"Limon," he corrected her with his Miami Spanish.
She shook her head at him, and refused to tell him that lime was the correct American terminology for the green, tart fruit. Only in Miami, the label for yellow lemon and the green lime were inverted in the everyday lingo. She tilted her head. "Country boy still arguing with me just because he likes to be right? What did you do without me as your target overseas?"
"You were never a target, Vicki, though I do admit I like being home." He flipped the steaks and stared at his grill. "You're too easy to tease, sunshine."
Clara left her toys, settled on the bench, and picked up a book.
"I'm probably the most difficult woman you ever met." Vicki exhaled and chose to ignore how he'd called her sunshine and how her entire spirit lifted. Together, they were what a family was supposed to be. Then she winked at him. "I know it's hard for you to say you missed me...Miami and all that glitters in the Magic City. I remember you complaining all the time on how you were never coming back."
She had said me, but switched it to the city. She chewed her bottom lip.
His shoulders tensed, and her heart fell in her chest. Was he about to confront her slip with the fiancée reminder? "I was a bratty teen, but once you're in the sandbox, your viewpoint changes."
Her heart thumped for Colt. Without thinking, she hugged him. He stiffened then let his hands wrap around her waist. She ran her hands in his hair, and then she stepped away. His mouth was open. She placed her hand on her hip to study him. "Something bad happened to you, Colt. If you need to talk, I'll listen."
"Most people call me Collins, except you."
The storm in Colt's eyes had her step out of his arms' reach. She shivered and realized the sky above them was darkening too. Storms moved fast near hurricanes, and soon they'd have rain. "Vicki, I..."
A loud buzz sounded, and they turned their heads toward the house. All the lights flickered on, and they cheered. The air conditioner and everything else now worked.
"Never mind," he said. "It's for the best."
He'd almost said something else. Her eyes widened, but then she stilled. Some things were better left to rest.
"Get that food off the grill." Vicki took a seat at the bench. "We're hungry. And we're still dancing tonight."
Clara yawned, and Colt frowned, but took the steaks off the grill. Seconds later, he placed a plate in front of Clara and mussed his daughter's hair. Their daughter ignored him, picked up her fork, and said, "Thanks, Daddy."
Vicki's heart constricted. Colt was the one that Clara knew and loved. She'd never be able to make up for not being there right from the beginning.
Colt wrapped his arms around Clara and picked her up to hug her. Clara's face blossomed as her father spun her. Then he placed her in her seat. Vicki's heart swelled.
Then he told her, "You being here now is a good thing, Vicki. But it's gonna rain. We have to go."
Vicki's voice cracked. "I'd have been here if—"
He cut her off and kissed her cheek. Vicki's face warmed, and she didn't know what to say.
Then he pointed toward Clara. "Let's talk away from sleepy head first. Get her plate. We have to get inside fast."
The clouds above his head seemed more ominous. Perhaps there was an outer band of the hurricane about to hit. The wind blew in the trees. She swallowed, and followed Colt's orders as he picked up their daughter.
A moment later, Clara hugged her father's neck, yawned, and said, "I'm not hungry. I'm sleepy."
Vicki picked up the plates as best she could and followed behind Colt. He slowed own and walked next to her as she brought as much in as possible. He then turned and told Vicki, "Let's put the princess in bed together. Then we'll get the rest and eat. She's tuckered out from too much playing in the heat today."
"We drank a lot water," Vicki answered fast, like that alleviated guilt. "I took good care of her."
Colt stayed in step with her as a flash of lightning flew in the distant sky. "I'm sure you did fine. She's being good with you, Vicki."
#
In Clara's bedroom, Vicki and Colt worked as a team. He held her. She tugged on the covers. Then he took off her shoes and socks, as she changed Clara into a nightgown. Clara sighed as she snuggled into her pillow without opening her eyes. Once they were done, Colt wrapped her in the blanket, and Vicki fixed her hair into a braid. Clara twisted, but their daughter fell into a deep sleep.
Once they were finished, Colt stood first. "I'll go get the rest of the things before the storm hits."
