“Hello, Brandon. I didn’t expect to see you here. How are you today?“
Brandon got to his feet and smiled tentatively. “Hi, Miss Prentice. I walked over to see you. Dad’s gone to see an old buddy of his. Didn’t know if you were gone for the day or what.“
“I just went for a drive. Come on inside. I think I’ve got some beer in the refrigerator. And please call me Diana.“
“Thanks. I could use a drink. It’s hot today.“ He followed her into the house, idly patting Specter who was tolerant of the caress.
“My dog seems to like you. You should be flattered.“ In the kitchen Diana opened the refrigerator and found a can of beer. “He doesn’t think much of your father, you know.“
“Is that right?“ Brandon looked surprised. “Dad’s usually pretty good with animals. We always had pets around when I was growing up.“
“For some reason Specter and Colby have agreed to disagree. They have their own private war going. I try to remain neutral.“ She handed Brandon the beer and poured herself a glass of iced tea. “Have a seat.“
Brandon dropped into a kitchen chair, his casual sprawl reminiscent of his father’s easy masculine grace. His young face was set in serious lines as he spent a few seconds groping for the right words. “I came by to ask a favor, Miss… I mean Diana. A big favor.“
Diana’s heart sank. “If this has anything to do with family matters, Brandon, I would prefer to stay out of it. After all, I’m just a friend of your father’s.“
Brandon’s eyes widened. “You’re more thana friend. I can tell by the way Dad looks at you.“ A dull red tinged his cheeks. He looked away. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s just that I know he likes you. A lot. And, well, I thought maybe you could talk to him. God knows I can’t.“
“Have you tried?“
Brandon nodded wearily. “I tried again last night after Robyn went to bed. It was a disaster. We ended up yelling at each other. I’ve always been able to talk to him until now. But his mind is absolutely closed on the subject.“
“He’s got his reasons, Brandon.“
Brandon grimaced. “He thinks history is going to repeat itself. He won’t even listen to me. Heck, all I want to do is talk to him about it, you know? I want to explain about Robyn and her folks.“
“What about Robyn and her folks?“ Diana asked.
“They’re always on her back. Always telling her what to do. They scream at each other, and then they scream at her. They won’t let her do anything on her own.“
“How did she get permission to come up here with you?“
Brandon’s mouth tightened. “They think she’s with a girlfriend on the coast.“
“Oh, brother.“
Brandon stared at her helplessly. “You see what I mean? I’ve got to talk to Dad. And fast. I want to ask him some questions. If I could just get him to be reasonable, maybe I could decide what to do.“
“Brandon, I don’t think anyone could get your father to be reasonable about something unless he wanted to be reasonable about it. And in this case, where he feels he’s right, I suspect the chances of me being able to influence him are absolutely zero. I think your best bet is to just back off for a while. You and Robyn are going to be together at school next year, aren’t you?“
“Yes.“
“Well? It’s not as if someone is going to pry the two of you apart. Why rush into marriage? Give it some time. Let your father see the relationship is solid and for real, if indeed it is solid and real.“
Brandon looked down at the can in his hand. “Robyn doesn’t want to wait. She wants to get married so that she can get away from her parents.“
“What about you? What do you want to do?“ Diana asked gently.
“I… care for her. A lot. I kind of feel sorry for her. If she wants to get married right away, then I guess that’s okay with me.“
“Are you sure, Brandon?“
He looked up, dark eyes almost fierce. “I’m sure!“
“All right. Calm down. I was just asking. The decision to marry is a very big one. Look at me, I was never able to make it,“ Diana quipped.
Brandon looked puzzled. “You’ve never married?“
“No.“
“No kids?“
“No kids.“
“Don’t you want any?“
Diana laughed. “Even if I did, it’s a little late to start having them now,“
“That’s not true. You’re not that old,“ Brandon said with awkward gallantry. “You hear about those famous movie stars putting off having babies for years.“
Diana grinned. “Thanks. Unfortunately, I’m not a famous movie star.“
Brandon turned brick red. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…“
“Forget it. I know what you meant, and it’s very kind of you. Another beer?“
“No thanks.“ He paused. “Getting married wasn’t the only thing Dad and I argued about last night.“
“Oh?“
“I asked him about my grandmother. She lives here in Fulbrook Corners.“
“Yes, I know. I saw her briefly in the post office the other day.“
Brandon’s head snapped up, his eyes alive with deep interest. “You did? You know her?“
Diana hesitated, beginning to realize she might have said too much. “No, not really. She was just, uh, pointed out to me.“
“It’s weird to have a grandmother you’ve never even met,“ Brandon said slowly. “I don’t remember Aunt Jesse too well. She came to see us a couple of times when I was a kid. But then she died. All my life it’s mostly just been me and Dad. Do you think my grandmother really hates me?“
“Is that what your father said?“ Diana asked carefully.
