Secret Baby (The House of Morgan, #2)

by Victoria Pinder

  "You just said that." Colt sat across from her, unfolded his napkin, and then added broccoli to her plate. "You are allowed to yell at me. I was a jerk."

  "My lawyer let you believe it," she said, as she reached and brushed her fingers on his shoulder.

  He gazed in her eyes. "This is not a judgment, but where were you today? I was scared you took Clara from me and wouldn't bring her back."

  She sighed. "Didn't you get my note?"

  His brown eyes were big. "No. What note?"

  She pointed in the direction of the kitchen. "The one left on the refrigerator."

  He stood, walked over, and shuffled everything. She followed, and he shook his head. "No. I don't see any note."

  "I left it there." Vicki bit her lip. She crouched to the floor and tried to peer under the huge machine. There was a paper there. She tried to reach it. A few seconds later, she placed her hand on his shoulder. "Your sister needed a ride to her doctor's appointment. I forgot about it until she called. John had to go out of town for the day."

  "You were with Alice? That makes me a double jerk..." His phone rang and interrupted whatever he'd say next. He stared at the caller ID then answered, "Hello."

  She took a sip of wine and waited.

  A moment later, he hung up. "Lawsuit was withdrawn. Vicki, I'm sorry."

  "You were scared for Clara." She placed the glass on the table.

  He ran his hand through his hair. "What is it you wanted to say to me?"

  "In your dreams, you call out my name." She stared at the ground. She needed to start this conversation. They had to build trust. "My first night here, the night of the hurricane, and then the night Belle was here."

  "Belle mentioned your name as the reason I changed my mind, but I denied it." He dropped his hands to his lap. "I must have set her up to believe the wrong things."

  Neither of them had done anything wrong. She took his hands in hers and squeezed. "I went to your room. She asked me to help her, and in exchange she'd ensure I had Clara full time. She wanted you to go with her to D.C., but I never responded. Then at the dress shop, she reminded me that she was yours for years."

  He squeezed her hand. "I'm sorry."

  Vicki gazed into his eyes. "We did nothing wrong. None of us are pure and none of us are guilty. Don't put mental roadblocks in the way now."

  "I have no defenses against you."

  Tears escaped her eyes, and she wiped her face. "You kept Clara safe. I owe you my life, and we're a family. We have to work together."

  His hands trembled. "You don't owe me anything. Clara is my daughter and the biggest blessing I ever had. After you disappeared, I was happy I at least had a part of you."

  Colt was perfect. She bit her lower lip again. "One more thing. You kissed me as you slept. You don't remember, but I came into your room to check on you. Then you kissed me."

  His eyes widened. "Those visions were vivid, but the other day was far more than a stolen kiss."

  Her heart had flutters. "True."

  He froze in place. "Vicki, I don't think we're a good long-term anything right now."

  "Relax." Colt sometimes reminded her of a skittish horse. He had to know they were connected for the rest of their lives, through Clara. They'd work together. She squeezed his hands. "One day at a time, Colt. Be thankful for what we already have."

  He kissed her forehead and sighed. "You deserve far more than I can give."

  She nodded and smiled. "You are doing it again. Stay in the present, Colt. I haven't asked for anything other than a chance to be a mom. Personally, I don't want to think you're going to run off and disappear because of the mountain of responsibility that you're sticking on your sexy shoulders."

  "Vicki, you're slightly insane. Tomorrow, we'll tell Clara first thing in the morning. No more delays."

  She let go of his hands and tipped her glass of wine to clink glasses. He met her offer with a beer bottle. Then they sipped. "I'm happy we talked like parents who both love their daughter. You listened to me, Colt. It's what made me fall in love with you years ago."

  "What do you mean?" He stiffened in his chair.

  Her face heated. Her mouth spoke without thinking. Love was too soon right now. She sipped her wine until she settled on her words. "You never ignored me or thought of me as your property. Not like my dad. Even angry, you confronted me, and listened. I like that, and you take care of our daughter as the best father you can. And all of this makes us family, and families love each other, Colt. There are no conditions."