The cool air of the air conditioning made the evening tolerable. Vicki rolled her shoulders as Colt bolted out of the door and through the house. She stood more slowly, checked on her daughter once more, and then slipped out of the room. The humid day had sucked their energy, and tonight they would sleep well.
A few minutes later, Vicki couldn't wait for him anymore, and followed Colt's footsteps. She opened the door to follow him, as thunder cracked in the air. Colt rushed like a bolt of lightning into the door, which she closed a second later. He shook his head to get out the dampness from the rain and then showed her the beers. "Thanks."
#
In the big, open room, he went to the kitchen to pick up his beer from the counter. Vicki fixed herself a plate, and Colt ran his hand through his hair. The rain outside thundered and poured heavily out the window. Vicki stared at him, but kept her lips sealed.
He said, "I guess I should get to bed."
Not this soon. She shook her head. "I'd like to talk, and we should finish the steaks. You must be hungry, as you didn't eat all day."
"I guess."
Vicki shrugged then went to the kitchen table. She folded her napkin on her lap and waited. He fixed himself a plate and followed her. As he sat, he said, "You're not what I expected, at all. You've become calmer. Want another beer, as you left yours outside?"
"Okay. I'll have a beer, unless you have white wine." She offered a tentative smile as she sat straighter.
He stood like he was marching to orders, went to the kitchen, and poured a glass. Then he returned next to her and handed her the wine. She nodded her thanks as he asked, "Did you go on some spiritual path to transform from high-class princess world?"
No one should know about of the few of the incidents in her past. "Without the House of Morgan title, I discovered what I liked and didn't like. I had a few jobs, moved around, saw the country, but I always felt part of me was missing."
Colt bolted out of his chair and shook the table. Her wine spilled onto the tablecloth. His cheeks reddened again. "I'm sorry. I'll get you another glass."
She inhaled his woodsy scent, and cleaned as best she could with her napkin. "Please get a towel. I want to talk."
He nodded like he'd agreed to his own funeral.
A moment later, he returned with her wine and the towel. He handed the glass to her, and cleaned the mess he'd made. Without looking up, he said, "I'm glad you were here today, Vicki. You helped with Clara, and I don't know what I would have done without you."
The fire within her grew. "I should have been here with you both from the beginning. I should have listened to my heart then and now..."
"I wish you had been."
He folded the towel, placed it next to his seat, and then bit into his food. Her heart soared. He must feel it too. She opened her mouth, but couldn't say a word. Then he wiped his mouth, gazed at his plate, and said, "I don't want to talk about that tonight. I need calm and sweet right now more than anything else. Can we talk tomorrow morning, first thing?"
She nodded. "Of course."
He swallowed and met her gaze. "Today was rough."
She cut her food into smaller pieces. What could she say? She bit a piece and then swallowed. "So what do you want to talk about now?"
She ate another bite.
He swallowed another piece of his dinner, and then stared at his glass. "Last night, I dreamed about you."
She sucked in her breath, to tell him that it was
n't a dream. She raised an eyebrow. "What?"
With a pained expression, he met her gaze. "Visions keep flashing in my mind all day, and my lips tingled from your rose-water taste."
"My what?" She choked, then schooled her expression and tried to pretend it was the food. "Colt..."
His sexy, dark eyes had a flame in them, and he finished his dinner. She did the same. Then he wiped his mouth with the napkin and rubbed his five o'clock shadow on his chin. Her lips opened, and she waited for him to say something. Finally, he broke his stare. "I'm engaged. Belle's a good woman who deserves my respect and fidelity."
Vicki couldn't stop her chin from trembling. She stood with the plates to take them to the sink and called out, "Tell me about her."
"Belle was in the Marines. Stood next to me during a bad firefight." He stared at a wall, unfocused, like he was haunted about something. "She's a lobbyist for a weapons manufacturer up in D.C. now."
"You must be proud, as you've told me what she did now. And I've seen the pictures. Your Belle is gorgeous." She washed the dishes. Then she finished, and turned toward him. He seemed like he was in a trance. She fiddled with her shirt sleeve and came closer to him. She kept her voice soft as she placed her hands on the table next to him. "What are your nightmares about?"