“He said she doesn’t want anything to do with me or him. She blames him for what happened to my mother.“
Brandon stared at Diana with an intensity that reminded her of his father. When he reached forty, she reflected, this young man was going to be every bit as formidable as Colby Savagar.
“And you want to meet her? Is that it, Brandon?“ Diana asked quietly.
He fiddled with the beer can. “I’d like to get a look at her. Find out what she’s like. I guess I’m curious, that’s all.“
“I can understand that. Why not tell your father just that?“
“I tried last night. He was already mad because of Robyn. When I brought up the subject of my grandmother, he really went through the roof. Said he wasn’t going to let the old bitch get near me.“
Diana groaned. “Your father can be extremely opinionated.“
Brandon’s mouth curved wryly. “Yeah, I’ve told him that on several occasions. Once he makes up his mind, getting him to change it is like trying to move a mountain.“
“I know what you mean.“ Diana thought of the intent way Colby had been pursuing her for the past few weeks. He had been unswerving. And she had eventually succumbed to the inevitable.
“I’m just curious. What’s wrong with that?“
“Nothing. I’m sure your father thinks he’s protecting you from what might be an unpleasant scene, that’s all.“
“I can handle it. He’s taught me to handle things like unpleasant scenes. Heck, he even signed us both up for karate lessons when I was a kid. We practice together a lot. He ought to know I can handle meeting my grandmother.“
“Maybe he’s right about Margaret Fulbrook not wanting to meet you. I hate to point that out, Brandon, but it’s something to consider. The woman is old and apparently very bitter. She might not be rational about the whole thing.“
Remembering Margaret Fulbrook’s reaction to Colby in the post office, Diana was fairly certain the woman wasn’t entirely rational about her son-in-law and grandson.
The growl of a Jeep engine cut off whatever Brandon might have said in reply. Specter surged to his feet with an answering growl.
“Must be your father,“ Diana said, half-amused. “Specter makes that particular noise only when Colby’s in the vicinity.“
“Damn.“ Brandon got hastily to his feet. “Excuse me – but I was hoping Dad wouldn’t find out I’d been here. You won’t tell him what I asked you to do, will you? He’ll be furious if he thinks I dragged you into this and he’s mad enough already.“
Diana saw the anxious look in Brandon’s eyes and took pity on him. “Don’t worry,“ she assured him as she listened to Colby take the front steps two at a time, “I’ll consider our conversation confidential.“
“Thanks.“ Brandon looked enormously relieved. “Geez, your dog really doesn’t like Dad at all, does he? Look at him.“
Specter was bounding forward, toenails scrabbling on the wooden floor as he rounded the corner at a dead run and headed for the hall. He reached the front door just as it opened.
“Damned dog.“ Colby’s irritation carried into the kitchen. “When in hell are you going to learn that I’ve got as much right to be here as you do? Out of my way, you mangy mutt.
Diana.“
“In here, Colby.“
She looked up with a smile as he strode into the kitchen, ignoring Specter who was making menacing sounds at his heels. Colby’s eyes went instantly to hers, but then he caught sight of his son.
“What the devil are you doing here, Brandon?“
“He just came by to say hello,“ Diana said easily. “That’s enough, Specter. You’ve made your point. Take it easy, boy. Go lie down. I can handle this.“
Specter uttered one last final woof of disapproval before flopping down under the kitchen table. From his self-appointed den he kept a wary eye on Colby.
“One of these days that dog and I are going to have it out. Where’s Robyn?“ Colby opened the refrigerator with easy familiarity and helped himself to the iced tea.
“She’s back at the house reading one of your books. She really loves your stuff, Dad.“ Brandon’s voice was almost painfully eager.
