Rebecca's Little Secret Read Free Page A

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 considered 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?”

Chapter Two
    “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