “I work here.”
“So do I.” He gave her a curious look.
“Oh, you must be Jeff’s new partner!” Rebecca exclaimed just as Harriet came out of Jeff’s office.
“Oh, good, I see you two have met,” Harriet said with a smile.
“Well, not exactly,” the man said. “She’s figured out I’m Jeff’s new partner, but neither of us knows the other’s name.”
“Well, then, let me introduce you. Rebecca, this is Bill Wallace, Jeff’s new partner, as you suspected. Bill, this is Rebecca Barlow, our part-time help.”
“Hello, Rebecca,” Bill immediately said. He extended his hand, and Rebecca placed hers in it, assuming he wanted to shake hands.
Bill, however, just held her hand, smiling at her. “I must say Jeff has shown great taste in hiring you.”
Embarrassed, Rebecca tugged on her hand. “Actually, Harriet hired me.”
“Then Harriet has shown good taste,” he said, a teasing smile on his face as he continued to hold on to her hand.
Jeff walked out of his office. “What’s going on?”
“I’m just making Rebecca’s acquaintance,” Bill assured him, his smile growing.
Jeff frowned. “I need to see you in my office, Bill.”