Page 31 of Secret Baby
His face reddened. As he headed to the door, he tipped his head. "After work, let's celebrate that we're putting the past away."
"You're on, cowboy," she called out.
"I like how you say my name, princess."
"Colt." Her heart beat faster for him even after he walked out the door. She shouldn't. She sighed and told herself she was here for Clara.
Her lips ached as she wished for an impossible kiss that would only exist in her dreams.
CHAPTER TEN
Vicki and Clara found the cake convection oven still in its box in the pantry. Vicki decided it was time to use it. She placed it on the counter, and showed Clara how to make a homemade cake, complete with frosting. Clara ended up with flour on her face, and a huge laugh. Vicki's heart soared as she wet the cloth and cleaned up her baby's face. As they set the mix into the machine, Clara wiped flour all over her forehead again and tugged at Vicki's shirt.
Vicki breathed lighter as she reapplied the wet towel and cleaned her up.
"What's up, darling?" Vicki asked as Clara closed her eyes and sighed. Vicki scrubbed her clean and then told her, "You smell like strawberries."
Clara opened her eyes and stared at Vicki. Vicki's heart wished that her baby realized she was her mom, but then all Clara said was, "My shampoo."
Vicki dropped the towel in the sink, satisfied the flour was gone. Then she picked up her daughter so they could wash their hands together.
"Next time, I want to go get my stool. I'm too big to be picked up," Clara said, then reached over to turn off the faucet. Vicki held her and whiffed her soft, strawberry-flavored hair.
"I don't mind holding you." Vicki shrugged as she helped her stand on the ground.
Clara giggled. "Okay, but you're skinny and I'm too big."
"I'm stronger than I look."
"Dad is bigger and stronger."
"Girls are made different, but we're strong in our way. So what's the plan now?" Vicki asked, and wondered what other game or activity her daughter preferred to play. Every second of today had to be about Clara.
Clara spun around, showed her toothy smile, and giggled. "Let's play dress-up again."
"It's turning into your favorite game. I'll help you into a dress and do your hair." Vicki followed her as she traipsed through the house toward her room.
At the door, Clara spun around, tugged at Vicki's arm, and demanded, "No, you have to dress up too."
Vicki's eyebrows lifted. "I don't have any of my dresses here."
"Wear one of Grandma's until you get your clothes to move in with me." Clara swung their hands together like she was enjoying herself, and Vicki couldn't say no. Clara must have smelled her victory, because she sped up. "I'll show you where they are."
Vicki ran her free hand on the wall. If she wore something clean and fresh, not a few days old, her spirits would lift. In these clothes, she thought about Colt every other second, and to her, clothes held memories too long. "Okay."
In a bedroom in the back of the house, Clara threw open the closet without a care. "Grandma's stuff. I'm going to take a shower. Be in my room in ten minutes and we'll do our hair to impress Daddy."
"You don't have to impress your dad, sweetheart." Vicki smiled. "Colt's love for you is unconditional."
"Daddy will laugh at me." Clara squeaked and ran out of the room.
With a critical, well-trained eye, Vicki perused the dresses, and picked out a plain black knee-length. With a dress and a good cleaning, Vicki might feel pretty. A smile broke out on her face, and all thoughts returned to Colt's well-formed backside. As a sophisticated Miami socialite, she was used analyzing a man's form without getting attached. Every girl in Miami could calculate that one, but everything about Colt was familiar and yet different.
Either way, Colt made her heart thump, but she refused to flirt. He'd be the perfect guy to fall in love with. The thought heated her cheeks as she tried to let it go. Then she followed her daughter's plan with the dress, held it in her arms, and rushed to her room for a fast shower.
Five minutes later, she threw the dress over her head and, without warning, Clara opened the door. Vicki heard Colt's voice. "Close the door."
Her entire body was so hot that she might melt as she tugged the dress further down her body. With her eyes closed, she prayed she'd seem calm, and at least the fabric covered her red face this second. The door clicked closed and then she finished fast, took a deep breath, and walked out into the living area.
