| Arlene heard the front door and Garrett Spencer entered the shop. The clear look of distaste crossed his face as he noticed the paintings on display in the front window. She hung back and watched him survey the shop. He walked to the counter and looked around. She could tell he was perturbed and debated whether to irritate him further. Oh why not, it would liven things up a bit. "Well, well, Garrett Spencer. What brings you to this side of town? Slumming?" Arlene goaded him. "I need to speak to Colby." He said tersely, drumming his fingers on the counter. He was definitely annoyed with having to be here, so Arlene backed off. "She's in the office. I'll get her." Arlene went off, leaving Garrett to cool his heels a bit longer. Colby and Donna were going over a new order and when Arlene entered Donna could see by her expression that something was wrong. "Arlene?" Donna stood as she came in the office and Colby turned in her chair. "Colby, Garrett's here. He wants to talk to you and he is not in a good mood." "So why does that surprise you. When is Garrett ever in a good mood." Colby stood and went to leave. "Listen to me," Arlene took her arm, "don't let him upset you. You're carrying precious cargo and it's not just you that will react to his latest tirade." "I'll be fine. If he gets out of hand, I'll call for you." Colby gave them a weak smile and left. Garrett was pacing back and forth. He had more important things to do than be here. He couldn't understand why his father was so bent on this plan of his. It was absolutely ludicrous. He and Colby didn't get along. They never had. He had tolerated her for the sake of the family. She was a handful, strong willed and determined. Yet she and Rob were perfect together. He had encouraged her to be so independent. This shop was a perfect example. They never seemed to understand that they held a special place in local society. And with Rob gone they could have written her off. But no, she had gotten pregnant and his father was not about to relinquish his grandson! She could have been out of their lives for good. And now this escapade over the weekend, well she would act appropriately as Rob's widow or there would be consequences. But Garrett knew Colby and she would not be easy to manage. "Keep that up Garrett and you'll wear a hole in the carpet." Colby admonished as she came toward him. "Arlene said you wanted to talk to me." He took in her appearance. Her pregnancy was very noticeable now and the loose fitting dress draped over her abdomen. "Yes." He cleared his voice. "You may not realize this Colby but you are still a Spencer and with that comes certain obligations. You are Rob's widow and you need to act accordingly. We will not tolerate any inappropriate behavior on your part. So there are to be no more reports of you entertaining young men pool side at the club or anywhere else. Is that understood?" His eyes took on a hooded look as he stared at her. "Augusta talked with Catherine?" Colby knew it would happen, but when she didn't hear anything on Monday she thought maybe she was in the clear. "Actually it was Warren." Garrett corrected. "I had to check it out for confirmation. You do understand I have more important things to do with my time than check out gossip about you. Father is very upset. You are not to see this man again and you are to conduct yourself accordingly. Do you understand?" There was an edge to his voice. "I understand completely. I don't know what you found out but I was not entertaining anyone on Sunday and I wasn't alone. I was with Jim and Barbara, and the young man in question didn't spend more than 15 minutes with us. I haven't forgotten who or what I am, Garrett. I loved your brother more than life itself and I miss him terribly. Nothing happened on Sunday afternoon. We talked that's all." Garrett raised his eyebrows at her. "I think you need to leave." Colby came around the counter and proceeded to the front door. She opened the door and turned, "You can tell William that I will speak to whomever I please whenever I please whether they are male or female. It's my life too, Garrett and I will not be dictated to." She stood with the door open. "Watch your step Colby." Garrett hissed as he walked past her. "Oh, don't worry I will but you do the same Garrett. Because I'll be watching you too." She let go of the door as it slammed behind him. Arlene and Donna came running when they heard the door. "Colby are you all right?" Arlene reached her and Colby turned around. Tears welled in her eyes. "I hate that man. I hate him. How could he and Rob be brothers?" Arlene shook her head as put her arm around Colby's shoulder and they went back to the office. Donna made a cup of tea and placed it before her. "I knew this would happen. They aren't going to let me live my life." She sipped the hot liquid letting it soothe her. "What happened?" Both women said simultaneously. Colby related her encounter with Brian on Sunday and how they had even met the other two times. Neither woman said a word. "I don't know why they are so upset? I didn't do anything wrong. I have no intentions of seeing him again anyway. He was kind and helpful. That's all." Colby looked at her friends for understanding. They both had silly grins on their faces. "What?" "So he was kind and helpful. What else Colby. I think you are leaving something out." Arlene cajoled her. "Nothing!" She insisted. Suddenly she grabbed her belly and her eyes grew large. "Colby what's wrong?" Arlene questioned. "The baby, the baby just moved. I mean really moved. I felt it. Here give me your hand." Colby took Arlene's hand and placed it in the same spot. Like before there was a strong kick and both women smiled. "My turn," Donna chimed in. And it happened again. This one was a bit stronger and Colby let out a gasp. "Seems to me the baby isn't a big fan of Garrett's either." They all laughed. Their interest in her Sunday afternoon encounter was forgotten, for the moment anyway, as the three of them sat and shared Colby's joy. