A short story by Tricia McGill

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Because I am busily packing and am short on time, and on the day this post goes up I will be moving into my new home, I found this short romance I wrote years ago—see if you can guess who I had in mind when I created Jackson.

“I don’t want Daddy to marry that lady! Why does he have to get married anyway?” Joel grumbled.

      Rebecca helped the three children from the car. “Well, your father doesn’t have to marry anyone, but he will eventually find a new mother for you three so you might as well resign yourselves to it.”

    Why can’t we just stay as we are, Becky?” six-year-old Dylan asked as he straightened his small backpack.

       Rebecca sighed. Why indeed? But nothing ever stayed the same, did it?

     “Off you go, and have a good day.” Mae, just eight, flipped a braid over her shoulder and reached up, waiting for a kiss. Rebecca hugged the dark-haired imp, who then scampered after her brothers, turning to wave when they reached the school gate.

       Rebecca waited until they disappeared inside the school. As she drove to the place she’d called home for nine years she let her mind wander. Her boss, Jackson Hughes, would likely marry soon. This new female in his life seemed to be perfect for him—liked the children, and was obviously besotted by Jackson. His feelings for her were not so obvious.

     Rebecca entered the Hughes household as nanny to Joel soon after his birth, and was there for Jackson and the children when his wife succumbed to a rare disease and died two years ago.

   Being a concert pianist, and in the public eye, Jackson was automatically thrown into the arms of many willing women once the initial grieving period passed. He treated them all with amused aloofness. Rebecca knew it would only be a matter of time before one of the ladies hooked him.

      Jackson married young and at 35 now was a fine figure of a man. He made Rebecca’s heart flutter just looking at him. She was 31 when she first set eyes on him. Natalie, his darling wife, hired Rebecca, so she hadn’t seen Jackson until he returned from a concert tour a week after she settled into his home. It was love at first sight and that love never dwindled. Not only was he a gentleman in all senses of the word but a wonderful and loving father.

    After garaging the car, Rebecca went inside and up to the children’s rooms. As she tidied up their mess, she pondered on her next course of action.

* * *

“Daddy!”

    At Mae’s squeal, heralding the arrival home of her father, Rebecca’s insides did a complete somersault as she stared at her reflection. Women friends said she looked ten years younger than her 40 years, but were they saying that to be nice? There wasn’t a strand of grey in her shoulder-length auburn hair, and her skin was flawless. With a heartfelt sigh she straightened the collar of her neat light blue uniform, patted her chignon, and fixed a smile on her face before going out of her room. Going into the children’s study, she said, “Good afternoon, sir.”

Jackson sat at the long table, Mae on his knee, the boys either side of him. “Hi, Becky. Have a good day? Mae here tells me she got the highest score in the spelling test. Isn’t that great news?”

       Rebecca sat opposite them. “Yes sir, that’s really good news. And Joel is doing splendidly too.”

      “And me, Daddy,” Dylan piped in, not to be excluded from the praise.

      Jackson gave Mae a smacking kiss and hugged the two boys. “Yes, indeed, I’m so proud of my family.” His eyes wore a strange expression as he met Rebecca’s gaze. She wondered if he was remembering his wife who, although a lovely woman in all ways, could by no stretch of the imagination be termed a good mother. If she hadn’t gallivanted off on some obscure mission, and picked up a rare tropical disease, she might still be alive.     

      He visibly shook himself and said, “I have a tour booked for October.”

        “Where to this time, Daddy?” Dylan asked. They were so used to his regular trips away that they treated it nonchalantly. Rebecca’s insides dropped. Perhaps he intended taking this new woman in his life with him—after their wedding. That thought made her feel nauseous.

        “You all right, Becky?” Jackson asked, with left eyebrow raised.

      “Of course I am, sir. So where will you be going in October?” Rebecca crossed her arms in front of her chest and tried not to sound downhearted.

          “England.”

      Her insides plummeted even further. The other side of the world! “And how long will you be away, sir?”

          “About three months.”

         Rebecca rose and began to straighten books and writing pads that were strewn across the table. The children all loved to read and scribble, something she’d encouraged from the moment they could talk.

      “A long tour, sir. Does that mean you will be away for Christmas?”

         She caught sight of a touch of amusement in his expression. What was so funny?

         “Yes, indeed. But not sure about Christmas.” He gently put Mae off his knee and stood, kissing his daughter before she scampered off. “I’m going to have a shower, kids. Behave.”

           “Off out tonight, sir?” Rebecca asked, hoping she didn’t look too crestfallen.

           “Nope. Thought I’d have a night in. What say we all watch a movie?” Rebecca tried to take her gaze from the smattering of dark hairs peeking through the vee of his open-necked shirt, but failed.

         Luckily, giving her time to recoup control, the next few minutes were spent excitedly discussing what to watch, with no one agreeing. The children had varying tastes. Jackson shrugged and pulled a face behind their backs.

