rekindled(英文版)-第18部分

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His　breath　misted　the　air　when　he　leaned　into　the　window。

〃Don't　forget　to　pack　a　dress。　We'll　be　going　out。〃　He　grinned　and
popped　a　featherlight　kiss　on　the　tip　of　her　nose。　〃Now；　go；　before　the
snow　gets　here。〃

She　went。

Thanksgiving　wasn't　nearly　as　bad　as　Anne　had　expected。　She　spent　it　at
her　parents'　house　with　their　usual　crowd；　and；　yes；　she　missed　Jeff。
But　there　were　interesting　people　to　talk　with；　and　chaos　enough　to
pretend　that　Jeff　might　just　be　off　in　another　room。　Her　major
disfort　proved　to　be　a　stomachache　from　eating　more　heavily　than　she
had　in　a　year；　but　an　antacid　and　a　long　walk　with　her　father　eased　that
pain。

Work　kept　her　busy；　as　did；　to　her　dismay；　unfinished　business　relating
to　the　plane　crash。　The　FAA　had　finally　e　through　with　its　findings；
and　Anne's　lawyer　had　filed　suit　against　the　airline…a　small；　privately
owned　one…for　the　inadequate　upkeep　and　safety…check　procedure　of　its
craft。

Anne　had　always　known　that　the　suit　was　a　possibility；　but　her　appetite
for　it　had　waned。　Not　so　Jeff's　parents'　appetite。　They　kept　the　lawyer
on　the　case　even　after　Anne　asked　them　to　stop。

Now　the　wheels　of　justice　were　turning。　The　lawyer　called　her　in　for
meeting　after　meeting。　Rarely　did　a　day　go　by　when　he　didn't　phone　her
with　one　question　or　another。　The　latest　word　was　that　there　would　be　a
hearing　in　early　April。　Anne　cringed　at　the　thought。

She　was　tired　of　reliving　the　accident；　tired　of　the　horror；　the
helplessness；　the　anger。　She　would　love　Jeff　until　the　day　she　died；　but
she　needed　to　live　until　then。

And　there　was　Mitch。　Something　had　begun　to　change…in　her　life；　in　her
outlook；　in　her　attitude　toward　him。　He　was　being　real。　When　she　was
low；　she　thought　of　him　and　felt　better。　The　prospect　of　seeing　him　for
the　New　Year's　holiday　became　part　of　her　daily　routine。

It　worried　her　a　little。　She　wondered　if　she　was　building　him　up　to　be
something　he　wasn't。　She　remembered　him　as　being　smart；　solid；　and
strong；　as　offering　protection　and　fort；　stimulation　and　challenge。
At　times　he　seemed　larger　than　life；　too　large　for　a　plane　crash　to
kill。　She　half…suspected　he　would　look　at　the　burning　debris　and　walk
away　unscathed。

It　occurred　to　her　that　after　building　him　up；　she　might　be　in　for　a
letdown　when　she　saw　him　again。　She　figured　she　had　until　New　Year's　to
get　a　grip　on　herself。

As　it　happened；　she　was　wrong。

Alexander　Robie；　the　professor　for　whom　she　did　the　ongoing　grant　work；
organized　a　dinner　for　the　seven　people　involved　with　the　project。　There
were　two　secretaries；　three　research　assistants；　Alex　and　a　colleague　of
his；　and　Anne。　Thumbing　his　nose　at　the　usual　budget　restraints；　Alex
reserved　a　long　table　at　one　of　New　York's　finest　restaurants。　Only
because　she　had　refused　him　on　so　many　other　occasions；　Anne　agreed　to
let　him　pick　her　up　and　drive　her　to　the　dinner。

She　was　self…consciousness　when　they　arrived　together；　but　the
awkwardness　faded。　No　one　seemed　to　think　twice　about　it。　Besides；　she
knew　these　people　and　liked　them。　This　was　the　kind　of　dinner　with
friends　that　she　and　Jeff　had　always　enjoyed。

And　Mitch？　Did　he　like　spending　time　with　friends？　There　were　other
groups　in　the　restaurant。　Her　eye　skimmed　one　or　two；　then　went　to　a
third；　and　her　pulse　tripped。　A　man　there　had　Mitch's　hair　and　good
looks。　He　wore　a　dark　suit　and　tie；　and　a　crisp　white　shirt。　He　was　with
a　woman。　In　all　the　time　Anne　watched；　he　didn't　take　his　eyes　from　her
face。