His jaw slackened. He motioned for her to sit with him on the couch in the other room. She picked up both their drinks on her way and followed him. She handed him his beer and sat beside him. He swallowed, but his eyes were almost dead. She rubbed his arm. He acted so different from the bright-eyed Colt she knew. She squeezed his knee, but kept her mouth closed, and waited.
His voice started soft. "In war, I was prepared to be executed. My men had been shot with their hands tied behind their heads. The next bullet should have gone into me, but Belle and her unit blazed in, and pulled me out of there."
A gasp escaped her mouth, and she tugged on Colt's arm.
First, he stared at her, but she'd had enough. She hugged him. She had almost lost him, and she hadn't known. Her body trembled. He stared at her without another word for a few minutes, and his face turned red. He tugged at his collar and dropped his gaze. "Belle deserves my loyalty."
"And my gratitude," Vicki added as she took his hand in hers. "I don't know what would have happened if I heard you'd died. I couldn't have held together."
He flinched. "I thought you came here only for Clara."
"I'm not a home wrecker, Colt." His hard features would scare her away, if she didn't know him. Then she brushed her wet eyes to not cry, and scooted her knees over to touch his. She kept her voice low. "In my heart, Colt, you were always the hero."
Without a word, he stood, like he was recoiling from her touch. "Night, Vicki."
Her eyes followed his departing hurry. A lump formed in her throat. If she had been honest from the beginning, everything would be different. She'd have been a mother to her daughter, and her tingling lips that ached for his kiss wouldn't be tender. There was nothing she could do about any of this.
She sipped her wine and stared out the window. The pitter-patter of the soft rain and her drink soothed her hardened stomach. After she finished, she cleaned, turned all the lights off and went to bed. Tonight, she'd dream of the life she'd almost had but lost.
CHAPTER NINE
Vicki woke up as her phone vibrated and rang. Without opening her eyes, she reached out, and answered, "Hello?"
Alice squealed like they were still in school. "Peter and Jennifer broke up last night."
The real world was out there. Vicki blinked to get the sleep out of her eyes. "What?"
In one breath, Alice then reported, "Jennifer dumped him at the $25,000-a-plate fundraiser for the dramatic arts that she dragged him to, and publicly stated he didn't love her so he didn't deserve her."
Jennifer had seemed nice enough a long time ago, but Peter deserved a wife that would love him unconditionally. Vicki opened her eyes fully and held her breath. "I'll call him today."
"Perfect." Alice spoke like Vicki had the answers to her prayers, though she had no idea how.
Without missing a beat, Alice then changed the conversation. "How are you and my brother holding up?"
The last person Vicki should talk to was Colt's sister. Her face heated and she closed her eyes. "We're good. Talk to you soon?"
With a huff in her voice, Alice said, "In person. I want more details than 'we're good.'"
Vicki would not admit that she had a huge crush on Colt to anyone. Her skin felt jittery as she said, "Bye."
Alice sighed. "Bye."
Vicki hung up and then checked her email. Her store was covered for today, and she had no reason to return to Miami. Life in Homestead was what she needed. Now that Colt and Clara lived here, she'd never return to her lonely, stylish condo on the beach in Miami. A home was more important now.
A knock at the door made her smile, and she finished brushing her hair. "Morning, Colt."
"I heard you talking, princess." He nodded at her. "Do you intend to leave?"
"Not today." She smiled at him. "Or anytime soon. I was speaking to your sister."
"Alice?"
"Yes." She stood and walked closer to him.
He placed his hand on hers. "Next time you speak to her, tell her I want my hat she stole."
A huge smile grew on her face as she remembered high school. "The same one you've argued about since we were children?"
"It would be nice if you were on my side." Colt rubbed his chin and then stood straighter. "I'll make us breakfast while you get dressed."
