“Okay, how’s this? You’re a coward, Diana. You think that when the going gets tough, tough ladies like you can just walk away from the problem.“
Her head came up sharply as anger surged through her. “That’s nonsense and you know it. You’re the one who ended this so-called relationship, not me. You marched in here a little while ago and told me I was an interfering, manipulative troublemaker.“
“You were. And I was madder than hell.“
“Is that right? Well, so am I. Why don’t you just get out of here, Colby? Go on, get lost. I’ve got work to do.“
“You can’t run away from me.“
“Who’s going to stop me?“
“I am,“ Colby said bluntly.
“You’re not making sense. Less than an hour ago you were telling me to stay out of your life.“
“I never said that.“
“Well, that’s what it sounded like to me.“
“I told you, I was angry,“ Colby said through his teeth. “And with good reason. I did not, however, kick you out of my life.“
“Close enough.“
“And you decided I was just like every other man you’ve ever known, didn’t you?“ he shot back swiftly and softly. “But you’re wrong. Ill admit I can see where you got that impression about me, though.“
“Is that right?“
“You needed me. You were probably scared to death, and all I did was rage at you and then storm out the door. A lot of sound and fury, but not particularly useful when the crunch came. Is that what all the men in your life have been like, Diana?“
“I was not frightened of you,“ she said with great dignity. “I have never been frightened of any man.“
“Is that right? You were frightened of whoever moved that table in your hall.“
She dropped the bottle of mustard she had been about to place in the box. For an instant there was silence.
“I didn’t think you’d noticed,“ Diana said at last, not looking at him.
“I was too damned mad to notice it right away. But then I drove out to Chained Lady Falls to think, and after a while I remembered there was something different about the hall table. Something that reminded me of a scene out of one of my books.“
“Shock Value. Page fifty-six.“
Colby nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. “When did it happen?“
“The table being moved? I don’t know. While Brandon and I were in town, I guess. It was like that when I got back.“
“It was a shock, wasn’t it?“
“That’s putting it mildly. Someone around here doesn’t like me, Colby. And your theory that it might be Margaret Fulbrook is wrong. She was having coffee with Brandon while my table was being moved.“
Colby eye’s narrowed. “Harry could have done it.“
“No. Harry sat out in the Cadillac the whole time Brandon and Margaret were in the café.“
“That leaves a town full of possibilities,“ Colby mused.
“Well, whoever did it will have to find a new hobby. I’ll be safely back in Portland tonight.“
“You’ll be safely over at Aunt Jesse’s place tonight,“ Colby said flatly.
Diana eyed him warily. “No, thanks. I’ve had enough of Fulbrook Corners.“
“And enough of me, is that it?“
“To be perfectly frank, dealing with a nasty prankster and a man who thinks I’ve committed the ultimate act of disloyalty is a bit much to handle. Even for me.“
“You didn’t commit the ultimate act of disloyalty,“ Colby muttered. “Just a minor indiscretion. The ultimate act of disloyalty would be for you to sleep with another man.“
“I can’t tell you how relieved I am to hear that my sin was not a mortal one. Will you please go away and let me pack?“
He didn’t move. “Diana, I had a right to be furious with you.“
She shrugged, pulling more items out of the cupboard. “Maybe. It’s a matter of opinion. Your son wanted to meet his grandmother. He’s an adult and he has some rights, too, you know. When I saw her standing there on the street, staring at him, I simply made the introductions. As far as I was concerned, the issue was Brandon’s to decide. Not yours and not mine.“
Colby drew a deep breath. “Maybe that’s why I was so mad,“ he said slowly. “Maybe I didn’t want to admit that the decision was Brandon’s. I told you I’ve made a lot of mistakes as a father. No reason to think I’m not capable of making a few more.“
“Tell Brandon that. I’m sure he’ll understand. He’s a very sensitive, understanding young man.“
“Unlike his father?“
“You’re a lot more cynical than he is, but then, you went through a far tougher childhood and adolescence. And don’t be too hard on yourself, Colby. You’re the one responsible for turning Brandon into the fine young man he is.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I want to finish this packing.“
“Diana, you’re coming over to my place for the night. You’ll be safe there.“
“I’ll be safer in Portland.“
There was a loud crash as Colby shot to his feet and sent the chair spinning backward against the wall. “Damn you, you stubborn, thickheaded, self-contained female. You don’t think you can even rely on me enough to let me protect you, do you?“
Diana clenched her hands to stop her fingers from trembling. “Why should you want to protect me?“
“Because you belong to me. Haven’t you figured that much out yet?“
“You mean because we started a brief summer affair you feel you have some responsibility toward me?“ she mocked. “Forget it, Colby. I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing it a long time now. Besides, the affair is over. Your sense of obligation can take a hike.“
He reached her in two long strides and caught her deftly by the nape of the neck. His touch was astonishingly gentle but there was too much strength in his hand for her to successfully resist him. His eyes softened a little as he looked down at her. “The affair is a long way from over and you know it. As for my sense of obligation, we can discuss that later. At Aunt Jesse’s place. Don’t fight me on this, honey. You know I’ll go out of my mind if I have to worry about you staying here alone, and I can’t let you drive back to Portland. Not yet. There’s too much between us.“