There was nothing like actually living with a man to teach a woman about male needs, Diana reflected. When she caught Colby looking at her with a sardonic expression, she knew he was reading her mind. Lately he’d gotten better and better at that kind of silent communication. So had she.
“So how’s the apartment-hunting going?“ Brandon asked conversationally.
Colby cut himself a chunk of lasagna. “We made a decision. Signed the lease last week. We’ll move in on the first of January. It’s a house, though, not an apartment. Three bedrooms and a den.“
“A darling little yellow and white Victorian that’s been completely remodeled,“ Diana explained eagerly. “Colby can have his own space for writing and there will be a room for the baby and a spare for you. Even Specter will like it. He’ll have a real yard to dig up.“
“Diana took one look at it and fell in love,“ Colby explained dryly. But it was obvious he was pleased by her show of enthusiasm.
“Took you guys long enough. You’ve been looking for months.“
“House-hunting is hard work,“ Colby said. “And the next few months are also going to be busy. There are a lot of things to do to the place before the baby arrives.“
“Well, at least you haven’t had a chance to get bored with the housewife routine, huh, Diana?“ Brandon gave her a curious glance. “Between house-hunting, learning how to cook something besides stir-fried vegetables and getting ready for the baby, I’ll bet you’ve hardly missed your old job.“
“You’re right,“ Colby answered for her. “She’s hardly had time to miss it. Have some salad, Brandon.“
“Huh?“ Brandon blinked at the huge bowl that was being held out to him. Automatically he took it. “Oh, sure.
Thanks.“ His gaze swung back to Diana. “Given any thought to what you’ll do after the baby is born?“
“As a matter of fact, I have,“ Diana said, aware that Colby was eyeing her warily. She hadn’t talked to him about her plans because he rarely seemed inclined to discuss her working future. “Remember that conversation we had one evening back in Fulbrook Corners, Brandon? The one where you asked me how I could ever get away from the problem of sexual discrimination in the business world?“
Brandon nodded. “I remember. You said the only answer might be to open your own business.“ He glanced up suddenly. “Is that what you’re going to do?“
“I’m thinking about it. I have all the skills I need to set myself up as a financial consultant to small businesses.
Maybe I could specialize in helping women-owned businesses. There’s an office complex near our new house where I could rent space. I’d be able to get home early every day as well as at lunchtime. There’s a woman I used to work with at C and Y, Milly Sweeney, who might like to go into partnership with me.“
“Sounds great,“ Brandon said with a genuine show of enthusiasm.
Colby looked at Diana. “Why haven’t you bothered to mention all these great ideas to me until now?“
“Because you never want to talk about my future,“ she responded with a small shrug. “Whenever I try to bring it up, you change the topic.“
“We talk about your future, our future, all the time. We’ve talked about where we’re going to live, what we’ll need for the baby, whether you’re going to breast-feed, all kinds of things, damn it.“
Brandon glanced at his father’s set face, and then he grinned at Diana. “Don’t mind him, Diana. Dad doesn’t know much about having a wife, least of all a modern sort of wife. But he’s learning fast.“
Colby turned a scowl on his son. “Since when are you an expert?“
Brandon held up both hands, at shoulder height, in a mocking gesture of surrender. “Hey… no offense intended. It
’s just that you’re not quite as forward-thinking as you like to believe you are, Dad. I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you’re real old-fashioned in a lot of ways.“
“Is that right?“ Colby’s brows rose ominously.
“Afraid so. It’s obvious to anyone who knows either of you that there was bound to be a, uh, difficult period of adjustment, after you got married. But I’m pleased to say you both seem to be doing very well.“
“Listen to him.“ Colby helped himself to another thick chunk of lasagna. “My son, the twenty-year-old marriage counselor.“
Diana smiled conspiratorially at Brandon. “I agree with you, he is adjusting fairly well, all things considered.“
“Thank you, Madam Wife.“
The humor left Brandon’s face a few minutes later. “I wanted to talk to you about Christmas, Dad.“
“What about it?“
“Well, I was wondering if you’d mind if I didn’t spend it with you and Diana.“
“You and some of your friends have found something more interesting to do this year than spend Christmas with your families, hmm?“ Colby didn’t seem concerned. “Where are you going? Mexico?“
Brandon cleared his throat. “Not exactly. I was thinking about going to Fulbrook Corners.“
Colby’s forkful of lasagna stopped halfway to his mouth. He lowered it slowly, his eyes suddenly very cold. “What the hell for?“
Brandon shifted uneasily in his chair. He glanced at Diana for support. “Well, I got this call from Grandmother yesterday. She, uh, sort of invited me to spend Christmas with her.“
“The hell she did.“
“Dad, I’m not all that keen on driving up to Fulbrook Corners to spend the day with her, but I got the feeling she’ll be real lonely. There’s no one else for her to be with. There hasn’t been anyone for her to spend Christmas with in years. You’ll have Diana and Diana’s mom. I could drive up and back on Christmas Day. In fact, I could probably be back here by early evening.“
“Forget it. You’re not going.“ Colby’s voice was utterly lacking in inflection. He picked up the loaf of sourdough bread and tore off a slice.
Brandon looked down at his plate. “Would it really be such a big deal?“
“That old witch is laying a guilt trip on you, Brandon. You owe her nothing. She’s the one who ignored your existence for nineteen years.“
“I think she’s changed.“
“I don’t care if she sprouts wings, a halo and learns how to fly. You’re not driving up to Fulbrook Corners for Christmas.“