Page 66 of Secret Baby
As he approached her, Vicki tilted her head. "Where is your mom? I thought I heard her at the door."
"She was here but then had to go check on something for my father. She'll be here for lunch."
"Where did you go?"
"Tend to the farm and to ensure the fence was secure."
He scratched his five o'clock shadow. With a long, deep breath, he told her, "Vicki, I don't know what to say to you now."
"Let's get Clara to the house so we can shower and be presentable when your mom shows up."
He kept still to not spook her and repeat this morning. "I need to see you alone, Vicki."
"Okay," Vicki said, though she offered her hand to Clara. Clara bounced and then took his hand too. Then she used them both as anchors to swing.
Colt whispered to Vicki as their daughter rocked their arms, "I promised to go see Belle in the hospital."
"Okay." Vicki nodded. "Your sister can read you like a book."
"Alice?" Colt asked. "Why mention her?"
"We talked," Vicki told him. "When are you planning to go?"
"Tomorrow morning." His skin heated the longer he stared at Vicki.
His body ached to claim her and keep her in bed until she agreed to marry him, but that wasn't going to work. And he'd never been very good at seduction.
They walked in the door, and he stared at the couch. An image of Vicki's soft lips as he took off her clothes played in his mind.
He'd absolutely not touch her until she agreed that marriage was what they both wanted. He needed a plan to succeed, but seduction wasn't it. He'd find a path to keep her at his side.
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Vicki set the table for dinner, even though Colt had no word from his mother. It was strange that she wasn't here yet. She'd spent less than ten minutes this morning and said she'd return soon. Now the dusk of the evening sky had already settled, and night would be here soon enough.
Vicki ensured that the knives and forks were perfectly aligned.
Colt showered early and stayed near the house instead of staying out on the farm till the last minute. She set the last plate. Everything looked amazing. Vicki sucked in her breath and opened the front door. The humidity of the day hit fast, and stirred a yawn. Colt had to be around here somewhere. Vicki called out from the front porch, "Colt."
He stepped from the side of the house near his bedroom window and called out, "Vicki, what's up?"
He sounded so casual. She squinted to see past him. The blazing sunset blocked her view, and she couldn't peek around the house. The hair on her arms stood up, like someone else was outside with Colt, but she didn't see a car. "Dinner is done."
He nodded at her. "Great. I'll just need a fast shower. Can't wait for tonight."
He'd taken a shower less than an hour ago. She shook her head. The buzz of a car engine sounded in her ear. She turned toward the driveway and saw a silver Volkswagen heading straight for the house. Vicki stepped inside the door. "Greet your mother, Colt. I want to go straighten the napkins."
"I've never heard of straightening napkins."
"I need to make sure everything appears beautiful." The last thing she needed was to hear what a horrible choice Vicki was for Colt. Her hands shook as she raced into the house to check on the table setting.
A few minutes later, as she finished, the front door creaked open and Clara ran over to greet Mrs. Collins. "Grandma."
Her little feet thumped on the wooden floor. Vicki couldn't look at any of them. She slowly lifted her head to watch Colt's mom hug Clara.
His mother nodded at her, and Vicki was sure she'd faint. She held the chair and nodded in return. "Good evening, Mrs. Collins."
With her arms crossed at the door, his mother stood, with her feet slight apart, like she was ready for battle. "Colt told me your father lied to you about Clara."
