"Grandma helped me name her when she was born." Clara ran ahead into the side structure that must be a barn. "This way, Mommy."
Mommy was a great word. Vicki quickened her pace, until they walked into the barn. The overwhelming smell made her nose curl. Despite the smell of manure, Vicki's smiled from one look at how animated her daughter became near the horse. The bop of her blonde hair was all Vicki needed to see. She'd figure out a way to stay.
"Mom, you're not over here. Come faster."
Vicki rushed to the stall and saw a miniature horse. A grin grew on her face.
Colt was a good father and a good man. He was worth waiting for.
Patience was a virtue she'd somehow figure out.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
After his mother left to run an errand, Colt finished with his double check of every security measure on his farm. No one else would dare set foot on his property. He brushed past a line of trees in his truck, peered through the fence, and saw a small crowd of reporters gathered across the street. Clearly her brother Peter hadn't called everyone off yet.
The local news was usually about someone bleeding, but today they waited outside his house like Colt, Vicki, or Belle had done something wrong.
Colt turned his truck around and went back to the house.
He parked his truck and stared through the windows of his house. The fog in his brain wouldn't let Vicki's discussion of love go. He had to think of what he could do to convince her that she was part of their family, and she needed to stay right here, on the farm, with him.
It was a tall order. He stared at his calloused hands and kicked the dirt under his feet as he climbed out. He never should have agreed to marry Belle in the first place. It was his fault she was in the hospital.
Afternoon rain clouds formed. He swallowed. The moment he took the first step onto the porch, his phone rang. He read the caller identification. Belle. He stepped off the porch, returned closer to his truck, and answered, "Hello."
"Hey, I'm still in the hospital while they run a few more tests on me, but I've been watching the news. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I shouldn't have called you the other day in a panic. Vicki took my sister to the doctor's. She hadn't run off."
"I'm happy for you, then."
He should at least ensure she made it back to Washington in one piece. She was his responsibility. "Do you want me to come see you?"
"You don't have to. Look, none of this might be true or it might all be. I have to ask. The news is saying Vicki Morgan used you to drive a wedge in her relationship with her father years ago, and then took off without a care for some world tour. I wanted to check on you and make sure you want to do this."
"Don't believe everything you read." His voice cracked. Their breakup scene left his gut cold. "I'm going to come over tomorrow. It will be good to see you."
"Okay. I'll look forward to it, Collins."
For years, Belle had been the one that stood by him. Belle had always called him his last name, but at least she was dependable. Vicki was unpredictable. Her blonde hair passed near one of the windows of the barn, and his heart beat twice as fast. She should be in the house and not with the horses. He had no idea what Belle said, but he said, "Bye, then."
She sighed. "Bye."
He ended the call, and walked toward the barn and Vicki. He searched through the stalls then saw her next to Clara, as they fed Clara's miniature horse.
With a giggle on her lips, Vicki called out, "Colt, our baby girl has me feeding the animals."
"Good. Everyone works on the farm." His lips tingled to kiss her, though he kept the feeling to himself.
As he approached her, Vicki tilted her head. "Where is your mom? I thought I heard her at the door."
"She was here but then had to go check on something for my father. She'll be here for lunch."
"Where did you go?"
"Tend to the farm and to ensure the fence was secure."
He scratched his five o'clock shadow. With a long, deep breath, he told her, "Vicki, I don't know what to say to you now."
"Let's get Clara to the house so we can shower and be presentable when your mom shows up."
He kept still to not spook her and repeat this morning. "I need to see you alone, Vicki."
"Okay," Vicki said, though she offered her hand to Clara. Clara bounced and then took his hand too. Then she used them both as anchors to swing.
Colt whispered to Vicki as their daughter rocked their arms, "I promised to go see Belle in the hospital."
"Okay." Vicki nodded. "Your sister can read you like a book."
"Alice?" Colt asked. "Why mention her?"
"We talked," Vicki told him. "When are you planning to go?"
"Tomorrow morning." His skin heated the longer he stared at Vicki.
His body ached to claim her and keep her in bed until she agreed to marry him, but that wasn't going to work. And he'd never been very good at seduction.
They walked in the door, and he stared at the couch. An image of Vicki's soft lips as he took off her clothes played in his mind.
He'd absolutely not touch her until she agreed that marriage was what they both wanted. He needed a plan to succeed, but seduction wasn't it. He'd find a path to keep her at his side.
#
Vicki set the table for dinner, even though Colt had no word from his mother. It was strange that she wasn't here yet. She'd spent less than ten minutes this morning and said she'd return soon. Now the dusk of the evening sky had already settled, and night would be here soon enough.
Vicki ensured that the knives and forks were perfectly aligned.
Colt showered early and stayed near the house instead of staying out on the farm till the last minute. She set the last plate. Everything looked amazing. Vicki sucked in her breath and opened the front door. The humidity of the day hit fast, and stirred a yawn. Colt had to be around here somewhere. Vicki called out from the front porch, "Colt."
He stepped from the side of the house near his bedroom window and called out, "Vicki, what's up?"
He sounded so casual. She squinted to see past him. The blazing sunset blocked her view, and she couldn't peek around the house. The hair on her arms stood up, like someone else was outside with Colt, but she didn't see a car. "Dinner is done."
He nodded at her. "Great. I'll just need a fast shower. Can't wait for tonight."
He'd taken a shower less than an hour ago. She shook her head. The buzz of a car engine sounded in her ear. She turned toward the driveway and saw a silver Volkswagen heading straight for the house. Vicki stepped inside the door. "Greet your mother, Colt. I want to go straighten the napkins."
"I've never heard of straightening napkins."
"I need to make sure everything appears beautiful." The last thing she needed was to hear what a horrible choice Vicki was for Colt. Her hands shook as she raced into the house to check on the table setting.
A few minutes later, as she finished, the front door creaked open and Clara ran over to greet Mrs. Collins. "Grandma."