Dreams (Part Two) (Dreams #2)(40)
Author: Jayne Ann Krentz

She’d been plagued with lower-back pain on and off for weeks but the discomfort seemed different today. The long drive in the car had probably aggravated it. She wouldn’t mention the problem to Colby, Diana decided in silent amusement. He’d just get worked up about the fact that the trip had made her uncomfortable. He’d probably blame himself for allowing her to come along.

Colby certainly took his role of husband and father seriously and as Diana had learned to trust him in that role, she had also learned to enjoy the cosseting and concern. The sensation of being fussed over by a protective male was entirely new to her, and she was discovering that she liked it.

The backache wasn’t the only thing that was bothering her today. Something she’d eaten earlier apparently wasn’t agreeing with her. She was also experiencing a strange restlessness.

“There you are,“ Margaret Fulbrook announced in tones that carried out into the hall as she caught sight of her visitors. “About time you got here. I could have been dead for hours. What did you do? Stop and have lunch along the way?“

Colby raised his eyes to the ceiling, but he managed to keep his mouth shut.

“Hello, Grandmother,“ Brandon said, going toward the bed. He leaned down to kiss her pale cheek. “How are you feeling?“

“Terrible. How did you expect I’d be feeling?“ Her sharp brown eyes went over her grandson. “How’s Diana?“

“I’m fine, Mrs. Fulbrook.“ Diana came forward a few steps. “Do you need anything from home? We could stop by and pick up some clothes or books for you.“

Margaret’s eyes softened a fraction. “No, thanks. I’ve got Harry to fetch and carry for me. How’s everything going with the baby?“

“Just fine.“

Margaret frowned. “Looks better than fine to me. You look like you’re about to go into labor any minute.“

Diana laughed. “The doctor says three more weeks.“

“Humph. Doctors. What do they know? Bunch of fools. Women have been having babies for thousands of years without doctors.“

“True,“ Diana agreed equably. “But a lot of women suffered terribly and frequently died in the process, and so did a lot of babies. I’ll stick to the modern method. I want lots of professionals around me who know what they’re doing when the time comes.“

“Hah. Look at me. I’ve got dozens of medical professionals running around here and hardly any of them know what they’re doing.“

Colby wandered over to the window. “If you’ve got incompetents here, it’s your own fault, Margaret. Fulbrook money built this hospital, and you sit on the board of directors. If you haven’t got good doctors, it just means you’re not paying decent salaries.“

“Listen to the expert,“ Margaret scoffed. “What would you know about running a hospital?“ But there was no real heat in her voice. Her eyes tracked Colby as he came to a halt and stood looking out over the panorama of mountains, river and town. The white veil of Chained Lady Falls could just barely be discerned in the distance.

“Why did you demand to see us, Margaret?“ Colby asked after a long moment of silence.

“I’m dying.“ Margaret Fulbrook’s voice was stark. “There are a few things I want to get cleared up before I go.“

“Don’t talk that way, Grandmother. You’re not dying.“ Brandon’s voice was vehement.

She patted his hand almost absently, her brown eyes still on Colby’s back. “It’s all right, Brandon. You’ll understand some day that we all have to deal with death sooner or later. There’s no point in denying the reality of it.

There’s not much we can do about it, except get through it with as much dignity as possible. Colby?“

“Yeah, Margaret?“

“I want you to keep that business about dignity in mind, do you understand? No telling what these fools around here might try to do if they’re left to their own devices. Doctors don’t always understand about dignity, and they do so love to play with their stupid machines. I want someone strong-minded in charge of making the decisions that might have to be made. I don’t know anyone more strong-minded than you. I also don’t know anyone who understands pride better than you do.“

Colby glanced back over his shoulder. His eyes met hers in a level look of mutual understanding. He hesitated and then nodded once. “I’ll handle it, Margaret.“

Margaret Fulbrook seemed to relax a bit. Her mouth twitched at the corners as she looked over at Diana. “Do me a favor, my dear. Don’t let him get carried away and pull the plug too quickly.“

The macabre humor got to Diana. She found herself smiling in spite of the situation. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t get too enthusiastic about his responsibilities, Margaret.“

Brandon’s brows were knit with anxious concern. “What are you guys talking about? What’s going on?“

“Never mind, Brandon.“ Margaret patted his arm again reassuringly. “Just some minor business I wanted to get out of the way before I go on to more important matters.“

Brandon looked bewildered. “What important matters?“

She studied him intently for a long moment. “I want to tell you that the greatest joy I have experienced in the last twenty years was meeting you, my boy. It will be easier to say goodbye to this world now that I know some part of me will go on through you. You’re a fine young man, and I know who to thank for the way you turned out. Colby?“

“Yes?“ He didn’t turn from his contemplation of the scene outside the window. Diana could see the tension in his shoulders.

“It’s time for me to say that my poor, confused Cynthia made a mistake when she abandoned you and Brandon to run home to her parents. You would have made a good husband for her. You did a fine job of raising my grandson. I owe you for that, Colby.“

“You owe me nothing.“

“That’s not true. I owe you an apology for twenty-odd years of foolish pride, and I owe you my thanks for ensuring that Cynthia’s son turned into a man any grandmother could be proud of.“

There was a long moment of silence before Colby said quietly, “Forget it, Margaret.“

“No, we will not forget it, damn it. You will accept my apology and my thanks, do you hear me?“

Colby swung around slowly, the faintest trace of a smile edging his mouth. “I hear you, Margaret. You always could issue orders in a loud, clear voice. Ill accept your apology if you’ll accept mine.“