The Billionaire's Christmas Baby(24)

“Oh, Hannah, what a delight you are, my dear. We’ve been cooped up for days with no one to speak to! We always worry about Jackson when he comes up to this cabin,” Mrs. Sampson said, tsking at Jackson. “It’s not healthy to be alone during the holidays. Do you know,” Mrs. Sampson said, dropping her voice to a feverish whisper and leaning forward, “it’s one of the most difficult times of year for many people?”#p#分页标题#e#

“I can’t imagine why,” Jackson’s deep voice drawled. Hannah tried not to spill the contents of her mug of coffee.

The elderly woman nodded, her curly white hair bouncing in time, completely oblivious to Jackson’s sarcasm. “Loneliness, dear. And that is why we came around to check on you. There have been so many times we’ve come over here looking for you, and in the distance we think we see lights on, but then when we get closer the house is always dark. It’s a shame we always miss you!”

Hannah gasped and frowned at Jackson who shrugged slightly. How could he actually pretend he wasn’t home?

“That is a shame, Mrs. Sampson. I suggest next time you try knocking harder. Jackson is a little hard of hearing I noticed. Sometimes, I think he’s heard what I’ve said, but in fact he hasn’t heard a word!” Hannah said, ignoring Jackson’s loud coughing.

“I can assure you there’s nothing wrong with my hearing,” Jackson said, his mouth twitching slightly at the corner.

“Well, that’s good. Looks like this little lady is worried about you though,” Mr. Sampson said with a wink. “I can tell she’s got a heart of gold, just like my Harriet.” Hannah looked into her mug of coffee. She raised her head to clarify their relationship, but Jackson spoke first.

“She does have a heart of gold, Harry. She even baked a bunch of Christmas cookies and drove through a blizzard to see me.” Hannah could hear the smile in his voice as he played along with this charade. She ignored the warmth that spread through her body from his words, knowing he didn’t mean them.

Emily’s soft cry interrupted her reply.

“Is that a baby?” Mrs. Sampson gasped, sitting up straight.

“No,” Jackson snapped.

“Oh my, Jackson. You really do need to get your hearing checked, it is most definitely a baby!” Mrs. Sampson said, rising as Emily’s cries continued. Mrs. Sampson looked as though she was going to explode if the baby’s cries weren’t answered. Hannah was trying to contain her smile as she crossed the great room.

“I’ll make sure he gets a specialist to check him out, Mrs. Sampson. And I’ll be right back, there is someone very important I’d like you to meet,” she said, saying a silent prayer of thanks. This was exactly what she needed. Hannah tried not to skip down the hall on the way to her room.

She returned moments later to find Mrs. Sampson waiting at the end of the corridor, wringing her hands. “Mrs. Sampson, I’d like you to meet Emily.” Mrs. Sampson rushed over to her side.

“Oh, she’s precious, just precious! May I hold her, Hannah?” the woman asked with such joy in her eyes. “Look Harry, she’s so little.” Mrs. Sampson walked slowly into the great room and sat down next to her husband, as though she were holding the most fragile piece of crystal.

“She’s a real cutie,” Mr. Sampson said, touching a little tuft of Emily’s hair. “A little angel,” he whispered.

“Yes, an angel,” Mrs. Sampson said, nodding.

Hannah stole a quick glance at Jackson. His calm, laughing demeanor was gone and she could see the tension in his body. He was standing in front of the hearth now, fire poker in his hand as he nudged some logs around.

“We had no idea that you two had a child,” Mrs. Sampson whispered as Emily stared wide-eyed at her.

“Well,” Hannah said, folding her hands together, “she’s not really ours.”

“She’s my sister’s child,” Jackson said, his voice thick and stilted. “My sister died and this is her baby.” Hannah tried to hide her shock that he would say anything to the Sampson’s about Louise or Emily. He was trying. He was trying to be honest and her heart swelled with sympathy at the lines around his mouth.

“Oh, Jackson, we’re so sorry,” Mr. Sampson said, rising and patting Jackson on the arm. Jackson’s expression softened as the much slighter, older man showed such compassion.

“Thank you,” Jackson said with a terse nod.

“What about her father?” Mrs. Sampson said, her voice heavy with unshod tears.