| Brian pulled into the parking lot of the Home Depot. He was on a mission for the contractors. Even though the media would probably say he didn't know what to do with a hammer, he was not all thumbs when it came to being handy around the house. Tools weren't foreign objects to him, thanks to his dad. So when the contractors needed some additional materials he volunteered to pick them up. They had been working for a good month and everything was going according to schedule. A master suite had been added downstairs and it opened out onto a large private deck overlooking the property. The natural wood in the house was being restored throughout. Brian wanted the house to still reflect its country charm, but also provide all the modern conveniences and a few luxuries. The cart came barreling at him from nowhere. In reality it was headed straight for two very expensive four-wheel drive vehicles parked at the head of the lane. It was moving at a good speed. He quickened his pace and grabbed the front-end just inches before it slammed into them. It only contained a couple of gallons of paint, a roll of decorative border and paste. When Brian looked up a small woman was hurriedly coming toward him. "Thank you so much." She said as she fumbled with her sunglasses and handbag. "No problem. It seemed to have a mind of it's own." Brian chuckled as he continued to hold the front end of the cart. The brim of his UK cap was low and it gave him the opportunity to watch the woman without being obvious. When she raised her eyes, he recognized her immediately. "I only let go for a second to get my glasses and before I knew it, the cart was careening across the lot. I appreciate your stopping it. I would hate to think of it doing damage to someone's car due to my carelessness." She took the handle of the cart and went to push it away. Brian noticed how her pregnancy had flourished since he saw her last. Her eyes still had a melancholy look, but her voice held a bit of laughter. He had thought about her quite often in the last month and he didn't want her to leave just yet. "Please let me help you. In your condition you shouldn't be lifting or pushing anything too heavy." His hands were still resting on the cart and he gently pulled it from her grasp. "Just point the way!" Colby was grateful for the assistance. The paint cans weren't that heavy but she was tired. She should have gone straight home from the shop but decided on this side trip. The room for the nursery needed to be redone and once she set her mind to something there was no stopping her. But now, after spending a good part of an hour struggling with paint color and borders, she was ready to rest. They came up to her car and Colby opened the back. Brian deposited her purchases and closed the hatch. It was a warm day and he took off his cap and wiped his brow. When he looked up, Colby let out a gasp, the blue eyes in her dream. She thought it was just a coincidence, but now she remembered. "You!" She choked out. "Me. What?" Brian looked at her strangely. "I know you. Well, not know you, but I've met you. But where?" Colby searched his face. Those eyes, they were almost piercing the color was so vivid. As a sly grin crept across Brian's face his eyes sparkled at her. "It was Wade's office, about a month ago," he said. He extended his hand and Colby hesitantly took it. His grip was firm but gentle, and his smile mellowed as he shook her hand. "Of course. Now I remember." Colby smiled back. "Brian Littrell. It's nice to meet you." "Colby Spencer." She gently released her hand from his grasp. Yet she could still feel the warmth from his handshake as she brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you again." She turned to the front of the car and Brian followed her. Colby opened the car door and turned. Brian's hand was on the door and with the other he helped her get inside. "Thanks." Brian shut the door and Colby started the engine. He tapped the window and she lowered it. "Be careful with those carts in the future." He grinned and his face just lit up as his eyes glistened in the sunlight. Colby chuckled too and nodded her head as she backed out of the space. Brian watched as she guided the car down the lane to the exit. He felt a bit on edge and his heart seemed to be beating a bit fast. She's pregnant and a widow, a new widow at that, he reminded himself. But there was something about her. She was pretty there was no doubt about that, but it went deeper than that. Maybe it was her resolve, her strength, and the kindness he saw in her eyes. There was nothing saying they couldn't be friends. Suddenly Brian remembered the carpenters were waiting for his return. He shook off these strange feelings and quickly entered the store. On the way back to the house all Colby could see were blue eyes. They were the same ones in her dream. She was unnerved. Why did they affect her so? He was a stranger. Yet for some reason he looked a bit familiar, but from where? She didn't think he worked at the plant, yet some how she thought she had seen him before. All the way home she racked her brain but came up empty handed. Se left the paint in the garage and took the other things into the house. She needed to get off her feet. She plopped down on the sofa and in a matter of minutes was sound asleep. But her rest was disturbed as usual. In the midst of her visions of Garrett, Rob and a cold stark cemetery, soft blue eyes again appeared through the fog and a calmness came over her. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Colby, say you will come. We will go a bit later in the day and then stay for dinner out on the patio." Barbara had a way of convincing anyone of anything. Colby felt sure she could sell ice to the Eskimos. "We haven't spent any time together in a while. I promise Jim and I will have you home early. Besides you'll be relaxing by the pool, feet up and a tall, cool glass of lemonade in your hand. You need to get out. You need some fun in your life. Now what do you say?" She wanted to. It had been almost four months and with the exception of an occasional dinner at the Spencer's and a few lunches she hadn't been anywhere since Rob died. Barbara was right she needed this. The thought of wearing a swimsuit was something that didn't thrill her, but she loved the water. So Colby agreed. Sunday afternoon arrived and Jim and Barbara picked her up at three. Since Rob's death they hadn't seen each other as often as before. Jim had been second in command at the plant and had assumed the presidency after Rob died. It had been all planned. Rob had seen to it. Colby still got a shiver when she thought how he had taken care of everything. It was almost as if he knew something would happen. Even though she had met Barbara for lunch a couple times in the last few months, their bimonthly dinners had stopped. So this was a treat. They needed time to catch up. She felt a bit self-conscious as she took off her sundress. Her pregnancy was obvious now and Colby even thought she had felt the stirrings of movement in the last few days. It wasn't anything sharp but there were flutterings and the thought excited her. Jim ordered them all lemonade and they sat and talked for quite a while. It was a warm afternoon and finally Colby decided she needed to cool off. She slipped into the pool on the shallow end and let the cool water refresh her. It wasn't long before she was swimming the length of the pool using measured strokes. The doctor had told her she could continue with moderate exercise as long as she didn't overdo it. So she leisurely crossed the pool a number of times. As she reached the deep end and went to come up for air she accidentally bumped into another swimmer. Colby gasped as she broke the surface and came face to face with a pair of crystal blue eyes. She blinked and wiped the water from her face, thinking that she was daydreaming again. But when she looked up, they were still staring at her. She reached for the side of the pool and held on to catch her breath. "Seems we keep bumping into each other." Brian said as he wiped the water that dripped off his face and nose. "I'm sorry. I didn't see you, obviously." Colby looked around and noticed that Jim and Barbara were in the shallow end of the pool and deep in conversation. "Are you okay?" Brian saw her anxiousness as Colby's eyes darted around the pool. "Yes, but I do think I need to go sit for a while. You'll excuse me." She turned and swam to the ladder. Brian swam along side her and reached the ladder first and as she stretched out for the handrail and looked up, Brian stood there ready to assist her. When she stepped onto the deck, she shook her head and said, "Thank you. I'm fine really." "I've no doubt that you are, but you wouldn't turn down a little assistance would you?" He gave her that same grin she remembered from the parking lot earlier in the week. They walked back to her chair and Brian's closeness made her uneasy. Colby picked up a towel and removed the excess water from her hair. She ran her fingers through it, and then sat down on the lounge. Brian sat on the empty lounge next to her. There was an awkward silence as they both tried not to stare at the other. He wasn't a big man, only a few inches taller than Colby. He looked like he might work out some because his upper body was muscular, but not overly developed. Colby noticed a fine scar down the middle of his chest and wondered what had caused the marring of such a beautiful body. She caught herself staring and turned away to see Barbara and Jim watching her. Finally to break the quiet Colby blurted out, "So, are you a member here?" "No. I just finished a round of golf with some friends who are and thought I would take advantage of the pool before I left." Brian watched as Colby discreetly covered her body with the towel resting her hand on her abdomen. "Oh." She reached for her glass and noticed it was empty and placed it back on the small table. She started to get up when Brian put out his hand. "You all right?" He questioned her. "Yes I was just going to get another lemonade." "Stay put. I'll get it for you." He shot up off the lounge and went to the small bar on the far side of the pool. Colby eased back against the lounge and closed her eyes just enough so she could still watch Brian but not make it obvious. He was provoking the strangest feelings. She felt like a teenager. Her stomach was a bit tight and she could feel her heart beating a bit fast. "So who's the guy?" Colby popped open her eyes to see Barbara and Jim waiting for an answer. "No one." She sheepishly replied. Colby looked across the pool and at that moment Brian turned and smiled at her. She felt her face grow warm and she dropped her gaze. She found her sunglasses and put them on. Barbara glanced across the pool and caught the reason for Colby's reaction. "Well he's a good looking no one. Do you know him?" Barbara took a towel and dried off. She sat down in the lounge next to Colby, putting on her sunglasses so she too could watch Brian undetected. "No. Well, yes, kind of… I mean… I saw him at Wade's office about a month ago and then earlier in the week he stopped my runaway cart as I came out of Home Depot. And then just now I bumped into him in the pool. I really don't know him. We just keep running into each other." Colby fidgeted with the towel and saw that Brian was on his way back. As he got closer Colby noticed there were four glasses. Brian placed the tray on the table and extended his hand to Jim. "Hi. I'm Brian." "Jim. This is my wife Barbara." "Nice to meet you." Brian shook her hand and then passed around the glasses. Barbara eyed him closely sure she knew him from somewhere. His face was familiar. She accepted the glass of lemonade and decided to find out. "So Brian, you live here in Lexington?" She took a sip from the straw and watched him as he sat back down on the lounge next to Colby. "Lexington is home, but I've been living in Florida for a while now. But that's going to change soon. I just purchased an old horse farm and I'm having the house renovated. I plan on moving back once it's completed." He took a long drink