| Colby gave out a low moan as Brian's tongue ran along her bottom lip. The soft pressure of his lips on hers had unleashed a raw need in Colby. It had been too long since she had felt like this. She clung to him as he deepened the kiss. She was transported to another time and place. Her response surprised Brian as their lips caressed each other. Colby murmured Rob's named against his mouth and slowly opened her eyes. At the sight of Brian, she pushed against his chest. "Oh no…Oh God…What have I done?" Brian came towards her as she backed away from him. "Colby, please don't. It's all right." He went to touch her and she shied away. "It's not. Don't you understand? It's not right. It's not proper. I'm not supposed to want this." She turned from him. Yet she couldn't control the strong need to feel his lips on hers again. I want that again, but I can't, she thought as tears fell to her cheeks. "Don't blame yourself." Brian came up to her and slowly turned her around. She couldn't look at him and he raised her chin. Tears stained her cheeks again. "I kissed you. It was my fault. I should not have put you in that situation, but in all honesty I wanted to kiss you, Colby." Again he wiped her tears away. "But I kissed you back, Brian. I don't know what's happening. I loved Rob so much. I mean I love him still. I always will. But when I'm with you, you set my heart racing and I feel like a schoolgirl and her first crush. I hardly know you, yet I feel so comfortable with you and I wanted…" Colby looked at Brian and saw tenderness and compassion in his eyes. "What did you want, Colby?" His hand caressed her cheek. "I…" She stammered, as she got lost in the depths of his blue eyes again. "I wanted you to kiss me. I miss being held, and loved. I miss those times in Rob's arms. But I can't use you like that. I can't let you kiss me; to satisfy my need of missing Rob, wishing it was him. I can't do that to you." She moved away from Brian and walked towards the large maple tree that shaded a good portion of the yard. "You deserve someone younger, with no past to haunt you and no family who can cause problems. I like you Brian. I won't deny that. I liked being kissed by you too, but I don't think us getting involved would be a good thing. Not now anyway." She felt his presence behind her. He placed his hands on her shoulders. She felt their warmth and there was a calming effect about him standing there with her. "Don't you think I should decide that?" She turned and Brian held her loosely around the waist. Colby went to speak but Brian stopped her. "There may be factors here that are not the norm, like the difference in our ages, which I don't find a problem. Besides it's a state of mind not a number anyway." He let out a soft laugh and got a small smile from Colby. "But…" He put his fingers to her lips. "Let me finish. I don't know where this is going either. I like you. I want to be with you. Maybe it's love, maybe not. But I don't want to stop seeing you. Maybe it was too soon to kiss you, but now that I've done it, it will be hard not to do it again. It felt good, but I don't want to upset you or cause you to feel any disrespect to Rob's memory. But I'm here, Colby and Rob's gone. Given a chance I could love you and the baby." She watched him as he spoke and saw genuine affection in his face. He was so like Rob in his honesty and forthrightness. "How about friends. I won't expect anything more than that, for now anyway. Not until you're ready." Colby nodded. "I'd like that. I can't make any promises, but I like being with you too." Colby let out a breath of relief. Her tears had abated and she wiped the remains from her cheeks. "Can we walk a little? It's so beautiful here." Brian sensed her need again to change the subject. "Sure, but not too far. I don't want you to overdo it." He took her hand and they went down to the paddock fences and strolled leisurely along for a good while. Neither one spoke. Each contemplating what had just transpired. A feeling of contentment swirled around Colby as she walked with Brian. They didn't seem to need words. Just being together was enough. She trusted him and he made her feel safe and secure in his presence. They worked their way around to the front of the house and settled on the old porch swing. They rocked back and forth for a while and eventually Colby's head was on Brian's shoulder and he held her close. She had so much to think about but she loved this feeling he gave her. She didn't think she could ever fall in love again, after Rob. But with Brian, well she wasn't so sure. Was it just the idea of being in love and having someone hold her and kiss her again, or was it real? Colby couldn't answer that question right now. Brian offered friendship and at this time in her life that might be all she could give him back too. There was the baby to consider and the Spencers. And there was Brian's career too. He traveled quite a bit and this was home to Colby. How could they be together if he wasn't here that much? It was just too much to consider right now. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ It was well after five when Brian pulled up at the curb in front of the shop. Colby hadn't meant to be gone all afternoon, but rocking on the porch had relaxed her so that she had fallen asleep for a while in Brian's arms. And as she slept he savored the feel of her next to him. He had told her they could be friends but he felt more than friendship. But he wouldn't compromise her feelings. Today had been a start and he wasn't going to let it end here, the pull on his heart wouldn't let him. A light kiss to her forehead and his soft whispering of her name had brought her out of the depths of slumber. When he told her she had slept about an hour Colby was embarrassed and tried to get up apologizing for taking up his whole afternoon. But Brian held her back convincing her there was no need for embarrassment or haste. She needed the rest for the baby's sake and he had made no other plans other than spending the day with her. He pulled her back into his embrace and they sat for bit giving Colby a chance to awaken completely before they left the farm. Brian turned off the ignition. There was an awkward silence and then they both spoke at once, laughing at each other. "Go ahead." Brian prompted her. "Thank for the lunch and tour," Colby looked up from her lap as Brian sat memorizing her face. "The farm and house are beautiful, Brian it will be a wonderful place to escape to when completed." She unbuckled the seat belt. "I'll put together some things that I think will work and you can come by at the end of the week." She went to get out of the car when he touched her arm. "Here," he dug into his wallet and pulled out a small card. "This is my private number as well as my cell phone. If you need anything, and I mean anything, call me and I'll be here." She took the card and looked into his eyes. More than friendship was there, Colby could see it. That strange feeling was back again as she looked at him. She nodded as she ran her fingers over the writing on the card. Brian came around the car and helped her out, letting his hands rest lightly on her waist. Colby looked up and down the street and Brian sensed her uneasiness and released her. "I'll see you soon." She turned towards the shop when he stopped her. "Have dinner with me on Saturday." It was an impulsive move, but Brian couldn't leave their next meeting so open ended. He had to see her again. "I know a place, quiet, outside the city, no one will see us." His eyes pleaded with her. "Bring your ideas and we can call it a business meeting, if need be. Just come with me." She hesitated slightly yet she wanted to see him again too. She slowly nodded and a soft smile spread across her face. "I'll pick you up at seven." Without giving it a second though, he kissed her cheek and turned back to the car. Colby, her hand on her cheek, watched as he pulled away, waving to her as he did. She entered the shop, lost in the touch of his lips on her cheek, to Arlene and Donna waiting in anticipation. She flushed slightly as she closed the door. "Well, well, I must say that was some lunch." Arlene kidded her as she came around the counter. "I didn't mean to be gone all afternoon. The time just flew by." Colby fidgeted with business cards on the counter. She couldn't bring herself to look at her two friends. "So what did you do all afternoon?" Arlene was curious especially since Colby seemed a bit on edge. "We had lunch on the back porch and then went through the house. I made some notes about some pieces that would work." She fumbled in her bag for her notebook but couldn't seem to find it. "It's a beautiful farm. I mean the paddocks and outbuildings are run down and will need a lot of work to get it back to the way it used to be. Brian said he's concentrating on the house first and the rest will come later." Her voice got a bit faster as she spoke and the pitch higher. "He's even putting in a pool!" Both women noticed her animation and how her face lit up as she related her afternoon. "That's all well and good, Colby, but what about him? Are you going to see him again?" Arlene could tell something more than just lunch had passed between them. It was written all over Colby's face. "Well," Colby sat down in one of the chairs at the small round table, "as a matter of fact, yes. We're going to dinner on Saturday." Arlene nodded to Donna and grinned. Colby looked up just in time to catch the exchange. "What's going on you two?" They continued to have those silly expressions on their faces. "Its dinner that's all, a business dinner." She went to get up when Arlene pushed her back in the chair. "Colby do you know who he is?" Arlene sat next to her and Donna put the magazine on the table and joined them. Colby picked up the article. It was an older photo from some past awards show. Brian's hair was a bit longer and much darker, but his smile was the same. And just seeing his face brought a curl to her lips and unconsciously she ran her hand over his face. "Yes I know. I've known for a while." She put the magazine back on the table. "And he's younger than me and I'm pregnant, widowed and I have family problems. We talked about all this today. But he offered me friendship for now and I took it." She let out a sigh. She thought back to the kiss they shared and how wonderful his lips felt on hers. "I," she shook off the feelings surging through her. Donna looked at Arlene. They both knew something happened today beyond the bounds of friendship. "I like him. I like being with him. He's funny yet serious too. He loves his work and his family is important to him. And when he talks his eyes sparkle and his smile just lights up his face. He's tender, considerate and a good…" Colby caught herself. She came out of her reverie and blushed slightly. "A good what?" Arlene prodded. "He was a good host." Colby recovered quickly. "My, look at the time. What do you say we call it a day and go home?" She went to the front door and locked it, closing the blinds. "Colby listen to me." Arlene came and took her shoulders looking her square in the eye. "You need this. Open your heart and let it happen. It's a gift and you deserve it. He likes you and if my instincts are correct, he more than likes you. We saw you today. There's a spark there and if I were a betting woman I would say he kissed you today too." Colby shot her a look as her cheeks flushed. "Good. You need that too. Rob would want this for you, Colby." Tears formed in Colby's eyes. "He would and you know it. He wouldn't want you to be alone and think of the baby. He or she will need a father and you know darn well that you don't want Garrett filling those shoes. "How did you find out?" Colby wiped her eyes. "That kind of 'gossip' travels fast Colby." Donna finally spoke up. "Arlene's right, you know. You've