| Colby's dreams that night were filled with clouded images. Someone held her close and kissed her tenderly and she welcomed the caresses. At one point she woke up and the last frame she saw as her eyes opened were deep blue eyes. The nausea did not return the next morning but she called the doctor and was told to come in for a check up anyway. They couldn't find anything wrong and told her to watch her diet for a few days. Colby thought it may have been her dinner on Saturday evening but the more she thought about it she knew it was her reaction to Brian and the way he was making her feel. She couldn't think of anything else and had to be honest with herself. She liked him, she more than liked him. Her guilt was causing the queasiness in her stomach. She had to relax and stop stressing over this. It wasn't good for the baby. In two months she would be a mother. The thought thrilled her and scared her at the same time. Colby had desired for this for so long and now with her time getting closer, she was afraid of failure. Would she know what to do, and give the baby the care he or she needed. This had been their dream, but Colby was facing being a parent alone. Her friends would be there for support, but she would raise this child on her own. They would never know their father. She let out a sigh as she pulled into the parking lot. She just may have to share all this with Catherine. Although Colby wasn't sure how she would react to Brian and the feelings Colby had for him. She opened the door to the small restaurant. Catherine loved this little tea room for lunch. They usually met here and were given a table in the corner. Colby noticed Catherine already sitting at 'their' table and joined her. "Catherine," Colby leaned down and kissed her cheek. "How are you?" Colby sat across from her and Catherine urged her to sit in the seat to her left. "Please sit here. I want you close to me." Catherine took her hand as Colby moved to the chair next to the older woman. Her expression was so serious, that Colby grew concerned. "What's wrong. You're not ill?" Colby continued to hold her hand tight. "No dear, I'm fine. I just need you close." Catherine let out a soft breath and Colby ventured to ask again when Catherine cut her off. "So what did the doctor say?" She looked at Colby with sincere concern on her face and Colby decided that whatever it was bothering her mother-in-law, she would find out when Catherine was ready. Colby related her doctor visit and they ordered their lunch. Colby let Catherine lead the conversation along and in their usual manner Rob crept into their time together. The waitress removed their plates and brought a fresh pot of tea and a plate of assorted cookies. Finally Colby couldn't stand it any longer and pointedly asked Catherine. "Okay, Catherine. There is something going on. Tell me. Please." Colby reached for the woman's hand. Catherine looked into Colby's eyes. Colby saw distress and confusion on the woman's face. Catherine reached into her bag and pulled out a piece of paper. She opened it and handed it to Colby. Colby took one look and her head shot up as her heart lurched in her chest. "Where did you get this?" Colby blurted out. Suddenly a shiver ran down her spine. Was she being followed? Who would want to know that desperately who she was seeing? Garrett! Was Catherine involved in their plan too? She didn't seem to be and yet Colby couldn't be too careful. Catherine eased her mind. "Let's just say I stumbled upon it and a whole lot more, Colby. My family has been dealing behind my back in matters that make me fear for your safety and for his." She pointed to the picture on the table. "I warned them, but they took no heed, but I will get to the bottom of this. I don't know what they hope to gain." Colby looked at her with apprehension written on her face. It seems that the stakes had been raised in this struggle and Colby was right to try and keep Brian safe. What was William and Garrett so afraid of? Catherine's expression softened as she took Colby's hand. "Tell me about this young man, Colby." Catherine sat back patiently and sipped her tea as she waited for Colby to fill in the missing pieces to this puzzle she had uncovered. "Before I say anything, Catherine, please believe me that I loved Rob more than anything. And that at no time in our married life did I ever betray him or the sacred vows we exchanged." Colby took a deep breath trying to find the words to explain Brian's presence in her life. Catherine squeezed Colby's hand. "I know that Colby. I am not accusing you of any duplicity during your marriage with Rob. Just tell me about…" Colby finished the sentence. "Brian. His name is Brian." Colby looked down at the picture on the table. His eyes had a glint of mischief in them. They always managed to captivate Colby no matter what his mood. "I met him in May, quite by accident." Colby proceeded to relate to Catherine the series of events that brought her into contact with Brian. "So it's been all accidental meetings, then." Colby shook her head. "No, not entirely." Colby sucked in her breath. "Please believe me I didn't do anything to encourage him, Catherine." Catherine still held her hand and rubbed her thumb over Colby's palm. "Just tell me about him. Tell me what he means to you." Colby saw such love on the woman's face. Colby took a sip of the hot brew and continued her story from their ride home on July Fourth to this past weekend. Catherine sat quietly while the younger