Page 55 of Secret Baby
Clara put on her headset. Vicki told her friend in a whisper, "We should head back home to your brother's soon. He's been good to me."
"My brother is a lucky man." Alice winked. "I'm glad he has you now."
Vicki couldn't talk about her fantasies or last night. She'd not pressure Colt via his sister. She brushed her hair out of her face and stared at the road to ensure she didn't miss the turn into the ice cream store. "Enough about me. What did the doctor say?"
Alice bounced in her seat. "Everything is fine, as I said. But I'm more excited about my next appointment, when I see my babies and know the gender."
Vicki hit the brakes, and the car jerked to a stop in the parking lot. "Babies?"
"John and I knew for a while it was more than one, but we're telling people now," Alice answered with a huge grin. "He's sad he missed today, but he'll be here for the ultrasound."
"I'm so happy for you!" Vicki found a spot near the ice cream store, and squealed until she parked the car and finally had the opportunity to hug her friend.
Tonight, she'd share this news with Colt, unless Alice called him first.
CHAPTER TWENTY
The blue dot on his phone moved, less than a mile, and then stopped. At least they were still in town. If Clara still had her phone, then he'd find her. Colt grunted and steered his car closer to his destination. His head throbbed.
His headache subsided slightly as he realized he was almost at Alice and John's house.
Then the blue dot raced. His gut churned, but then he realized the directions Vicki drove. The pattern was his own route home. They went south toward the turnpike, heading to his house.
He pressed the bridge of his nose and turned his truck. His blood pressure was high. With the lawsuit, she'd wait and use her money and influence to prove what an upstanding mother she might be. She'd not taint the Morgan name with kidnapping. She had the means to destroy everything.
They turned onto the country road off the turnpike, and he swallowed. They were almost back to the ranch. With the lawsuit, she had to know that she'd have to leave now. She couldn't live with them and sue.
At a stop sign, he caught up to them. They were both singing in the car and giggling. He swallowed hard, as neither of them looked at him.
His heart wept that Clara was fine.
Vicki's innocence and lighthearted smile hid her true nature.
They entered the driveway at the same time, and soon she turned her car off. His blood ran cold as he parked. Then he ran his hand through his hair and went to them.
"Daddy!" Clara ran into his arms and hugged his leg.
Warmth spread through him for a moment as he petted her silky blonde hair. She was fine.
Then he glanced at Vicki as she smiled at him. With big saucer eyes, she asked, "Colt, did you go somewhere?"
Ice reentered his spine and quickly spread throughout his body. He leaned down to hug his daughter, and then he picked her up in his arms. She smelled like strawberries and ice cream. His skin felt tight. He swore he'd do a better job of protecting her. He closed his eyes, thankful she was safe, and then stared at Vicki. "You were smart to return her."
"What are you talking about?" Vicki looked like she didn't understand. "Your sister needed help. Once we finished, we came home."
"Home? That's an interesting word coming from you."
"Colt, what's wrong?"
No, he'd never fall for her wide-eyed gaze again. He kept his voice level and cool then told her, "We'll talk, but I'm going to put my daughter to bed."
"Daddy, I'm not tired," Clara said.
"Victoria and I need to have grown-up talk and you need to stay in your room." Colt hugged Clara again and then guided his daughter into their house.
"Doctor said Aunt Alice and the babies were fine, Dad." Clara then shrugged like her mother, as she let him carry her. He opened the front door, wiped his boots on the rug, and then entered the house.
Without a word, he carried Clara to her room, and Vicki followed. Clara smelled of chocolate chip ice cream, which meant she'd eaten sugar. They'd not discuss it now. His heart pumped at a steady pace the entire time they followed the routine of Clara's bedtime. A tic in his cheek began as Vicki brushed Clara's hair.
