It wasn’t entirely a lie. Her family’s emotional well-being was indeed at stake. The drive back to Brooklyn gave her time to think, to process both her growing feelings for Jackson and the disturbing accusation. Part of her wanted to dismiss the email as Daniel’s desperate attempt to sabotage her, but another part, the part that had been abandoned by Michael, whispered that men with power and money played by different rules.
By Monday morning, Rebecca had resolved to confront Jackson directly. She arrived at the office early, steeling herself for the inevitable encounter, only to find an urgent message requesting her immediate presence at a special board meeting. Heart pounding, she entered the boardroom to find the entire executive team assembled, minus Jackson.
The chief financial officer, a normally stoic woman in her 60s, addressed the somber gathering. “For those who haven’t heard the news, Jackson Hayes was involved in a serious car accident returning from the Catskills retreat early yesterday morning. He’s currently in intensive care at Manhattan Memorial.” The room spun around Rebecca as details filtered through her shock.
Black ice on mountain roads, a guardrail failure, critical but stable condition. All she could think was that he had been driving back early, likely because of her abrupt departure. The next 3 days passed in a blur of meetings, hospital visits where she was turned away for not being family, and sleepless nights plagued by regret.
She’d never even given Jackson a chance to explain the email’s accusations. On Thursday afternoon, as she sat in her office reviewing contracts with mechanical efficiency, her assistant announced an unexpected visitor. “Ms. Walsh, there’s a Ms. Hayes here to see you. She says she’s Jackson’s sister.” Rebecca looked up to find a woman with Jackson’s same dark hair and bourbon-colored eyes, though her expression held none of his warmth.
“Catherine Hayes,” the woman introduced herself with cool precision. “My brother regained consciousness this morning and has been asking for you. Quite insistently, in fact.” Relief flooded through Rebecca, quickly followed by apprehension. “He’s awake? The doctors say he’ll recover?” “Apparently, my brother is too stubborn to die before resolving whatever situation exists between you two.
” Catherine’s assessing gaze reminded Rebecca uncomfortably of being examined under a microscope. “He mentioned something about a misunderstanding involving Daniel Morgan and an old college bet.” Rebecca’s stomach dropped. “So, it’s true.” Catherine’s expression softened slightly. “I think you should hear the full story from Jackson himself.
My car is waiting downstairs if you’d like to accompany me to the hospital.” 45 minutes later, Rebecca stood hesitantly in the doorway of a private hospital room. Jackson looked pale against the white sheets, a bandage covering part of his forehead, his arm in a cast, but unmistakably alive and alert. “Rebecca.” Her name on his lips sounded like both a prayer and a plea.
“You came.” She approached the bed cautiously. “Your sister can be very persuasive.” “Jon and Catherine has that effect on people. A ghost of his usual smile appeared. Though usually she’s scaring them away from me, not bringing them to my bedside. Jackson, about the email. The bet. He closed his eyes briefly.
Daniel’s final attempt to drive a wedge between us. Clever of him to use a partial truth rather than an outright lie. Rebecca tensed. So, there was a bet? 20 years ago in college. Jackson shifted, wincing slightly. Thomas and Daniel and I made ridiculous about everything. One night particularly drunk, we bet on which of us would be first to date someone from every floor of the university library.
He met her eyes directly. Juvenile, objectifying, and something I’m not proud of. But it ended there, Rebecca. I never collected on it and it has absolutely nothing to do with you. Then why would Daniel because he knew it would sound plausible enough to make you doubt me? Jackson reached for her hand with his uninjured one. Rebecca, I’ve spent the past 3 years watching you fight for authors you believe in, seeing your integrity and talent, falling in He caught himself, then continued more carefully, developing feelings for you
that have nothing to do with ancient history and everything to do with who you are. The sincerity in his eyes made her want to believe him. 3 years? But you barely spoke to me before the wedding. Because you reported to Daniel and because I was trying to maintain professional boundaries. His grip on her hand tightened.
The wedding just gave me an excuse to finally approach you, to see if there might be something worth exploring between us. Rebecca found herself at a crossroads. Trust this man who had shown her nothing but respect and kindness or retreat behind the walls that had protected her since Michael’s abandonment.
