Page 61 of Secret Baby
Vicki bumped into her daughter's shoulder, and they both stared at Colt as he said goodbye to someone at the door. Neither one of them moved until he closed the door behind him. His lips were pressed together, and he shook his head.
For moment, Vicki blinked, and her hands clenched on the counter. Colt closed his eyes like he needed a moment.
Clara turned the faucet off, and Vicki placed the last dish in the drying tray. She swallowed and then asked, "Can you go to your room for a few minutes, sweetie, and let me talk to your dad?"
"Sure." Clara jumped off the stool. "For the record, I like you, Mom."
Vicki sipped on a coffee Colt had made for her and stared at him. She waited for him to open his eyes again. Whatever happened outside had him tensed up in his shoulders.
Clara's bedroom door closed. Then Colt opened his eyes and met Vicki's gaze.
Vicki took another sip, pointed to the dining room chairs, and then walked over to sit. He followed. Then once he was settled, she asked, "What happened?"
"It's not true." Colt stared at the ground. "Belle is at the local hospital."
"I thought she was in D.C?."
He nodded. His face was white. "So did I."
Neither of them said anything for a moment. Then Vicki said, "Why is she in the hospital?"
"She's unconscious, but witnesses have linked you to the driver that hit her."
"What?" Vicki's skin jumped. She shook her head. "How? Yesterday we went to see your sister. My car wasn't in any accident."
Colt's hand trembled until he tucked it under the table. "You went for ice cream with Clara, and someone saw you speak to the hit-and-run driver."
"I didn't speak to anyone." Vicki shook her head. They had gone to get ice cream with Alice. "Wait. Some man needed money for gas, and I gave him a dollar."
"That was probably it, then. The reporters are all saying you paid for a hit-and-run because you wanted me. The story is the House of Morgan has gone bad."
"I would never."
Colt nodded. "Of course not. Just don't leave this house today, Vicki."
Ice traced down her spine. "People actually think I hurt Belle?"
"I don't know what the neighbors believe." Colt scooted his chair closer. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and hugged her. "You're going to need your lawyer. The press is making it seem you're guilty."
She secured her arms around his shoulders. "What are they saying?"
He massaged her, but nothing stopped the heavy beat of her heart. "The trash basically says that the only daughter in the House of Morgan who came back from the dead is just another spoiled, rich brat who will do anything to anyone."
"Imagine if I actually went to nightclubs what people would say." Her heartbeat was wild, but Colt's was steady. She could hear the thump of his chest, and hers slowly went in sync with his. She sighed. "I don't know what to do."
"Trust me." Colt took her hand in his then placed it on his chest. She gazed into his dark eyes. The world faded away, and her lips tingled in hope for another kiss. "I won't let anyone hurt you, Vicki."
Colt would protect her better than anyone else. He was amazing.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Colt peeked out his blinds. No one was there. His pulse remained steady as he turned away. The porch had been quiet for a while now, so his threats to stay off his property had worked.
Vicki pressed her hand on his arm. "What should we do?"
"Let's find out what happened."
She let go of him. "I'll go get my phone."
