“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
