[House of Morgan 01.0 - 03.0] Boxed Set

by Victoria Pinder

  She squeezed her eyes shut, fell onto her bed, and curled into the fetal position. Her lips, aching from pleasure earlier, now shook with embarrassment.

  "I have to tell him the truth." Her voice evened, and she nodded to herself. A kiss was just a kiss, and her father's lessons shouldn't haunt her. Until Colt returned, all her growth to be a better person had to stand for something, but she refused to become someone she wasn't.

  At the door, she picked up the flashlight and followed him out.

  The hall was pitch black, and no one stirred. "Colt?"

  He didn't answer. She flashed her light to his bedroom door, and saw the door was closed. He must have gone to sleep.

  Delay wasn't good. She stood still, unsure what else to do, but he needed sleep. More wind and rain shook the shutters. Who knew what the outside was like once the storm cleared? Finally, she turned on her heels and went to check on Clara and then go to bed. In the morning, they'd talk.

  Much later, she had fallen asleep. The house stayed dark, but she struggled in her bed. Her skin was sticky now that the house was warming like an oven with no air conditioning. Vicki sat again, and her ears perked up to hear any noise. None came.

  The storm must have passed, or they were in the eye. There was nothing she could do to change the temperature. Was the house still asleep?

  She stretched on her feet. She missed sunlight and cool air. As she left her room, she found her flashlight, and stalked to the kitchen. Again, quietness greeted her ears. No one was up. With no electricity, she couldn't make herself coffee, unless Colt had the camping gear out. She twirled the flashlight, but saw nothing. So instead she reached into the refrigerator to retrieve a box of cereal. Like most people in South Florida, Colt kept the open food in the fridge to avoid attracting ants.

  As she closed the door, she stopped. The milk would go bad soon, so she took it out of the fridge.

  Sighing, she found a bowl and made herself breakfast.

  Her daughter might want cereal with milk, so she left it on the table. Clara was why she was here, not Colt. Today she told him the truth, and she'd have to keep her priorities in check. His kiss wasn't meant for her.

  She munched on the cereal. Last night shouldn't have happened, and she'd make sure she never kissed him again.

  Chapter 6

  Colt woke up in a cold sweat. Last night he'd had the most visceral dreams he'd experienced in a long time. And once again, Vicki Morgan starred in his most erotic dreams and memories. Her sweet smell of flowers, and lips that tasted like rosewater had his body reeling. He cupped his head and listened to the morning rain.

  The last woman he should touch was Victoria. He rubbed his eyes, and his mind raced to his fiancée, Belle. She'd have him up and on an assignment. The image of Vicki laughing with Clara then popped in his head.

  His skin was sticky as he stretched his arms. His battery-powered alarm clock read four in the morning, and the wind outside shook the shutters. Belle would murder him if he called her right now, but if he let his head return to his pillow, he'd have more traitorous dreams of the beautiful blonde who slept in the next room.

  The storm pummeled against the house and made the walls shake. There was nothing to do but wait. The power was out, but his Wi-Fi might still work. The laptop was fully charged. With something to do, he stood, but his unwelcome erection reminded him of his teenage years. He ignored his body and told himself he was a grown man and responsible father.

  He grabbed his laptop and sat on his office chair in his bedroom. The laptop turned on fast, and flashed fully charged. Once he clicked the Wi-Fi, he realized that yes, he still had the internet. He held his breath and clicked into his social media. With worldwide assignments in his past, someone he knew was always online. His eyes widened with the messages that were in his inbox. His mother was still typing messages. He hoped they were safe during the hurricane as he clicked her name then typed, Mom are you and Dad okay?

  The storm is keeping me up, but we're fine. How are you and Clara?

  Fine. Mom… At least they still had a roof and that physically everything was okay. He took a deep breath as his heart calmed to a normal pace. Then he typed, Vicki is here too.

  She's where?

  At the house with us.

  Both she and her father both tried to throw Clara away. Why is she there and when is she leaving?

  Mom, her dad stole Clara. Vicki didn't know.

  And you believe her?

  Did you go see her in the hospital the day you found Clara?

