Dreams (Part One) (Dreams #1)(7)
Author: Jayne Ann Krentz

“Harry told me you’d come back this summer, Colby Savagar.“ Mrs. Fulbrook’s voice had the carrying power of a woman who’d spent a lifetime commanding others and the situation around her. She wore her nearly seventy years with icy, rigid pride. Her hair was anchored in a queenly bun and her fine brown eyes were piercing. “I was inclined not to believe it at first. But then I recalled that the one thing you never lacked was the devil’s own nerve.“

Colby gave the older woman a chilling look. “Sometimes nerve was all I had. Excuse me, Mrs. Fulbrook. Someone’s waiting for me.“

“Who? That Prentice woman? I pity her. I’ve heard about her, too. Does she know what kind of man you are?“

“No, but then, neither do you,“ Colby said with soft savagery.

“You bastard,“ Mrs. Fulbrook hissed.

“You aren’t the first to suggest that possibility and you probably won’t be the last. But you sure can’t say that about my son, can you? In fact, if I ever hear you say anything at all about my son, I’ll…“

“Good morning, Colby.“ Diana unstuck herself from the floor and went forward with her best corporate smile, just as if she hadn’t overheard a word. “I wondered if I’d see you here today. I was going to give you a call later and remind you about that trip to the falls you promised me.“ She switched her smile to the postal clerk behind the counter who was watching the confrontation with a gaping mouth. “Got anything for me today, Bernice? I’m in a hurry.“

Bernice closed her mouth, her eyes darting from Colby to Mrs. Fulbrook to Diana. “Just this one letter.“ She handed it over the counter.

“Thanks.“ Diana took a quick glance at the familiar masculine scrawl and then dropped the envelope into her purse.

She took Colby’s arm in a casual gesture, aware of the battle-ready tension in his muscles. Then she smiled at the grim-faced Margaret Fulbrook. “You’ll excuse us, won’t you? Colby has been promising me this little outing for days. I

’ve packed a lunch and everything.“

“You’re as big a fool as my daughter was. But at least you’re no young, innocent girl. You look old enough to make your own mistakes. And mark my words, any woman who gets involved with Colby Savagar is making a serious mistake.“ Mrs. Fulbrook turned and swept disdainfully out of the lobby.

Instinct compelled Diana to urge Colby along in the other woman’s wake. It was difficult to stage an exit if your intended victims did not take it seriously. Diana wanted to make certain no one in the post office assumed Colby was taking this scene to heart.

“It’s going to be hot today,“ Diana remarked chattily as she crowded Colby through the swinging doors. “I was thinking of taking a swimming suit along on our picnic. Oh, and I’d better pick up some chips at the store. What’s a picnic without potato chips? Have you got a cooler we can use?“

She fell silent as they stepped out into the bright morning warmth. The man in the Cadillac got out with ponderous slowness to assist Margaret Fulbrook into the passenger seat. When he threw Colby a vicious glare, Diana steered her charge in the opposite direction.

“Okay,“ Colby said quietly as they reached his black Jeep. “The rescue operation is over.“ He leaned against the fender and tapped his bunch of letters against one palm. “Should I thank you?“

Diana shaded her eyes and watched the Cadillac pull out of the parking lot. “I suppose that depends on how badly you wanted rescuing.“

“Badly enough. It’s been twenty years since I’ve gone toe-to-toe with that old bat. I’m out of practice. But I think I could still take Harry if I had to. He’s really put on the weight. Looks slower than ever.“

“Harry being the driver, I take it?“

“Harry Gedge being Margaret Fulbrook’s odd job boy. He does whatever she tells him.“ Colby lost interest in the pair. “Were you serious about the picnic or was that just camouflage for the rescue effort?“

Diana drew in her breath and braced herself. “That depends on whether or not Margaret Fulbrook really is your mother-in-law.“

Colby’s brows rose sardonically. “Somebody sure filled you in fast.“

“It was Eddy Spooner at the gas station,“ Diana admitted.

“Good old Eddy. Well, he was partly right. I married Margaret Fulbrook’s daughter twenty years ago.“ He shifted his gaze to the disappearing Cadillac.

“Well?“ Diana prompted.

“Well, what?“ Colby looked back at her.

Diana sighed. “Are you still married?“

“No.“

Diana hid her sense of relief behind a reproving shake of her head. “If I waited to get answers from you, I’d wait until hell froze over, wouldn’t I?“

He smiled faintly. “And you like answers, don’t you?“

“I need a few before I go to bed with you,“ she retorted evenly.

Colby didn’t move. His expression was alive with sudden, searching intent. “Are you still considering the possibility of going to bed with me?“

“Yes.“

Exultant relief flashed in his gray eyes, but he only nodded once. “If you come through with a real picnic this afternoon, I’ll come through with some answers about Margaret Fulbrook.“

“It’s a deal.“ Diana turned to start toward her car.

“I’ll pick you up in an hour. And wear a pair of sport shoes,“ Colby called after her. “It’s slippery up there around the falls.“

“I acted like an ass last night. You have my apology, for what it’s worth.“ Colby stretched out on his side with unconscious masculine grace. One knee was bent, his upper body braced on his elbow. His brooding gaze was on the town far below.

Diana was sitting cross-legged on the blanket, listening to the dull roar of the water. She followed Colby’s gaze and studied the picturesque scene below. The road that paralleled the river through the gorge was a narrow, twisting ribbon. She could see the old bridge across the river that linked the two halves of Fulbrook Corners. Her cottage was just barely visible on the same side of the river as Colby’s place, Specter, having given up on the possibility of getting any more potato chips, was sprawled behind her on a sun-warmed rock.

“Maybe you did act like an ass,“ she agreed after a moment. “But part of it may have been my fault. I didn’t handle the situation very well. I did a lot of thinking last night after you left. I’ve come to the conclusion you’re right. I have been giving out mixed signals.“