Belle continued, "It's going to be a beautiful affair, attended by senators."
Colt set his jaw. Belle was always good to have at his side, but Vicki made his heart stir in ways he hadn't thought possible. He'd walked around half dead for years, and now he felt complete. This was his home.
"Everyone gets cold feet." Belle shrugged. "It's not a big deal. Don't worry about this."
"Can we go on the patio?" He placed his hands in his pockets. He'd prefer no one overheard this conversation. Belle deserved someone who thought of her as his home and belonged in his world. She stared at him without a word. Heat rose in his face. He'd do the right thing.
"Sure." Belle smiled like she'd won their argument and assumed he'd make it up to her. His shoulders slumped, as he had to tell her the truth now.
She followed him to the door, and said, "We should go to bed, honey, and we'll discuss it tomorrow."
He turned to meet her eyes and then shook his head. Marriage was supposed to be the start of a family, and the petite blonde had brought laughter back into his life. Neither he nor Belle were prepared to compromise on the life they wanted once the military ended. She had to know that.
As he held the door for her, Belle squeezed his arm as she passed and then took a seat. Then she told him, "You're moody tonight. In Washington, I brokered a major deal with two competing weapons manufacturers to produce a prototype at no upfront cost, with specs desired from the army corps of engineers."
"That's great." Colt couldn't sit, so he paced in front as he stared hard at her. His heart raced as he prayed he didn't hurt Belle too much. "I'm happy your life in D.C. is on the move. You want that."
"We want that." She leaned forward like she wanted to take his hands and ask him to sit. He leaned away and tugged his fingers free. Her eyebrow arched, and she shrugged. "Come sit with me."
He glanced at the seat. Perhaps they should both sit. He had no idea how Belle would react to what he had to say. Finally he slid into the seat across from her and folded his hands. "I don't think we should get married, Belle. Our lives are too different."
Belle's face went white. "Collins, doubts are normal before a wedding. Let's calm down. I won't make you put on a suit and tie, if that's the big worry."
She referred to him with his last name, like they were in the military still. It was another glaring difference between Belle and Vicki. It felt like steam rose through him. He brushed his hands on his face and covered his mouth for a moment. Belle had prepared herself for a battle. He'd seen her do this before. She was a great friend to him. In another life, he'd have agreed, but he'd spend his life as he'd spent the last few years, half dead. "Belle, our marriage would never have worked. When we were planning a mission, we always had an exit strategy in place. We discussed how to survive, but I don't want my life to be about survival and getting to the top. Clara deserves to grow up happy, secure, and loved."
"Plenty of families are happy in the D.C. area, Colt. Why won't you consider her education a benefit for moving?"
His entire body stilled. Clara deserved the life he could provide her, where the earth and the oranges gave her a sense of belonging. He stared out into the orange groves. "This place is my home. It's where I belong."
Belle's voice softened. "Is this about Victoria?"
Vicki Morgan was always the dream girl, but he wasn't making this decision based on a fantasy. Then his mind transformed as he stared at Belle, and for a second, he saw Vicki's soft lips waiting for his kiss. His entire gut tightened as his vision cleared. "Belle, I'm not leaving my farm, and I'm intending to add more land. My life is here in Florida, and I've diversified into other agricultural investments throughout the South. Collins are farmers, and it's my duty to be here."
"You were a soldier too, Collins."
Now he preferred to be simply Colt and not his last name. "My daughter deserves a full-time father, and life here is stable. Belle, we're not good for each other. You need to be in Washington, fighting for a cause, or running a boardroom in your own company. You're a born leader."
Belle's eyes flickered and seemed glassy. His entire body froze as he prepared himself for her to cry. Instead she tightened her shoulders and then stared hard at him. "It's late. You're tired, and that medication your doctor prescribed sometimes gives you bad dreams. Don't let post-traumatic stress of the war ruin our future, Collins. Let's sleep on it and in the morning talk like rational people."
How he'd returned from the Marines was another reason he needed the comfort of home and his family. Most of the men who saw what he did didn't have half of what he had. He crossed his arms. Her lack of accusation didn't sit right in his stomach. "We can talk again tomorrow, but the wedding is off, Belle."
