Dreams (Part Two) (Dreams #2)(39)
Author: Jayne Ann Krentz

Even back at the start of their relationship, when he had told himself she was the wrong kind of woman for him, he had wanted nothing more than to prove to her and to himself that she wanted him. When he had accomplished that task, he realized he had dug himself into a deep hole.

Because then he’d had to prove that she needed him.

Was that why he had made love to her without any protection in the cave last summer? Had he, on some primitive, subconscious level, wanted to get her pregnant so that he would have a hold on her?

Colby tossed aside the screwdriver he had been using. He didn’t mind exploring some of life’s fuzzier questions in his books, but he wasn’t particularly fond of analyzing himself in reality. No point in it, he decided. A man dealt with life as it came. He did what had to be done and made the best of it. Sometimes he got lucky.

The phone rang in the den. He started down the hall and reached the sunny, bay-windowed room just as Diana picked up the receiver.

“Hello, Brandon. How are you?“

Colby leaned in the doorway, his gaze moving possessively over Diana’s ripe figure. She was wearing a blue denim maternity jumper with a striped shirt. Her rich, tawny-gold hair was tied back in a ponytail and her face was bare of makeup. She looked very lovely and sweet and vulnerable. All his protective instincts hummed just beneath the surface of his awareness whenever he looked at her.

“Oh, no, I’m so sorry to hear that. When did you find out? Just now? The hospital called you?“ Diana turned worried eyes to Colby. “What’s her condition? I see. Hang on a minute. I’ll get Colby.“

Colby took the receiver. “What’s up?“ he mouthed to Diana, his hand over the mouthpiece.

“It’s Margaret Fulbrook,“ Diana whispered. “Brandon says she’s in the hospital. Possible heart attack.“

Colby spoke into the phone. “Brandon? What’s this about the old… I mean, what’s this about Margaret being ill?“

“I just had a call from the Fulbrook Community Hospital. Apparently she put me down as next of kin on the admitting forms. She’s suffering severe chest pains. Has trouble breathing. All the symptoms of a heart attack. They’re doing tests now.“ Brandon paused and then said quietly, “She’s asked to see us, Dad.“

“Us?“

“You and me both.“

Colby closed his eyes in brief resignation. He knew there was no way out of this one. “She probably wants to tell me one last time what a lousy son-in-law I’ve been for the past twenty years. All right, Diana and I can take a day and drive up there with you. When do you want to leave?“

“It’s only eight o’clock now. If we leave by nine we can be there before eleven.“

“That’s what you think.“ Colby’s sense of humor kicked in briefly as he looked at his wife. “Diana’s three weeks away from her due date. She makes a lot of trips to the ladies’ room these days. She’ll insist we hit every rest stop between here and Fulbrook Corners. Better count on it taking us three hours to get there.“ He hung up the phone.

“We’re going to Fulbrook Corners, I take it?“ Diana asked gently.

“I gather Margaret thinks she’s dying. Knowing her, she’ll make a production out of it.“

“She might very well be dying, Colby. She’s nearly seventy and from the sounds of things she’s having a heart attack.“

Colby held up his hand. “I know, I know. Look at me. I’m not arguing against the trip, am I? I told Brandon we’d go with him to see her. The old lady has asked to see both of us. Can you believe it?“

“Perhaps she wants to say her goodbyes.“

“More likely she wants to put a curse on me with her farewell breath,“ Colby muttered. He eyed Diana thoughtfully.

“You don’t have to come unless you feel like it. If Brandon and I go alone, we can be back tonight.“

“I want to come with you.“ Specter padded forward and looked up at Diana with beseeching eyes. “And so does my dog.“ She grinned and stroked Specter’s huge shaggy head.

“It’s going to be a full car,“ Colby said. “We’d better take your Buick. It’s got the most room. Brandon and the mutt can sit in the back.“

Diana patted her tummy. “Yes, baby and I need our space these days.“

“And pack some clothes. If you’re coming along, I don’t want to do the drive up and back in one day. It will be too tiring for you. Well spend the night at the cottage and return tomorrow.“

“Yes, dear.“

Colby grinned. “Whenever you say ’yes, dear’ in that tone of voice, I know exactly what you’re thinking.“

“What’s that?“ She stepped closer and lifted her face for his kiss.

“That I’m slipping into my heavy-handed husband routine again.“ He brushed her mouth with his own and then paused to deepen the kiss.

“You’re so good at it,“ Diana said finally as he freed her mouth.

“Good at what? Kissing you?“

“No, the heavy-handed husband routine.“ Her eyes were wide with teasing admiration. “But as a matter of fact, you’re also good at kissing me.“ She started to say something else but stopped, a tiny catch in her breath. She touched her stomach.

Colby put his hands on her full belly. “Baby kicking again?“

“Uh-huh. Feels a little different this time, though.“

“This little one’s going to be a handful,“ Colby announced, quite satisfied at the prospect.

“Good thing there will be two of us to cope with this baby,“ Diana said softly.

Colby laughed and kissed her again. “You said it.“

“I love you, Colby.“

“I love you, sweetheart.“ It occurred to him that he didn’t even have to stop and think now before he repeated the words back to her. They just came naturally lately. He had no real desire to break the habit.

Margaret Fulbrook occupied the hospital room with the air of a queen on her deathbed. The tubes, machines and monitors that surrounded her did not detract from her royal air. She wore an old-fashioned satin bed jacket. Her hair was in its usual regal bun, and her makeup had been carefully applied in an effort to conceal the pallor of her skin.

Nurses, doctors and assorted attendants moved in and out of the private room with deferential respect.

Diana hung back a little as Colby and Brandon went through the door. This was between the three of them, she thought. It had little to do with her. She stayed near the back of the room and absently massaged her lower back.