  No, I wasn't allowed anywhere near her.

  The perimeter around Vicki that day meant that she probably told the truth. He sighed and rubbed the back of his head as he stared at the words on the computer. Neither of them typed anything for a moment. Finally, he typed, I believe her, and part of you believes her too.

  I'd prefer to speak to her in person and see for myself. Then we'll figure it out as a family, son. Does Belle know she's there?

  No. I tried to call her, but she was in a meeting.

  Belle is a nice girl.

  So is Vicki, Mom.

  If she was nice, she'd have called you years ago, son. Don't fall for sweetness when she showed up for cameras to take her picture at her father's funeral. I taught you to look at things from all sides before making your choice.

  Colt typed out what his gut told him. My bigger issue isn't Vicki, it's Belle.

  Why?

  Belle wants me to move to DC. And I don't wear a suit and tie.

  She knows who you are and loves you. Give her time. You've taken on the farming corporation, and being a lobbyist in Washington is not a long-term career for any woman that might want a family.

  Belle's a go-getter and always has been. She won't change that for me and I don't want her to. She was so different to Vicki, who laughed and joked with him. Clara had the same sparkle of optimism and fun, and here, with Vicki, he felt at home. Mom, I'm going to need you to forgive Vicki. I secretly dated her, slept with her, got her pregnant, and then took her father and brother's word she didn't wish to see me ever again. I should have tried harder. She was pregnant with my child, and I had no clue.

  Son, don't throw your future away because you're feeling guilty over the past.

  His heartbeat was steady and sure. He wasn't feeling guilty. He was at ease and at home now. His lips still lingered with the taste of rose water, and his mind recalled his dreams where he held Vicki in his arms. He typed his last comment. We're fine. I make my own decisions, and Belle is coming down in a few days so we can talk in person. I'm not moving to DC, but I'm glad you and Dad are both holding up in the storm. Good night.

  The words he typed glared at him on the screen. He had made a decision.

  He closed his computer and opened his bedroom door to see outside. The house seemed quiet, but goosebumps grew on his arms. The storm must have dissipated, as the walls rattled less. Everyone slept. He stood and stared toward the front door. It was better to see what happened in person. Then he sat, opened the laptop again, and quickly checked the radar.

  The weather service confirmed the worst was over. He stood and stretched. His orange trees needed him. He threw on a pair of old blue jeans and a black tee shirt and strolled out of his room. Near the door, he slipped on his boots and listened one more time to the wind, which sounded lighter. Then he unchained the door and stuck his head onto his porch. The screen was ripped apart, so he'd have to fix that later. He stepped past the mess, and the slight gust felt more like a normal day, though slightly colder. He'd have to ensure his oranges were warm.

  First he headed out to feed the animals, and soon, he'd check every tree. Out here in the farms, he'd be useful.

  The ghost of Vicki's presence came with her sweet smell of flowers, full, kissable lips, and pliant body. If he didn't get rid of his thoughts soon, he'd jump in and make a bigger mistake with his life. The hurricane was more manageable than his mind.

  He walked toward the stable, and the image of ki
ssing her pink lips again never left his thoughts.

  Chapter 7

  "Vicki." Clara's small, happy voice echoed as she pattered on the marble floor toward her. Vicki's heart lifted and the sound made everything worthwhile. "You're still here."

  The girl ran into a hug and Vicki squeezed her. "Of course I am, but we don't have any power, sweetheart."

  "I'll go get Daddy. He can fix anything." Clara tore off in the direction of Colt's bedroom.

  "Wait."

  Clara ran toward the door anyhow. Colt hadn't come out since he'd handed Vicki the flashlight in the middle of the night. Her entire body froze as Clara swung open his door. With his fever, he needed the sleep, and she didn't want to wake him. Her face heated. To avoid Colt for a moment, she stared at her empty cereal bowl, but for a second she couldn't bring herself to get up and place it in the sink. She had to tell Colt what had happened last night.

  Then as she inhaled, she stood and cleaned and placed the bowl in the sink. Clara deserved a good breakfast. Clara bounded out of his room.