Funny；　but　the　possibility　of　their　bumping　into　each　other　hadn't
entered　her　mind。　New　York　was　a　big　place；　and　she　rarely　went　out。　The
man　in　the　corner　couldn't　be　Mitch。　It　would　be　too　much　of　a
coincidence。

She　refocused　on　her　friends。　Shortly　before　dessert　was　done；　though；
the　maitre　d'　materialized　beside　her　and　slipped　her　a　folded　piece　of
paper。

〃What's　this；〃　Alex　teased。　〃A　secret　admirer？〃

Anne　unfolded　the　paper。　There；　in　a　bold　black　script；　was　the　short
message。　unul　DECEMBER　3lst。　Her　eyes　flew　toward　where　the　man　and　his
date　had　been　seated；　but　the　table　was　empty　now；　reset　with　fresh
linen　and　silver。

Biting　her　lip；　she　reread　the　message。

〃What　is　it；　Anne？　Any　problem？〃　Alex's　concern　made　her　aware　of　the
others'　attention。

Embarrassed；　she　refolded　the　paper。　〃It's　nothing。　An　old　friend　was　in
and　saw　us。〃　With　a　feeble　smile；　she　tucked　the　note　in　her　purse。

〃Must　have　been　some　old　friend；〃　Alex　whispered。　〃You're　blushing。〃

〃I　am　not；〃　Anne　replied。　〃It's　the　wine。〃

But　her　cheeks　grew　red　more　than　once　in　the　following　days。　Sometimes
it　was　with　annoyance　that　Mitch　had　embarrassed　her　in　front　of　her
friends；　sometimes　with　frustration　that　he　hadn't　approached；　sometimes
with　anger　that　he　hadn't　made　his　note　more　personal。　One　or　twice；　it
was　even　with　jealousy。　He　had　been　with　a　woman。　His　〃other
obligation〃？　Anne　couldn't　recall　anything　about　her；　not　her　looks；　her
age；　her　dress；　or　her　expression。　She　wished　she　could；　but　she'd　had
eyes　only　for　the　man　who　looked　so　much　like　Mitch。

Thinking　about　this　faceless　woman；　she　had　second　thoughts　about
returning　to　Vermont。　If　Mitch　wasn't　free；　what　was　the　point？　Already
she　thought　about　him　far　too　often。　Better　to　cut　her　losses　and　make　a
clean　break。

But　she　did　think　about　him　a　lot；　and　she　needed　Vermont。　No　matter
that　it　would　be　safer　spending　New　Year's　Eve　home　alone；　she　found
herself　driving　to　the　cabin。

The　landscape　was　snow…covered　and　bleak　now。　Ice　hung　in　spikes　from
the　boughs　of　trees　and　the　caves　of　tidy　farmhouses　and　cottages　along
the　familiar　route。　Everything　in　sight　was　either　gray；　ash…green；　or
white。　With　the　superhighway　far　behind；　her　small　car　slid　often　on
patches　of　ice。

Anne　drove　as　fast　as　she　dared。　The　midafternoon　sun　cast　a　feeble
shadow　through　bare　trees　lining　the　road。　She　was　mesmerized　by　the
grid　it　formed；　so　much　so　that　she　lost　track　of　her　speed；　until　the
loud　blast　of　a　car　horn　from　the　village　road　on　her　right　brought　her
back。

She　recognized　the　light　blue　Honda　instantly。　With　a　smile　of　delight；
she　pulled　up　on　the　shoulder　of　the　road。　The　Honda　stopped　just
behind。　When　Mitch　climbed　out；　Anne's　heart　throbbed。　Any　doubts　she'd
had　about　ing　vanished　on　the　spot。

Smiling　more　widely　than　ever；　she　rolled　down　her　window　and　called　a
breathy　〃Hi！〃　even　before　he　reached　the　door。

His　glower　took　her　by　surprise。　〃What　are　you　trying　to　do；　get
yourself　killed？　You　can't　speed　on　this　road。〃