Colby grunted and leaned back against the sink, his eyes on Diana. “Where did you go this afternoon?“
She flashed him a look of surprise. “How did you know I’d gone anywhere?“
“The hood of your car is warm. Engine’s still hot.“ He tossed back the iced tea.
“Well, aren’t you observant,“ Diana murmured. “Maybe you should be writing crime fiction instead of horror. As a matter of fact, I drove out to Chained Lady Falls.“
“What for?“
She lifted one shoulder. “I don’t know. I just wanted to get out for a while, and that seemed like an interesting place to drive to.“
“Is that the falls you can see in the distance when you’re driving into town?“ Brandon asked.
Colby nodded. “You and Robyn can fix your own dinner tonight. Or go into town and eat at one of the cafes. Diana and I are going to be busy.“
“Sure, Dad.“ Brandon got to his feet and dropped his empty can into the trash. “See you later, Diana. It was nice talking to you.“
“Goodbye, Brandon. Thanks for stopping by.“
Specter walked him to the door, tail wagging in a friendly fashion. Colby watched his son leave. When the front door slammed shut he turned to Diana.
“Let’s have it. What was he doing here?“
Diana frowned. “I told you, Colby. He just dropped in to visit.“
“Without the precious girlfriend in tow? Doesn’t make sense. He must have wanted something. Did he want you to exercise the sweet voice of reason over me? Get me to see what a jewel sweet Robyn is and what a good idea it would be if the two of them got married?“
Colby obviously knew his son all too well. But Diana remembered her promise to Brandon. “Never mind what Brandon wanted. I want something.“
He arched his brows. “What’s that?“
She leaned one elbow on the table and rested her chin on her hand. “Colby, I’d like to see that cave behind Chained Lady Falls.“
He was startled. “You want to go into the cave? Why?“
“I don’t know. Curiosity, I suppose. Maybe I’m just getting bored sitting around here working on my resume day after day. It seems to be one of the local sights, and I’m playing tourist this summer. Will you show it to me?“
“How the hell did you talk me into this? I should be working on my book this afternoon. I’m not even sure I can still find the path. Watch your step and stay right behind me.“ Colby mixed commands with a great deal of mild complaining as he prepared to lead Diana behind the roaring water.
“Yes, oh great leader. I hear and obey. And to be honest, I don’t know how I did manage to talk you into this.
Guess I must have caught you in a weak moment.“ Diana grinned up at him through the thick mist. A splash of water drenched the front of her shirt.
Colby’s eyes gleamed. His gaze lingered on her damp shirt. The cotton cloth clung to her, outlining the soft swell of her breasts and their thrusting nipples.
“You forgot to wear a bra,“ he announced. “You look like an entrant in a wet T-shirt contest.“
“You’ve attended a lot of wet T-shirt contests?“ Diana asked with grave interest.
“You’d be surprised at the variety of programming available these days on the sports channel.“
“I can imagine.“ She had assumed it would be easier to scramble over rocks without the binding encumbrance of a bra, but she had forgotten the predictable effect of the perpetual mist that surrounded Chained Lady Falls. “Are you sure there’s really a path behind the water?“
“There was twenty years ago. A wide granite ledge. It should still be there. Put on your rain slicker. It’s going to be wet on the other side of the waterfall.“ He shrugged into the waterproof windbreaker he’d brought along for himself.
“At least we don’t have to deal with that idiot dog of yours today.“
“He didn’t like being left behind at the cottage.“
“He’ll survive,“ Colby declared harshly. “And we sure don’t need him underfoot on that ledge.“
Diana unfastened her yellow slicker and adjusted the hood. After that there was almost no conversation except for an occasional shouted instruction from Colby. The roar of the water made it impossible to speak in normal tones.
Colby found the trail after a few minutes of trial and error. It was a surprisingly easy, if steep, climb to the cave halfway up the side of the cliff. Being behind the falls was an odd experience, however. Diana felt as if she’d stepped into another world.
The torrent created a great, impenetrable shield of noise and power and cut off the view of the valley and town below. The force of the pouring water was awesome. The rocky ledge seemed safe enough, but it occurred to her that if someone slipped and went over the side there would be little chance of surviving the fall.