"Excuses, excuses. Shall I call for a pizza?" Colt said, and picked up his phone from the counter.
The char-grilled lasagna didn't strike her as appealing. She nodded. "I'll have appetizers and vegetables steamed while we wait."
Colt spoke to whoever answered the phone while she cleaned up the mess. She closed her eyes, said a little prayer, and then finished.
Moments after he'd hung up, he spoke to their daughter as she picked out a bowl and added the steamed edamame.
Without instructions, Vicki added the sea salt, and asked, "Want me to add the salt?"
Colt smirked at her, but didn’t say anything about how she asked him as she did it. "Not particularly, princess. Bring it over here."
Darn. He made her nerves jitter sometimes.
"Daddy, I'm the princess," Clara added fast.
"No, you're the royal pain." Colt blinked, and his cheeks turned red. "Vicki's always been the princess."
Vicki bit her lower lip. How she'd screwed up dinner made no sense. "I'll take 'Your Royal Highness' from you, Marine."
Her face was still warm. She'd messed up dinner, but she refused to fight at their last meal as one family. She pasted a smile on her face and dragged her feet over to the table.
"You keep trying to prove you can cook. You don't have to do that. We're good either way." Colt told everyone, "I ordered the pizza. Sit and I'll get the drinks."
With a shrug, Vicki plopped in her seat and sipped her water. She swallowed then asked, "How did you take John in Alice's life? Our family is screwed up."
"I still think your father hurt you all, in different ways. John was ignored. You were trained to be a prize. Peter was raised to be exactly like your father, which meant he probably dealt with your father the most."
Vicki's skin went cold. He placed the edamame in the middle of the table and added an empty bowl for the shells next to it, as he continued, "My sister and my mom fought a lot when she was a teenager, but our family was nothing like yours."
Colt's opinion on her family was insightful, and she could only see the truth in every syllable. She tried to think of something she could do for his family. "Alice had me in her corner."
Without a word, he hopped out of his chair, retrieved a bottle, then poured her a glass of white wine, and one for himself. Her head tilted as he placed the glass in front of her. "Thank you."
Colt inhaled then broke their visual connection to give Clara an unsweetened tea, her favorite drink. Vicki's skin jumped as she realized she knew that one fact about her daughter now.
He ran his hand through his hair, slid into his seat, and served everyone edamame. Vicki nodded, unable to speak due to the heat that coursed through her. This was her family. Clara was her daughter, and Colt was unforgettable. As she pressed her hand in her lap, she changed the topic. "Do you all go to a Dolphins games with Clara?"
"Not yet," Colt answered. "But that's a good idea. Clara should experience a football game, and one day we might get a good team again."
"You loved the Fins." In her head, she wanted to add, We can go as a family, but then her pulse raced at the realization that he intended to marry someone else. Clara stared at her like she'd made a strange face, but still Vicki didn't say a word.
Colt didn't seem to notice. "You were the cheerleader."
"It was easy in high school. I was rooting for you."
His face grew a huge smile. Then he turned to Clara. "Vicki's getting her clothes, then she moves back in here to spend more time with you. Tomorrow, do you want to go with her to pack a few things, visit her store, and have lunch in Miami?"
Vicki's lips formed a circle and she couldn't blink. Move in? They hadn't discussed that. Wasn't his fiancée about to show up?
"You trust me to do that?" she asked, though she wished she could stay here with him, without his fiancée. No woman would want the mother of his child living with him. Vicki gulped and kept that to herself. Three was a crowd. He knew that. Colt was being kind.
Vicki bit her lip. She'd stay with her family.
He took a sip of his wine, and did not elaborate. She couldn't quite close her mouth yet. He then reached across the table and placed his hands over hers. "I'll trust you to bring my daughter home. You both want to spend time together, and I believe in you."
Her heart soared. No one had ever believed in her. Vicki felt like someone who'd won the lottery. She glanced at Clara and smiled. Colt understood the entire situation, and he was right that telling their daughter had to be natural. Vicki's face heated as she glanced at her wine. "Thank you. If you want to spend the first night together with your fiancée tomorrow, I'll take Clara to dinner on the town too. Give you both breathing room."
