It was probably a neighbor or someone here to sell him something. He straightened his spine and flung open the door. A man and a woman stood in black pinstriped suits with papers in their hands. He tugged his ear, and asked, "Can I help you?"
"Are you Colt Collins?" the woman asked without removing her sunglasses.
Salespeople looked straight into the eyes of would-be customers to make the sale. A cold drip went down his back. "Yes, ma'am. May I help you?"
The man handed him papers. "You've just been served."
Colt clenched the papers and stared at the man.
"Have a good day, sir." The woman nodded, grabbed the man's arm, and the pair of them rushed off his porch.
He ran his hand through his hair and opened the envelope. He'd never owed anyone anything. Then every cell in his body jumped as he read the first line. "Victoria Morgan versus Colt Collins for the custody of Clara Collins."
Ice raced up from the ground and surrounded him as he realized he'd been made a fool. Last night must have been to distract him. Vicki had called their bedroom activities "fun." He should have guessed. Every moment she'd mentioned Clara.
He spun on his heels and closed the door as he read more of the lawsuit. The details turned his stomach. Vicki was suing him for custody.
His lips curled. He was a fool. Victoria Morgan was born and bred her father's daughter. She'd manipulated him and Clara to get what she wanted. He'd not let his daughter go, unless it was too late.
His fingers jittered. Perhaps Vicki hadn't run to the store. She'd taken Clara. He ran his hand through his hair. Then he covered his lips with his hands. Where would she go?
His mind raced. They had hours on him, and he had no idea where she'd gone. She'd not be stupid enough to go to her apartment, though he had never asked where she'd lived all these years. With the Morgan bank account at her disposal, she and Clara might be anywhere. His fist clenched, and he curled the paper into a ball. Then his mind raced with questions. Where were they? Would Clara call? Did she have access to a phone? He'd made her memorize the number to call him, but was that enough? Would Victoria return?
Again he picked up his phone and no messages appeared. He almost called her, but an edgy laugh escaped his lips, and instead, he dialed his lawyer.
His heart raced. He had custody. He'd call 911 next.
On the second ring, his lawyer answered. "Victoria Morgan is seeking to overturn the adoption papers to gain full custody of Clara. I've taken excellent care of my daughter and fought in war until today. I was just served papers."
"You have custody, Colt, and she's safe with you," his lawyer reassured him. "The courts want what's in the best interest of the child."
His entire body stiffened. "Clara is not here. She's with Victoria."
"Is this a kidnapping?" The lawyer's voice pitched higher. "Do you have the police report? Did they give you any trouble because she's the mother?"
His breaths were shallow. He'd hire whomever he could to find Clara and then go extract his daughter himself. "No, I called you first. I need to fight this lawsuit."
"Fax me everything. If you suspect that Clara's gone, call the police immediately."
He rubbed his temples and stared out at the empty road. Vicki wouldn't do this, was all his heart said, and then he remembered Clara's phone. If she had it, then he had the ability to trace it.
Colt hung up and ran to his office. He booted the computer then went to the app on his phone to find Clara.
A blue dot appeared on a map, and he waited a second for the map to update with exact coordinates. She had to have her phone. He took a deep breath. Clara was fine, and he'd go get her.
He grabbed his keys and headed to the door. He'd been a fool, but it would end now.
#
"Is it possible you're pregnant?" Vicki's gynecologist asked her. She had agreed to her annual because Alice told her to get checked while they were here.
"Err, no." Vicki's eyes widened as the doctor removed the plastic clamps from her nether regions. Last night's memory surged in her mind. Colt had been a fabulous lover, and he'd been better than she'd ever imagined. However, they used protection, and it was too soon to know, so the question was impossible. "Are we almost done? I should probably get going."
Doctor Ramirez shook her head. "I thought you were waiting for your sister."
"My almost-sister and always best friend."
Clara had stayed in the room with her Aunt Alice to watch the baby monitor.
Vicki straightened out her legs as the exam was done, but couldn't meet the dark eyes of the woman. "Nothing strange going on, is there?"