woman slowly and nervously told her about the time spent in this young man's company. And in the course of her explanation, Catherine noticed a sparkle in Colby's eyes when she mentioned Brian's name or how he had managed to make her forget her sorrow and loss. From these few meetings Catherine realized he was what Colby needed in her life but her loyalty to Rob was holding her back from finding happiness again. Colby stopped talking and Catherine could see the turmoil on Colby's face. "Sounds to me like he could be in love with you," the older woman said after a few moments of silence. "And you," Catherine searched Colby's face, "you are too, but won't admit it." "I can't. I shouldn't. It's not right." Colby's words came out in short, almost angry bursts. "Why? Because of Rob?" Colby slowly nodded. "Colby look at me," the girl lifted her face to see understanding written on Catherine's face. "Rob's gone. I know it's hard and I know how much you loved him, but the fact remains you are here and need to move on. Does this young man make you happy?" "Yes." She nodded her head. "I can't stop thinking about him and…" she caught herself and looked at Catherine with hesitancy. "Catherine he's kissed me twice, a real kiss like a lover and I wanted more. But I'm so confused. Is it him I want or am I just missing Rob? I can't be sure." Her eyes glistened and Catherine gave her a handkerchief. "Come let's go for a drive and we'll talk some more." Catherine paid the check and the two women left. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Catherine's car was at the curb. The driver helped them in the back seat and they took off. Ever since her heart attack five years ago, Catherine hadn't driven and William had purchased an old Bentley and hired her a driver. They drove out of the city in silence. Colby knew they would go to Longacre. Whenever Catherine needed solitude and a place to think she went back to her roots. Her family had owned a very prosperous horse farm but her brothers had run it into the ground after their parents died. Catherine was the sole survivor now and had sold it a number of years ago. It had become a riding academy and horse museum and had come alive again. The new owners had given her carte blanche to visit and spend time there whenever she wanted. They pulled up at the museum and went through to the back patio that overlooked the stables and paddocks. They sat down at a small table and Catherine ordered some lemonade. They both had time to think and Colby's head was full of questions that needed answering. But before she could broach Catherine on them, the woman began to tell Colby of her revelations. "I know you have many questions, Colby, but hear me out and I'm sure what I have to say will answer many of them. The day of Rob's funeral William made some comments about getting what he wanted and I warned him if he hurt you, he would have to deal with me." Colby could see the anguish on her face as she told her of the bits and pieces of conversations she had overheard over the last six months. How she found the picture of Brian in a folder in the bottom drawer of William's desk at the house. There was a complete file on Brian. His entire life and career had been whittled down to a few sheets of paper and a handful of publicity photos. Colby tried to interrupt but Catherine just pushed on. Garrett was having Colby followed. This investigator had been outside Colby's house Saturday night when Brian brought her home. Catherine had caught part of the conversation he had with Garrett and had immediately called Colby to set up this lunch date. Colby sat back in the chair and rubbed her hand on her stomach as the baby moved restlessly within her. She looked around their surroundings to see if anyone looked out of place. She felt violated. Her every move was being monitored. What did Garret hope to find? How much had this person seen and Brian, he was now more involved than ever. She had to keep him safe. There was just one thing Catherine failed to mention and that was William's plan for Garrett and her to get married. It was time for Colby to trust her completely. They needed each other more than ever. "Catherine do you know why they are doing this? Do you know what they have planned?" Colby's voice took on an edge. She was angry and wanted to lash out and fight back. "No. I haven't been able to find out, but I plan to." Catherine saw the rage in Colby's eyes. "Garrett and I married. That's William's plan. So the baby will still be raised as a Spencer. Garrett! I won't Catherine. Never!" She screamed out causing some people near by to glance their way. Colby realized her actions. "I'm sorry Catherine. I know he's your son, but…" "You can't tolerate him, I know Colby. There are times I can't either. It just amazes me how I could birth two sons so different. I mean even William is not as calculating as Garrett." Colby raised her eyebrows at the last remark. "I know he rarely shows it." "Rarely? How about never, Catherine. William treats everyone and everything like a business deal." Colby massaged her abdomen slowly. "He wasn't always like this. Oh I can remember all those years ago when he courted me. He was sweet and tender, romantic and yes even sexy." Catherine let out a soft laugh. "But after he assumed the presidency of the company he changed. Little by little, the young man full of promise and aspiration became this steel-hearted business man. And now he's manipulating your life as well as