  His entire face was still pale, but he nodded, "Let's finish our drinks and go to bed."

  She thought he meant together. Then the thought vanished. She'd not push him. They had too much to live for now, and she'd not rock the boat.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Colt woke up fast. His heart beat fast, and he listened. Something was off. Adrenaline rushed through his veins. His muscles tightened. Silence greeted his ears as he stood, but then someone banged on his door. He ran at full throttle out in the hall.

  Vicki stood in her blue cotton two-piece sleep outfit with her head tilted toward the door. Clara also slipped out of her room as she scratched her head. Colt pointed Clara to Vicki, and motioned for everyone to be quiet.

  Another loud bang on the door reverberated through the air. Colt held the handle and peeked outside. Two adults were there. He waited for Vicki to get closer to Clara, and then said, "Stay back."

  Vicki nodded. With his shoulders tight, he opened the door and someone snapped a picture of him. The lights blurred his vision for a moment, as he called out, "Who are you?"

  The man shoved a microphone under his nose and yelled out, "Colt Collins, would you agree to an interview?"

  "No." Colt clenched his jaw and his hands tightened into a fist. "You have thirty seconds to get off my porch and off my property before I call the cops and I tell them I shot an intruder."

  The cameraman jumped down a step and the reporter flinched. Good. Colt slammed the door shut in their faces.

  Ten seconds later, he heard the patter of footsteps and a car engine spark to life. Just to be safe, he marched into his room and unlocked his gun closet. He stared at his rifles, took one, locked the closet, and returned to the front door.

  Vicki winced and hugged their daughter tighter.

  No one stood there. He would never agree to interviews, and Vicki had been here all week in a simple life.

  He double-checked the locks on the door, and stared outside. His porch was empty now.

  From behind, his daughter asked, "Daddy, why do you get the big gun?"

  A rooster crowed. It was early morning.

  "Someone threatening was at the door, sweetheart." Colt held it carefully. "He shouldn't be back. Can you give me a minute to put it away? I want to talk to you about Vicki."

  "Okay, Daddy." Clara wobbled as she walked to the kitchen table. The second she crawled into a seat, her arms plopped on the table to help her head stay straight.

  He rushed inside his room and locked his rifle in the closet.

  Finished, he wiped his brow. The last time he had held his gun had been overseas, and he'd never done it in front of Clara.

  He covered his mouth with his hand as he stared at his daughter. She deserved to be safe, and perhaps he'd overreacted.

  Then he swallowed and stared at Vicki, who hovered at his bedroom door. Her blonde head and open heart deserved to be protected too. No one would get to them. He stepped out of the shadow of the doorframe and smelled the strawberry-scented air.

  “What was that all about?”

  “I’m a Morgan. The press always wants a story about my family.”

  “Did anything happen that set them off to come here?”

  “I wouldn’t know. We can ignore and hope they go away or I can call my brother for added security?”

  “I don’t like that idea.”

  “Let me know.”

  Vicki returned to the table and sat next to Clara. It was time the
ir daughter knew.

  Colt sat across from Vicki and took his daughter's hand. "What do you think of Vicki, sweetheart?"

  He glanced at Vicki for a brief moment, and saw her smile falter as she covered her chest with her hands. He nodded at her. It was time.

  Clara dropped her hands to her side. "Daddy, you know. I want to keep her."

  With a nod, Colt asked, "Clara, have you wanted to meet your mom?"

  "Are you going to marry Vicki?" She smiled at him.

  "No." His heart beat a mile a minute on that one. Clara needed to know in terms she understood. "Vicki is your real mom. She's returned to our lives for you."

  Clara's wide eyes didn't blink as she stared at Vicki. "I knew it. Daddy, she's my mom?"

  "Yeah."

  Vicki nodded, and he swore her eyes looked watery.

  "Why didn't you say so?" Clara shook her head. "Can I take her to show and tell, then?"

  "No. Vicki is your mom. I'm your dad." Colt stared at Vicki, who hadn't said a word yet. He finished, "And you don't take family to show and tell."

