rekindled(英文版)-第6部分

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truth。　Oh；　yes；　Lee　was　a　willing　handyman；　able　in　nine　cases　out　of
ten。　But　they　had　a　running　gag　over　that　tenth。　Chloe　was　convinced；
and　had　told　Lee　as　much；　that　his　occasional　flub　was　intentional；　his
way　of　reminding　her　that　he　needed　her；　too。　He　never　denied　it。　And
Chloe　always　indulged　him。　Emotionally；　he　gave　her　so　much。　She　liked
giving　a　little　some　of　that　back。

Without　further　pause；　she　ran　up　the　steps。　It　was　only　when　she
reached　the　top　and　started　for　the　door　that　Ross　caught　her　hand。　He
pressed　something　into　it。　She　looked　down　at　a　book　of　matches。

〃You　smoke？〃

〃Actually；〃　he　said　with　a　wry　twist　of　his　lips；　〃I　carry　matches
around　with　me　just　in　case　a　pilot　light　goes　out。〃

：；Do　you　smoke？〃

〃Through　my　eyes；　when　I'm　angry。〃

〃Ross；　do　you？〃

〃Smoke？　No。〃

She　sighed。　〃That's　good。　This　is　a　nonsmoking　house。　If　you　wanted　to
smoke　you'd　have　to　sneak　one　in　the　john；　or　stay　out　here　with　the
chipmunks。〃

〃That's　some　choice。　Good　thing　I　don't　have　to　make　it。　As　it　happens；〃
he　informed　her；　〃my　only　vice　is　sex。　Do　we　have　to　sneak　that　in　the
john；　too？〃

She　might　have　choked　if　she'd　been　eating。　But　she　recovered　quickly；
shook　her　head；　and　muttered　a　soft　〃Incorrigible。。　。〃　as　she　pulled　the
screen　open。　She　took　refuge　in　the　kitchen；　where　her　loyal　protector；
Lee；　was　waiting。

And　he　filled　that　role　repeatedly　throughout　the　evening；　taking　over
for　her　when　she　was　distracted。　He　was　an　able　conversationalist；　a
gracious　host。　She　trembled　to　think　what　would　have　happened　had　she
and　Ross　been　alone　in　the　house。　She　was　too　vulnerable；　too
susceptible　where　Ross　was　concerned。　If　she　hadn't　known　it　before；　she
learned　it　that　evening。

It　started　before　dinner；　when　she　left　the　two　men　and　went　off　to
shower。　She　put　on　a　pair　of　jeans　and　a　western…style　blouse　that　had
breast　pockets　and　a　decoratively　stitched　yoke。　Her　intent　was　to　be
cool　and　at　ease。　The　finished　product；　though；　spoke　of　homespun
femininity。　Had　it　been　the　pale　pink　of　the　blouse；　she　later　asked
herself。？　Or　the　way　the　seasoned　denims　outlined　her　hips？　Whatever；
she　caught　Ross's　attention。　Her　first　step　into　the　living　room；　where
the　men　were　nursing　drinks　while　the　steaks　grilled；　brought　Ross's
eyes　her　way　for　a　perusal　that　set　her　pulse　hammering。　Where　Chloe's
peace　of　mind　was　concerned；　it　was　downhill　from　there。　She　wanted　to
tune　him　out；　but　she　couldn't。

The　talk　centered　on　business　matters。　Sitting　quietly　in　a　peacock
chair；　Chloe　learned　that　Ross's　headquarters　were　indeed　in　New　York；
but　that　there　were　corporate　branches　in　the　South　and　in　the　West。

She　tried　to　imagine　it。　〃You　must　live　out　of　a　suitcase　a　good　deal　of
your　time。〃

〃I'm　used　to　it。　Don't　forget；　when　I　was　a　kid　my　family　was　shuttled
around　by　the　Army。〃　At　Lee's　prodding；　Ross　elaborated　on　his
background。　Chloe　found　herself　wondering　if　he　had　ever　settled　down；
even　for　a　short　time；　or　if　he　ever　would。　She　found　herself　wondering
how　as　pelling　and　attractive　a　man　had　avoided　the　lure　of　a　wife；　a
home；　a　family。　When　she　was　caught　in　the　act　of　admiring　him；　Ross
smiled　in　what　she　swore　was　a　knowing　way。