〃I　was　only　going　forty。〃

Anger　and　all；　he　was　a　sight　to　behold。　Looking　her　fill　through　dark
glasses；　she　kept　right　on　smiling。　His　hair　was　more　blond　than　silver
in　the　dull　sun；　making　him　look　younger　and；　for　a　tall；　hard　man；
oddly　soft。　Then　she　realized　that　despite　the　show　of　anger；　he　was
glad　to　see　her　again。

As　though　he　sensed　she　had　him　figured　out；　he　blew　the　anger　off　with
a　misted　sigh。　〃Look；　Annie；　you　stay　behind　me　for　the　rest　of　the
trip。　Okay？〃

She　humored　him。　〃Did　you　get　everything　at　the　market？　All　the
perishables？　Plenty　of　wine？〃

〃Behind　me！〃　he　repeated。

〃Hot　chocolate？　And　whipped　cream？〃

He　wiped　the　smile　from　her　face　with　a　hard；　fast　kiss；　sucking　her
lips　to　his　for　just　an　instant　before　straightening。　Shooting　her　a
watch…yourself…lady　look；　he　returned　to　his　own　car　and　pulled　out　in
front。　He　drove　at　a　sedate　thirty　miles　per　hour。　It　was　deliberate；
and　too　slow　for　the　road。　Anne　smiled　and　simply　adjusted　her　foot　on
the　gas。

Shortly；　they　reached　the　cottage。　When　the　cars　were　parked　in　a　line
on　the　snow…packed　drive；　Mitch　carried　her　luggage　inside。　She　took　the
attic　room　without　a　word；　because　it　hadn't　been　at　all　unfortable；
warmer　if　anything　than　the　larger　room　downstairs。　And　she　didn't　have
to　listen　to　him　over　her　head。　It　was　bad　knowing　that　he　had　once
slept　in　this　bed。　Hearing　things　would　have　driven　her　imagination
wild。

She　was　in　the　process　of　storing　groceries　when　she　felt　him　at　the
kitchen　door。　He　looked　her　up　and　down。　She　still　wore　the　gray　wool
pantsuit　that　had　been　warm　and　fortable　for　driving。　Bul　its　white
cowl…neck　sweater　was　a　switch　from　the　somber　navies　and　blacks　he'd
usually　seen　her　in。　And　then；　her　hair　was　loose。

〃Well？〃　she　asked；　growing　self…conscious　when　he　just　kept　looking。

〃e　here；〃　he　said　in　a　low；　deep　voice。

She　didn't　hesitate。　Within　seconds；　she　was　across　the　room　and　in　his
arms。　They　were　warm　and　intimate；　very　dear　in　a　way　that　said　friend
before　lover。

〃You　looked　beautiful　that　night　in　the　restaurant；〃　he　said　against　her
hair；　then　drew　back　enough　to　smooth　a　loose　strand　from　her　cheek。
〃Did　you　enjoy　yourself。？〃

She　looked　up；　leaving　her　hands　locked　behind　his　back。　〃I　didn't
realize　it　was　you　until　I　got　the　note。　Why　didn't　you　e　say　hello？〃

〃That's　off　limits；　isn't　it？　Socializing　in　the　real　world？〃

In　that　instant；　Anne　sensed　she　didn't　want　it　that　way；　not　anymore。
But　she　needed　to　get　used　to　the　thought；　so　she　blocked　out　words　by
dropping　her　head　to　his　chest。　Her　arms　told　him　that　she'd　missed　him。
The　speed　of　his　heartbeat　said　he'd　missed　her；　too。　Okay；　so　they
didn't　use　words。　That　was　fine　for　now。

Mitch　shifted　her　to　his　side　and；　with　an　arm　over　her　shoulder；　led
her　to　the　living　room。　He　drew　her　down　beside　him　on　the　sofa；　tucked
her　head　in　the　crook　of　his　arm；　and　stretched　out　his　long　legs。　〃Tell
me　about　Christmas。〃

She　spoke　tentatively。　〃It　wasn't　as　bad　as　I'd　expected。〃

〃No　downs？〃

〃A　few。　Jeff　and　I　always　went　from　house　to　house　on　Christmas　Day。　It
was　more　simple　this　year。　Dinner　with　his　parents。〃

