Emily's Daughter

by Linda Warren

  When he saw the woman coming toward him with a piece of paper in her hand, his stomach tightened painfully and his breathing became labored. She had something—that meant…

  She handed him the paper. “I’m sorry it took so long, but the child’s name is on the certificate and I had to make sure I had the right one.”

  He stared at the birth certificate and everything in him shut down. He couldn’t speak or move, he just stared at the names on the paper. Mother: Emily Ann Cooper. Father: Jackson Scott Talbert. Seeing his name on the legal document made it all so real—so agonizingly real. He had a daughter, and her name was… As he read the name, the numbness exploded into a dire awakening that chilled his whole body. It couldn’t be. How could it?

  “Sir? Sir?” He realized the woman was talking to him.

  He blinked and tried to focus. “Yes?”

  “Are you all right?”

  He nodded, but he knew he wasn’t. Things would never be right again. How could that be the name on his daughter’s birth certificate? Was it a coincidence or something else? Did Emily know? Had she given their daughter this name? He should’ve asked her. Dammit, he should have asked, but he’d just assumed she hadn’t named their baby. So many questions charged through his head. Still, he had a feeling that Emily didn’t know about any of this. That it would be as much of a shock to her…

  Jackson glanced at the woman. “Can I have this?”

  “Once you pay the fee, it’s all yours,” she replied.

  He laid the money on the counter. “Thank you,” he said hoarsely. He walked away, the birth certificate clutched tightly in his hand.

  He sat in his car and tried to make sense of what he was reading. He’d guessed that something underhanded had happened with the adoption, but he’d never expected this.

  How long he sat there he didn’t know. He couldn’t stop looking at the paper and he realized he had to show it to Emily. Maybe she could explain, but again he had the sinking feeling that Emily was in the dark. That worried him.

  Before he told her, he had to have more facts. He didn’t want to upset her needlessly. The name could be a fluke. There had to be an answer that would explain everything, and he knew the truth lay in Rockport. How could he get the information he needed? The courthouse would only release information to a close relative or… He hurried back to his hotel and called Colton.

  “What’s up?” Colton asked.

  “I need the name of the private investigator who helped you get the goods on that girl who claimed you were the father of her child.”

  There was a long pause. “What are you talking about?”

  “I need a private investigator and I don’t have a lot of time. You gonna help me or not?”

  “Slow down and tell me why you need an investigator.”

  Jackson told him what he suspected and how he needed someone to get records from the courthouse in Rockport.

  “Damn, Jackson, I’ll call him, but I doubt he can do it on such short notice. He runs a ranch outside San Antonio and he only leaves for special cases.”

  “I’ll pay whatever he asks,” Jackson said. “Just talk to him.”

  “I will, and I’ll get back to you.”

  “Do it now. I’ll be waiting.”

  Jackson paced his hotel room, constantly glancing at his watch. If the man refused to do it, he supposed he could get someone else. But Colton had liked the investigator and said he was honest and straightforward. That was the type of person Jackson wanted. Someone he could trust.

  The phone rang and he yanked it up.

  “You’re in luck—he’ll do it,” Colton said. “His name is Ethan Ramsey and he’ll be calling you in a few minutes.”

  “Thanks, Colton.” Jackson heaved a sigh of relief. “How did you get him to agree?”

  “I used the old Prescott charm and, of course, he’s a friend of the family.”

  “Thanks again. I owe you for this one.”

  “Yeah, and I’m keeping a list.”

  Jackson could hear laughter in his voice; he needed Colton’s sense of humor right now. He was wavering between insanity and hysteria.

  “Jackson.” Colton was calling his name. “I hope it turns out the way you want.”

  “I’m not sure about anything. I’m in a state of shock.”

  “Good luck, and call if I can do anything else.”

  Jackson hung up and paced again, waiting for the phone to ring. When it did, he took a couple of deep breaths before he answered it.

  Ethan Ramsey had a strong, masculine voice and Jackson immediately liked the sound of him—direct and to the point. Jackson told him what he wanted, and Ethan said it shouldn’t be a problem. They arranged to meet at the Aransas County courthouse in Rockport in three hours.