"No." His fast answer shook Vicki's resolve. He massaged his neck and averted his gaze. Then she turned her palm upward and took his hand in hers. Colt's lips puckered as he said, "It's not you, but it's Belle. Clara needs time to see she's not a monster."
"Then I shouldn't be here." Vicki gazed at the floor. She stopped massaging his hand and shook her head.
"You absolutely should be here. Clara needs you." Colt pressed his lips together like he wanted to say something else but then stopped himself. "I made a promise to you. Natural will be easier to handle if we're all in the same room."
"Right now is good."
"Let me first talk to Belle. It's not that long."
"Clara doesn't need two women in one house." Now he wanted to talk to Belle? Perhaps she should see a lawyer. She swallowed that thought and finished. "It's a recipe for disaster."
"I want Vicki, not Belle," Clara added fast.
Colt shrugged, and then took his hand back. "Princess, I want you to stay."
He meant Vicki, not Clara. Vicki's pulse quickened as she wondered if he might care about her, but she could be so wrong. Maybe Colt and Belle weren't happy and there was trouble in paradise, but he'd never said a word to her. She'd pack a bag, for now, but ensure she had a full tank of gas in case she needed to evacuate. Whatever happened with Belle, she'd not be here. "No worries. Clara and I will have fun. We'll stop to my bridal shop, get lunch, do something fun, and return early enough for dinner with Belle."
Clara's face contorted.
"School starts in two weeks, so not too much fun." He nodded at his daughter and swallowed. Then he turned back to Vicki. "I'm trying to make this work. If we stick together, near home, we'll figure out how to function in a healthy, sharing way."
"You're amazing." She relaxed and lost any tension. The imperative in how he'd said that sentence told her plenty. Everything would be fine. Vicki's mind questioned if Colt intended to end things with Belle on his own. She exhaled and let the thought go. It wasn't right. She was determined she'd start on the right foot with Belle. She sipped her wine. "I'm excited to stay here."
A knock sounded at the door. No one moved until Colt stood to go get the pizza. Clara leaned over and told Vicki, "I wish we could be a real family, and all live here without Belle. You're fun, Vicki."
She was more than fun. She was her mom. Vicki pressed her lips together to stop the words she wanted to say. "It's a sweet idea, but unlikely. Your daddy is getting married to her."
"He's being stupid. I don't like Belle," Clara whined loud enough for Colt to hear.
With the box in his hand, he headed back to the table. "None of that. You'll meet her tomorrow and you will be on your best behavior."
Clara shook her head, but kept silent. The frozen face on Clara was how Colt also showed his stubborn streak. His upturned chin and lips that thinned out meant he had a very different opinion, and their daughter had that expression. Vicki brushed her hair behind her ear, and smiled to smooth over the situation. "Mmm. I love pizza."
Colt opened the box and placed a slice on Clara's plate. The moment their daughter moved, he reminded her, "You're going to be nice."
Clara nodded and looked away. Then she took the plate with her pizza and returned to her seat.
Vicki added a slice
to Colt's plate then one on her own.
The moment she was done eating, Clara stood and announced, "I'm going to my room and going to bed now. Night."
Vicki stood to follow her, but Colt placed his hand on her shoulder. She tilted her head toward him. He had his finger on his lip to signal silence. Her brow wrinkled as she returned to sit beside him. A minute later the bedroom door closed, and Vicki wiggled in her seat and whispered. "What's going on?"
"Clara never goes to her room without demanding a story." Colt stared into the empty hall that led to their daughter's bedroom. "She's up to something."
"Why would you--" Her gaze trailed where her daughter had just walked, but then music wafted in the air. She nodded. "Never mind."
"She wants you here, and hoped you'll take over for Belle."
Vicki wouldn't mind, but her face heated. She blinked, bit her lip for a second, and then asked, "So why didn't you argue with her?"