  He stood to give them both a moment. "What do you want for breakfast?"

  Vicki scooted closer to Clara and wrapped her arms around her.

  Neither called out to him. He wandered into the kitchen and decided to make them all eggs.

  The girls talked.

  Vicki spoke animatedly, and her face shone with joy. She'd be a beautiful bride on her wedding day.

  He dropped the oil into the pan and it spattered. He woke up from the daydream and found the eggs.

  Clara's question about marriage had shaken him. The last thing he needed was a wife, though Vicki staying would have benefits. At the fridge, he found the bread for toast and the hash browns. He returned to the stove to get another pan started. Quickly he set the table for the breakfast.

  Vicki would be a good wife. The thought spun in his head. He spooned the hash browns on the plates, added the eggs, and the toaster clicked. Vicki and Clara sat there with their pinkies together, like they'd made a promise.

  Done, he returned to the table, placed the plates down, and stared at Vicki, with her eyes wide, shining with tears. "Thank you, Colt."

  Her smile set off fireworks inside his belly.

  Then she turned serious. "Now what's going on, Colt? My phone has almost a hundred missed calls and text messages."

  "Mom," Clara said, "Dad said he scared them off."

  Colt massaged his neck. "Your mom doesn't have to call me dad. That's what you call us, not what we call each other."

  "Jenna's mom and dad call each other that," Clara said. "And you're my family."

  Vicki hid her phone in her pocket and stared at Colt. He sat and found his fork. "Wow, I'm hungry right now. Sit and talk more to your daughter, princess."

  No one moved. Perhaps he was bad company this morning. Colt dropped his fork. "You two get started. I'll find out what happened in the real world."

  A half-smile grew on Vicki's face as she stared at Clara, who launched into another speech on a matching wardrobe run.

  Colt scrolled through the messages on his phone.

  Then another knock rang through the house and the girls stopped talking. Colt dropped his phone on the counter and went toward his bedroom.

  Vicki whispered, "Don't. See who it is first."

  She would have an opinion on guns. They needed to find out why reporters were here.

  #

  Colt unclenched his fists and took a few deep breaths as Vicki glanced at the door. "I'll get rid of them."

  "Thank you, Colt."

  He stormed toward the door.

  Reporters were never good. Vicki's hand covered her racing heart, and her legs were still weak. For a moment she thought she'd faint, but then she stared at Clara. Their innocent girl needed to stay that way. They'd go to the kitchen or her room. "Help me clean up."

  Colt went outside to deal with a second set of reporters on his property.

  Vicki kept her daughter close. Clara helped with the dishes and the pair of them brought everything to the sink.

  Her daughter stared at her. "Mom, Dad made breakfast, but never ate. Can we pack him something?"

  At least their baby wasn't disturbed. Vicki nodded. "Great idea, though he should return in a moment."

  Clara stepped onto a stool to help with the dishes. Vicki turned on the faucet, and Colt stormed through the hall. Seconds later, he returned to the front door with some paper in his hand.

  She said nothing as he went outside.

  Clara elbowed her lightly. "Dad said I can't take you to show and tell. At school, will you meet my friends?"

  "Sounds like a plan." Vicki laughed, and rubbed her daughter's arm as she kept her gaze on Colt at the door. "Why can't we throw a party for your friends here?"

  "Yeah!" Clara shouted.

  A party for five-year-olds couldn't be too hard. Vicki nodded. "Okay, but we'll have to ask Dad if it's okay."

  Vicki bumped into her daughter's shoulder, and they both stared at Colt as he said goodbye to someone at the door. Neither one of them moved until he closed the door behind him. His lips were pressed together, and he shook his head.

  For moment, Vicki blinked, and her hands clenched on the counter. Colt closed his eyes like he needed a moment.

  Clara turned the faucet off, and Vicki placed the last dish in the drying tray. She swallowed and then asked, "Can you go to your room for a few minutes, sweetie, and let me talk to your dad?"

  "Sure." Clara jumped off the stool. "For the record, I like you, Mom."