"It's the middle of the night, Collins," Belle argued as she stood.
She'd always been a fighter. Colt stood as well. "Fine. In the morning, we'll talk, and then I'll drive you to the airport or you can call a taxi. Flights leave early."
"You love me," Belle whispered, and her words carried on the wind. "And I love you. We'll figure it out as a team. We're the best team, and you know it."
No, they weren't. He would screw up his life. If he married Belle, he'd make everything worse. They both deserved a life where people loved them and were willing to compromise on major issues. They had worked best when they were on the same team, but that wasn't now. He turned on his heels and walked to another part of the house to open a door. "There is an extra bedroom next to mine."
As he held open the door for her, Belle said, "Collins, we're not done."
Yes, they were. He locked the doors behind them and stared into his quiet house. Vicki and Clara were both sleeping here too, and he'd have to keep them safe. He waited for Belle to go into her room, and then he turned off all the lights and went to his room in the dark.
As he neared his bed, he made decisions. He'd not marry Belle. He'd not marry Vicki either. He was better off alone as he rebuilt the farm the hurricane damaged. Then he'd have to find a way to live with himself on how he settled things with the women in his life.
Chapter 12
In the middle of the night, Vicki woke up to a yell. She ran her hand through her knotted hair and realized it was Colt again. She swallowed and heard the plea in his voice, again, as he said, "Vicki."
Last time, that hadn't happened. She blinked and then stood up. She found a pair of Colt's boxer shorts for decency, and ran out of her room.
As she ran against the cold wood into the hall, she heard the other bedroom door click open. She slowed down her race, and her gaze met Belle's.
At least Belle hadn't slept with Colt tonight. Vicki's heart stammered as she stumbled to a stop.
Belle wrapped herself in a silk blue nightgown and stood almost as a guard of his door. As Vicki neared, Belle crossed her arms. Vicki decided it was best if she chose her words carefully. She asked, "Is Colt okay?"
"Of course. Let's go to the kitchen and I'll explain."
Last night Vicki had assumed Belle and Colt talked about their wedding. Colt's nightmares and his calling for her had an explanation. She tried to avoid interfering in their relationship.
Belle sat at the kitchen table, and Vicki did the same. Whatever happened last night between the two of them did not involve her.
Belle straightened in her seat. "Collins went through some rough patches over there, but his surviving helped save many American lives."
"That doesn't explain anything. Colt called my name." Vicki wiped the sleep out of her eyes, and wondered why his fiancée didn't use his given name.
Belle shrugged. Her eyes were big as coffee mugs. "He's sleeping. His nightmares are well documented, and he's seeing a veterans' psychologist. His advice is not to talk about it."
Vicki wrinkled her nose. That made no sense. The first night was bad, but then they'd talked, and the next night Colt hadn't screamed. They had discussed about how he almost died, and Belle saved him. If there was more, Vicki would listen. She stilled as she won
dered what they'd fought over earlier. In her opinion, if he talked things out about whatever was wrong, then he'd help himself more, but she wasn't an expert.
Belle leaned closer to the table, and Vicki did the same. Belle said, "We should talk, girl to girl. One day I'll give Collins more children, and we'll move to D.C. as planned. As Clara's mother, Victoria, we should at least be friendly."
Vicki flinched and her gut tightened. The last thing she should do was trust anything Belle said without seeing or talking to Colt. She sat up straighter. "Why do you ask? Clara is my family, and I'll do what's best for her."
Belle crossed her arms. "You? The same woman who caused his life to turn to hell. You have no idea."
"It wasn't on purpose," Vicki argued, then pressed her lips together. She'd not get defensive. But her hands fell to her sides as her arms balled into fists. Colt believed her, and if his life was tough in the past, in some ways hers was worse. "Clara is my daughter, and I'll do whatever I can to keep her. This conversation is over."
