His skin was sticky as he stretched his arms. His battery-powered alarm clock read four in the morning, and the wind outside shook the shutters. Belle would murder him if he called her right now, but if he let his head return to his pillow, he'd have more traitorous dreams of the beautiful blonde who slept in the next room.
The storm pummeled against the house and made the walls shake. There was nothing to do but wait. The power was out, but his Wi-Fi might still work. The laptop was fully charged. With something to do, he stood, but his unwelcome erection reminded him of his teenage years. He ignored his body and told himself he was a grown man and responsible father.
He grabbed his laptop and sat on his office chair in his bedroom. The laptop turned on fast, and flashed fully charged. Once he clicked the Wi-Fi, he realized that yes, he still had the internet. He held his breath and clicked into his social media. With worldwide assignments in his past, someone he knew was always online. His eyes widened with the messages that were in his inbox. His mother was still typing messages. He hoped they were safe during the hurricane as he clicked her name then typed, Mom are you and Dad okay?
The storm is keeping me up, but we're fine. How are you and Clara?
Fine. Mom... At least they still had a roof and that physically everything was okay. He took a deep breath as his heart calmed to a normal pace. Then he typed, Vicki is here too.
She's where?
At the house with us.
Both she and her father both tried to throw Clara away. Why is she there and when is she leaving?
Mom, her dad stole Clara. Vicki didn't know.
And you believe her?
Did you go see her in the hospital the day you found Clara?
No, I wasn't allowed anywhere near her.
The perimeter around Vicki that day meant that she probably told the truth. He sighed and rubbed the back of his head as he stared at the words on the computer. Neither of them typed anything for a moment. Finally, he typed, I believe her, and part of you believes her too.
I'd prefer to speak to her in person and see for myself. Then we'll figure it out as a family, son. Does Belle know she's there?
No. I tried to call her, but she was in a meeting.
Belle is a nice girl.
So is Vicki, Mom.
If she was nice, she'd have called you years ago, son. Don't fall for sweetness when she showed up for cameras to take her picture at her father's funeral. I taught you to look at things from all sides before making your choice.
Colt typed out what his gut told him. My bigger issue isn't Vicki, it's Belle.
Why?
Belle wants me to move to DC. And I don't wear a suit and tie.
She knows who you are and loves you. Give her time. You've taken on the farming corporation, and being a lobbyist in Washington is not a long-term career for any woman that might want a family.
Belle's a go-getter and always has been. She won't change that for me and I don't want her to. She was so different to Vicki, who laughed and joked with him. Clara had the same sparkle of optimism and fun, and here, with Vicki, he felt at home. Mom, I'm going to need you to forgive Vicki. I secretly dated her, slept with her, got her pregnant, and then took her father and brother's word she didn't wish to see me ever again. I should have tried harder. She was pregnant with my child, and I had no clue.
Son, don't throw your future away because you're feeling guilty over the past.
His heartbeat was steady and sure. He wasn't feeling guilty. He was at ease and at home now. His lips still lingered with the taste of rose water, and his mind recalled his dreams where he held Vicki in his arms. He typed his last comment. We're fine. I make my own decisions, and Belle is coming down in a few days so we can talk in person. I'm not moving to DC, but I'm glad you and Dad are both holding up in the storm. Good night.
The words he typed glared at him on the screen. He had made a decision.
He closed his computer and opened his bedroom door to see outside. The house seemed quiet, but goosebumps grew on his arms. The storm must have dissipated, as the walls rattled less. Everyone slept. He stood and stared toward the front door. It was better to see what happened in person. Then he sat, opened the laptop again, and quickly checked the radar.
The weather service confirmed the worst was over. He stood and stretched. His orange trees needed him. He threw on a pair of old blue jeans and a black tee shirt and strolled out of his room. Near the door, he slipped on his boots and listened one more time to the wind, which sounded lighter. Then he unchained the door and stuck his head onto his porch. The screen was ripped apart, so he'd have to fix that later. He stepped past the mess, and the slight gust felt more like a normal day, though slightly colder. He'd have to ensure his oranges were warm.
First he headed out to feed the animals, and soon, he'd check every tree. Out here in the farms, he'd be useful.
The ghost of Vicki's presence came with her sweet smell of flowers, full, kissable lips, and pliant body. If he didn't get rid of his thoughts soon, he'd jump in and make a bigger mistake with his life. The hurricane was more manageable than his mind.
He walked toward the stable, and the image of kissing her pink lips again never left his thoughts.
CHAPTER SEVEN
"Vicki." Clara's small, happy voice echoed as she pattered on the marble floor toward her. Vicki's heart lifted and the sound made everything worthwhile. "You're still here."
The girl ran into a hug and Vicki squeezed her. "Of course I am, but we don't have any power, sweetheart."
"I'll go get Daddy. He can fix anything." Clara tore off in the direction of Colt's bedroom.
"Wait."
Clara ran toward the door anyhow. Colt hadn't come out since he'd handed Vicki the flashlight in the middle of the night. Her entire body froze as Clara swung open his door. With his fever, he needed the sleep, and she didn't want to wake him. Her face heated. To avoid Colt for a moment, she stared at her empty cereal bowl, but for a second she couldn't bring herself to get up and place it in the sink. She had to tell Colt what had happened last night.
Then as she inhaled, she stood and cleaned and placed the bowl in the sink. Clara deserved a good breakfast. Clara bounded out of his room.
"Vicki, Daddy isn't home. He must be outside." Clara barreled toward her and waved with her arms that she wanted the cereal in Vicki's hand. "I'm hungry."
Vicki walked toward the kitchen. Colt should be taking it easy today. She held that thought. "Okay. Sit down and I'll get it for you."
"Thank you." Clara tugged at her nightgown like it was a ball gown, and then descended into her seat like a princess.