Secret Baby (The House of Morgan, #2)

by Victoria Pinder

  His breath was audible. He was holding something back. "Take your time. I'll see you tonight, but I wish I could have said goodbye to you, alone, before you left."

  With Clara in the car, he wouldn't say anything. She couldn't either. Her heart and body became weightless, and her voice lifted. "We'll be there tonight. I'm thinking of taking Clara to the zoo tomorrow. She seems to love animals."

  "She'll love that," Colt answered, and then fell silent for a moment. "Everything is going to be fine."

  Her skin tingled. He had so much more to say. But she understood that now was not the time. Clara was here, and hope surged through Vicki that he'd choose a life with her. She turned onto the street where John and Alice lived. "I'm almost at your sister and John's place. I bought everyone coffee."

  "Sounds good. Tell them hi and give Alice a hug from me." Colt's voice became deeper. "You turned out better than I thought you would, princess. I'll be waiting to see you tonight."

  What did that mean? Vicki's skin tingled. With luck, Belle would be gone, but Vicki kept that thought to herself. He had never said otherwise, and she could've misread the whole scene because of her own desires. Perhaps they were now planning details for the wedding, so she shouldn't let her fantasy interfere with what she did or didn't know. She parked the car and told Colt, "Me too."

  Again, he choked out a heavy breath, and she swore there was more he had to say. All he said, though, was, "Bye then."

  She licked her lips, which tingled for his kiss. "Bye."

  Her heartbeat doubled, and she envisioned him almost kissing her last night. Vicki never wanted to be a part of a triangle, and hated competition of any sort. Yet somehow she'd figure out her way. Colt made her soul soar.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Vicki held her daughter's hand as they drove into the exclusive townhome section. The security guard behind a desk asked for her driver's license, and then let them through the gate.

  A few minutes later, they walked to the front door of her brother’s house. Clara held her hand. The door opened, and at the kitchen bar, there was a note that directed them to the back to the private pool. Vicki squeezed her daughter's hand and Clara followed her. They headed outside, through to John's office and then to the backyard. "Guess they want to have breakfast outside."

  Clara's eyes widened as she glanced across the bay. Her face went white. Vicki pressed her hand on hers and Clara turned. Her face was pinched, but then she said, "Near the pool?"

  Vicki massaged her daughter's back. "I guess. Is that okay?"

  Clara's face transformed into a huge smile. "That's so pretty."

  At least her daughter wasn't afraid of things. Vicki didn't say a word as they made their way toward the glass screen doors. Right before they went outside, Vicki noticed one of her bathing suits in the bathroom, along with a child's suit.

  Alice must have bought them both clothes in case this ever happened. Vicki smiled. She'd do the same for her frequent guests. Vicki picked them up and asked, "Did Aunt Alice take you shopping for a bathing suit?"

  Clara beamed as she took the suit. "No, but she loves me."

  "Everyone loves you. You're sweet." Vicki placed the coffees on the shelf outside the bathroom, and then helped her daughter into the side bathroom to change. Once Clara was done, she quickly changed too. As they left, Vicki took the coffees from the table.

  Clara twirled as Vicki struggled with the door, but a second later, she had her hand free. "You ready, princess?"

  "I love swimming."

  Vicki took that as a yes. She took Clara's small hand in hers, and they went out and found Alice and John.

  Voices near the pool grew stronger. Vicki held the coffees high in the air to ensure everyone saw. "I bought you a small hot chocolate and a tea, Alice. I wasn't sure what you wanted, as you said no coffee during the pregnancy."

  Alice smiled. "Thank you. The hot chocolate is perfect."

  Peter sat at a table next to John and Alice with a stack of papers.

  Both of the men stood. John opened his arms, went onto one knee, and hugged Clara. Clara hugged him back as Peter kissed Vicki's cheek. John said, "Clara, let's go swimming, you and me. Alice and Peter want to talk to Vicki."

  Vicki gazed at both of her brothers. At least they were no longer at each other's throats. In that second she didn't move. Clara held her hand firmly and didn't let go. Clara then tugged. "Vicki, you can swim with us if you want."

