Page 71 of Secret Baby
"Mom, be serious. This is important."
"I see. I'm sorry." Vicki shook her head and then picked up the dress to tug down over her head. With the dress half down, she tugged off her bra and tossed it on the bed. Finished, she shook her hips. "Isn't this overkill for lunch?"
Clara giggled.
Outside someone slammed a car door, and Vicki's skin jumped. Today she'd tell Colt goodbye. She glanced out the window and told her heart to stop racing.
"It's one of Dad's workers on the farm." Vicki offered her hand and waited for Clara. Clara reached up and then they walked out together. "Okay, let's get to making lunch. Didn't Grandma ever tell you that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach?"
"No. Is it?" Clara's eyes went wide and her mouth fell open. "Mom, we have to cook an amazing lunch."
"Don't worry about that. I was joking." Clara tugged her toward the kitchen. "No matter what, your dad and I will always be in your life."
Once in the kitchen, Vicki directed Clara to the toast and to set the table. She stirred the last bit of eggs to bread the chicken and heated up a few leftover vegetables and mashed potatoes from last night's dinner. A few minutes later, she hunched over and used the spatula to finish scraping everything into serving bowls.
Behind her she heard Colt voice call out, "Princess, I'm home."
No, she wasn't ready for him. The scent of oranges and oak wafted in the air. Vicki straightened her dress that was too short. Her face heated and she glanced at him near the door. His gaze went up and down her body, which made her warmer, everywhere. "Let's eat, Colt."
He wiped his feet outside on the rug again, and then proceeded inside. He mussed Clara's hair, but his gaze never left Vicki. She prayed she hadn't blushed all over her body, but it was possible. She finished with everything on the table.
Colt brushed past her, and she tingled from their momentary contact. Then she sat and told him, "We're going to have to talk after lunch. Don't run off."
Colt sniffed the food and she waited for his comment. He said nothing and served the food. "My mom will be here soon to take Clara for the rest of the day. It will be just the two of us, so we can talk."
He must know that she intended to end their time together. Her neck tightened. Clara might not understand yet. Perhaps their talk was better one on one. She'd return tomorrow and see Clara every day. Vicki nodded and served food to her daughter and Colt. His big, sexy eyes stared at her. The air conditioner had to have broken, because she was hot. "Let's eat, unless you think it's poisoned."
"I'm impressed, Vicki. I didn't know you had it in you."
She shook her head and waited for him to take a bite. He smiled at her, and then she ate.
#
After cleanup, Vicki told them, "I'll go change now."
"No, Mom." Her grandmother's car roared into the driveway as Clara said, "You're pretty as you are. Let's go greet Grandma."
Colt’s mother might think her one of the Miami weather girls on television who were ready to hit the club after saying that today was hot and sunny. Vicki shrugged as the door opened and Clara ran to get her. "Okay, then."
Colt stood in the driveway as she walked out. Then Clara pushed her forward. "Let Dad see more of your back, Mom. He's stared at you a few times now, and I think he likes you."
Colt's eyes flashed. He heard every word as he glanced at her.
"Thanks for letting me know." Vicki winked at her daughter and then turned so Colt might see what their daughter had dressed her in. "Clara picked this out for me. What do you think?"
Colt winked. "I'd say this dress is magical."
"Magical?" she said. "You spending too much time watching cartoons with Clara?"
"Not as often as you think." He shrugged as his mother approached.
Vicki kept her hands up to cover her chest. "Mrs. Collins..."
"I told you already, Vicki. Call me Ellie." His mother hugged her and asked, "Are you two going to a party?"
"Clara wanted to play dress-up, and chose this for me." Vicki crossed her legs and hoped if she hid one of her legs, Ellie would not notice how short the dress was.
Ellie shrugged. "Got it. No worries. Clara, sweetheart, let's get in the car."