  "Vicki, Daddy isn't home. He must be outside." Clara barreled toward her and waved with her arms that she wanted the cereal in Vicki's hand. "I'm hungry."

  Vicki walked toward the kitchen. Colt should be taking it easy today. She held that thought. "Okay. Sit down and I'll get it for you."

  "Thank you." Clara tugged at her nightgown like it was a ball gown, and then descended into her seat like a princess.

  A year alone had taught Vicki to take care of herself. She opened the fridge, found the second box, and showed the two cereal choices. Her daughter nodded to one box, and Vicki fixed her a bowl. As she added the milk, Vicki stared at her baby. Her fingers ached to wrap themselves tight around her shoulders, and never let go of her little angel. No one would steal her baby from her again. Vicki repacked the fridge a minute later, and then took a seat next to Clara. Clara waited for her and picked up her spoon when Vicki settled in her seat. Clara smiled. Vicki scratched her head. "Who taught you manners?"

  "Grandma. She says Collins are strong, but good people who always remember their manners. And I want to be like Dad when I grow up."

  "You want to join the military?" Vicki asked.

  A giggle escaped Clara's throat, and to Vicki, her daughter had the voice of a choir of angels. "No, I want to help horses and grow oranges."

  A laugh escaped Vicki's lips. Vicki smiled, leaned closer, and whispered, "I should take you to my store. Making dresses and helping women be happy is fun."

  "My daughter is amazing the way she is, and she's amazing with horses." The front door swung open and the birds chirped in the air. The storm was definitely over now, and the cool wind was a welcome relief. Vicki swallowed, as the shadow of a man outlined the wall, taking his boots off, though he left the door open. Seconds later, footsteps that came closer made her skin tingle with awareness as the air filled with oak and oranges.

  "Morning," Vicki called out, and refused to stare at him as he hung his hat on a rack. "Clara is still young, and dresses are pretty."

  "Dresses are pretty," Clara repeated. "Belle hates dressing up."

  "No, she doesn't. Give her a chance, Clara." Colt crossed his arms and walked closer. "Belle loves being the center of attention."

  Vicki froze. That wasn't a compliment in Colt's worldview. Vicki peeked over her shoulder, and she watched his facial expression. He loved Clara; that was clear. Vicki inhaled. "Your daughter adores you. She thinks you can turn the lights on."

  Colt stared at her, and her face grew warmer. "I had to ensure our fruit and workers were here for the aftermath. We lost about fifteen percent of the crops, the greenhouse was damaged, and trees uprooted. At least most of the storm didn't hit us directly. I'll get the generator from the shed. When the lights go on, can you make coffee?"

  "I can do that." She nodded and stood. "I'm sorry for your losses."

  "We can rebuild." He didn't move. "I have camping gear to make fresh coffee without energy out there too. I'll bring it in so we're set in case the power doesn't come on anytime soon."

  "Okay." She nodded and smiled like she'd won the lottery. Of course he had the machine. Fresh coffee was restored and her body would enjoy it. She brushed the skirt she had worn last night to get off any speck of dirt. "I'll stay here with Clara. We'll figure out what we have to grill today to not let it spoil."

  "You can stay?" His eyes widened. "I suspected you'd have some Miami event with your family name as the sponsor to attend."

  "I'm the nanny, remember?" Colt and Clara were more important than the House of Morgan. She placed her hand on her hip. "I asked my employee to open my shop today, and everyone at my boutique will take care of the brides until I get back. I am happy to stay with Clara. I took this job, Colt, and I intend to stay."

  "Thanks." He nodded, and took his hat off the rack to head back out. She sucked in her breath, and hoped she'd made her message clear: that her family name was less important than Clara. If he hadn't come for breakfast, why had he walked in the room? As he slipped on his boots near the front door, he called over his shoulder, "After the power is on, I have to go check for more damage in my trees and the animals. I'll be a while."

  "Take care of yourself. I'll have coffee near the door for you to grab." She rubbed her forehead. Today she would be useful. Then she turned to Clara and figured her daughter could help her today. "So go. We'll be fine."