            “I might go and visit a friend then,” Rebecca said as Jackson made to leave the room.

             He turned back. “Oh? I meant you too when I said all of us to watch a movie.”

      “I thought you might like to spend time alone with the children.” Rebecca felt flustered.

      “Don’t be daft. You’re one of the family. When I say all I mean all.” He sauntered out.

        Rebecca stared mutely at the door after he’d gone.

* * *

After changing into a black skirt and pale green sweater Rebecca went downstairs. It was her custom to wear her own clothes in the evenings—a practice Jackson’s wife encouraged, thank goodness. If not for that rule, Rebecca might have spent her entire life in the plain daytime uniform.

        The children were chattering excitedly in the family room, still undecided about what to watch. The housekeeper had prepared the popcorn and left out chocolates and soft drinks before going off home.

       Rebecca loved the evenings when, even on the days Jackson wasn’t here, she could imagine she was the mistress of his house.

       Jackson glanced her way as she entered. “Ah, just in time. Settle this argument please. Why can’t kids agree on anything?”

       Rebecca shook her head, got the children to agree on the movie, and once it was playing sat on the long sofa that accommodated all five of them easily.

          Soon the boys slipped to the floor. Not long after, Mae, forever the follower, did the same, which left the two adults on the sofa. Jackson shifted so that he was within touching distance of Rebecca. If asked what the movie was about, Rebecca would have no answer, she was too aware of the man, so near yet so far.

* * *

Closing the door to Dylan’s room Rebecca breathed a soft sigh. Mae had fallen asleep long before the end of the movie and Dylan was asleep as soon as his head hit his pillow. Joel’s light was still on in his room, as was usual. He often read before falling asleep.

         “Want a night-cap?”

         Rebecca jumped at Jackson’s question. For such a large man he moved with extreme stealth. “I… I was off to bed.” She turned as if to go to her room.

         He glanced at his watch. “I know my kids are a handful, but it’s not even nine o’ clock. Surely they can’t have exhausted you that much?” He grinned.

         She smiled. “No sir, I’m not exhausted, it’s just that...”

        “That what?”

        She shrugged, lost for words. What was she doing, turning down an opportunity to sit and talk with him? Perhaps fear that he was about to tell her of his marriage plans made her wary.

        “Come on then. I’m having hot chocolate—you can make it.” He gestured for her to go before him down the stairs.

        “Aha, now I see why my presence is required.” She laughed and preceded him.

       Once the drinks were made, they went into the sitting room. Rebecca was about to sit on one of the chairs when he gestured for her to sit beside him on the sofa. He sat with relaxed ease, one leg tucked beneath him so that he faced her.

      They sipped their drinks in silence, but when he put his empty mug down he said, “I was thinking I might take the children on this tour with me.”

      “Oh.” That completely stumped Rebecca. He’d never taken them on a working tour.

       “Yes. I thought that way we could stay away for Christmas.” He traced the pattern on a cushion with a finger, and Rebecca had the feeling he was picking his words.

       Here it comes. Next he’ll tell me he intends taking his new bride with him and I won’t be required.

           “I shall want you to come with me of course.”

            Rebecca’s gaze shot to meet his. “I… I thought…”

            “Thought what?”

       “I had the idea that you were going to ask Miss Young to accompany you.” Rebecca cleared her throat. “You know—I thought you were about to tell me you intended to ask her to marry you.”

           His soft chuckle did things to her insides. “Funny you should say that. I am about to ask someone to marry me. But I can assure you it isn’t our delectable Miss Young.”

         “It’s not?” Rebecca frowned. Who could it be? Granted there were a few waiting in line who would be more than willing to become his second wife.

            “How would you like to be my wife, Becky?”

           That so stunned Rebecca she almost fainted. Eyes wide, she stared at him.

          “I realise that you don’t love me, but you love my children, and that’s good enough for me,” he said.

          “Is it?” she whispered, not knowing whether to be overjoyed that he wanted her as his wife because she would make a good mother for his children, or broken-hearted because he only wanted her as a mother to his family. “What gave you that idea?”

         “What idea?” He looked puzzled. “The idea that you love my children—it’s as clear as crystal.”

          Rebecca shook her head. “No—the stupid idea that I don’t love you.” She stared down at her hands, now nervously twisting on her lap.

          “Is it? A stupid idea?”

          “So utterly wrong and totally idiotic,” she said, lifting her chin and meeting his gaze. “I’ve loved you from the first moment I saw you, Sir.”

        His face split into a devastating grin. “That’s so good to hear. Because I love you, Becky, more than life. If you went out of my life and my children’s lives, we would all be broken-hearted.”

        “I would never leave any of you—unless you threw me out.” Rebecca reached out and did something she’d yearned to do forever—she ran a finger across his lips.

         He clasped her finger gently and pressed a kiss to it. “I think you can stop calling me sir now, don’t you?”

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