〃Who　were　your　friends　that　night？〃

〃At　the　restaurant？〃

〃Uh…huh。〃

〃People　I　work　with。〃

〃Tell　me　about　your　work。〃　He　hadn't　ever　asked　her　that　before；　but　his
eyes　said　that　he　wanted　to　know。　So　she　explained　her　interest　in
languages　and　described　the　evolution　of　her　career。　He　asked
thought…filled　questions；　clearly　catching　on　to　what　she　did。　When　she
was　least　expecting　it；　he　said；　〃That　professor…what　did　you　say　his
name　was；　Alex？…looked　interested　in　you。　Have　you　gone　out　with　him？〃

〃I　told　you　that　I　don't　date；〃　she　chided。

〃Ah；〃　he　drawled。　〃That's　right。　I　forgot。　He's　asked　you　out；　though；
hasn't　he？〃

Anne　saw　no　point　in　denying　it。　〃Several　times。　I'm　not　interested　in
dating　him；　though。　That　dinner　was　a　group　get…together。〃　When　she　saw
him　relax；　she　made　her　move。　〃What　about　your　date　that　night…excuse
me；　your　panion？〃　Jealousy　was　a　tough　thing　to　hide。

Mitch　played　it　up　with　a　knowing　grin。　〃What　about　her？〃

〃Who　is　she？〃

〃Her　name's　Liz。〃

〃Do　you　see　her　often？〃

〃Yes。〃

〃Oh。〃

〃Aren't　you　glad　you　asked？〃

〃Not　particularly。〃　She　pried　herself　away　from　him　and　slid　to　the　far
end　of　the　sofa。　He　didn't　seem　bothered；　simply　lifted　her　feet　to　his
thighs。　He　slide　a　lazy　hand　under　the　wool　of　her　slacks　to　massage　her
calf。　It　felt　too　good　for　Anne　to　object。

〃Jealous？〃　he　asked。

〃Yes。〃

〃That's　good。〃　He　was　grinning　more　broadly　than　before。

Anne　scowled。　〃You're　an　arrogant　brute；〃　she　began　and　turned　the
discussion　around。　〃So　tell　me　what　you　do。　You　must　have　some　line　of
work。　Is　it　in　the　city？〃

He　answered　her　calmly　and　clearly。　〃My　corporation　has　headquarters　in
the　city；　but　we　operate　all　over　the　country。〃

〃Your　corporation？〃

Strangely；　where　it　might　have　been　appropriate；　the　arrogance　vanished。
〃I　head　a　corporation。　Does　that　bother　you？〃

With　a　sudden；　irrational　anger；　she　asked；　〃Why　would　it　bother　me？

It　has　nothing　to　do　with　me。〃

He　leaned　forward　and　pulled　her　again　to　his　side。　〃All　I　meant；〃　he
said；　teasing；　〃was　that…well；　to　be　perfectly　honest；　I've　been　told　I
make　a　good　catch。　Being　the　president　of　a　large　corporation　doesn't
help　to　discourage　overeager　women。〃

Anne　snorted。　〃Any　woman　who'd　want　your　strong　black　coffee　and　your
long　hot　showers　has　to　be　crazy。　As　for　me〃…she　put　her　nose　in　the
air…〃no　amount　of　money　can　pensate　for　your　squandering　my
macadamias。〃

He　gave　her　middle　a　playful　squeeze。　She　was　acutely　aware　of　the　arm
beneath　her　breasts。　More　breathlessly；　she　said；　〃So。　What　does　your
corporation　do？〃

〃We　develop　real　estate；　office　parks；　shopping　centers；　and　so　on。〃

〃Define　'and　so　on。〃'

〃Oh；　we　have　。。。　other　interests。〃

〃Confidential　ones；〃　she　surmised。

〃For　now。〃

〃The　mystery　of　the　year。〃

He　responded　to　that　by　shifting　her　sideways　and　down。　He　followed；
holding　himself　on　his　elbows。　〃You　talk　too　much。〃　His　eyes　caressed
her　face；　but　it　wasn't　her　face　he　was　talking　about　when　he　said；　〃You
not　only　look　good；　you　feel　good。〃　His　body　inched　over　hers；　giving
her　a　good　feel　in　return。