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Garret barged into his father's office, with the secretary right on his heels. "I'm sorry Mr. Spencer," she pleaded. "I tried to tell him you…"William Spencer silenced her with his had. "It's alright Miss Jones. Leave us." She nodded and backed out, closing the door behind her. "I can't do this father. I won't do it and you can't make me." Garrett went to the cabinet and poured himself two fingers of Jack Daniels. "Sounds like she gave you a hard time. Did she deny what happened?" William waved off the offer of a glass for himself. Garrett gulped down the dark amber liquid and poured another. "No. But she intimated it was all innocent. They were seen alone in the pool and then in the deck chairs. She said she was with friends and this man, whoever he was, only stayed about 15 minutes." Garrett sat down staring into the glass. "She exasperating. She won't listen. Rob gave her entirely too much freedom. We have a reputation and she's doing a good job of tarnishing it." William sat back and let his older son ramble. He knew this idea of his wasn't fair to either one of them, but it was for the child. He couldn't lose the child. Garrett liked women but he used them for his own pleasure and then tossed them aside. William knew he would never marry and provide an heir. So this plan was perfect. They could each live their own lives with the exception of a few functions during the year. Of course, Colby would have to move into the house and William knew she would put up a fuss. But he was sure that a nice deposit in her bank account would compensate for the lack of freedom. "Did she give you a name?" William prodded him. "Maybe we can pay him off. Surely he can't be serious? She's going to have a child!" "She told me nothing. I warned her father and she threatened me. What can she possibly do to us? Her money won't go that far!" He drained the glass and went to fill it again. "Isn't there another way to get what you want?" He turned and William saw the angst on his son's face. If truth be told, William loved both sons but Garret was so like him. A good business man, cold and calculating, never taking anything personally when it came to making a deal. But he had no heart. Whereas Rob not only had a head for business but people liked him. He never had to bail Rob out of trouble like Garrett. Rob was more like Catherine and her family and as much as they didn't agree on how to do business he missed him more than anyone knew. He wasn't a man to show his emotions and Garrett was the same. He was hoping that maybe with this plan of his Colby could soften Garrett and help him to see life in a new way. It was going to take a lot of convincing to bring these two together. He was definitely getting too old for this type of scheming. Give him a good business deal any day! "I'll handle her Garrett. Thank you." Garrett knew he was dismissed. He tipped back his glass and swallowed the last bit of whiskey and left the office. This idea of his was going to be tougher than any business deal he had ever done and he knew Catherine had to be kept out of it. Something had changed between her and Colby and he didn't want to have to hurt her too. He truly loved her even though he rarely showed her anymore. She kept his life constant around him and her presence always soothed him. He still looked on her as the young, wide-eyed girl he fell in love with over 40 years ago. So he had to be careful with this plan. If Catherine found out, she would surely blow the whole thing wide open. He opened the folder of the latest business venture. Closing deals with major corporations was so much easier than dealing with family. As he perused the papers it didn't take long before he was focused on an entirely different project. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ A week later Colby had lunch with Catherine. There hadn't been any more surprise visits from Garrett and ironically Catherine never mentioned the incident at the club. Garrett said Warren had told them, but told whom? It seemed as if Catherine knew nothing about it and as much as they had gotten close since Rob's death, Colby decided not to bring up the subject. Besides it was probably a moot point anyway. It had been well over a week and Colby had had no more 'run-ins' with Brian. They spent their lunch talking about the baby and Catherine reminisced about her pregnancy with Rob. Their conversations always wound up around that topic and as much as it hurt Colby it was good therapy too. They had both loved him so deeply and he would always have a special place in their heart. Catherine reminded Colby of the coming weekend activities and Colby promised to come. They were entertaining a new client and Catherine insisted that Colby come for the weekend. She knew Catherine wanted to show her off and Colby didn't have the heart to say no. She needed some dinner clothes for Saturday and had made plans with Barbara to go shopping on Tuesday. With it being the holiday week, Colby had closed the shop. She gave Arlene and Donna the week off and