Page 69 of Secret Baby
She opened her mouth and stared into his eyes. Her cold blue eyes were nothing like Vicki's brightness, but he kept his mouth shut. Finally she said, "I was numb and hurt that we broke like that. I rented a hotel room and hoped if I stayed a few more days, you'd come back to me."
He massaged his five o'clock shadow. Belle deserved better. "I shouldn't have agreed to your plan and how you needed a husband now." Colt uncrossed his arms and stood straight with his feet together. "You can't pretend to be hurt that I still love her."
Belle stared straight ahead of her at the television. Slowly she nodded. "You're right. I can't be hurt, so don't worry about me."
He waited for her to meet his gaze. The moment she did, he told her, "Belle, the sooner you go back to your life in D.C., the sooner whatever you're feeling goes."
"I'll wait for the doctors to release me then I'll get a ticket. Do me one favor?"
"What?"
"Tell your Vicki I'm sorry for how I acted in her store and in her house. I don't like how I look when jealous, and I want you to live happily ever after with the woman you truly love."
"You've always been strong, Belle."
"Now go, Collins. You shouldn't be here. Go back to your Victoria. Don't think about me. I'll be fine."
Belle deserved someone better than he ever could be. He stood still for a moment longer then left. Now that this conversation was over, nothing would stop him.
Today he'd get Vicki to marry him, and he'd never hurt anyone ever again.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Colt stared at every ring in the store and tried to figure out which one to buy Victoria Morgan. Round diamonds, pink diamonds, white gold or platinum. The saleswoman picked up another ring and his fingers trembled.
Vicki could have anything she ever wanted. They both knew this was a symbol at best.
He sucked in a breath and decided the best option he knew was to get Vicki a ring just like his own mother wore.
He ignored the saleswoman's advice and peered at every ring in the cabinet. Vicki wore her mother's necklace, which was a simple heart with a golden lace trim to it. She never took it off. Her ring should match. He wanted a diamond ring in the shape of a heart with simple yellow gold. If he saw one with lacelike design, even better. In the fourth display case, he pointed to a ring. "Can I see this one?"
The woman's eyes widened. He assumed it was expensive, but then, he'd never heard of a cheap engagement ring. He nodded as she squealed. "This one is called Enflamed Love. The diamond is extremely rare."
He peered at every detail. It would match the necklace she adored. Buying this should be the easy part. Now he had to get home. "Do you have it in a six?"
"Yes!" she practically screamed. Her fingers trembled as she asked, "Will that be all, sir?"
He handed her his credit card. For the first time in his life, he'd not worry about budgeting for Clara's college education. "Absolutely."
A few seconds later, he held the box and plastic bag in his hand. Colt opened the box, stared at the ring he'd bought, and then closed his eyes. He imagined a huge smile growing on her face as she said yes. She'd kiss him and he'd be surrounded with the taste of strawberries for the rest of his life.
He repacked the ring as the saleslady handed him his receipt to sign. Once he paid, he fled into his car. He'd have to find a way to tell her that she was part of his life. Nothing made sense without her.
His heartbeat was steady as he started his car and headed home. Vicki was his future and all that mattered, other than Clara.
He hummed to a song on the radio for a few minutes as he drove. Then his phone vibrated on the seat beside him. Alice's name flashed on the screen. He picked it up and hit speakerphone as she said, "Where are you?"
He turned off the radio so they could speak. "Hello to you too."
In a fast, must-tell-everything-in-one-breath tone, Alice launched. "Vicki's thinking about leaving your home. What did you do?"
His heart thumped in his chest. "What do you know?"
Alice sighed, like she was speaking to him as if he was Clara and should know he was wrong. "She spoke to John and Peter this morning. She's sad."
Vicki had no reason to be sad. His mind raced to their last conversation. He had told her he was going to see Belle. Earlier yesterday, she had said no to his spur-of-the-moment proposal, but this time he'd have an entire plan. "Alice, she can't leave me. Not now."
Alice's voice was softer. "Why not, Colt?"