"We don't have to be enemies." Belle leaned back in her chair, much like her father or brother might when proposing a deal. Vicki crossed her legs and held her breath. "I'm willing to help you gain full custody of Clara, if you'll help me and leave Collins alone."
This wasn't how Vicki wanted this to go, and there was no way she should trust Belle. Her gut told her something must have happened with Colt, and to speak to him first. He'd been good to her since the beginning. She tilted her head and then faked a yawn. "I don't know what to say. It's late. I'm not thinking clearly. It's best if I head back to bed."
Vicki stood from her chair, and Belle followed her to her room.
Every step was heavy as her heart begged to check on Colt. What kept her going to her room was Belle. Now was not the time to confront her. A nightmare didn't need to start a middle-of-the-night catfight. Vicki took another step, but Belle blocked her path to opening her bedroom door. Vicki shuffled on her feet as Belle squared her shoulders. "Think fast. It's a short-term offer, and it will be withdrawn soon. Collins and I love each other, and the life we're starting together."
"Then I'm happy for you." Vicki walked around Belle. As she opened her bedroom door, nausea rose in her throat. Colt with Belle made her heart feel smaller, but she prayed Belle had no idea. What kept the bile at bay was the thought that if Colt loved Belle unconditionally, then she wouldn't have to threaten anything. Vicki would trust that man with her life.
Without another word, she closed her door and let her thoughts stop racing.
As she crawled back into bed, Vicki's mind screamed that Colt needed her help. If he married Belle, it would be a huge mistake, but Vicki couldn't speak that out loud. She wasn't a home wrecker. She closed her eyes, but the thoughts pounded like a hammer to a nail in her head. Vicki's fingers became fists beside her as she told herself to stop.
Colt had chosen to propose to Belle.
She sighed as she rested, more relaxed, into her pillow. Belle hadn't stormed out of the house. If Colt broke up with her, she'd need to crawl under a rock and cry her eyes out. Belle was calm and collected. The coldness in Vicki's skin grew, and the blankets didn't warm her. The only thought that helped was that Colt loved his orange groves too much to ever move to Washington.
A few hours later, Vicki sorted the laundry for the family and aired out her clothes. Colt must have woken and left at sunrise. She shook the last towel and hung it on the line. Then she went inside the house. No one was in the living room, and she assumed Clara must be asleep still. Vicki headed right for the kitchen. Her daughter liked breakfast, and once they were done, they'd go on those errands. The minutes ticked as she served the cereal. Colt didn't come back.
As she finished with the bowl, she placed it on a tray, and carried it to the normal table where they ate. Voices wafted in the air. She peeked into the formal dining room and her entire body clinched. Colt, Belle, and Clara sat, with a full spread, and were half done with their breakfast. As Vicki slipped from the door, Colt called out, "Come in. We tried to wait for you."
Vicki's teeth jittered, but she gazed at the empty seat beside Clara.
Clara bounded to her feet and ran toward her. Vicki knelt and hugged her daughter. Her soft skin and quiet whimpers made Vicki's heart swell.
Colt's voice had held an extra layer of ice that it never had. Vicki's ears perked. He then said, "I reminded her you're taking her out to the dress shop, lunch, and your place. She's excited and hoped you'd help her pack, Vicki."
"Yep. Absolutely." Vicki hugged her daughter and then parted her hair. "Now that we found each other, I'm happy we'll be together."
"Vicki's my best friend, Dad." Clara wrapped her arms around her neck. Clara's soft tears left a trail down Vicki's clothes.
As Vicki glanced at the table, Colt and Belle stared at each other. Vicki's skin grew goosebumps. The tension in the room was obvious. Her daughter must sense it too. Colt and Belle didn't say a word, but the body language was not two people in love. Vicki hugged Clara close as she stood, and petted her light hair. She'd skip breakfast altogether. "We'll be fine. We can go now. Let's get your phone to stay in touch with your dad. Then we'll be home tonight."
"Call me if anything happens." Colt's gaze turned toward her. Vicki stilled as her cheeks heated. Then she turned away.
"Okay." Clara nodded and stopped her tears with a smile. "I'll get dressed."
