Page 37 of Secret Baby
Vicki Morgan was always the dream girl, but he wasn't making this decision based on a fantasy. Then his mind transformed as he stared at Belle, and for a second, he saw Vicki's soft lips waiting for his kiss. His entire gut tightened as his vision cleared. "Belle, I'm not leaving my farm, and I'm intending to add more land. My life is here in Florida, and I've diversified into other agricultural investments throughout the South. Collins are farmers, and it's my duty to be here."
"You were a soldier too, Collins."
Now he preferred to be simply Colt and not his last name. "My daughter deserves a full-time father, and life here is stable. Belle, we're not good for each other. You need to be in Washington, fighting for a cause, or running a boardroom in your own company. You're a born leader."
Belle's eyes flickered and seemed glassy. His entire body froze as he prepared himself for her to cry. Instead she tightened her shoulders and then stared hard at him. "It's late. You're tired, and that medication your doctor prescribed sometimes gives you bad dreams. Don't let post-traumatic stress of the war ruin our future, Collins. Let's sleep on it and in the morning talk like rational people."
How he'd returned from the Marines was another reason he needed the comfort of home and his family. Most of the men who saw what he did didn't have half of what he had. He crossed his arms. Her lack of accusation didn't sit right in his stomach. "We can talk again tomorrow, but the wedding is off, Belle."
"It's the middle of the night, Collins," Belle argued as she stood.
She'd always been a fighter. Colt stood as well. "Fine. In the morning, we'll talk, and then I'll drive you to the airport or you can call a taxi. Flights leave early."
"You love me," Belle whispered, and her words carried on the wind. "And I love you. We'll figure it out as a team. We're the best team, and you know it."
No, they weren't. He would screw up his life. If he married Belle, he'd make everything worse. They both deserved a life where people loved them and were willing to compromise on major issues. They had worked best when they were on the same team, but that wasn't now. He turned on his heels and walked to another part of the house to open a door. "There is an extra bedroom next to mine."
As he held open the door for her, Belle said, "Collins, we're not done."
Yes, they were. He locked the doors behind them and stared into his quiet house. Vicki and Clara were both sleeping here too, and he'd have to keep them safe. He waited for Belle to go into her room, and then he turned off all the lights and went to his room in the dark.
As he neared his bed, he made decisions. He'd not marry Belle. He'd not marry Vicki either. He was better off alone as he rebuilt the farm the hurricane damaged. Then he'd have to find a way to live with himself on how he settled things with the women in his life.
CHAPTER TWELVE
In the middle of the night, Vicki woke up to a yell. She ran her hand through her knotted hair and realized it was Colt again. She swallowed and heard the plea in his voice, again, as he said, "Vicki."
Last time, that hadn't happened. She blinked and then stood up. She found a pair of Colt's boxer shorts for decency, and ran out of her room.
As she ran against the cold wood into the hall, she heard the other bedroom door click open. She slowed down her race, and her gaze met Belle's.
At least Belle hadn't slept with Colt tonight. Vicki's heart stammered as she stumbled to a stop.
Belle wrapped herself in a silk blue nightgown and stood almost as a guard of his door. As Vicki neared, Belle crossed her arms. Vicki decided it was best if she chose her words carefully. She asked, "Is Colt okay?"
"Of course. Let's go to the kitchen and I'll explain."
Last night Vicki had assumed Belle and Colt talked about their wedding. Colt's nightmares and his calling for her had an explanation. She tried to avoid interfering in their relationship.
Belle sat at the kitchen table, and Vicki did the same. Whatever happened last night between the two of them did not involve her.
Belle straightened in her seat. "Collins went through some rough patches over there, but his surviving helped save many American lives."
"That doesn't explain anything. Colt called my name." Vicki wiped the sleep out of her eyes, and wondered why his fiancée didn't use his given name.
Belle shrugged. Her eyes were big as coffee mugs. "He's sleeping. His nightmares are well documented, and he's seeing a veterans' psychologist. His advice is not to talk about it."
Vicki wrinkled her nose. That made no sense. The first night was bad, but then they'd talked, and the next night Colt hadn't screamed. They had discussed about how he almost died, and Belle saved him. If there was more, Vicki would listen. She stilled as she wondered what they'd fought over earlier. In her opinion, if he talked things out about whatever was wrong, then he'd help himself more, but she wasn't an expert.
Belle leaned closer to the table, and Vicki did the same. Belle said, "We should talk, girl to girl. One day I'll give Collins more children, and we'll move to D.C. as planned. As Clara's mother, Victoria, we should at least be friendly."
Vicki flinched and her gut tightened. The last thing she should do was trust anything Belle said without seeing or talking to Colt. She sat up straighter. "Why do you ask? Clara is my family, and I'll do what's best for her."
Belle crossed her arms. "You? The same woman who caused his life to turn to hell. You have no idea."
"It wasn't on purpose," Vicki argued, then pressed her lips together. She'd not get defensive. But her hands fell to her sides as her arms balled into fists. Colt believed her, and if his life was tough in the past, in some ways hers was worse. "Clara is my daughter, and I'll do whatever I can to keep her. This conversation is over."
"We don't have to be enemies." Belle leaned back in her chair, much like her father or brother might when proposing a deal. Vicki crossed her legs and held her breath. "I'm willing to help you gain full custody of Clara, if you'll help me and leave Collins alone."