decided she would rest up for the upcoming weekend at the Spencer's. Since the fourth fell in midweek, Colby knew sales for the week would be down anyway and decided it was as good a time as any for a vacation. At six months Colby was definitely showing and her doctor had been very strict about her getting the rest she needed for her and the baby. So this week she was sleeping in and taking it easy. Jim and Barbara had invited her to spend the holiday with them and they would take in the fireworks at the city park in the evening. She had awakened on the morning of the fourth to overcast skies and had thought how everyone would have to make alternate plans for all the celebrations. But by mid afternoon the skies had cleared and the sun broke through. Jim and Barbara had invited people from the plant and it was so good to see them after all these months. They had a wonderful time together and eventually everyone dispersed to head off to the park for the fireworks. Colby was gathering up the remnants of dessert when Jim accosted her. "Give me those and go sit down." He relieved her of the cups and plates and Colby went to argue. "I can help. They aren't heavy." She went to get some others on the patio wall. "No you don't. Barbara sent me out to get you. Come inside and sit a spell before we need to leave." Colby pouted but did as she was told. In no time all was cleaned up and they were on their way to the park too. It was an annual occurrence and one that Colby and Rob had never missed. They would sit on a blanket and eat ice cream as the fireworks lit up the night sky. They found a spot under some trees and Jim opened a chair for Colby. Jim went off to get the ice cream. Barbara placed a blanket on the ground. There weren't many empty spots left as people continued to find a good seat in front of the lake. Colby noticed a couple sitting to their right. They were holding hands and she smiled at how cute they looked. "Are you comfortable?" Barbara asked as she settled on the blanket. "Yes. I'm fine." The baby had been very active ever since those first kicks were felt the week before. "Looks like Jim could be a while. Look at the line?" Barbara nodded toward the concession. They both chuckled knowing how he was not one who liked to wait for anything. The two women sat and chatted while they watched the crowd. Colby took special note of the mothers with babies. That will be me next year she though with a smile. She was scanning the crowd when suddenly she let out a gasp. Barbara followed her gaze and grinned. Well, well, look who Jim had found. As they got closer, Colby avoided Brian's glance in her direction. She knew it. She just didn't know when it would happen again! "Barbara, Colby." Brian acknowledged the women, lingering over Colby's name. "Nice to see you again." He came straight to Colby. She noticed he had three servings of ice cream. "Brian." She sat up in the chair and rested her hand on her abdomen as the baby moved restlessly sensing her anxiety. Why did she feel like this whenever he was near her? He seemed to do the strangest things to her. "Have you got a craving for ice cream?" Colby pointed to his tray. Brian laughed and shook his head. "No. Actually I'm here with my parents." With that he turned to the couple sitting to the right of them. It was the same couple Colby had noticed holding hands. "Let me get them so I can introduce you." He went over and Colby watched as he spoke with his parents. He motioned Colby's way and they nodded. Before anyone knew it they were all sitting together enjoying the music, ice cream and the cool breeze that came off the lake. Brian sat on the ground next to Colby. She tried to concentrate on the music but Brian's close proximity sent her into a frenzy of emotions. When the fireworks started she tried to focus on the outbursts but every time the breeze came across the park, she got a whiff of him, a clean, just showered smell that sent her senses into overdrive. The baby continued to move constantly and a couple of times Colby moved in her chair causing Brian to ask if she was okay. Brian's mom noticed the change in her son. His attention towards this young woman caused her some concern. He had no idea who or what he was dealing with in Colby Spencer. She was out of his league and she didn't want to see him get his heart broken yet again. She whispered to her husband and he looked Brian's way and nodded his agreement. As much as she wanted Brian to settle down, she also wanted him to find someone free to be with him. The Spencers were part of a social class that, even with his money, Brian would never be accepted into. And yet Colby showed none of the outward signs so typical of people in that class. Then again she had married into the family. And from what she had read about Rob Spencer he wasn't anything like his father or brother. Still her maternal instincts told her that Brian needed to proceed with caution if indeed he was interested in Colby. The fireworks had barely started when Jim and Barbara got up. "I'm sorry Colby I've just been paged. I need to get to the plant." Jim looked apologetically at her. "It's nothing serious I hope." She said as she went to stand up. "No. Just a new procedure they've been working on and they want me to come and check it out. I told them it was a holiday but they are so close that they didn't want to lose their momentum." He went to close the chair. "Jim, I could take them home after the fireworks." Brian interrupted. Colby looked at Barbara. "It's up to Colby," Barbara said, grinning at her. |