Garrett's. I'm sure he no more wants this marriage than you do. Although I've always wished he would have settled down. It's not his nature. He doesn't know how to love. He uses everything in his path and then discards it." She looked at Colby for confirmation at her last statement. "No, I'm sure he doesn't want it either." Colby couldn't tell Catherine about her run in with Garrett at the house. It would be better if she didn't know about his callous remarks and overtures. "What are we going to do?" Colby sought some kind of support. They needed to work together to convince William that there was no need for this foolishness. Colby had no intention of denying William his grandchild, but this child would be raised in her home under her guiding hand. "I'm not sure, but I promise that I will not let you throw away the rest of your life because of the selfishness of my family. But first things first. I want you to continue to see your young man." Colby went to argue and Catherine stopped her. "Open your heart Colby and see where it leads. You've been given another chance at happiness." "You sound like Barbara and Arlene," she let out a laugh, "even Brian said it too." "It's good advice. I know you loved my son but I want you to be happy. You've had six months to grieve. It's time to move forward. I know Rob will always have a special place in your heart, but you have so much to give. There is room to love another. And if Brian is the one don't turn away from him. I would like to meet him, but under the circumstances that wouldn't be wise right now. I have to make them think I'm still in the dark about all this." When Colby looked at her there was a twinkle in Catherine's eyes. "Now I want you to keep your eyes open for this investigator. Will you tell Brian?" "No, I don't think so. I want to keep him out of this mess with William as much as possible." "He's involved Colby, deeper than you want to admit. But you use your judgment." They sat and talked a while longer and then drove back to town. No real plans were made but each promised to keep the other informed. Colby worried about Catherine getting caught and told her so. The older woman scoffed at the comment, telling her that William and Garrett better behave or they would suffer her wrath. Colby laughed and agreed that Catherine unleashed would be a sight. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ During the week following their conversation Colby began to notice the same black car turning up at the shop, at restaurants she frequented and yes, even outside the house. At first it spooked her to know that someone was tracking her every move. But the more she thought about it, they weren't going to get much on her. Oh yes, there was Brian but with the exception of dinner and lunch and a few kisses, it was all quite boring. Whatever Garrett was hoping to achieve with this little game was going to become old after a while. This whole operation was a waste of time as far as Colby was concerned and by the end of the week she decided not to let the black car worry her. She hoped that whomever he had hired was being paid handsomely to sit for hours on end waiting for nothing. She went about her day-to-day affairs and even took her shadow on some round about excursions, which she knew would get back to Garrett. And as the warm days of August slipped slowly by she spent more and more time with Brian. If they didn't spend time together, he called. Their lunches at the farm became routine a few days a week. And when the weather was too warm to sit on the back porch they would sit at the trestle table in the kitchen sharing lunch and conversation. The heat made Colby extremely uncomfortable as her delivery date got closer and she found that she was spending more and more time indoors in the relief of the air-conditioned environment. Brian worried about her and tried his best to ease her discomfort any way he could. Neither one mentioned the black car that they both knew existed. And over these weeks Colby felt herself drawn more and more towards Brian. After that Sunday night he never mentioned the feelings he had for her or tried in any way to compromise her feelings. Yet the little acts of kindness, concern and, as much as Colby was afraid to admit, the love he showed her was evident every time they were together. He was in her thoughts constantly. No more did she shy away from his touch. She welcomed it and reveled in his gentle ministrations. Colby still battled inwardly not sure what she really wanted but the nightmares had stopped. No more did she wake up in a sweat with images of Brian and Rob mixed in her brain, not sure who was who. Her dreams were now dotted with the likeness of blonde hair and luminous blue eyes. No more did she worry about who would see them together. If nothing else, he was her friend and she looked forward to the hours they spent together. Colby sensed Brian wanted to move their relationship beyond these bounds, but never once did he ask more of her than she was willing to give. She also used these weeks to finish up the preparations in the nursery. The painting and border had been done and Barbara and Jim had come by one weekend to bring down from the attic the small dresser and cradle and rocking chair that had been stored away so many years before. Colby had order a new crib that had been delivered but needed assembly. It was a rainy day towards the end of the month that found Colby wrestling with the pieces of this item of furniture. |