Page 68 of Secret Baby
"So was I, Vicki." He nodded then pointed to the swing. "I rigged it up today. Mom used to have this out front, and you always liked it. A hurricane knocked it down a few years ago, and I had it in the shed."
The smile on his face matched how hard he'd worked. She tilted her head. "Why would you do this for me, Colt?"
"'Cause you matter." Colt stepped closer and stared at her. "I'd do anything for you, Vicki. Don't you know that?"
She licked her lips, eager for a kiss. "I don't know what to say."
"This is your home, Victoria Morgan."
With Colt and Clara, they were complete. She circled her arms around his neck and leaned up. She closed her eyes, and the smell of citrus that was Colt wafted in the air. She closed her eyes as she whiffed his orange and oak scent.
Then a flash of light shook her. Colt murmured something, and she widened her stance. "Who was that?"
"It's probably the press." He huffed then said, "The tactic was more like an ambush."
She ran her hand through her hair.
He massaged his neck and shoulder as he stared at her. "Okay. My timing is awful. We knew about the reporters. And tomorrow I have to go see Belle, but after that, Vicki, you and I have to talk."
Vicki went to say something, but he stormed into the house. She wished he'd finish that almost-kiss.
The tingle of her lips made her sigh. She wasn't sure what to say, so she went through the house and to her room. Tomorrow, she'd straighten everything out with him, but the patio idea was sweet. He had remembered something she had said years ago.
Perhaps if she showed him it was okay to say he loved her, then all would be well.
#
The next morning dawned early, and Colt tugged on his blue jeans. He'd go see Belle and find out why she'd stayed in town after he left her at the airport. She should be in D.C., not here. He'd ensure she was fine at the hospital, and then return home for lunch. With luck, Peter Morgan had persuaded the press to go find a new story. Vicki deserved his whole attention.
He tied on his sneakers and tiptoed out of the house. Usually Vicki woke up later than he did, so he'd text her the minute he parked at the hospital. The sooner there, the sooner he finished.
From the driveway, the house remained quiet and undisturbed. He fired the ignition and then drove off.
With his hands around the steering wheel, Colt's mind cleared. Perhaps if he asked Vicki to marry him with a ring. He had never given one to Belle, and a man was supposed to offer a ring. Belle wanted to buy a specific one, and ordered it herself the day they discussed marriage. It should have been a sign. Stores on weekdays opened around ten, so he'd stop on his way home.
Without much traffic, Colt soon found himself in front of the hospital. He parked the car and walked to the front gate.
Someone snapped a photo of him and adrenaline pumped in his veins. Then someone shouted, "Are you here to apologize to Belle Jordan for dumping her?"
A woman screamed out, "He doesn't deserve her."
"You're right, ma'am, I don't." Colt lowered his head. At the door to the hospital, Colt turned and stared at the woman. "Victoria Morgan has always been the woman in my heart, and the lies about her yesterday will be dealt with. She'd never hurt anyone, including Belle."
The woman's huff sent a chill down his spine. He lifted his chin. He never cared what anyone thought of him. He turned and proceeded inside the hospital without another word.
The greeter at the door took his name and gave him Belle's room number. He stepped toward the elevator and already smelled the sterile nothingness that every hospital reeked of.
Colt ran his hands down the sides of his pants and then stepped into the elevator the moment it opened. The doors closed, and he wasn't sure what he expected to say to Belle, but his gut churned like he was in war. If they were in the desert still, he'd duck his head and wait for bullets to fly, but he was home now. He clenched and unclenched his fists until the elevators opened.
In the hallway, nurses, doctors, orderlies, patients, and visitors walked around and seemed to have some order. He studied the numbers and figured out Belle was four doors down to the right. He walked over and knocked on the open door. "Belle, can I come in?"
"Sure." Belle sounded peppy, and it wasn't natural on her. She usually had a commanding presence. "Collins, I didn't expect you."
"I told you I was coming." He took a step into her room.
Belle nodded. "You did. I didn't expect you this early."
He crossed his arms. "Why did you stay in town? I dropped you off at the airport."
