“But you still don’t quite believe it, do you? Forget finding another job for the next few months. Trust me, Diana. Ill take care of you. After you’ve settled down and gotten comfortable with motherhood, you’ll have plenty of time to find another job.“
He didn’t understand, and she didn’t want to argue about it just then. Diana said nothing as they walked into the small grocery store.
“Hey there, Savagar, I hear congratulations are in order.“
“Morning, Brian.“ Colby smiled wryly at the man behind the checkout counter. “You heard right.“
“Well, that’s great. Just great. Good luck to both of you.“ The dark-haired, slightly plump man behind the counter was close to Colby’s age, perhaps a few years younger. He wore glasses and his hair was thinning. He had an open, cheerful expression. His name was Brian McDonald, and although he seemed cautious around Colby, as if uncertain of his welcome, he was one of the handful of people in town who treated Colby like an old friend.
“This time you’re going to stick around and have the wedding in town instead of running off to Reno, huh?“
Brian grinned. Then he began to look nervous at the small joke he had just attempted.
Colby shot him a quelling glance, reinforcing Brian’s anxious expression. “I didn’t have much choice last time.“
“That’s true. There wasn’t a justice of the peace or a minister in the whole county who would have married you and Cynthia over the Fulbrooks’ objections. But that was a long time ago and times change, don’t they?
Congratulations, Miss Prentice.“
“Thank you, Brian.“
“You two going to have a party or something to celebrate?“ Brian asked.
“No.“ Colby spoke over his shoulder as he headed down the narrow aisle, hunting for tuna.
“Too bad,“ Brian said wistfully. “Might be kind of fun. We haven’t had anything to celebrate around Fulbrook Corners since the Renley girl got married. That was three years ago. Not many weddings in this town these days. All the young people head for Portland as soon as they get out of high school.“
“I can’t imagine anyone in Fulbrook Corners wanting to celebrate my wedding,“ Colby said as he came back with the tuna and a few other items.
“You might be surprised,“ Brian said. “You’re a legend around here, Colby. And not just because you used to cause so much trouble. Folks in town are real proud of all that horror stuff you’ve been writing. Do you realize you’re the only person from Fulbrook Corners who ever got himself famous? Caused quite a stir when Larry Brockton down at the real estate office spread the word you were planning to come back for the summer.“
Colby shook his head. “The only stir it caused was one of amazement that I wasn’t in prison. Do we need anything else, Diana?“ He waved a hand at the items he’d put on the checkout counter.
“Dog food. Specter won’t be pleased if we return without his rations.“
“Damn. I almost forgot,“ Colby said, looking innocent.
“Well, it’s about time,“ Angela Prentice announced in ringing tones as her daughter introduced her to her future son-in-law on the steps of the courthouse. “I was beginning to think this child of mine was never going to find herself a man. I hope you two don’t waste any time getting started on my grandkid. Lord knows, I’ve waited long enough.“
Diana was getting tired of blushing lately. She glared at her attractive, petite mother, aware that Colby was grinning broadly. “Honestly, Mom. The least you can do is refrain from embarrassing me at my own wedding.“
Angela’s hazel eyes gleamed with amusement. “Don’t pay any attention to her, Colby. She can be a real stick-in-the-mud. Spent too many years being a hot-shot lady executive, if you ask me. Look at the result. Thirty-four years old, and never been married. It’s a wonder you weren’t put off by all those chilly corporate manners of hers.
Most men are scared to death of her.“
“I had my moments of doubt,“ Colby said gravely as he shook hands with Angela. “But I persevered. There’s more to Diana than meets the eye at first. And we writers are good at looking below the surface, you know.“
“Any money in this writing business?“
“Mother!“
Colby’s grin widened. “Don’t yell at your mother, Diana. She’s got a right to know if I can support you in the style in which you’ve been supporting yourself for the past few years.“ He turned back to Angela’s bright, inquisitive face.
“Yes, Angela, there is some money in the writing business. Nowadays, at any rate. There didn’t used to be, and one never knows about the future, but I’ve always been able to take care of my son one way or another. I’m sure I’ll be able to take care of Diana and the baby.“
“Colby!“ Diana was turning from pink to red. She could have strangled him. One look at her mother’s face told her the damage was done.
“What baby?“ Angela swung around gleefully to confront her daughter. “Don’t tell me you’re pregnant already?
Good grief, Diana. When you decided to go, you went all the way, didn’t you? Congratulations, honey, I didn’t think you had it in you to finally cut loose and live a little.“
“Mother, let me explain…“
“No explanations needed. You’re thirty-four years old, not eighteen. I’m thrilled. Positively thrilled.“ Angela threw her arms around her daughter, and then she hugged Colby. “This is the happiest moment of my life. I’m going to sign up for a knitting class as soon as I get home. I can’t wait to get started on some cute little booties.“
Colby’s eyes gleamed with laughter as he regarded Diana over the top of her mother’s curly blond head. “Who would have guessed,“ he asked gently, “that mother-in-laws came in so many varieties?“
Diana didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She was saved from having to do either when she spotted Brandon trotting down the steps.
“Hey, Dad, they’re ready inside,“ Brandon called. “You two better get in here.“
“We’re on our way.“ Colby put his arm around Diana and pulled her close against his side.
She leaned into his strength, aware that her knees suddenly felt weak. “Colby, are you absolutely sure you want to do this?“
“Are you kidding? Your mother would kill me if I backed out now.“