  Clara probably thought the hesitation was wariness. Vicki knelt down and ensured she had a smile on her face. "Sweetheart, I might join you later. I want to talk to my brother and Alice. I want to make sure Peter is happy, but I'll be right here the whole time. You'll see me from the pool with Uncle John."

  Clara's chin tilted and then she shrugged. "Okay. Don't go anywhere."

  "I promise." Vicki crossed her heart. "I will be right here with you, always."

  Clara let go of Vicki's hand then took John's as they walked into the pool. Vicki watched her baby girl like a hawk without blinking for a few seconds, until Clara laughed as she splashed John. She then turned and looked at Alice. "John knows what he's doing."

  Her friend answered, "He's practicing for ours."

  Peter placed his briefcase on the table. "None of us wants to be like our father."

  Vicki walked closer to the table. "I'm happy Colt had our daughter and kept our daughter safe."

  Alice stood as she approached. "You must be full of regret and anger."

  "I can't change what happened." Vicki sighed and stared in the distance at both Clara and John splashing in the water.

  Peter unlocked his briefcase. "I'm investigating the other heirs of the will, and personally I always wanted to know what happened to our own mother."

  "I have more immediate needs, Peter." Vicki slid into the seat beside her brother and placed the coffees on the table.

  Alice reached out and held her hot chocolate with both hands. "Vicki, how is my brother?"

  Vicki passed Peter his coffee as he organized the files, and told Alice, "He's talking to Belle right now."

  "She's the fiancée. I'd expect a conversation from John if I found out he was living with a former love." Alice took off her lid and then smelled the hot chocolate. "Our dad raised us to stick to our word, but I don't think Belle and Colt are a match made in heaven. Give my brother his space."

  "Why?" Vicki took her own coffee and averted her gaze. "You don't know her."

  "She wants my brother to move to D.C. and be someone he's not." Alice sipped her drink and closed her eyes, clearly enjoying the taste. Once she was finished, she sighed. "My brother intends to run our family farm."

  Peter cleared his throat and placed his coffee beside him. "We're here to talk about Dad, what I gathered, and how we wish to proceed."

  Vicki's entire body stiffened. She didn't want to fight with Colt over Clara. "I need your help to figure out what depths Dad went to in ripping my daughter out of my arms. I need to know. Who did he pay? Does the person who made the arrangements for him benefit? And how deep did Dad's money get him? I might have to prove a lot to be Clara's mom, and I want to be prepared."

  "It's sick what your dad did." Alice sipped her hot chocolate, again. Then she opened them and picked up one of the papers. "I'm sure my brother won't fight you."

  "Colt has been nothing but wonderful."

  "Wonderful doesn't protect your back." Peter took out a manila folder and handed it to Victoria. "I brought everything I found, but I'm not seeing all the connections. I was away in college at this time, so maybe you can connect the dots I don't see."

  Vicki flipped open the folder and stared at the papers, unable to say anything. Peter clearly had his investigators build a case for her. "I was there."

  A few titles of documents caught her eye as she scanned a pile.

  Peter handed Alice a folder and told her, "This is what I found on Colt. Perhaps you can go through that and help us."

  "I can't help take Clara away from hi
m."

  "I don't want that." Vicki reached across the table and pressed her hand on her friend's. "He's an amazing father. I want to ensure no one can prevent me from being a mom."

  "I don't think I can be here, nonetheless. Colt is the best brother I could ever have, and I hope you know what you're doing." Alice stood and then pushed her chair closer to the table. "I'll go swimming."

  The last thing Vicki would do is hurt Alice too. She quickly said, "Thank you for letting us meet here, and I hope you understand."

  "I do." Alice nodded. "John can't be with me for my ultrasound, and I was hoping for some mental support at the doctor's office tomorrow. Can you come?"

  "Of course." Vicki had the thought that she'd escape Belle for a great reason. "You're my best friend."

  Alice went in the water. Peter and Vicki sat quietly as she read more of the papers. The more she dug, the more she realized that every paper confirmed Colt's story and what she'd pieced together. Then her body went cold as she picked up one piece of evidence. She swallowed and read the check. She waved it at Peter. "What's this?"

