A year alone had taught Vicki to take care of herself. She opened the fridge, found the second box, and showed the two cereal choices. Her daughter nodded to one box, and Vicki fixed her a bowl. As she added the milk, Vicki stared at her baby. Her fingers ached to wrap themselves tight around her shoulders, and never let go of her little angel. No one would steal her baby from her again. Vicki repacked the fridge a minute later, and then took a seat next to Clara. Clara waited for her and picked up her spoon when Vicki settled in her seat. Clara smiled. Vicki scratched her head. "Who taught you manners?"
"Grandma. She says Collins are strong, but good people who always remember their manners. And I want to be like Dad when I grow up."
"You want to join the military?" Vicki asked.
A giggle escaped Clara's throat, and to Vicki, her daughter had the voice of a choir of angels. "No, I want to help horses and grow oranges."
A laugh escaped Vicki's lips. Vicki smiled, leaned closer, and whispered, "I should take you to my store. Making dresses and helping women be happy is fun."
"My daughter is amazing the way she is, and she's amazing with horses." The front door swung open and the birds chirped in the air. The storm was definitely over now, and the cool wind was a welcome relief. Vicki swallowed, as the shadow of a man outlined the wall, taking his boots off, though he left the door open. Seconds later, footsteps that came closer made her skin tingle with awareness as the air filled with oak and oranges.
"Morning," Vicki called out, and refused to stare at him as he hung his hat on a rack. "Clara is still young, and dresses are pretty."
"Dresses are pretty," Clara repeated. "Belle hates dressing up."
"No, she doesn't. Give her a chance, Clara." Colt crossed his arms and walked closer. "Belle loves being the center of attention."
Vicki froze. That wasn't a compliment in Colt's worldview. Vicki peeked over her shoulder, and she watched his facial expression. He loved Clara; that was clear. Vicki inhaled. "Your daughter adores you. She thinks you can turn the lights on."
Colt stared at her, and her face grew warmer. "I had to ensure our fruit and workers were here for the aftermath. We lost about fifteen percent of the crops, the greenhouse was damaged, and trees uprooted. At least most of the storm didn't hit us directly. I'll get the generator from the shed. When the lights go on, can you make coffee?"
"I can do that." She nodded and stood. "I'm sorry for your losses."
"We can rebuild." He didn't move. "I have camping gear to make fresh coffee without energy out there too. I'll bring it in so we're set in case the power doesn't come on anytime soon."
"Okay." She nodded and smiled like she'd won the lottery. Of course he had the machine. Fresh coffee was restored and her body would enjoy it. She brushed the skirt she had worn last night to get off any speck of dirt. "I'll stay here with Clara. We'll figure out what we have to grill today to not let it spoil."
"You can stay?" His eyes widened. "I suspected you'd have some Miami event with your family name as the sponsor to attend."
"I'm the nanny, remember?" Colt and Clara were more important than the House of Morgan. She placed her hand on her hip. "I asked my employee to open my shop today, and everyone at my boutique will take care of the brides until I get back. I am happy to stay with Clara. I took this job, Colt, and I intend to stay."
"Thanks." He nodded, and took his hat off the rack to head back out. She sucked in her breath, and hoped she'd made her message clear: that her family name was less important than Clara. If he hadn't come for breakfast, why had he walked in the room? As he slipped on his boots near the front door, he called over his shoulder, "After the power is on, I have to go check for more damage in my trees and the animals. I'll be a while."
"Take care of yourself. I'll have coffee near the door for you to grab." She rubbed her forehead. Today she would be useful. Then she turned to Clara and figured her daughter could help her today. "So go. We'll be fine."
He let out a sigh, nodded, and shoved himself out the door. The cool breeze from the door was all they had until they raised the shutters. She swallowed, and her cheeks felt heat as she wondered what he'd come inside for as he left without food. Vicki's head swiveled and she smiled at Clara. Clara didn't look up as she ate her cereal. Vicki mussed her baby's fine hair as she retook her seat.
"Dad has nightmares sometimes. He says it's about war. I don't ever want nightmares like he has." Clara took a bite of her cereal like she hadn't said something huge. "Horses don't make me cry."
"War?" Vicki stilled, but then decided to loosen up. "Have you seen the bases your dad was on?"
"Italy. Dad used to take me for ice cream." Clara pushed her bowl away. "I'm done. Can we go outside? It's hot in here."
"Okay. Get some toys. We'll sit on the porch or near the house while we drink water, but first your dad wants me to make him coffee, and I hoped you'd help." Vicki stood up to open the door so the breeze could cool her. Then she picked up the bowl and put it in the sink, as the lights flickered on. The air conditioning didn't kick on, so the generator must be at work. "That will make it easier to find what you want from your room."
Clara ran toward her room and Vicki started the coffee machine. Her skin tingled again, as her body grew hyperaware of Colt's warm, inviting breath on her neck. She licked her lips and turned to face him as the door swung behind him.
The moment their gazes met, Colt stepped away. His hands fell to his sides. "The phone line is down, though the internet is working. My cell is charging now. We'll have to keep my electronics plugged in to regenerate to full. Can I see what kind of phone you have?"
"Sure." She walked over to her counter where she'd left her pocketbook, and reached in for her cell. As she handed it over, she saw the battery was red, so she was under twenty percent.
He nodded. "Okay, once mine is charged, we'll switch out to yours, unless you need to make any emergency calls."
"I'm fine." She left her phone on the counter.
He didn't move. "I came in to email my family fast to check on Alice, John, and my parents again. When I'm done, if you need to do the same, please feel free. I hope Peter is fine, but I need to ask you a favor."
Her brother would be some place five-star, probably in a hotel with Jennifer. Her shoulders twitched as she took in Colt's words. A favor? She swallowed. "What do you need?"
His cheeks reddened, and he ran his hand through his hair. "It be nice if you stick around to help with Clara through the cleanup process. Otherwise, I'll have to take her through the entire grove. It's going to be more than a day."
Colt and Clara mattered far more than anything else in her life. He trusted her with their daughter. "Are you asking me to move in for a few days?"
His voice softened. "Yes. If you can get away. My mother usually helps, but my dad has been ill. Clara thinks you're her nanny now, and you would be a great help."