Page 59 of Secret Bet
His eyes were haunted. Unshed tears gathered in herthroat.
"There are no words. I'msorry."
Neither of them moved. Clouds formed in the distance on thewater.
She found her cell phone and intended to text Colt, but then she saw how Peter turned away. She answered, "John andVictoria will want to meet their mother. You'll have to tell them. Maybe I should go to my hotel and let you deal with yourfamily."
"No." He ran his hand through his hair and then strode to hold her tight against him. "Belle, I need youtostay."
If she could help him, she'd stay. "Areyousure?"
He then reached around her waist and hugged her. "Absolutely. I'm inshock."
"Okay. I'll get dinner orderedandset."
She ended their hug, but stayed in his arms. Her heart raced because he was so wound up tight. She'd have tostaycalm.
"Just tell the staff. We can have whateveryouwant."
"Peter, be happy. Your mom is back. You thought she left you and nevercared."
"I don't know what tothink."
"As you said yourself, you're inshock. I need you to relax. Perhaps, you should callJohnnow?"
He took a deep breath. Then he picked up his phone and nodded. "Yeah, Iwillnow."
The moment he held his phone to his ear, she nodded. She found her phone and intended to go find this kitchenofhis.
"Okay, I'll be right back. Meet you in the living room we werejustin."
He nodded. She strolled throughhis huge house, but at the first door away from Peter she ignored the grandeur and typed furiously on her phone.Colt, get Victoria over to Peter'smansionASAP.
He answered backimmediately.Why?
Her mother is here and askingforher.
What?
Her mother. Peter just had a delivery from Morgan Enterprises. Turned out Mitch Morgan kidnappedtheirmom.
We are on ourway. Don't let herleave.
I'monit.
You'rethebest.
Colt was easy. Coordinating with him felt like they were still friends. Belle turned the corner and saw his mother on the bottom step sitting there with her face betweenherlegs.
Belle sat beside her and heard the tears. "Mrs. Morgan, you'recrying."
She placed her hand on the older woman's knee. His motherrocked on the stairwell, as she said, "Belle, it's nothing. Don'tmindme."
She was hurt and upset. Anyone in her situation would be. "Be calm, Mrs. Morgan. Peter's calling John right now and Victoria will be here soon. Just give him a little space. He thought youlefthim."
"My babies, John and Victoria, they must hatemetoo."
Belle folded her hands together. She had nevercomforted another before, and her own mother would never walk in the door unexpected. Ghosts were just imaginations ofthepast.
