Page 56 of Secret Baby
This had to end.
Vicki narrowed her eyes at him, but said nothing. Once Clara closed her eyes, Colt stormed out of his daughter's bedroom and marched down the hall. Vicki's feet pattered on the floor behind him, clearly hot on his trail. Near the open living room, he turned to face her. Vicki's eyes wrinkled. "Why didn't we tell Clara the truth?"
"Are you joking, after what you did?"
Her entire face wrinkled now. "What's wrong, Colt? Didn't you see the note I left?"
He lifted his chin. "You get me to break up with Belle, and then sue me for my daughter."
Her eyes widened. Then she shook her head. "What are you talking about?"
He threw his hands to his sides. "What do you think I'm talking about?"
She put her hand to her hip and visibly shook. "What are you talking about? Who's suing you?"
He marched over to the kitchen table, grabbed the papers, and then threw them in her hands. "I received a court summons that reads exactly what I said. You're suing me for Clara."
She glanced at the title. "That's not the instructions I gave my lawyer. There has been a mistake, Colt."
He shook his head. "Victoria Morgan, the first words out of your mouth to me were, 'Can you keep a secret?' Mistakes when it comes to lawsuits don't just happen."
She touched his arm and an electric jolt unsettled him. Vicki stared into his eyes. "Colt, don't. Give me ten minutes to get my lawyer on the phone. Listen to our entire conversation. I'm not lying about this. I don't want to sue you. There has to be a mistake, and I'll get rid of this right now."
Part of him wanted to believe her. He froze in place. "Every muscle in my body is taut and unable to let this go, Vicki."
She found her phone. Then she took his hand in hers. He took his finger away from her like she'd burned him. "Just wait. Be open to trusting me. I won't hurt you."
He crossed his arms. He'd not be fooled again. "Clara's more important than me. It's my job to protect her."
She took a deep breath. "I'm thankful. Please. It's already ringing. Please wait one minute."
Without another word, he stood like he was at attention in boot camp. He couldn't let Vicki know that a light surged through his soul at the idea that there was some massive mistake. The fire in his heart cautioned him to beware everything Vicki said or did.
She cocked her head to the side and her eyes were wide open. A second later, she said, "Ms. Montenagro, it's Victoria Morgan... I never wanted you to file for custody of Clara... I asked you to overturn the adoption papers to clear my name, but I'm not fighting Colt in court... He's done an amazing job raising our daughter."
Whatever the lawyer said to Vicki he wasn't privy to, but his heartbeat raced. He believed her, though he shouldn't. A minute later, she finished, "I don't care what's smart or what's in the newspapers... Fax his lawyer the withdrawal...now... My brother didn't understand me, but he'll expect my orders are followed."
Vicki listened on the phone for a few more minutes. "Peter is not my father... He misunderstood. Good night.
"I'm sorry this happened." She ended her call and sniffled as she said, "Your lawyer should receive an emailed PDF and a fax within minutes. I'm not here to hurt you, Colt."
"What did your brother Peter do?"
"He hired Montenegro to file those papers on my behalf. He thought you and Belle were going to stop me."
"Why would he think that?"
"I was upset. Belle came to my store. Peter misunderstood, and I didn't call him today."
"Vicki, I'm sorry." He let his body relax and dropped his hands to his sides. "All I saw was red when I received those papers today. I still don't know if I believe this."
She stepped closer to him and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Colt, if we don't learn to trust each other, then everything else is doomed."
The smell of strawberries and ice cream hit him hard. His lips ached for a taste, but he'd not. His arms tightened around her. "It's not easy, princess."
She swallowed then pressed her hands on his shoulders. "No, it's not. When the fax comes in, everything else is settled except telling Clara. I want to tell her first thing in the morning."
He agreed. She made him believe in happily ever after.
