Rebecca's Little Secret. Judy Christenberry

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      “Are you sure? He’s engaged to another woman. What if she doesn’t want a stepson and it breaks up his engagement? Would that be fair?”

      “Hmm. I think you should talk to Mom and Will about it. They’re wiser than I am.”

      “Will they mind?”

      “Of course not. Mom will be pleased. Come on. I think they’re in the library. Will was going to do some paperwork while Mom read a book.”

      When the two young ladies entered the library, they discovered Will working at the desk, but Vivian was dozing in a big chair.

      Will greeted them quietly. “Do you need something?”

      Vanessa stepped closer. “Rebecca has a pretty big problem and wanted to ask you and Mom what you think she should do, but Mom’s asleep and—”

      “I am not,” Vivian protested, having awakened while Vanessa talked. “What’s the problem?”

      “Are you sure you don’t mind?” Rebecca asked hesitantly.

      “Of course not, child. I don’t know why I fell asleep. I just seem to be tired lately.”

      Will smiled at his wife. “I think maybe you need a checkup, Vivian. You may be low in iron or something.”

      She made a face at him but promised to make an appointment next week. “Now, what’s the problem? Do you not like one of your classes?”

      “No. I—I’ve found Joey’s father.”

      Will looked at her sharply. After all, it was his business to find people who were lost. “I could’ve helped you if I’d known you were looking.”

      “I—I wasn’t looking. It turns out he’s the lawyer I’m working for.”

      Vivian stared at her. “Jeff Jacobs is Joey’s father? Well, I would’ve thought better of him!”

      “It’s not his fault, Vivian. I never told him. I know I should have, but he left just before I found out I was pregnant. His aunt and uncle took him back to Texas. They weren’t very friendly, kind of looking down their noses at me. Then when Mom and Dad threw me out, I decided it was just me and my baby on our own. I didn’t make any attempt to find Jeff.”

      “I see. It must’ve been a big shock.”

      “Yes. And to add to the dilemma he’s engaged.” Rebecca didn’t say anything else.

      “Yes, I’d heard that. Chelsea Wexham, isn’t it? Her family has been here for many years.”

      “Yes. My problem is, I know I need to tell Jeff about Joey. But what if I do and it breaks up his engagement?” Rebecca couldn’t confess that she secretly hoped it would and that’s why she couldn’t make the decision. She didn’t trust herself enough to do the right thing.

      Will frowned. “I don’t think you can let that stop you, Rebecca. I think Jeff deserves to know he’s a father. You understand that he may not choose to be involved in Joey’s life? I think that would be a bad decision, but he may choose it. Of course, you could sue for child support then.”

      “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.

      JEFF JACOBS 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 СКАЧАТЬ