Her daughter ran off fast, and Vicki's gaze followed her into the hall.
"I should go too."
"Wait."
The eerie silence in the kitchen sent a chill down Vicki's spine. She stared at the adults at the table, and saw Colt's small smile of approval at her. Belle's scowl read the opposite opinion, and Vicki's gut clenched. She might pack her bag, and maybe just one overnight bag when she went home. It might be better to leave the farm if Belle was here another night.
Vicki would talk to a lawyer today and ensure she was prepared in case Belle did something.
Colt stood and made her a plate. Vicki walked past Belle and grabbed a bagel. The energy in the room was both frantic and cold. "Thanks for the offer. The bagel is all I need for now. I'll stop for coffee near my house."
Belle's pursed lips said plenty, though no one said anything. With the bagel in a napkin, Vicki clutched the door and then rushed to follow Clara.
A second later, she knocked on her daughter's door.
Once they went out, Vicki also made a mental note that she should talk with her brother.
Her heart lifted as she thought of Colt. Hopefully, Colt would figure out a way to end the awkwardness. Living with two women wasn't a good idea at all.
Chapter 13
Driving home, Vicki stayed the speed limit the entire time. Slowly the farmland transformed into suburban communities. Then the tall buildings of Miami populated the skyline. Vicki's heart felt full—she was going home entirely different than how she'd left. With Clara in the car seat, as she quietly listened to music, Vicki felt her eyes tear. Clara bopped her head. Vicki wiped her face, and then remembered to keep both hands on the wheel to stay in control. This was her responsibility for the rest of her life now. Vicki swallowed and kept her gaze on the road.
Her GPS told her to turn left onto the highway. Vicki's mind buzzed with thoughts. Then she sighed and told her navigation system to direct her to Alice's house. The car quickly recalculated. Then she called John.
She used the mirror to stare at her daughter, who tilted her head to the music on her headset. She turned it off. "What?"
Vicki winked at her. "I'm on the phone with your uncle, sweetheart. We're going to stop there first."
Clara shrugged and returned to her music.
John chuckled as he answered. "Hello."
Vicki tensed her shoulders, like she'd been caught copying Alice's homework as a teenager. Then she shrugged off the response. "Hey, it's me."
"How is life at Colt's?"
She'd ask for advice on Belle and how she should handle
it in person, not on the phone, where Clara might hear. "I need to talk. Can Clara and I stop over?"
John's answered was quick. "Sure."
"Is Alice there?"
"She can't go anywhere else in her condition."
"Hey." Alice's voice echoed in the distance. "You did this to me."
"I have to go," John said. "See you soon, sis."
Vicki assumed Alice had something to say to John over his comment. Her best friend and her brother had that magic between them. Vicki resettled into her seat for the next hour. As they entered the outskirts of the highway that led to Coconut Grove, a posh area where her brother lived, she sniffed the air. The clean smell of oranges was missing. Her stomach cringed and she wanted to hug herself, though she kept both hands on the wheel. "If I do end up living with Colt, I'm not that far a drive from my family."
Clara took off her headset and said, "Stay with us, forever."
Energy coursed through Vicki. It was as if Clara knew that she was her mother. She'd never find joy in her life if she watched Colt with Belle. There had to be a solution. "It's your father's house, not mine."
"Vicki, don't leave me with Belle." Clara gazed into the mirror and stared into Vicki's eyes. Vicki swallowed. Clara added, "Dad and Belle were fighting. She doesn't like our home, not like you."
"Their arguing last night might not mean anything. You don't know if she likes your home or not, Clara." Vicki returned her stare toward the road, and refused to say anything about Belle right now. The most important thing was that she'd promised Colt they'd tell their daughter together, soon. "Never worry about me in your life. I'll always be here for you, and I'm not going anywhere."
Colt too—not that she'd add that.
"Belle has to go." Clara then put her headset on her ears and stared out the window again.
Her daughter sounded like an adult sometimes, and she was five. Heaven help them all when she was a teenager.
[House of Morgan 01.0 - 03.0] Boxed Set Page 30