"What's the point? She'll start a fight, then I'll put her to bed with tears in her eyes because she's frustrated and didn't win." He took a deep breath. "It's better to let her think she's won with her music. I get the quiet of the evening, and a chance to talk to you."
Vicki's skin electrified with hope that Colt wanted something between them too, though she'd never admit her feelings. "Smart. You giving in is new."
"Pick your battles. It's a parental trick." Then he offered her glass of wine. "We get a peaceful night."
She took the glass from his hands, but then he stood fast, like a spider just bit him. She stared at him, and his face turned red. Then he ran his hand though his hair. "You done with the pizza?"
"Yeah." She followed and helped clean. Together they worked fast, and all that was left was the wine glasses.
Colt opened the refrigerator. "I'll pour you another glass of wine, Vicki. Come sit with me in the living room."
"Your place is nice." She stared at the walls as she made her way toward the couch. "You changed it since we were children and there were flowers everywhere."
"Mom has the pictures at the condo," he called a few steps behind her. "I'm surprised you remembered that."
She sat as he handed her the glass. She took a sip of her wine. This time he stayed still. She smiled as he eased into his chair. Then she said, "You threw the best pre-graduation party when your dad was in D.C."
"I was in so much trouble when he came home." Colt sat more comfortably on the couch as they reminisced. "You came with Alice that night. I don't remember you causing much trouble."
"I fixed the beers, and felt like such a rebel." She stared at the ceiling to cover the smile that grew on her face. "I always preferred hanging out with your sister than doing half the things my father demanded of me. With Alice, I almost had a childhood."
"I teased my baby sister a lot about how she acted near you. It's why I didn't tell her about us or Clara." He pressed his lips together like he'd said too much, and changed the topic. "Guess we can't change the past, though."
"Alice would have told me to be with you and not listen to my father. That was why I didn't tell my friend I had a huge crush on you."
He leaned closer, and she tilted her head and mirrored his actions. She puckered her lips like he was going to kiss her, and then closed her eyes. She whispered, "I'm glad we're not fighting over Clara and you're staying in Florida."
His face was so close to hers. The delicious scent of oranges and oak invaded every cell in her body. "You staying too?"
"Yes."
He scooted closer. Her breasts ached for his touch as he said, "Vicki, I don't want to fight with you."
"I don't want to fight with you," she repeated, and closed her eyes again. His breath came so close to her, and her lips parted to kiss him.
Tingles raced through her as his lips brushed against hers.
Her entire body heated. She sighed and wrapped her arms around him. His lips were tender yet hard. He tasted better than wine.
Outside on the patio, the clip-clop of a high-heeled footstep echoed.
Colt sat straight and sucked in his breath.
Vicki licked her lips that tingled from such a short kiss.
A knock followed with a thump that echoed in the air. Then a woman called out, "Honey, I'm here."
Colt stood fast and covered his mouth with his hand.
Vicki grabbed her glass of wine off the table next to her and swallowed a sip to somehow get the taste of him off her lips.
Colt tensed. Vicki turned around and saw the brown-haired, blue-eyed bombshell from the photograph. The woman's eyes narrowed as Vicki gazed immediately at her. Vicki held her breath and prayed she hadn't seen them moments ago.
With her hand on her hip, the woman batted her eyelashes. "Who's this, Collins?"
"Clara's birth mom." Colt stepped away. "Victoria is staying the night and helped watch Clara during the storm. Tomorrow, she moves in."
"I move in tomorrow." Belle crossed her arms, and her eyes blazed at Vicki.
This was not the way to make friends. What was Colt thinking? Vicki said nothing.
"I read about the hurricane." Belle stepped closer, and her heels echoed on the floor. "I came to make sure you and Clara were safe."
Colt nodded. "We're all fine here, but you should have called."
"I was worried about you and my job. It's why I came; leaving the senators to the oil and gas folks is only temporary, since we're teaming up." Belle's stare turned toward Colt's profile, but then she walked right in front of Vicki. "I'm Belle Jordan. Collins' fiancée. I'm glad you're here now, but aren't you years too late?"