from his glass and settled it on the ground between his feet. All the while Colby just slowly sipped her drink watching this whole scene unfold before her eyes. She had no idea what was going on here and so wanted to crawl into a hole. This was supposed to be a nice quiet afternoon. She had let them convince her to get out of the house and spend a quiet afternoon at the club. Ever since Brian had joined her poolside, Colby had noticed the stares she was getting from some of the other members. People she knew. She could only imagine what they would say about her, the merry, pregnant widow already with a new man. She was in turmoil emotionally. The last time she felt like this was when she met Rob. What was she thinking? "So you bought the old Johnson place. I wondered who had." Barbara continued to probe him. "So what kind of work are you in?" He was handsome, nothing like Rob. Whereas Rob had been tall and dark, Brian wasn't much taller than Colby and fair with blue eyes and the blonde streaked hair really suited him. Barbara thought she had her work cut out for her, but it seemed Colby was doing all right on her own. Didn't someone once say that men gravitate to women that are pregnant or have dogs? Well Brian looked worth pursuing. "I travel quite a bit." Brian tried to be evasive. They obviously had no idea who he was and he wanted to keep it that way. The idea of people making friends with him on his own merits was something he desired. "So are you in sales or marketing or something?" Colby's look pleaded with Barbara to back off, but Barbara just nodded her head. "Or something. It's a bit complicated." He glanced across the pool at the clock and stood up abruptly. "If you'll excuse me I have a dinner engagement and I must leave. It's been a pleasure to meet all of you." He looked down at Colby and gave her a warm smile. "Maybe we'll see each other again." He directed the last statement directly to Colby. She shrugged and watched him as he picked up his towel and left the pool. "Hmm seems I may have hit a nerve." Barbara smirked as she watched him leave. "Barbara. How could you do that to him?" Colby shot at her. "Just looking out for your welfare." Her eyebrows went up. "You can't be too careful. Just because the outer package is good, no not good, very fine in this case, you need to make sure that they are reliable, trustworthy and gainfully employed." Barbara sipped the lemonade. "My welfare? I'm fine thank you. I don't need anyone looking out for me. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself." "Obviously. I thought I would have to help but it looks like I won't be needed." Barbara chuckled and Jim's look told her she was treading a fine line. "Help with what?" Colby demanded. Barbara peered over her glasses and looked Colby straight in the eye. "No. You 're not thinking that… It's not possible. I can't. It's too soon…I…" Colby's voice cracked. Barbara sat up and leaned over and took Colby's hand. "I'm not saying you should get married tomorrow or next week but think about it. Rob wouldn't want you to be alone. He would want you to find happiness again. Okay so maybe it's a bit too soon, but he likes you Colby. I could tell. So don't throw away this chance. That's all I'm going to say on the subject." She sat back in the lounge. Colby closed her eyes. She knew Barbara meant well, but she wasn't ready for another relationship. She loved Rob and would always love him. He was the father of her child and she needed to keep his memory alive for the baby. They needed to know who their father was. Yet she couldn't deny the emotions he evoked in her. Well she would be more careful in the future. They didn't travel in the same circles, so the chances of meeting again weren't that great. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ As they were led to their table for dinner Colby was stopped by a woman whose husband held a seat on the board of directors at Spencer Manufacturing. "Did you have a nice afternoon Colby, dear?" the woman asked as she took one of Colby's hands and brought her to a stop. "I understand you were entertaining a young gentleman. Anyone we know?" Colby pulled her hand away. "Yes, thank you, Mrs. Mitchell. Are you enjoying your dinner?" Colby threw the question back at her to divert her inquiries. "Yes, it's very good. You should try the salmon. Now about that young man, did you…" Colby cut her off. "I'm sorry my party is waiting for me. Enjoy the rest of your evening." Colby walked away and let out a sigh. Oh the rumor mill would be running at full tilt after today. I really have to be careful. She reached the table and the maitre d held the chair for her. "Colby, are you all right? You look like you saw a ghost." Barbara touched her hand and Colby held on tight. "Yes, but I think there will be some fallout after that episode this afternoon. The Mitchell's are here and you know how Augusta likes to gossip. Somehow she got word about Brian sitting with us today." Colby took a gulp from her water glass. "You're not going to let that woman intimidate you?" "No, but I told you William is up to something. I don't want to give him any ammunition. This is all I need that I was seen with a man and my husband is dead only four months. I don't need this stress and besides I don't plan on seeing him again. So what's the big deal?" Their waiter had brought a bottle of wine and Colby put out her glass to Jim. "Please just a mouthful." Jim obliged and poured some of the amber liquid into her glass. Colby sipped it slowly. "I have enough to worry about without the complications of getting involved with anyone. I have the shop and this baby. I will not jeopardize the health of Rob's child for anyone or anything. So the case is closed." She drank the last of the wine as the waiter came to the table to take their order. The subject of Brian was dropped and their conversation centered on the baby and work and other safe topics while they ate. Yet all the while in the back of Colby's mind was this nagging sense that she would see him again. She felt sure of it. |