way to handle things. I had no choice, but you do.“
An old fear twisted into life inside Diana. “Do you know what I think? I think you’re being difficult about this
because deep down you aren’t sure you like the idea that I can take care of myself.“
“That’s not true, Diana.“
“It bothers you, doesn’t it? You’re just old-fashioned enough to want me to be dependent on you. It’s some kind
of power trip for you, isn’t it? In this society the one who controls the money controls everything else. That’s the way
it works in business, and that’s the way it works in a marriage.“
“Your ability to take care of yourself doesn’t bother me, Diana.“ Colby spoke through set teeth. “I admire it. Most
of the time. What bothers me is that you’re too damned scared about what will happen to your precious independence
now that you’re a wife and a mother-to-be. I’ve told you before, you’ve got new priorities now. You’re going to have
to learn how to balance all of them. And you can start learning that by giving up your cast-iron bra and spear.“
“Diana.“ The masculine voice that interrupted Colby’s lecture was the carrying kind – the voice of a man who
likes to draw attention to himself and knows how to do it. “I thought it was you when I saw you a few minutes ago, but
I told myself no way. You’re supposed to be tucked away for the summer in some little backwater mountain town.
What are you doing back in Portland?“
Diana looked up at Aaron Crown. She would have been grateful for almost anything that managed to interrupt the
argument that had developed between herself and Colby, but she wasn’t prepared to see her boss standing by the
table. She took refuge in the formalities.
“Hello, Aaron. Good to see you again.“
“It’s good to see you. We’ve missed you, friend.“ Aaron gave her his most engaging smile. He was a blandly
attractive man who had the sleek, corporate look down to an art. His suit had been made to measure, his tie was
vaguely reminiscent of an old school that he had never attended and his shirt was definitely not a polyester-cotton
blend. Aaron Crown believed in dressing for the role he wanted to play in the organization, and that role was at or near
the top.
Diana realized a pause had developed in the conversation. Colby was regarding Aaron with a cold expression, and
Aaron was waiting politely for introductions. Flustered, Diana hurried to make them.
“Uh, Aaron, this is Colby Savagar. Colby, this is Aaron Crown, my boss from Carruthers and Yale.“
“Her boss, huh?“ Colby shook hands perfunctorily with Aaron. “I’m her husband.“
Diana went bright pink. She cleared her throat quickly as Aaron turned to her with a look of shock on his face. “Oh,
yes, right. Colby’s my husband. I forgot to mention I just got married.“ She knew from the expression in Colby’s eyes
that she was going to hear about her lapse later.
“Tour husband!“ Aaron managed a belated smile. “Well, congratulations are in order, then, aren’t they? I had no
idea you were even seeing anyone on a regular basis, Diana, let alone that you were contemplating marriage. Where
have you been keeping Colby here?“
“In the freezer,“ Colby said.
Diana glared furiously at him. “We’ve only been married a few days,“ she explained to Aaron. “We’re both still
busy adjusting to the whole idea, aren’t we, Colby?“
“I’ve already adjusted,“ Colby announced grimly. “You’re the slow one in the crowd.“
Aaron summoned up a polite chuckle, but he looked vaguely dazed. “I can’t believe it. Where did you two meet?“
“We met in Fulbrook Corners,“ Diana explained crisply, hoping to put an end to the awkward conversation.
“You mean you’ve only known each other a few weeks?“ Aaron shook his blond, well-groomed head in
astonishment. “And you’re married? I don’t believe it.“
“Believe it,“ Colby advised.
Aaron
An old fear twisted into life inside Diana. “Do you know what I think? I think you’re being difficult about this
because deep down you aren’t sure you like the idea that I can take care of myself.“
“That’s not true, Diana.“
“It bothers you, doesn’t it? You’re just old-fashioned enough to want me to be dependent on you. It’s some kind
of power trip for you, isn’t it? In this society the one who controls the money controls everything else. That’s the way
it works in business, and that’s the way it works in a marriage.“
“Your ability to take care of yourself doesn’t bother me, Diana.“ Colby spoke through set teeth. “I admire it. Most
of the time. What bothers me is that you’re too damned scared about what will happen to your precious independence
now that you’re a wife and a mother-to-be. I’ve told you before, you’ve got new priorities now. You’re going to have
to learn how to balance all of them. And you can start learning that by giving up your cast-iron bra and spear.“
“Diana.“ The masculine voice that interrupted Colby’s lecture was the carrying kind – the voice of a man who
likes to draw attention to himself and knows how to do it. “I thought it was you when I saw you a few minutes ago, but
I told myself no way. You’re supposed to be tucked away for the summer in some little backwater mountain town.
What are you doing back in Portland?“
Diana looked up at Aaron Crown. She would have been grateful for almost anything that managed to interrupt the
argument that had developed between herself and Colby, but she wasn’t prepared to see her boss standing by the
table. She took refuge in the formalities.
“Hello, Aaron. Good to see you again.“
“It’s good to see you. We’ve missed you, friend.“ Aaron gave her his most engaging smile. He was a blandly
attractive man who had the sleek, corporate look down to an art. His suit had been made to measure, his tie was
vaguely reminiscent of an old school that he had never attended and his shirt was definitely not a polyester-cotton
blend. Aaron Crown believed in dressing for the role he wanted to play in the organization, and that role was at or near
the top.
Diana realized a pause had developed in the conversation. Colby was regarding Aaron with a cold expression, and
Aaron was waiting politely for introductions. Flustered, Diana hurried to make them.
“Uh, Aaron, this is Colby Savagar. Colby, this is Aaron Crown, my boss from Carruthers and Yale.“
“Her boss, huh?“ Colby shook hands perfunctorily with Aaron. “I’m her husband.“
Diana went bright pink. She cleared her throat quickly as Aaron turned to her with a look of shock on his face. “Oh,
yes, right. Colby’s my husband. I forgot to mention I just got married.“ She knew from the expression in Colby’s eyes
that she was going to hear about her lapse later.
“Tour husband!“ Aaron managed a belated smile. “Well, congratulations are in order, then, aren’t they? I had no
idea you were even seeing anyone on a regular basis, Diana, let alone that you were contemplating marriage. Where
have you been keeping Colby here?“
“In the freezer,“ Colby said.
Diana glared furiously at him. “We’ve only been married a few days,“ she explained to Aaron. “We’re both still
busy adjusting to the whole idea, aren’t we, Colby?“
“I’ve already adjusted,“ Colby announced grimly. “You’re the slow one in the crowd.“
Aaron summoned up a polite chuckle, but he looked vaguely dazed. “I can’t believe it. Where did you two meet?“
“We met in Fulbrook Corners,“ Diana explained crisply, hoping to put an end to the awkward conversation.
“You mean you’ve only known each other a few weeks?“ Aaron shook his blond, well-groomed head in
astonishment. “And you’re married? I don’t believe it.“
“Believe it,“ Colby advised.
Aaron
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