overly
intelligent lines of a natural bully. Diana was willing to bet that this was the kind of man who had amused himself as a
child by tearing wings off flies. She hurried toward the post office.
The tension in the lobby hit her like a tidal wave when she pushed open the glass doors. The silence was
unnatural. Several people stood as if nailed to the floor. Instead of exchanging gossip and observations on the
weather as usual, they were all mute, all staring with rapt attention at the scene that was unfolding before them.
Colby was just turning away from the counter, a bunch of mail in his fist. He glanced toward the door and saw
Diana. For an instant he fixed her with his brilliant gray eyes, but a second later he jerked his attention back to
Margaret Fulbrook who had planted herself directly in his path.
“Harry told me you’d come back this summer, Colby Savagar.“ Mrs. Fulbrook’s voice had the carrying power of a
woman who’d spent a lifetime commanding others and the situation around her. She wore her nearly seventy years
with icy, rigid pride. Her hair was anchored in a queenly bun and her fine brown eyes were piercing. “I was inclined not
to believe it at first. But then I recalled that the one thing you never lacked was the devil’s own nerve.“
Colby gave the older woman a chilling look. “Sometimes nerve was all I had. Excuse me, Mrs. Fulbrook. Someone’s
waiting for me.“
“Who? That Prentice woman? I pity her. I’ve heard about her, too. Does she know what kind of man you are?“
“No, but then, neither do you,“ Colby said with soft savagery.
“You bastard,“ Mrs. Fulbrook hissed.
“You aren’t the first to suggest that possibility and you probably won’t be the last. But you sure can’t say that
about my son, can you? In fact, if I ever hear you say anything at all about my son, I’ll…“
“Good morning, Colby.“ Diana unstuck herself from the floor and went forward with her best corporate smile, just
as if she hadn’t overheard a word. “I wondered if I’d see you here today. I was going to give you a call later and
remind you about that trip to the falls you promised me.“ She switched her smile to the postal clerk behind the counter
who was watching the confrontation with a gaping mouth. “Got anything for me today, Bernice? I’m in a hurry.“
Bernice closed her mouth, her eyes darting from Colby to Mrs. Fulbrook to Diana. “Just this one letter.“ She
handed it over the counter.
“Thanks.“ Diana took a quick glance at the familiar masculine scrawl and then dropped the envelope into her purse.
She took Colby’s arm in a casual gesture, aware of the battle-ready tension in his muscles. Then she smiled at the
grim-faced Margaret Fulbrook. “You’ll excuse us, won’t you? Colby has been promising me this little outing for days. I
’ve packed a lunch and everything.“
“You’re as big a fool as my daughter was. But at least you’re no young, innocent girl. You look old enough to
make your own mistakes. And mark my words, any woman who gets involved with Colby Savagar is making a serious
mistake.“ Mrs. Fulbrook turned and swept disdainfully out of the lobby.
Instinct compelled Diana to urge Colby along in the other woman’s wake. It was difficult to stage an exit if your
intended victims did not take it seriously. Diana wanted to make certain no one in the post office assumed Colby was
taking this scene to heart.
“It’s going to be hot today,“ Diana remarked chattily as she crowded Colby through the swinging doors. “I was
thinking of taking a swimming suit along on our picnic. Oh, and I’d better pick up some chips at the store. What’s a
picnic without potato chips? Have you got a cooler we can use?“
She fell silent as they stepped out into the bright morning warmth. The man in the Cadillac got out with ponderous
slowness to assist Margaret Fulbrook into the passenger seat. When he threw Colby a vicious glare,