  He read it. "Who's Imogen Herrera?"

  "Proof. She was the nurse assigned to me in the hospital. Dad paid the nurses and doctor."

  "It's made out to cash." Peter reread the paper and pointed to the check.

  Vicki understood that money was paid, and people needed hush money. No one took a personal check made out to them. Her father would never write one, as that would lead back to him. "Cashed locally three days after Clara's birth."

  Peter's eyes narrowed on hers. "Doesn't tell us who cashed anything."

  Vicki nodded and folded the paper in his hand. "I'm sure the House of Morgan lawyers can follow the money backward. Behind the check, with the names of my nurse, and with the papers clipped together, we can build the case that the adoption papers contained forged signatures."

  Vicki stared at the document. Her name was clear, and so was Colt's. Her father had covered his bases, and hadn't expected any questions. But then, he ran a multibillion-dollar banking industry with ties to every corner of the earth. He'd tried to make her baby disappear just as her mother had left weeks after her own birth.

  Peter filed the papers Vicki handed him into a folder that was pre-labeled "investigate." She searched another pile. Peter also had the public records of Colt's court appeal that proved his name was forged. "We already know one of two signatures were forged. This is clear evidence for me too."

  "No, it wouldn't be. It was filed by a different person, but it might be used as backup."

  Vicki crossed her arms and stared at Alice, who was in the pool. Something cold pressed against her spine, and she realized she ought to play it safe. "I'd rather work with Colt, but I don't trust Belle. Instruct Ms. Montenagro to file everything she can just in case something changes."

  It was easier to blame Belle, but it was also Colt. He had to tell Clara soon. "Last night, Belle tried to forge an alliance where she kept Colt and she'd give me Clara. I don't know what to do about her."

  "Never trust a woman about to lose her fiancée, Vicki, and without the ring on her finger, she has no legal say in anything."

  "There wasn't time to talk to Colt this morning, and the tension in the room was already high. Something else was going on." Vicki stood, folded the papers into the folder, and squared her shoulders. "Tonight, I'll tell him. He has a right to know, and I will find a way to corner him to tell him."

  Peter repacked his briefcase. "I'll ensure your case is ready to go, but let's hope she's gone soon."

  Vicki shook her head. "I lost Colt, but I cannot lose Clara too. I don't want to wish that the woman just disappears."

  Peter placed his briefcase on the floor and stood beside his sister. "The Collins family are all pretty honorable. John's Alice is a keeper, and who knows, her brother might just end up with my baby sister. You're worth ten of whoever this Belle is."

  "Not everyone has a dollar sign that makes them who they are." She sighed and then hugged her brother. At least in personality, Peter only kept who he was, despite their father’s influence. Now she had people on her side. It made breathing easier.

  Silence greeted her ears, and Vicki glanced up to see Alice's determined jaw set as the three of them swam. "Let's get in the pool and cool off."

  Vicki left Peter, walked over, and dived into the cool waters of the pool. The splashing sound made her forget everything else and find peace.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Vicki and Clara sat near the kitchen as Clara played with a doll quietly. Alice worked on food preparations, and once Vicki felt her daughter was fine, she stood to help her friend.

  John and Peter talked in the living room about potential half-siblings that might exist somewhere, but Vicki didn't care. She glanced at her daughter as she said, "Clara, I'm going to help your aunt with lunch."

  Clara didn't let go of her doll or whatever fantasy she was in at the moment. "Okay."

  Vicki picked up a knife and began slicing the carrots, but then her phone rang. Alice retook the knife as Vicki checked her phone. She pursed her lips, as she didn't recognize the out-of-town number. She scratched her head, picked it up, and answered, "Hello?"

  "Vicki, hi. It's Belle. Hope you're well."

  Her face must have shown her surprise, because Alice stopped chopping and scooted closer. Vicki gripped the phone tighter. "Belle, I'm fine. Why are you calling me?"

  Alice offered a smile, though she clearly intended to listen. Belle's voice had a sweet tinge in it. "I'm calling about the play date with Clara you're on today. I need you to come over to your bridal shop."

  "Why?"

  "I'm buying a dress and we should talk in person."