"Nothing strange. I don't see any kind of cancer." The doctor smiled and stood. "Get dressed and return to your daughter. Alice will be just about done too."
Vicki folded her skirt neatly on her thighs as her entire body heated. She hadn't said that Clara was her daughter, so the doctor had likely assumed. Vicki bit her lip and decided to let the matter be. "Thanks. I'm glad this once-a-year thing is over with. I don't know my mother's history, so I take health seriously."
Her doctor explained, "If you want to have another child in the future, you're perfectly healthy. Enjoy life and don't stress about what you can't control."
"That's great advice." Vicki picked up her underwear and waited for the door to close. As the doctor opened the door, Vicki said, "Okay, thank you again for everything."
Vicki quickly dressed and went to find Alice and Clara. Alice sat in the waiting room with Clara. They both stood to greet her as Alice said, "You're back."
Vicki stared at her blonde, blue-eyed angel and then toward her friend. She straightened her pocketbook. "Ready?"
Alice stepped forward. "Let's go."
Clara instantly took Vicki's hand as she opened the door. As they walked in the oppressing humidity to head to the car, Vicki saw how Alice's face flickered. She whispered, "What happened?"
Alice shook her head and closed her eyes. "Nothing. I can't believe I forgot my sunglasses. Give me one minute."
Vicki smiled at her friend as Clara swung their arms in the air. The second they opened the car door, they heard her daughter's cell phone. Vicki stared as Clara reached inside the hot car to grab her phone. Vicki stood with the door open to let the air circulate. "It must be your dad."
Clara handed the phone to Vicki as she wrinkled her nose. Vicki said, "Hello, Colt."
Belle's voice had an edge to it. "Are you crazy? You can't get away with this."
Vicki's spine straightened. Then goosebumps formed on her arms. "Now isn't a good time."
Belle said, "We'll find you. I still love Colt enough where I will help him."
Help him? Alice placed her hand on Vicki's shoulder. She took a deep breath then shook her head, "This conversation is over."
Alice patted her arm and asked, "Who was that?"
Vicki took a shallow breath and rolled her shoulders. "Never mind, I don't want to talk about it."
Clara said, "Can we go get ice cream? It always makes me feel better after the doctor."
"You didn't see a doctor today." Vicki winked at her baby and nodded. "Sounds yummy. Great idea."
"Yeah!" Clara said. "We won't tell Dad if you get me three scoops."
"If I can get chocolate chip, I'll think about this deal." Vicki laughed then turned toward Alice. "Let's go to our favorite place."
"My second meeting ever, back in school, with John was there." Alice went to the passenger seat. Vicki helped Clara into her seat, and then took the driver's seat. Two minutes later, they were on the road and Alice's phone rang. Vicki kept quiet, and Alice giggled. "My fiancé is a sweetheart."
The thought of Colt crossed Vicki's mind. Tonight made her heart thump faster, as she imagined how they'd sit at the table and tell Clara. Vicki peeked in the mirror as her cheeks heated. Tonight, everything would be different.
Clara put on her headset. Vicki told her friend in a whisper, "We should head back home to your brother's soon. He'
s been good to me."
"My brother is a lucky man." Alice winked. "I'm glad he has you now."
Vicki couldn't talk about her fantasies or last night. She'd not pressure Colt via his sister. She brushed her hair out of her face and stared at the road to ensure she didn't miss the turn into the ice cream store. "Enough about me. What did the doctor say?"
Alice bounced in her seat. "Everything is fine, as I said. But I'm more excited about my next appointment, when I see my babies and know the gender."
Vicki hit the brakes, and the car jerked to a stop in the parking lot. "Babies?"
"John and I knew for a while it was more than one, but we're telling people now," Alice answered with a huge grin. "He's sad he missed today, but he'll be here for the ultrasound."
"I'm so happy for you!" Vicki found a spot near the ice cream store, and squealed until she parked the car and finally had the opportunity to hug her friend.
Tonight, she'd share this news with Colt, unless Alice called him first.