  Vicki sipped on a coffee Colt had made for her and stared at him. She waited for him to open his eyes again. Whatever happened outside had him tensed up in his shoulders.

  Clara's bedroom door closed. Then Colt opened his eyes and met Vicki's gaze.

  Vicki took another sip, pointed to the dining room chairs, and then walked over to sit. He followed. Then once he was settled, she asked, "What happened?"

  "It's not true." Colt stared at the ground. "Belle is at the local hospital."

  "I thought she was in D.C?."

  He nodded. His face was white. "So did I."

  Neither of them said anything for a moment. Then Vicki said, "Why is she in the hospital?"

  "She's unconscious, but witnesses have linked you to the driver that hit her."

  "What?" Vicki's skin jumped. She shook her head. "How? Yesterday we went to see your sister. My car wasn't in any accident."

  Colt's hand trembled until he tucked it under the table. "You went for ice cream with Clara, and someone saw you speak to the hit-and-run driver."

  "I didn't speak to anyone." Vicki shook her head. They had gone to get ice cream with Alice. "Wait. Some man needed money for gas, and I gave him a dollar."

  "That was probably it, then. The reporters are all saying you paid for a hit-and-run because you wanted me. The story is the House of Morgan has gone bad."

  "I would never."

  Colt nodded. "Of course not. Just don't leave this house today, Vicki."

  Ice traced down her spine. "People actually think I hurt Belle?"

  "I don't know what the neighbors believe." Colt scooted his chair closer. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and hugged her. "You're going to need your lawyer. The press is making it seem you're guilty."

  She secured her arms around his shoulders. "What are they saying?"

  He massaged her, but nothing stopped the heavy beat of her heart. "The trash basically says that the only daughter in the House of Morgan who came back from the dead is just another spoiled, rich brat who will do anything to anyone."

  "Imagine if I actually went to nightclubs what people would say." Her heartbeat was wild, but Colt's was steady. She could hear the thump of his chest, and hers slowly went in sync with his. She sighed. "I don't know what to do."

  "Trust me." Colt took her hand in his then placed it on his chest. She gazed into his dark eyes. The world faded away, and her lips tingled in hope for another ki
ss. "I won't let anyone hurt you, Vicki."

  Colt would protect her better than anyone else. He was amazing.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Colt peeked out his blinds. No one was there. His pulse remained steady as he turned away. The porch had been quiet for a while now, so his threats to stay off his property had worked.

  Vicki pressed her hand on his arm. "What should we do?"

  "Let's find out what happened."

  She let go of him. "I'll go get my phone."

  "Delete anyone's voice you don't recognize."

  She walked to her bedroom and came out a moment later with the phone on her ear.

  He massaged his neck as he stared one more time out his window. Then he went to get his phone.

  As he returned to the dining area, Vicki pursed her lips as she listened to her voicemail.

  To comfort her, he sat beside her. Then he hit the button to get his voicemail and held the phone up to his ear.

  She took his offered hand to hold as he listened to the first voicemail, from his mother. "Colt, honey, what have you done? I'm coming over to check on you this morning. Belle is in the hospital, and the news is saying you and Vicki caused her accident."

  His heart raced. He'd dropped Belle off at Miami International, though he did speak to her on the phone in his panic to find Vicki. His breath caught. The other day, as he'd told her the wedding was off, she had tears in her eyes, and the memory haunted him. Vicki squeezed his hand, and he opened his eyes to stare at her.

  His phone clicked to his next message from Alice. "Colt. You and Vicki aren't answering. What's going on? Vicki was with me yesterday, at the ice cream parlor. We didn't hit-and-run anyone. The news is crazy. Call me. John and I want to help."

  Her messages must be the same. Vicki nodded at him as he listened to his last message. "Colt, it's Belle. I don't know what happened last night. It was a stupid car accident. I'm fine, and someone took something I said and completely changed every word I said or meant. I'm so sorry."

  All the energy in his body left.

  His chin dropped into his chest, he stood and paced toward the window.