Page 38 of Secret Baby
This wasn't how Vicki wanted this to go, and there was no way she should trust Belle. Her gut told her something must have happened with Colt, and to speak to him first. He'd been good to her since the beginning. She tilted her head and then faked a yawn. "I don't know what to say. It's late. I'm not thinking clearly. It's best if I head back to bed."
Vicki stood from her chair, and Belle followed her to her room.
Every step was heavy as her heart begged to check on Colt. What kept her going to her room was Belle. Now was not the time to confront her. A nightmare didn't need to start a middle-of-the-night catfight. Vicki took another step, but Belle blocked her path to opening her bedroom door. Vicki shuffled on her feet as Belle squared her shoulders. "Think fast. It's a short-term offer, and it will be withdrawn soon. Collins and I love each other, and the life we're starting together."
"Then I'm happy for you." Vicki walked around Belle. As she opened her bedroom door, nausea rose in her throat. Colt with Belle made her heart feel smaller, but she prayed Belle had no idea. What kept the bile at bay was the thought that if Colt loved Belle unconditionally, then she wouldn't have to threaten anything. Vicki would trust that man with her life.
Without another word, she closed her door and let her thoughts stop racing.
As she crawled back into bed, Vicki's mind screamed that Colt needed her help. If he married Belle, it would be a huge mistake, but Vicki couldn't speak that out loud. She wasn't a home wrecker. She closed her eyes, but the thoughts pounded like a hammer to a nail in her head. Vicki's fingers became fists beside her as she told herself to stop.
Colt had chosen to propose to Belle.
She sighed as she rested, more relaxed, into her pillow. Belle hadn't stormed out of the house. If Colt broke up with her, she'd need to crawl under a rock and cry her eyes out. Belle was calm and collected. The coldness in Vicki's skin grew, and the blankets didn't warm her. The only thought that helped was that Colt loved his orange groves too much to ever move to Washington.
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Afew hours later, Vicki sorted the laundry for the family and aired out her clothes. Colt must have woken and left at sunrise. She shook the last towel and hung it on the line. Then she went inside the house. No one was in the living room, and she assumed Clara must be asleep still. Vicki headed right for the kitchen. Her daughter liked breakfast, and once they were done, they'd go on those errands. The minutes ticked as she served the cereal. Colt didn't come back.
As she finished with the bowl, she placed it on a tray, and carried it to the normal table where they ate. Voices wafted in the air. She peeked into the formal dining room and her entire body clinched. Colt, Belle, and Clara sat, with a full spread, and were half done with their breakfast. As Vicki slipped from the door, Colt called out, "Come in. We tried to wait for you."
Vicki's teeth jittered, but she gazed at the empty seat beside Clara.
Clara bounded to her feet and ran toward her. Vicki knelt and hugged her daughter. Her soft skin and quiet whimpers made Vicki's heart swell.
Colt's voice had held an extra layer of ice that it never had. Vicki's ears perked. He then said, "I reminded her you're taking her out to the dress shop, lunch, and your place. She's excited and hoped you'd help her pack, Vicki."
"Yep. Absolutely." Vicki hugged her daughter and then parted her hair. "Now that we found each other, I'm happy we'll be together."
"Vicki's my best friend, Dad." Clara wrapped her arms around her neck. Clara's soft tears left a trail down Vicki's clothes.
As Vicki glanced at the table, Colt and Belle stared at each other. Vicki's skin grew goosebumps. The tension in the room was obvious. Her daughter must sense it too. Colt and Belle didn't say a word, but the body language was not two people in love. Vicki hugged Clara close as she stood, and petted her light hair. She'd skip breakfast altogether. "We'll be fine. We can go now. Let's get your phone to stay in touch with your dad. Then we'll be home tonight."
"Call me if anything happens." Colt's gaze turned toward her. Vicki stilled as her cheeks heated. Then she turned away.
"Okay." Clara nodded and stopped her tears with a smile. "I'll get dressed."
Her daughter ran off fast, and Vicki's gaze followed her into the hall.
"I should go too."
"Wait."
The eerie silence in the kitchen sent a chill down Vicki's spine. She stared at the adults at the table, and saw Colt's small smile of approval at her. Belle's scowl read the opposite opinion, and Vicki's gut clenched. She might pack her bag, and maybe just one overnight bag when she went home. It might be better to leave the farm if Belle was here another night.
Vicki would talk to a lawyer today and ensure she was prepared in case Belle did something.
Colt stood and made her a plate. Vicki walked past Belle and grabbed a bagel. The energy in the room was both frantic and cold. "Thanks for the offer. The bagel is all I need for now. I'll stop for coffee near my house."
Belle's pursed lips said plenty, though no one said anything. With the bagel in a napkin, Vicki clutched the door and then rushed to follow Clara.
A second later, she knocked on her daughter's door.
Once they went out, Vicki also made a mental note that she should talk with her brother.
Her heart lifted as she thought of Colt. Hopefully, Colt would figure out a way to end the awkwardness. Living with two women wasn't a good idea at all.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