I need you to understand something, she said finally. Penny isn’t just a part of my life, she is my life. Anyone I allow close to me has to accept that reality. Rebecca, Jackson’s expression softened. I adore Penny, her magic tricks, her dragon fears, her endless questions. She’s extraordinary, just like her mother. And the professional complications? I won’t sacrifice the career I’ve worked so hard to build, even for She hesitated, not quite ready to name what was growing between them.
Even for me? Jackson smiled fully now despite his injuries. I wouldn’t expect you to. In fact, I’d be disappointed if you did. We’ll figure out the professional boundaries. Companies have policies for a reason. A knock at the door preceded Katherine’s return. Sorry to interrupt, but there’s someone very insistent about seeing Jackson.
She stepped aside to reveal Penny, clutching her stuffed rabbit and looking anxious. I told her you were hurt, Rebecca explained surprised. She insisted on making you a get well card. She hadn’t intended to bring Penny, having left her with a neighbor, but the little girl had been inconsolable when she learned Mr.
Magic Man was in the hospital. Jackson’s face lit up as Penny approached the bed cautiously. Mr. Jackson, does it hurt a lot? Less now that you’re here, he said gently. I heard you brought me something special. Penny solemnly presented a handmade card covered in glitter and crayon dragons. It’s magic, she whispered, to make the dragons stay away while you sleep.
As Jackson examined the card with exaggerated wonder, making Penny giggle with his exuberant praise, Rebecca felt the last of her resistance melting away. Whatever complications lay ahead, whatever professional hurdles they would need to navigate, the connection between them, all three of them, felt too genuine to deny. 6 months later, Rebecca stood on the terrace of Jackson’s Hamptons home, watching as he chased a laughing Penny across the beach below.
The spring breeze carried the scent of salt and new beginnings as she twisted the engagement ring that had appeared on her finger just last night. After a careful proposal that had included both her approval and Penny’s enthusiastic consent, Eleanor Winters approached, champagne flutes in hand. Congratulations again, my dear.
Though I must say, I saw this coming from that first dinner at the retreat. Rebecca smiled, accepting the glass. Was it that obvious? To anyone with eyes for romance, Eleanor confirmed with a knowing twinkle. I’ve written enough love stories to recognize one unfolding before me. Below, Jackson had scooped Penny onto his shoulders, spinning in circles that sent her into peals of delighted laughter.
Their joy was infectious, radiating across the distance. He’s good with her, Eleanor observed. That’s rare, you know. A man who truly sees a child as a gift rather than a complication. We’re still figuring it out, Rebecca admitted. Balancing our professional lives with the personal, making sure Penny feels secure with all the changes.
Life is never perfectly balanced, dear. Eleanor patted her hand affectionately. But love makes the wobbling worthwhile. As the sunset painted the sky in shades of gold and pink, Jackson and Penny made their way back up the beach, hand in hand. Seeing Rebecca, Penny broke into a run. Mom, Jackson taught me how to find sea glass. We’re going to make a collection.
Jackson followed at a more sedate pace, his eyes finding Rebecca’s with a warmth that still made her heart skip. She’s a natural treasure hunter, he said, wrapping an arm around Rebecca’s waist when he reached her. Just like her mother, finding value where others don’t look. Later that night with Penny asleep in her new bedroom, decorated with stars that glowed like magic in the darkness, Rebecca and Jackson stood on the moonlit terrace.
Any regrets? He asked softly, drawing her close. Rebecca thought of the winding path that had led them here, from a lonely wedding table to a hospital bedside, from professional complications to the family they were creating together. Just one, she said, looking up at him with mischief in her eyes, that we didn’t practice our husband-wife pretense more thoroughly before making it official.
Jackson laughed, the sound carrying across the quiet beach. I believe we have a lifetime to perfect that particular performance. As his lips found hers under the starlit sky, Rebecca silently thanked whatever twist of fate had placed her at that wedding table, alone, but not for long. Sometimes the most unexpected beginnings led to the happiest endings, especially when a little magic was involved.