CHAPTER TWENTY
The blue dot on his phone moved, less than a mile, and then stopped. At least they were still in town. If Clara still had her phone, then he'd find her. Colt grunted and steered his car closer to his destination. His head throbbed.
His headache subsided slightly as he realized he was almost at Alice and John's house.
Then the blue dot raced. His gut churned, but then he realized the directions Vicki drove. The pattern was his own route home. They went south toward the turnpike, heading to his house.
He pressed the bridge of his nose and turned his truck. His blood pressure was high. With the lawsuit, she'd wait and use her money and influence to prove what an upstanding mother she might be. She'd not taint the Morgan name with kidnapping. She had the means to destroy everything.
They turned onto the country road off the turnpike, and he swallowed. They were almost back to the ranch. With the lawsuit, she had to know that she'd have to leave now. She couldn't live with them and sue.
At a stop sign, he caught up to them. They were both singing in the car and giggling. He swallowed hard, as neither of them looked at him.
His heart wept that Clara was fine.
Vicki's innocence and lighthearted smile hid her true nature.
They entered the driveway at the same time, and soon she turned her car off. His blood ran cold as he parked. Then he ran his hand through his hair and went to them.
"Daddy!" Clara ran into his arms and hugged his leg.
Warmth spread through him for a moment as he petted her silky blonde hair. She was fine.
Then he glanced at Vicki as she smiled at him. With big saucer eyes, she asked, "Colt, did you go somewhere?"
Ice reentered his spine and quickly spread throughout his body. He leaned down to hug his daughter, and then he picked her up in his arms. She smelled like strawberries and ice cream. His skin felt tight. He swore he'd do a better job of protecting her. He closed his eyes, thankful she was safe, and then stared at Vicki. "You were smart to return her."
"What are you talking about?" Vicki looked like she didn't understand. "Your sister needed help. Once we finished, we came home."
"Home? That's an interesting word coming from you."
"Colt, what's wrong?"
No, he'd never fall for her wide-eyed gaze again. He kept his voice level and cool then told her, "We'll talk, but I'm going to put my daughter to bed."
"Daddy, I'm not tired," Clara said.
"Victoria and I need to have grown-up talk and you need to stay in your room." Colt hugged Clara again and then guided his daughter into their house.
"Doctor said Aunt Alice and the babies were fine, Dad." Clara then shrugged like her mother, as she let him carry her. He opened the front door, wiped his boots on the rug, and then entered the house.
Without a word, he carried Clara to her room, and Vicki followed. Clara smelled of chocolate chip ice cream, which meant she'd eaten sugar. They'd not discuss it now. His heart pumped at a steady pace the entire time they followed the routine of Clara's bedtime. A tic in his cheek began as Vicki brushed Clara's hair.
This had to end.
Vicki narrowed her eyes at him, but said nothing. Once Clara closed her eyes, Colt stormed out of his daughter's bedroom and marched down the hall. Vicki's feet pattered on the floor behind him, clearly hot on his trail. Near the open living room, he turned to face her. Vicki's eyes wrinkled. "Why didn't we tell Clara the truth?"
"Are you joking, after what you did?"
Her entire face wrinkled now. "What's wrong, Colt? Didn't you see the note I left?"
He lifted his chin. "You get me to break up with Belle, and then sue me for my daughter."
Her eyes widened. Then she shook her head. "What are you talking about?"
He threw his hands to his sides. "What do you think I'm talking about?"
She put her hand to her hip and visibly shook. "What are you talking about? Who's suing you?"
He marched over to the kitchen table, grabbed the papers, and then threw them in her hands. "I received a court summons that reads exactly what I said. You're suing me for Clara."
She glanced at the title. "That's not the instructions I gave my lawyer. There has been a mistake, Colt."
He shook his head. "Victoria Morgan, the first words out of your mouth to me were, 'Can you keep a secret?' Mistakes when it comes to lawsuits don't just happen."
She touched his arm and an electric jolt unsettled him. Vicki stared into his eyes. "Colt, don't. Give me ten minutes to get my lawyer on the phone. Listen to our entire conversation. I'm not lying about this. I don't want to sue you. There has to be a mistake, and I'll get rid of this right now."
