Rebecca's Little Secret Read Online Free PDF Page B

son.”
    “Your son? I didn’t know you had a son.” Bill stared at him.
    “I didn’t know, either, until yesterday,” Jeff admitted. “Rebecca and I had a—a relationship five years ago. I left rather suddenly and moved to Texas to be with my aunt and uncle. Because my aunt was dying of cancer, I didn’t call Rebecca as soon as I’d wanted. By the time I tried to get hold of her, I couldn’t find her.”
    “And she didn’t contact you at all?”
    “No.”
    “Must’ve been a real shock. How did Chelsea take it?”
    “As well as could be expected. It will take Chelseatime to adjust to the change.” He wasn’t sure Bill would believe him since he’d met Chelsea several times when they were talking about being partners.
    “Yeah, I can imagine. Chelsea’s used to getting her own way. You’ve spoiled her rotten.”
    “ I have? Her family has certainly spoiled her, but I don’t think I’m guilty of it,” Jeff unhappily asserted.
    “Well, Chelsea is the kind of lady you have to take a hard line with, to counterbalance her behavior.”
    “When I want your advice on how to handle my fiancée, I’ll ask for it, Bill. Until then, mind your own business and keep away from Rebecca.”
    “Wait a minute! You’ve got Chelsea. Where does Rebecca fit in?”
    “I told you. She’s the mother of my son.”
    “So she has to take a vow of chastity?”
    “I don’t think she’d be interested right now.”
    “But if she indicates that she is, then there’s no reason I can’t get to know her better?”
    “I told you I don’t like mixing our personal lives with our business.” Jeff frowned at his partner to emphasize his point.
    “Jeff, she’s a part-time worker, not another lawyer, or even my secretary. I’ll be careful.” With a triumphant smile, he left the office.
    Jeff sat there, staring at a painting on the wall without even seeing it. He hated to admit it, but Bill was right. He didn’t have the right to warn Bill away from Rebecca. Not when he was engaged to Chelsea.
    And he was committed to Chelsea, of course. But when faced with Rebecca, living and breathing rightthere in front of him when he’d thought she was gone from him forever, he was growing more and more confused by the minute. He wasn’t sure what he was feeling.
    Still, Jeff tried to put aside his emotions and get to work. But he made sure Rebecca was kept busy. Too busy to be available for any flirting with Bill.
     
    E VERYTHING WAS GOING SMOOTHLY . Rebecca was working diligently at the sudden increase of duties she’d received since Jeff returned to work.
    He’d offered to take them to the zoo on Saturday. Again Rebecca had tried to convince her son that her presence wasn’t necessary, but Joey had disagreed with her and so had Jeff.
    Rebecca worried that she wasn’t fighting hard enough. She knew she wanted to be with Jeff, but she had to realize he was engaged to Chelsea. Her son had a role in Jeff’s life, but Rebecca didn’t, and she tried to remind herself of that fact at every turn.
    Then Thursday afternoon came and all hell broke loose….
    “Rebecca, you have a call…and the woman sounds upset,” Harriet warned as she held out the phone for Rebecca.
    “Hello?”
    “Hi, it’s Betty. Peter was playing ball with Joey and—and it was an accident, but the ball hit him in the mouth. Oh, Rebecca, it knocked his tooth out! We didn’t know what to do. I wrapped the tooth in a cold wet cloth, but who do we take him to?”
    “I don’t know, but I’ll be right there,” she promised, and hung up the phone. “Sorry, Harriet, but Joey’s been hurt. I have to leave.”
    “Jeff will drive you.”
    “No, that’s not necessary,” she protested, grabbing her purse and hurrying to the door.
    Jeff came out of his office. “Did you call me, Harriet? Where’s Rebecca going?”
    “Joey’s been hurt. She’s going home.”
    “Does she have her car here?”
    “No, she walked, as usual. I said you would drive her but she