  He let out a sigh, nodded, and shoved himself out the door. The cool breeze from the door was all they had until they raised the shutters. She swallowed, and her cheeks felt heat as she wondered what he'd come inside for as he left without food. Vicki's head swiveled and she smiled at Clara. Clara didn't look up as she ate her cereal. Vicki mussed her baby's fine hair as she retook her seat.

  "Dad has nightmares sometimes. He says it's about war. I don't ever want nightmares like he has." Clara took a bite of her cereal like she hadn't said something huge. "Horses don't make me cry."

  "War?" Vicki stilled, but then decided to loosen up. "Have you seen the bases your dad was on?"

  "Italy. Dad used to take me for ice cream." Clara pushed her bowl away. "I'm done. Can we go outside? It's hot in here."

  "Okay. Get some toys. We'll sit on the porch or near the house while we drink water, but first your dad wants me to make him coffee, and I hoped you'd help." Vicki stood up to open the door so the breeze could cool her. Then she picked up the bowl and put it in the sink, as the lights flickered on. The air conditioning didn't kick on, so the generator must be at work. "That will make it easier to find what you want from your room."

  Clara ran toward her room and Vicki started the coffee machine. Her skin tingled again, as her body grew hyperaware of Colt's warm, inviting breath on her neck. She licked her lips and turned to face him as the door swung behind him.

  The moment their gazes met, Colt stepped away. His hands fell to his sides. "The phone line is down, though the internet is working. My cell is charging now. We'll have to keep my electronics plugged in to regenerate to full. Can I see what kind of phone you have?"

  "Sure." She walked over to her counter where she'd left her pocketbook, and reached in for her cell. As she handed it over, she saw the battery was red, so she was under twenty percent.

  He nodded. "Okay, once mine is charged, we'll switch out to yours, unless you need to make any emergency calls."

  "I'm fine." She left her phone on the counter.

  He didn't move. "I came in to email my family fast to check on Alice, John, and my parents again. When I'm done, if you need to do the same, please feel free. I hope Peter is fine, but I need to ask you a favor."

  Her brother would be some place five-star, probably in a hotel with Jennifer. Her shoulders twitched as she took in Colt's words. A favor? She swallowed. "What do you need?"

  His cheeks reddened, and he ran his hand through his hair. "It be nice if you stick around to help with Clara through the cleanup process. Otherwise, I'll have to take her through the entire gr
ove. It's going to be more than a day."

  Colt and Clara mattered far more than anything else in her life. He trusted her with their daughter. "Are you asking me to move in for a few days?"

  His voice softened. "Yes. If you can get away. My mother usually helps, but my dad has been ill. Clara thinks you're her nanny now, and you would be a great help."

  "Okay." She smiled and took his hands in hers. He held her palms in his, but then dropped his hands to the side. The part of her skin that touched his heated. She lowered her gaze. "I'm happy to have the time to get to know her. I'd like to stay and get to know her without being a stranger. But I do have to go to the store in a few days to arrange the schedule for next week. I can take Clara with me for a few hours, and then we'll head right back home."

  "Sounds fine. We'll work out the details, but thank you." He turned his face into a shadow as he glanced at the door. "Now is a good time, before my wedding in October."

  Vicki's shoulders caved. Her lips ached for his kiss, but she'd never be a home wrecker. She firmly believed that whatever she put into the universe came back in a circle. If she tried to steal Colt, something worse would happen to her. She sighed. No. She'd lost too much already.

  Colt ran his hand through his hair, and she picked up his habit as she closed her eyes. "That's so close. Where is your fiancée?"

  He seemed to count the marble tiles on the floor as his face stayed red. "Washington, D.C. She took a job for the military as a lobbyist."

  "She sounds strong and independent, which was always the type of girl you wanted. I'm happy for you."

  His eyes widened as he glanced at her again. Without a word, she picked up the bowl in the sink and ran it under the water to wash. Colt rubbed her shoulders and then he took off for the door. "Thanks again for staying."

  "No, Colt," she called out, and gazed at him over her shoulder. He stared at her from the door. She dropped her hands to her sides. "Staying here is one major step to letting me in to know my daughter. I am looking forward to telling her who I am before your wedding."