If　Anne　hadn't　been　breathless　before；　she　was　now。　She　wasn't　fighting
him；　because　she　realized　that　the　attraction　wasn't　only　physical；　at
least　on　her　part。　It　had　gone　beyond　that。

She　wrapped　her　arms　around　his　neck　and　exerted　the　slightest　pressure
at　his　nape。　It　brought　him　in　for　a　kiss　that　held　all　the　passion
missing　from　the　earlier　hug。　She　shivered　when　his　tongue　slid　into　her
mouth　and　their　breath　mingled。　With　his　shoulders　flexing　under　her
palms；　her　head　began　to　spin。　He　intoxicated　her。　But　she　didn't　want
him　leaving　her；　and　said　so　with　a　cry　when　he　angled　his　body　off；
then　cried　out　again；　differently　now；　when　his　hand　found　her　breast。

He　trailed　kisses　from　her　eyes；　down　her　cheeks　to　her　neck；　while　she
unbuttoned　his　shirt。　His　bare　chest　was　an　Eden　of　sinew　and　fuzz；　a
potent　aphrodisiac。　She　was　ready　to　burst　when　his　hand　left　her　breast
and　held　her　neck　so　that　he　could　kiss　her　harder。　She　weled　it；
needed　it。　〃Annie；　Annie；　Annie；〃　he　groaned；　ragged　against　her　lips；
〃what　am　I　going　to　do　with　you？〃

She　held　his　head；　then　dropped　her　fingers　down　his　throat　and；　again；
into　the　tawny　hair　on　his　chest。　〃Look　who　started　it；〃　she　whispered
but　she　was　fascinated　by　the　bunch　of　muscles　under　her　hand。　She　moved
her　palms　around；　then　over　his　nipples。

He　made　a　frustrated　sound　and　sat　up；　hauling　her　along　with　him。
Abruptly　he　released　her　and　leaned　forward。　He　put　his　elbows　on　his
knees　and　his　head　in　his　palms。

Everything　about　him　cried　of　sudden　distress。　Anne　rubbed　the　taut
muscles　at　the　back　of　his　neck。　〃What　is　it？〃

He　gave　her　a　sidelong　glance。　〃You　don't　know？〃　When　she　didn't　answer；
he　shrugged　off　her　hand　and　pushed　himself　into　a　far　corner　of　the
sofa。　〃I　thought　I'd　be　able　to　chalk　what　we　have　here　up　to　a　vacation
thing；　but　each　time　I　go　home；　I　can't　put　you　out　of　my　mind。　I　want
you；　Anne。　Want　you　bad。〃

She　was　dizzy　with　pleasure。　〃Why　does　that　upset　you？〃

He　stared；　then　came　forward。　〃Do　you　know　what　I'm　talking　about　here？〃

〃Yes。　I'm　not　stupid。　You're　asking　yourself　the　same　questions　I've
spent　hours　asking　myself。　What　am　I　doing　here？　Why　did　I　e？　What　do
I　want　to　happen？　Where's　my　sense　of　propriety？　The　list　goes　on　and
on。〃　She　caught　a　breath。　〃What　do　you　want　me　to　say？　I　know　what
you're　saying；　but　I　don't　know　what　to　do　either！〃

Mitch　sighed　and　drew　her　back　to　his　chest。　〃It's　gone　past　that；　Anne。
I'm　asking　myself　whether　I'm　ready　to　see　you　in　public；　in　New　York；
and　whether　you're　ready　for　that。　I'm　asking　whether　I'm　ready　for　more
of　a　mitment　than　just　a　physical　one；　and　whether　you're　ready　for
that。〃　He　tipped　up　her　face。　〃I　want　to　sleep　with　you；　Anne；　but　I
can't　do　that　and　then　walk　away　when　it's　done。　For　the　first　time　in
so　long　it's　not　just　a　physical　need。〃

He　had　echoed　her　thoughts。　Anne　was　more　interested　in　him　than　in
anyone　else　since　Jeff's　death；　but　she　wasn't　ready　for　a　full…time；
open　relationship。　There　was　still　that　loose　end　to　tie　up　in　court；
still　that　emotional　barrier。