  Jackson quickly packed and checked out. He left San Antonio at eleven-thirty and was in Rockport before three. The urge to call Emily was strong, but he had to wait. He had to have final proof.

  A white Chevrolet pickup truck drove up beside him and a tall man wearing a cowboy hat and boots clambered out. From what Colton had told him, the man had to be Ethan Ramsey. He walked with a slight limp; Jackson knew he was an ex-FBI agent who’d been shot in the line of duty. He was a well-decorated law officer, another reason Jackson trusted him.

  Jackson got out and they shook hands. He felt the calluses, which probably epitomized Ethan Ramsey—a man unafraid of hard work and unconcerned about appearances.

  They talked for a moment, then Ethan went into the courthouse. He was out in fifteen minutes, shaking his head. The document Jackson wanted wasn’t there. Frustration overwhelmed him, but he wouldn’t give up. There had to be proof, but where? Ethan said he could go to Austin next week and check the records, but first he suggested they look in Corpus Christi, since the towns weren’t that far apart. Jackson was eager to try anything.

  Forty-five minutes later, Jackson watched Ethan walk into the Nueces County courthouse. He leaned against his car and waited, hoping Ethan would find something to explain their daughter’s birth certificate. When Ethan came out carrying papers, Jackson’s heart raced into his throat.

  Ethan handed him a piece of paper. “I think this is what you need.”

  Jackson carefully read the birth certificate. It was just as he suspected, but it still didn’t make sense. “Yes, but…”

  Ethan passed him another document. “This might help clarify it.”

  Jackson’s hand shook as he read it. “Oh, my God, this explains everything.” He swallowed. “How did you get these?”

  “I showed the county clerk my identification and told her about the case I was working on. Usually when you’re up front with people, they respond in kind. When I saw the first document, I asked for the other, and bingo—there it was. That’s the only way the scenario you described would make sense.”

  “Thank you,” Jackson said. “I couldn’t have done this without you. You can’t get information unless you’re a close relative or an investigator.”

  “It keeps people honest,” Ethan replied. “If that’s all, I’ll drive back to my ranch.”

  “Yes,” Jackson said in a daze, holding out a check.

  Ethan shook his head. “No, thanks, Colton’s taken care of everything.”

  Jackson frowned. “But he shouldn’t have. This is—”

  “Don’t worry about it.” They shook hands and Ethan Ramsey walked to his truck.

  Jackson just kept staring at the papers. Proof. He now had conclusive proof and it would devastate Emily. How did he tell her? Oh, God, how did he tell her this? He had to find her as soon as possible.

  He called the hospital and spoke to Owen, who said she’d gone with Becca to do decorations for the prom. He told Owen he’d call her later. He drove back to Rockport and checked into the Holiday Inn and ordered a bite to eat. Later, he lay on the bed staring at his daughter’s birth certificate. It was real. She was real…now—and she had a name. He wanted to call his father, but he had to tell Emily first.


  He called her again, but Owen said she was still with Becca. He wanted to go and find her, but he didn’t trust himself…not yet. Instead, he went for a walk on the beach.

  WHEN EMILY GOT IN, Owen told her Jackson had called. She phoned the hotel in San Antonio right away and was informed that he’d checked out. That meant he was on his way to Rockport and could arrive at any minute. She waited and waited, which was pure torture. By midnight he still wasn’t there. Where was he?

  She finally went to bed. When she woke up, there still was no sign of Jackson. She began to get an uneasy feeling. Unable to just sit around, she went to the hospital, leaving a message for Jackson if he called or came by the house. She didn’t want to miss him.

  Emily’s time was running out. She had to be back at work next week and they weren’t any closer to finding their daughter than when they’d started. Why hadn’t Jackson called back? And why wasn’t he here this morning?

  Rose was eating breakfast when she walked into the room. The color was back in her cheeks and she had far more energy. The new medicine was working; in fact, her doctor had promised she could go home the following week.