Part of him wanted to believe her. He froze in place. "Every muscle in my body is taut and unable to let this go, Vicki."
She found her phone. Then she took his hand in hers. He took his finger away from her like she'd burned him. "Just wait. Be open to trusting me. I won't hurt you."
He crossed his arms. He'd not be fooled again. "Clara's more important than me. It's my job to protect her."
She took a deep breath. "I'm thankful. Please. It's already ringing. Please wait one minute."
Without another word, he stood like he was at attention in boot camp. He couldn't let Vicki know that a light surged through his soul at the idea that there was some massive mistake. The fire in his heart cautioned him to beware everything Vicki said or did.
She cocked her head to the side and her eyes were wide open. A second later, she said, "Ms. Montenagro, it's Victoria Morgan... I never wanted you to file for custody of Clara... I asked you to overturn the adoption papers to clear my name, but I'm not fighting Colt in court... He's done an amazing job raising our daughter."
Whatever the lawyer said to Vicki he wasn't privy to, but his heartbeat raced. He believed her, though he shouldn't. A minute later, she finished, "I don't care what's smart or what's in the newspapers... Fax his lawyer the withdrawal...now... My brother didn't understand me, but he'll expect my orders are followed."
Vicki listened on the phone for a few more minutes. "Peter is not my father... He misunderstood. Good night.
"I'm sorry this happened." She ended her call and sniffled as she said, "Your lawyer should receive an emailed PDF and a fax within minutes. I'm not here to hurt you, Colt."
"What did your brother Peter do?"
"He hired Montenegro to file those papers on my behalf. He thought you and Belle were going to stop me."
"Why would he think that?"
"I was upset. Belle came to my store. Peter misunderstood, and I didn't call him today."
"Vicki, I'm sorry." He let his body relax and dropped his hands to his sides. "All I saw was red when I received those papers today. I still don't know if I believe this."
She stepped closer to him and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Colt, if we don't learn to trust each other, then everything else is doomed."
The smell of strawberries and ice cream hit
him hard. His lips ached for a taste, but he'd not. His arms tightened around her. "It's not easy, princess."
She swallowed then pressed her hands on his shoulders. "No, it's not. When the fax comes in, everything else is settled except telling Clara. I want to tell her first thing in the morning."
He agreed. She made him believe in happily ever after.
Neither of them moved. Slowly, she slid out of his embrace and sashayed her hips to the kitchen counter, where she'd left bags.
A life with Vicki would be better than a life alone. The thought hit him harder than a hurricane. All he could hear was how his heart pumped.
She walked away with her bag and headed toward her bedroom.
His leg muscles twinged, and he stood there unsure what to do. His mind argued with his earlier thought until he could repeat the message.
Victoria Morgan and Colt Collins was a bad idea altogether. They'd never be a couple. He wasn't the type to break one woman's heart and run to another. He needed to be fair.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
While on the edge of her mattress, Vicki brushed her hair as she crossed her legs. Colt had believed she'd use him. She brushed more furiously, until her arm was in a frenzy, and then dropped the brush on the bed.
Her body ran cold and she stood to return the brush to the bureau. Part of her had hoped he'd fall in love with her, but it wouldn't happen if they had no trust.
She opened the drawer, tossed in the brush, and then slammed it closed. The drawer did not help her lose steam.
A knock at the door caused her to jump and almost fall. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then went to the door. Colt stood there with a glass of wine for her in his hand. He handed it to her. "I fixed us dinner. Can we talk?"
"I guess." She took the glass. The jumpiness in her dissipated a little. She smelled the white wine. "Thank you."
His cheeks had a slight blush as he guided her to the table. As they made it to the dining room table, he held her chair for her. Colt's manners were stiff tonight. Then she inhaled the delicious dinner. A simple steak was fine with her right now. She waited for him to push her seat in. "Thank you."
Secret Baby (The House of Morgan, #2) Page 15