And　so　went　the　evening。　Lee　talked　with　Ross；　and　Ross　talked　with　Lee。
Chloe　listened；　joining　in　from　time　to　time；　trying　to　fight　admiration
without　much　success。

Why　Ross？　she　asked　herself　at　one　point。　Why　not　Lee？　The　two　were　as
physically　alike　as　brothers。　But　then；　why　had　Ross　been　attracted　to
Chloe　rather　than　Crystal？　Or　had　he？　Had　Crystal　been　right？　Had　it
been　a　case　of　his　taking　what　was　offered　by　whichever　sister　came
forward？

That　question　nagged。　Had　her　being　with　Ross　been　pure　chance？　A　simple
turn　of　fate？　But　what　about　that　coin？　There　was　nothing　coincidental
about　Chloe　winning　the　toss。　And　Ross…had　he　been　looking　at　Chloe
rather　than　at　her　identical　twin　sister？　Had　it　all　been　by　design；　or
had　it　been　by　pure　chance？

She　was　distracted　as　the　evening　waned；　unaware　of　looks　of　concern
sent　her　way。　When　Lee　said；　〃I'm　takin'　off　now；　Chloe；〃　she　was
startled。　Her　head　came　up。　Unsure；　she　straightened。

〃I'm　sorry；〃　she　apologized　softly。　〃I'm　afraid　I　haven't　been　much
help。　We　haven't　even　gone　over　those　things　we　should　have。〃

〃No　problem。〃　He　smiled。　〃We'll　do　it　tomorrow。〃　Taking　his　cue　from　the
disquieted　look　in　her　eyes；　he　turned　to　Ross。　〃Are　you　staying　here
tonight？〃

〃Yes。〃

〃No。〃

They　spoke　at　the　same　time。　Chloe　hurried　on。　〃No；　Ross。　You　can't　stay
here。〃　She　was　determined。　〃There's　one　bedroom　and　one　bed；　and　I　need
it。〃

〃Why　don't　you　stay　with　me；　friend？〃　Lee　offered…and　for　the　second
time　that　evening；　Chloe　could　have　disowned　him。　She　wanted　Ross　to
leave。　Out　of　sight　was　out　of　mind。　Lee's　offer　only　plicated
things。

Naturally；　Ross　accepted　the　invitation。　〃No　imposition？〃

〃No　imposition。　The　sofa　in　the　living　room　opens　into　a　bed。　The　back
door　will　be　open。　Chloe　will　point　you　in　the　right　direction。〃　Before
she　could　protest；　Lee　reached　the　door。　〃Good　night；　folks。〃　He
grinned；　letting　himself　out　with　a　flourish。

With　a　steadying　breath；　Chloe　settled　deeper　into　her　high…backed
chair；　tucked　her　feet　under　her；　forced　her　fingers　to　relax　against
the　broad　wicker　arms；　and　looked　across　the　room　at　Ross。

He　spoke　softly。　〃You　really　do　look　like　a　princess　in　that　chair。
Those　peacock　markings　could　as　easily　be　a　crown　of　gold　as　a　swirl　of
wicker。　Are　you　fortable？〃　His　eyes　were　gleaming；　mocking。

〃No；〃　she　answered　honestly。　〃You　know　I'm　not。〃

His　grin　held　no　apology。　〃That's　a　shame。　I　don't　want　you　to　be
miserable　through　the　entire　weekend。〃

〃You　can't　stay　all　weekend！〃

〃Why　not？　I　have　a　place　to　sleep。　That　Lee's　a　good　guy。〃

〃Too　good！〃　she　grumbled。　〃I　thought　I　could　trust　him。〃

Ross　sat　forward；　elbows　on　his　thighs；　fingers　steepled。　〃That's　what
puzzles　me。　I'm　sure　you　can　trust　him；　but　I　can't　figure　out　for　the
life　of　me　why。〃

