"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 21
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."
"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 to
wn 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 22
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 their 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.
[House of Morgan 01.0 - 03.0] Boxed Set Page 35