Page 28 of Secret Baby
He flinched. "I thought you came here only for Clara."
"I'm not a home wrecker, Colt." His hard features would scare her away, if she didn't know him. Then she brushed her wet eyes to not cry, and scooted her knees over to touch his. She kept her voice low. "In my heart, Colt, you were always the hero."
Without a word, he stood, like he was recoiling from her touch. "Night, Vicki."
Her eyes followed his departing hurry. A lump formed in her throat. If she had been honest from the beginning, everything would be different. She'd have been a mother to her daughter, and her tingling lips that ached for his kiss wouldn't be tender. There was nothing she could do about any of this.
She sipped her wine and stared out the window. The pitter-patter of the soft rain and her drink soothed her hardened stomach. After she finished, she cleaned, turned all the lights off and went to bed. Tonight, she'd dream of the life she'd almost had but lost.
CHAPTER NINE
Vicki woke up as her phone vibrated and rang. Without opening her eyes, she reached out, and answered, "Hello?"
Alice squealed like they were still in school. "Peter and Jennifer broke up last night."
The real world was out there. Vicki blinked to get the sleep out of her eyes. "What?"
In one breath, Alice then reported, "Jennifer dumped him at the $25,000-a-plate fundraiser for the dramatic arts that she dragged him to, and publicly stated he didn't love her so he didn't deserve her."
Jennifer had seemed nice enough a long time ago, but Peter deserved a wife that would love him unconditionally. Vicki opened her eyes fully and held her breath. "I'll call him today."
"Perfect." Alice spoke like Vicki had the answers to her prayers, though she had no idea how.
Without missing a beat, Alice then changed the conversation. "How are you and my brother holding up?"
The last person Vicki should talk to was Colt's sister. Her face heated and she closed her eyes. "We're good. Talk to you soon?"
With a huff in her voice, Alice said, "In person. I want more details than 'we're good.'"
Vicki would not admit that she had a huge crush on Colt to anyone. Her skin felt jittery as she said, "Bye."
Alice sighed. "Bye."
Vicki hung up and then checked her email. Her store was covered for today, and she had no reason to return to Miami. Life in Homestead was what she needed. Now that Colt and Clara lived here, she'd never return to her lonely, stylish condo on the beach in Miami. A home was more important now.
A knock at the door made her smile, and she finished brushing her hair. "Morning, Colt."
"I heard you talking, princess." He nodded at her. "Do you intend to leave?"
"Not today." She smiled at him. "Or anytime soon. I was speaking to your sister."
"Alice?"
"Yes." She stood and walked closer to him.
He placed his hand on hers. "Next time you speak to her, tell her I want my hat she stole."
A huge smile grew on her face as she remembered high school. "The same one you've argued about since we were children?"
"It would be nice if you were on my side." Colt rubbed his chin and then stood straighter. "I'll make us breakfast while you get dressed."
"Perfect. See you soon." Her heart wished for him, but that was ancient history. His footsteps echoed as he walked across the hall, and she double-checked that the door was closed. She closed her eyes and hoped she'd find her way through the maze of questions. Then she shook off the thoughts, opened her eyes, and raced to the bathroom.
A few minutes later, she threw on a pair of old jeans in her size and one of his old Panther jerseys, and ran out of her bedroom. Clara sat in the living room as she listened to music on a headset. Colt was nowhere to be seen. Sidetracked, Vicki headed over to Clara, and tried to get the girl's attention. With her head bopping, Clara was zoned out.
Colt called out as Vicki shook her head. "She loves music. Come sit at the table, eat your breakfast, while I talk to you."
"I love music." She smiled at Colt. Her daughter might get that from her.