  “Emily Ann, I’m so glad to see you,” her mother said. Rose’s disposition had improved tremendously and they could actually have a conversation without getting into an argument.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Much better.” She nibbled on a piece of toast. “Especially since you’ve given up on that awful idea of finding your daughter.”

  Emily sat in a visitor’s chair close to the bed. “Why was it awful?” she couldn’t keep from asking.

  Rose stopped eating. “Because it’s too late. She’s grown and has her own life now. Finding her would only hurt her—and you. It’s best to leave it alone.”

  Emily took a long breath. “I can’t,” she said truthfully. “Try to understand that.”

  “I wish I could.” Rose pushed food around on her plate. “But that Talbert man has put these ideas in your head.”

  Emily stood and reached for her mother’s hand. On impulse she kissed it. She felt Rose stiffen. “I love him, Mom. I’ve always loved him.”

  “You don’t mean that!”

  “Yes, I do, and you’ll have to accept him as part of my life.”

  “Emily Ann…”

  “No.” Emily held up a finger. “Just be happy for me. That’s all I want from you.”

  Rose stared down at her food and didn’t say another word, which Emily took as a good sign.

  “I can’t stay long,” she said, changing the subject. “I’ve got to help Becca get ready for the prom. I’m taking her to have her hair cut.”

  “She’s very picky about that hair,” Rose mumbled.

  “I know, but it needs a trim.”

  Rose glanced at her. “Rebecca says you’re going, too. That you’re filling in as a sponsor.”

  “Yes, and I’ll take pictures so you can see everything.”

  There was a pause, then Rose said, “I’d like that.” Emily sensed she was going to say something completely different—something about Emily missing her prom and how it was her own fault. The fact that she didn’t voice her opinion meant things were continuing to improve.

  WHEN JACKSON WOKE UP, it was noon. He stared at the clock, thinking it had to be wrong. But it wasn’t. He hadn’t slept much the last few nights and it’d caught up with him. Damn, damn, damn. Emily was probably wondering what had happened to him.

  He called her immediately. She answered on the first ring, and he melted into her voice, needing her more than he would’ve thought possible.

  “Jackson, where are you?” she asked anxiously. “I’ve been so worried!”

  “In Rockport. At the Holiday Inn.”

  “Oh, I wish I’d known. I’m sorry I wasn’t here last night, but I waited and you never called back. I didn’t know what to think.”

  “I fell asleep,” he admitted. “I didn’t wake up until just now.”

  “I couldn’t imagine where you’d gone after leaving San Antonio.”

  “That shouldn’t be too hard to figure out, Emily. I’ll always come to you. You can count on that from now on.”

  “Oh, Jackson.” Her insides quivered at the promise in his voice.

  Giggling voices interrupted the wonderful moment.

  “Who’s that?” Jackson asked.

  “Becca and her girlfriends. I’m taking them to get their hair and nails done for the prom.”

  “Oh,” Jackson replied, feeling as if he was never going to get a moment alone with her. “When can you come here?”

  “I don’t know. Becca volunteered me as a sponsor, so I have to go to the prom. Now I don’t want to. Oh, Jackson, I have to see you.”

  When she mentioned the prom, he heard an eagerness in her voice. She’d missed her own prom and all the delightful things a girl experiences in her senior year. Maybe he could make a small part of that up to her.

  “How would you like a date?”

  “What?”

  “I’m offering my services as an escort.”

  “Jackson, do you mean it?”

  “Of course. It seems to be the only way I’ll see you tonight.”

  He heard a bubbly laugh and he knew it wasn’t Becca. Emily was happy. For tonight they could both be happy.

  “What time do you want me to pick you up?”

  “Seven-thirty.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  Before he could hang up, she asked quickly, “Do you have anything to tell me about our daughter?”

  He swallowed painfully. “Nothing that can’t wait.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, Emily. We’ll talk about it later.”

  As much as Jackson wanted to tell her, he recognized that this wasn’t the right time. He wouldn’t ruin this night for her…or Becca. Tomorrow they would face the cold reality together.