Vicki crossed her arms, and her cheeks heated. "I didn't know Colt had our daughter."
Belle clicked one of her heels. "Funny. Clara's mother abandoned her child the day she was born, and now you're here. Mighty strange."
"I thought my baby died," Vicki said. "I was lied to."
"Strange." Belle shook her head, and Vicki wondered if she'd even heard her. "Collins will be so busy the next few days. The timing is perfect, I suppose. You can watch Clara, and Collins can be free to do things for our upcoming wedding."
Vicki flinched as ice dripped down her spine.
Colt's voice became firm and commanding. "Belle, Clara deserves her parents, and Victoria will be here from now on. I need you to understand, I'm not moving to D.C. and I'm not working for your lobbyists."
"We are having this conversation now?" Belle asked as she crossed her arms. "In front of your guest?"
"I'll go." There was trouble in this rose garden. Vicki swallowed and turned to leave.
Colt's hand pressed against her shoulder. "Wait. Belle, you knew I had a daughter when we first met."
Belle cocked her finger to call Colt toward her. He nodded, let go of Vicki's arm, and followed Belle.
They walked toward the dining room for a more private conversation. She stared at the pair of them, and her cheeks felt hot. She should go.
Belle directed Colt to kiss her, but he just brushed his lips on her cheek. Vicki turned to leave. Her stomach felt like she'd be sick, so she said, "I'll check on Clara and then go to my room."
Family was what mattered. Colt's big, sexy gaze followed her for a moment, and her body heated despite the fact he had another woman in the room. She trudged down the hall.
As she left the tension-filled living area, she opened her daughter's bedroom and saw Clara as she brushed her teeth. Vicki dropped her hands to her sides and winked at Clara.
Clara put her toothbrush down and wiped her lips. Her eyes blared like Colt's when surprised. "Why are you here?"
"I came to read to you."
"What about Dad?"
"Belle's here. He's talking to her."
Clara's chin trembled. Then she ran to her bed. "This is a bad day."
"No. Tomorrow is just you and me." Vicki fixed the blankets as her daughter climbed into the bed. "It's going to be great."
Clara grabbed her hands. "Vicki, don't leave me. I love you."
Her heart beat so loud, and a smile grew on her face. "Let's read that book of yours, princess."
As the moon rose higher in the sky, Clara snored lightly, and Vicki placed the book back on the shelf. After she cleaned the room, she turned off all the lights. Then Vicki tiptoed outside and stuck to the wall. With luck, Colt and Belle were done. Vicki held her breath and headed straight to her bedroom. As she neared her bedroom door, she heard Belle say from the patio area, "You cannot believe the mother's sob story. This is all to stop you. Don't let that happen. We'll be fine in D.C. or anywhere."
Vicki opened her door. Her face was hot. Had she heard herself referred to as "the mother"? She had a name. She turned around and locked her door.
There was nothing she could do. She'd never break up another's relationship. She'd never want anyone to do that to her, so she had no say in what he did with Belle. Colt's voice wafted through the walls: "I don't think we should get married, Belle. Our lives are too different, and I’m not moving to Washington. Clara deserves to grow up here, on the farm, where I was raised."
Vicki's heart caught in her throat. She had no right to hope, but her pulse ached for Colt to be with her again too.
Chapter 11
Colt massaged his neck as he gazed at Belle while they were still in the living room, and wished he could end this conversation. His brief almost-kiss with Vicki the moment Belle walked in on them still shook his memory. He stared at Belle, with her brown hair, blue eyes, and demanding personality. If he married her, then he'd never feel as he did right now.
Belle told him, "The wedding is being planned by the best people I could hire."
He had agreed to the marriage because Belle asked often, and agreed they'd figure out a middle ground. His gut had never liked his decision, and he had no more arguments with himself. Belle deserved someone who could love her unconditionally.
[House of Morgan 01.0 - 03.0] Boxed Set Page 29