He　pressed　her　cheek　to　the　beat　of　his　heart。　〃I　wouldn't　want　to　hurt
you　for　the　world；　Annie。　You　deserve　the　best。　You　need　a　guy's　full
attention　and　devotion。　I　have　too　many　other　responsibilities　right
now。〃

It　was　the　right　answer；　still　she　felt　discouragement　and　loss。　She
held　on；　and　was　held　for　long　seconds。　When　she　looked　up；　he　brushed　a
tear　from　her　cheek。

〃I　won't　ask　much；〃　she　whispered　falteringly。　〃I'm　not　sure　what　I　want
any　more　than　you　are。　The　only　thing　I　ask　is　that　you　be　here　for　me
to　e　to　every　once　in　a　while。〃

He　tightened　his　arms　around　her。　〃I　will；　honey；　I　will。〃

The　New　Year　arrived　with　a　surge　of　high　spirit　that　neither　of　them；
weeks　before；　would　have　imagined　possible。　They　ate　at　a　small　inn
where　the　restaurant　was　elegant；　intimate；　and　quaint。　For　Anne　it　was
like　a　first　date。　She　wore　her　favorite　navy　knit；　which　she　had　packed
for　the　occasion。　Its　softness　offset　her　darkness；　its　gentle　wrap
showed　curves　that　had　begun　to　return。　She　wanted　to　look
sophisticated；　and　to　that　end；　wore　makeup　for　the　first　time　here。

Mitch　rewarded　her　with　a　glow　in　his　eyes。　He　looked　gorgeous　in　his
fine　wool　slacks　and　tailored　blazer。　They　made　a　stunning　duo；　drawing
the　attention　of　more　than　one　pair　of　curious　eyes。

He　avoided　intimacy　beyond　a　light　hand　on　her　waist　when　he　escorted
her　to　their　table。　Later；　back　at　the　cabin；　they　rang　in　the　midnight
hour　with　champagne　toasts。

And　the　light…hearted　tone　held　through　the　week。　They　took　daily　walks
in　the　crisp；　cold　air。　The　woods　were　an　enchanted　place　in　winter；　a
safe　harbor　from　winds　that　whipped　across　the　meadow　but　couldn't
perate　the　evergreens。　Bundled　in　woolen　and　down；　they　hiked　over
ponds　of　solid　ice　and　followed　the　crusty　line　of　the　brook　from
mountaintop　to　valley。　The　snow　squeaked　under　their　boots；　but；　aside
from　their　voices；　it　was　the　only　noise　in　the　forest。

Shielded　by　spruce；　pine；　and　cedar；　they　walked　for　hours　through　the
blue…shadowed　land；　returning　to　the　cabin　only　when　their　hands　and
feet　were　numb。　More　often　than　not　then；　they　settled　in　at　the　kitchen
window　to　watch　chickadees　at　the　feeder　that　Mitch　had　staked　into　the
ground。

It　was　a　time　of　quiet　serenity。　Anne　did　little　reading　and　even　less
work。　Rather；　she　spent　hours　in　calm　reverie　before　the　fire；　a　triumph
in　and　of　itself。　She　was　happy。　She　wasn't　brooding　or　mourning。　She
didn't　want　to　be　anywhere　else；　with　anyone　else　in　the　world。

During　one　of　these　relaxing　moments；　on　the　last　evening　of　their　stay；
Mitch　suddenly　went　to　his　bedroom　and　returned　with　a　small　box。　It　was
wrapped　in　white　and　had　a　pale　blue　ribbon。

〃What's　this？〃　she　asked　in　surprise。

〃Open　it。〃

She　pulled　at　the　bow　with　unsteady　fingers。　〃When　did　you　get　this？〃

She　hadn't　expected　a　gift。　His　presence　was　enough。

〃I　was　in　Brazil　right　after　Thanksgiving。　It　was　made　by　one　of　the
local　artisans　in　a　small　village　in　the　interior。〃

The　top　of　the　box　fell　back　to　reveal　a　ring；　a　rectangular　piece　of
enamelware　framed　in　gold　and　mounted　on　a　fine　gold　band。　Anne　gasped
at　the　beauty　of　the　intricately　painted　design；　a　semiabstract　por
trait　of　sand；　sea；　and　sun；　all　woven　together