got a second chance at happiness don't let it get away." "I don't know. I'm so confused. I feel like I'm letting Rob down, by wanting to be with Brian. I can't make this decision yet. It's too soon, yet I do want to see him again. And then there is William and Garrett. I don't want Brian to get caught in the middle of this tug of war. He has no idea how ruthless they can be. They could ruin him and I won't have that." She looked at her friends for counsel. "Take some time to think it all through." Arlene hugged her. "Go home. We'll lock up. Get some rest. You've had a big day and maybe if you sleep on it you'll have a clearer picture in the morning." Colby nodded and picked up her stuff. She hugged them both and left. Donna turned out the lights and the two women went into the office. "You really think he's right for her?" She asked the older woman. "Yes. You saw them today. The tension was so thick you could have cut it with a knife. I'm glad she's going to dinner on Saturday. He's a smart young man. He wants her but he knows he can't push to hard, so he'll take her to lunch, dinner, whatever. My only concern is William Spencer. What is he going to do when he finds out?" Donna shrugged her shoulders. There was sure to be some heavy fallout when that happened. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "You are sure about this?" William picked up the folder and looked through the contents. He shook his head as he read through the information. "He helped me search for that information." Garrett pointed to the folder in his father's hands. "She was seen sitting in the car outside the deli and then this guy," Garrett leaned over the desk and pointed at Brian, "got in the car and they sped off. "Humph. Did he see which direction they went?" William put the folder down on the desk and looked at his son for clarification. "No. Just that they headed out of town. By the time he turned around they were gone. I checked the shop late in the day and her car was still there. Wherever it was, she spent the entire afternoon with him." Garrett went to the sideboard and poured two glasses of brandy and handed one to his father. They each slowly sipped the liqueur. "Well it seems to me we have to start applying more pressure. You're inept attempts haven't worked so I guess I'm going to have to step in and move this plan along." William put the glass on the desk. "My inept attempts, father she hates me. If I had my way I would make her buckle under by when I tried force she threw a vase at me. Why can't we just leave her alone. She's too honorable to not let you see your grandchild and I really think that even if this plan of yours was to happen, we would kill each other eventually." Garrett got up and began to pace the room, sipping as he walked. "Listen to me, boy." Garret turned on his heel at the derogatory name. "Well you are acting like one, a spoiled one at that. I'm your father and the fact that you've not seen fit to provide any heirs for this family puts me in this situation. That child Colby's carrying will probably be the only issue this family will have and I plan on making sure that the child stays in this family. I will not have that child call someone else father. So you will put the charm on and woo her. Do you hear me?" Garrett glared at his father and drained his glass. He went and refilled it again. "You can't treat her like the women you are used to entertaining. You may not like her, but she comes from good stock and she's a lady and you will treat her as one. After the marriage I don't care what happens behind the bedroom door." William took the folder and put it in the bottom drawer of his desk. "Father you do realize that no amount of sweet talk or even bribery is going to bring her around. I personally don't care what happens. It will be a marriage in name only on both sides I can guarantee you that much. So I will try but I warn you it may come down to force and are you ready to go that far." William saw the look of steel in his son's eyes. "If I have to, yes." William said coldly. "Be sure this investigator is discreet. I don't want Colby finding out about him." "Don't worry. He's very good." Garrett assured him. "Same instructions as before?" His father nodded. "Yes and I especially want to know when she's seen with this singer. And be sure that your mother doesn't find out about any of this." The words had barely fallen off his lips, when his wife opened the door. "What don't you want me to know William?" Catherine came in and looked intently at her husband and son. William came around the desk and gave her a light kiss on the cheek. "Nothing dear. Just some problems at the office, possible cut backs, layoffs that type thing." He looked at his son for confirmation. "Oh. I hope it's nothing too serious. I hate to see people lose their jobs." William nodded. "I just came to remind you William about the dinner party tomorrow evening." "I haven't forgotten Catherine. You heading up to bed?" "Yes. Please don't you two stay up too late working." She kissed his cheek as well as Garrett's and left them. As she closed the door to the study, she heard William say, "That was too close. We have to be more careful in the future." Catherine slowly made her way up the stairs. What are they up to? Ever since Rob's death she had come in on a number of conversations that seemed very cryptic. Odd phrases here and there, but they all pointed to Colby and her situation. She had warned William about interfering with their daughter-in-law but it sounded as if he had taken no heed. Well it was time that she did something. I need to find out what is going on, she thought as she entered their bedroom. She loved Colby dearly and was not about to stand by and watch her husband and son hurt her or the baby in any way. I'll have to be careful myself, she realized, but I will get to the bottom of this. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ |