Dreams (Part Two) (Dreams #2)(36)
Author: Jayne Ann Krentz

“But, Dad…“

“I said no. That’s the end of it. You can go to Mexico with your friends, or Hawaii, or Taos if you don’t want to spend the holidays here, but you’re not going to Fulbrook Corners.“

Diana heard the intractable tone and recognized it instantly. Five months of living with the man had taught her what it meant. When Colby was in this mood, there was no point pushing or cajoling or trying to reason with him.

She met Brandon’s eyes across the table. His mouth tightened but he said nothing. Brandon knew his father even better than she did.

With a wifely skill she didn’t even realize she had developed, Diana deftly changed the subject. Both men followed her lead but the mood had changed. Brandon left shortly before nine o’clock, saying he was going to a film with his friends. He took a key with him. Diana did not bring up the subject of Fulbrook Corners again.

At one-thirty that morning, her subconscious mind brought it up for her. She found herself in the middle of the dream.

It was pitch-black and the pain was coming in endless tidal waves. She would be safe here in the grotto only as long as she stayed silent. She had to fight to keep from screaming in agony. If she cried out, the night terror that hunted her would find her. She and the baby would both die.

She must hold on until the warrior reached her….

“Colby. Colby?“ Diana came awake, aware that she was damp with perspiration.

“Right here, honey.“ His arms moved around her, gathering her close against him. He stroked his fingers through her hair, brushing it gently back from her face. “It’s okay. Just that goddamned dream again.“

She shivered and clung to him. “It was different this time. There was more urgency. I was very aware of the baby.

In fact, I was in pain. There was blood.“

“Sounds like Jennifer’s conversation in the laundry room managed to affect your dreams.“

“I guess so.“ She relaxed slowly as Colby’s palm soothed her. Instinctively she began stroking him with a similar calming motion. They were getting in the habit of comforting each other after waking up from the dreams. “How was yours?“

“The same. I was still climbing the path to the cave. There was a little more urgency involved than last time but other than that, things were about the same.“

He was lying. She could feel the rigidity of his muscles. “Colby, they’re turning into nightmares, aren’t they? And they’re getting more frequent. What are we going to do? Maybe we should get counseling or something.“

“We don’t need a shrink. They’re just dreams. Besides, what shrink would believe we’re having the same dreams at the same times?“

It wasn’t the first time they’d had this conversation. It never got beyond this point. Diana knew Colby’s dreams were getting worse, just as hers were.

“Maybe it’s just stress,“ Diana offered. “Maybe they’ll let up after the baby arrives.“

“Yeah. Maybe.“

Diana waited a few more minutes until she felt him unwinding under her touch. Then she asked the question she hadn’t dared ask earlier.

“Why did you jump down Brandon’s throat tonight when he asked if he could go to Fulbrook Corners for Christmas? I thought you’d accepted the fact that he was forming a relationship with his grandmother.“

“I don’t want him driving alone to Fulbrook Corners, and I sure as hell don’t want to go with him. So he doesn’t go.“

“Why don’t you want him going up to the mountains alone? He’s driven that road often enough. You’ve never worried about it before.“

Colby grew tight again. He folded his arm behind his head and stared at the ceiling. “The subject is closed, Diana.“

“I see. By your edict, it’s closed. Just like that. With no reasonable explanation to any of the other parties involved.“

“You got it.“

She winced at the edge in his words. “Right. I got it.“ Her hand fell away from him and she turned onto her side, her back toward him. Specter came over to the bed and nuzzled her inquiringly. She scratched his ears, aware of Colby’s tension. “Colby?“

“Yeah?“

“I don’t know how to say this, but…“

“But what?“

“I’ve been thinking about going back to Fulbrook Corners, too. In fact, I think about it a lot.“

“What is this? You fell in love with that dump of a town or something?“ Colby demanded, exasperated.

“No. It’s not that. But lately I’ve been thinking I would like to visit it again. Soon, Colby.“

“That’s crazy. It’s the dream.“

Diana blinked. “Yes, I think you’re right. The feeling about Fulbrook Corners is connected to the dream. Have you had the same feeling? That maybe we ought to go back?“

“I’ve had it. I’m ignoring it.“ Colby’s voice was grim. “And so will you, is that clear? We’re not going to let that damned dream dictate our actions.“

Diana sighed. “Whatever you say.“

“How long are you going to hold this stupid argument against me?“ Colby asked after an endless moment.

“I’m not holding anything against you. Whatever your reasons, I know you think that what you’re doing is right. I just don’t understand why you won’t let Brandon go see his grandmother, that’s all. And neither does Brandon.“

He sighed. “I’ve been wrong before. I might be wrong this time.“

“Always a possibility,“ Diana agreed promptly. “You could try discussing the matter with me instead of staying locked behind your wall of outdated, patriarchal machismo.“

“Patriarchal machismo?“

“Brandon was right this evening. In some ways you’re very old-fashioned, Colby.“

He moved, catching her by the shoulder and turning her onto her back so that she lay gazing up at him. “And you’

re so damned modern, aren’t you?“

She touched his face. “No, not really. I don’t think of myself as old-fashioned or modern or anything else. I’m just me.“

He stared down at her for a long time. “Still think you love me?“

Time flickered for an instant, the darkness of the past merging with the shadows of the present. Diana saw the warrior looking out at her from Colby’s eyes; she felt the challenge from him and the urgent need that underlined that challenge, and she smiled faintly. She was getting accustomed to this strange melding of an ancient legend with a modern one. Colby would always be part warrior to her.