"Perfect. See you soon." Her heart wished for him, but that was ancient history. His footsteps echoed as he walked across the hall, and she double-checked that the door was closed. She closed her eyes and hoped she'd find her way through the maze of questions. Then she shook off the thoughts, opened her eyes, and raced to the bathroom.
A few minutes later, she threw on a pair of old jeans in her size and one of his old Panther jerseys, and ran out of her bedroom. Clara sat in the living room as she listened to music on a headset. Colt was nowhere to be seen. Sidetracked, Vicki headed over to Clara, and tried to get the girl's attention. With her head bopping, Clara was zoned out.
Colt called out as Vicki shook her head. "She loves music. Come sit at the table, eat your breakfast, while I talk to you."
"I love music." She smiled at Colt. Her daughter might get that from her.
He nodded. "I remember."
She was excited to hear what had happened on his end.
He stood as she neared, walked to the kitchen, and grabbed cups. She slid into the seat with the empty plate. Then he brought her coffee. "Thank you."
He massaged the back of his neck. "Where do we get started?"
She nodded at him. "I'm listening."
"We have to trade notes, so I get your side, but I wanted to say I believe you." He leaned over the table and pushed a plate of food in front of her. Then he fixed the fruits on the trays for each of their plates. She picked up her fork and waited. He finished fiddling with the food then ran his hand down his jeans. "I'll start, I guess."
What was the conversation? She nodded, folded her hands around her coffee cup, and tilted her head. "Please."
He leaned forward onto the table. "I was in basic training when I received a frantic phone call from my parents. The only reason I ever received that call was because my dad knew the senator."
She asked, "Why is that important?"
He shook his head. "My mom was a nurse at the hospital where you gave birth..."
"We talked about this already. You said you believed me."
"I do."
"Then what are we discussing?"
"How the past adds to our present." She had no answer. He stared straight at a wall. "We likely created Clara in my truck."
"I thought it was in our hotel room in Paris." Heat rose in her face.
"Victoria, you're distracting me." He shook his head and rolled his shoulders, as if he was tense
. "Anyhow, Mom went to work her usual schedule despite the change."
"This is all the past."
"Soon, she'll drive onto the farm and grill you, Vicki."
Vicki nodded. "I'll answer her every question."
Colt clenched his jaw but somehow still spoke. "She saw Clara brought into the nursery, and said something made her stop dead in her tracks. She went over immediately and asked for details about Clara. She wanted to know whose baby she was. She was told, 'Vicki Morgan, but that the little girl is being given up for adoption.' Mom knew about us, and did the math. Department of Children and Family were en route, and Mom took the crib with her to her desk and called my dad."
At least someone had had the guts to go against Vicki's father. Her heart fell to her gut. "How did she know about us?"
"She saw us in my truck after we came back from the trip."
"Thank goodness." Vicki moved her arms to cross at her chest. "I wouldn't give up our baby. Dad had wanted me to get an abortion, but I had refused." She almost knocked over her untouched plate with her elbow, and slammed her fists on the table as she let her hands fly. "This is why I ran and never came home. It was one mistake after another."
"I'm not trying to hurt you." Colt covered his mouth with his hand, and didn't say anything else.
She swallowed and fixed the table from her hysterics. "I'm sorry. Please continue."
Colt's cheeks were red. "Mom said she picked Clara up and knew she was mine. A few minutes later, the official from the DCF came in to collect my baby. Mom refused to let her out of her arms. Dad's lawyer showed up, and then my father. When the DCF lady said I had waived my rights, Mom denied it. She also refused to let Clara out of her arms, and no one was going to stop her."
Vicki's eyes teared up.
Colt massaged her shoulder. "Don't cry."
His mother was strong and powerful. If Vicki had a mother, perhaps her life would have been different, and there was absolutely no way she'd curse Clara with life without her mother.
"Dad got me on the phone during officer school. Next thing I know, I'm told my parents, lawyers, and DCF, that yes, we dated, had sex and, and no, I never signed any papers giving up any rights. We hadn't talked since I left for boot camp. I didn't panic till after I hung up the phone. I wanted my child."
Secret Baby (The House of Morgan, #2) Page 8