  EMILY DIDN’T HAVE TIME to wonder what Jackson had found out. If it was important, he would’ve told her. Just another dead end, she thought, beginning to see that her daughter was lost to her forever. She had hoped and prayed for a miracle, but it seemed as if a miracle wasn’t going to happen. In her heart, though, she would never give up and neither would Jackson.

  She didn’t dwell on it for the rest of the day. She needed all her energy just to keep up with Becca and her friends. After Becca’s hair was cut and styled, she had her nails done. While the girls were busy, Emily slipped away to a clothing shop, hoping to find a suitable dress. She’d planned on wearing a simple outfit, but now that Jackson was taking her she wanted something special. She wanted to be beautiful, and she was as excited as Becca and her friends.

  She found a deep-purple formfitting dress with a V-neck and long sleeves. It was ankle-length and had a slit up one side. As she stared at herself in the mirror, she decided it was perfect—sleek and elegant without being overstated, and it fit like a dream.

  JACKSON READ THE LEGAL PAPERS once more, then he put them away…for now. He drove to Corpus Christi to buy a suit. He hadn’t brought anything dressy and he knew tonight would be formal. He would make the evening special for Emily, he vowed. They would have tonight to sustain them for the heartache ahead.

  As he rang the Coopers’ doorbell, he was as nervous as a teenage boy. He hadn’t seen Emily in almost a week and he desperately needed to be with her. When she opened the door, his breath caught in his throat. He’d never seen her like this. She was more than beautiful, she was literally breathtaking, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her, from the glossy hair hanging loose around her shoulders, to the curves molded by the purple dress, to the dark sultry eyes. For a moment he felt as if he’d stepped back in time and was seeing the young Emily. But this Emily wasn’t a girl; she was all woman and he loved her.

  “Hi.” He smiled invitingly, and her heart missed a beat. When he smiled like that, it made her senses spin wildly and her knees grow weak. She stared into his gorgeous green eyes, then took in his magnif
icent physique in the black suit and tie. He was handsome, compassionate, caring—everything she’d ever wanted in a man…and more.

  “Come in,” she said, and stepped aside, glad she could actually move because her legs were still rubbery. She collected her purse. “Dad,” she called. “Jackson’s here. I’m leaving.” Becca and Tommy had already left for their friend Joni’s house, where they’d wait for the limo that was taking several couples to the prom.

  As she turned around, she saw that Jackson had a corsage in his hand and was removing it from the box. Without a word he pinned the white orchid to the front of her dress. His fingers brushed against her breast and a warm erotic sensation awakened in her. They gazed at each other, both lost in the moment and in each other.

  “Emily Ann,” Owen said from the kitchen doorway, and they slowly turned to him. “Hi, Jackson,” he added.

  “Owen,” Jackson acknowledged, and as their eyes met Jackson realized that Owen knew something about their daughter. He was the one who’d picked Emily up from the hospital, so he was aware who’d picked up the baby. By the end of the weekend, they would all know.

  “Make sure Rebecca behaves herself and keep a close eye on her,” Owen said to Emily.

  “Dad.” Emily sighed in annoyance. “This is her prom night and she deserves to have some fun.”

  “Maybe,” Owen admitted grudgingly. “But you know how your mother is, and I don’t want anything to upset her.”

  “Yes, Dad, we’re all aware how Mom is,” she replied with more sarcasm than she’d intended. “I’ll make sure Becca behaves,” she added. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Have a good time,” Owen called as they walked out the door.

  WHEN THEY ENTERED the ballroom with all the glittering decorations, Emily felt as if it was her prom. She was floating about three feet off the floor, especially with Jackson’s arm around her waist. Decorating had been a huge, time-consuming task but the place looked wonderful, with lots of fresh flowers arranged everywhere. They joined the other sponsors and were told it was their job to watch the kids and to make sure things didn’t get out of control. Sponsors sat at various points around the room. Emily and Jackson were positioned not far from the stage, where a band was starting to play.