  "Why are you there?" Colt had told her to take her time, as he intended to spend the day with Belle.

  "I thought we'd clear the air."

  Her stomach rolled. The wedding was on. She'd misread Colt, badly. Vicki had hoped he had dumped Belle. This time she had to be sure. "Okay. We're having lunch with her aunt and uncle. I'll be right over."

  "Thanks. I look forward to our chat."

  Her eyes felt wet as she ended the call. Today she let go of her crush on Colt. He must still intend to be with Belle. Perhaps they had worked out their problems. Her cheeks were slightly damp from her eyes, but Vicki turned away so no one saw her tears. "Belle is at my shop. Can Clara stay here for the hour so I can go help her?"

  Alice pressed a hand on her shoulder. "You're joking."

  Colt's sister shouldn't be surprised. Vicki froze. Now was not the time to listen to her heart. It could break, later, when she was alone. She stared at the ground, walked over, and kissed Clara's head. "I have to go. I'll be back here in an hour."

  No one said a word to her. Vicki closed the door of the building, and started her car. With action, she didn't think. She had no right to let herself hope. She'd been wrong. She drove down John's street and toward her shop, as she fished in her pocketbook for her phone. At the stop sign, she dialed Colt.

  The first ring took too long. The second was even worse. Then her heart almost stopped. He hadn't answered. His voicemail did. She sighed and then perked up her voice. "Colt. It's Vicki. Belle called me and asked for my help. I left Clara with John and Alice. I need you to call me."

  As she continued on the street, he didn't call, and every second took too long. Guess she'd not talk to him first. Vicki parked out front of her shop, and all she heard was silence. She stared in the window. A dark-haired woman stood with a wedding dress. Vicki's heart thumped into her stomach as she turned the car off. This shouldn't happen. Colt should not marry Belle.

  She willed herself forward. Her feet marched, but her ankles locked against the motion. With the blazing heat that beat against her head, she tried to breathe. He should have called her back already. The phone call might have been about Clara.

  The doorbell chimed above her head as she slipped inside the shop. "Hello?"

  "Victoria, you're the only woman
I know in Miami that's female and not a child. I can't decide between this dress and one more." Belle twirled around in a Vera Wang. "What do you think of this one?"

  Vicki blinked. At least Belle hadn't picked the Pandora dress from the latest line, as Vicki dreamed of herself in that dress, at the altar with Colt. Her stomach turned queasy. "You look beautiful."

  "Hold on." Belle smiled, but the air in the room went cold, fast. "I want your opinion on the second."

  Vicki tried hard not to feel. It would be better if she didn't care. Josie, the store manager, came to stand next to her. "I tried to help her, but she said you were personal friends."

  "Don't worry." Vicki nodded. "I'll handle Belle."

  Belle came from behind and turned around near the mirror, "Okay, Tori, will you get the buttons for me in the back?"

  "My name is Vicki, or Victoria. I'm not Tori." Vicki's hands clenched.

  "I'm sorry. I'm trying to be friends."

  "Then call me Vicki." Vicki buttoned Belle in the dress.

  Belle held still and stared at herself in the mirror. "If we're all getting along closer to the wedding, maybe you can be one of the bridesmaids."

  When she'd worked for the Hudsons to keep her identity a secret, Vicki hadn't felt these sharp pains of a knife lodged in her spine. Her throat went dry, but somehow, she managed to hold her smile. "We'll see."

  Belle turned around and narrowed her eyes. If the situation were reversed, Vicki would beam her happiness, but there was something about the gaze that made Vicki's body alert and ready to run. She stood a foot shorter than the dark-haired Amazon type, and her entire body felt small.

  Belle nodded. "No matter what happens later, Victoria, remember he was mine for years."

  If only Colt chose her instead, but Vicki couldn't say that. She lowered her head. "Of course."

  Belle shrugged. "On second thought, I don't like either dress in this small shop. I'll get one in D.C. Miami isn't my style."

  Then Colt wasn't a good life accessory for her either. Bitterness held Vicki's tongue. Instead she turned and nodded at the store manager. "I understand everything. Josie will help you out of your dress."