LITMIR.BIZ

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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.”

      Slowly Bill released Rebecca’s hand. “I’ll see you later, Rebecca,” he promised before he turned and followed Jeff into his office.

      “Close the door,” Jeff snapped.

      Bill did so, but his expression showed concern.

      “What’s wrong? Did I commit a faux pas?”

      “I just wanted to warn you about flirting with Rebecca.” Jeff sat down behind his desk. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to mix business and personal interests.”

      “So she means nothing to you? Personally, I mean.”

      Jeff glared at him. “She’s the mother of my 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 Chelsea time 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.”

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