Chloe　instantly　came　to　Lee's　defense。　〃He's　been　a　true　friend　to　me。〃

〃Why　only　a　true　friend？　Why　not　a　lover？〃

〃Lee　doesn't　want　that　from　a　woman。〃

〃You　mean；　he　prefers…〃

〃No。　No；　Ross。　Don't　twist　things。〃　Beneath　his　stare；　her　own　insides
twisted。　〃Lee　was　married　once。　He　has　two　children。　He　and　his　wife
divorced　five　years　ago。　She　lives　in　St。　Louis。〃

〃Ah。　Once　burned　。。。　okay；　I'll　accept　that。〃

〃How　kind；〃　she　murmured；　but　she　was　annoyed　enough　to　see　an　opening
and　take　it。　〃What　about　you？　In　the　eleven　years　since　I　knew　you　when；
what　have　you　done　along　similar　lines？　Should　I　assume　you've　developed
odd　preferences？〃

The　instant　she　said　it；　she　knew　it　was　a　mistake。　Good　humor　faded
fast　from　Ross's　face。　When　he　stood　and　approached　her；　she　struggled
to　avoid　cringing　into　the　chair。　There　was　a　hard　look　to　him。

〃Would　that　make　you　trust　me　more？〃　he　murmured。　He　towered　above　her
for　a　minute；　then　bent　over。　His　hands　covered　hers　on　the　arms　of　the
chair。　His　face　was　too　near。　〃Sorry　to　disappoint　you；　but　my
preferences　are　still　for　the　opposite　sex。〃　His　lips　moved　closer。
Chloe　looked　down　to　escape　them；　but　his　long　body　filled　her　view。
Everywhere　she　moved　her　eyes；　she　saw　him；　one　point　more　alarming　than
the　next。　If　it　wasn't　the　vee　of　his　chest；　with　its　wisps　of　dark　hair
edging　alongside　the　tab　of　his　collar；　it　was　the　breadth　of　his
shoulders　or　the　lean　tapering　of　his　middle　or　the　casual　set　of　his
hips。　Those　hips　told　their　own　story。　She　tore　her　gaze　away；
pletely　convinced　of　his　preference。

He　grinned。　〃Any　further　questions？〃

The　slight　shake　of　her　head　was　enough　to　bring　his　lips　into　contact
with　her　cheek；　and　Chloe　was　suddenly　conflicted。　Pull　away。　Move
closer。　Keep　your　eyes　shut。　Look　at　him。　Look　at　him。　Look　at　him。

She　looked。　His　eyes　held　gentleness　now。　And　the　same　desire　she　felt。
So　close。　So　far　away。　〃Kiss　me。　Don't。

He　did。　Very；　very　lightly。　A　ghost　of　a　touch　with　shuddering
intensity。　Chloe's　eyes　were　shut；　her　lips　parted。　To　taste　him　once
more　　。。。　When　he　kissed　her　again；　his　tenderness　incited　her　need。　She
moved　closer；　clung　to　him　with　her　own　lips；　drank　in　the　tang　of　his
mouth；　so　moist　and　strong　yet　soft。　His　tongue　touched　hers　briefly
before　he　raised　his　head。

〃Definitely　my　preference。〃　He　spoke　thickly；　his　breathing　uneven。

Chloe　was　momentarily　disoriented。　It　was　a　minute　before　reality
returned。　Then　she　was　appalled。　〃What　am　I　doing？〃　she　asked；　not
realizing　she'd　spoken　aloud。　〃What　am　I　doing？〃

〃Letting　yourself　live；〃　came　the　husky　but　gentle　declaration。

Burying　her　face　in　her　hands；　she　struggled　to　understand　what　had　just
happened。　She　couldn't　face　him；　much　less　herself。　Easier　to　hide
behind　the　cascade　of　hair　that　fell　forward；　shielding　her　from　the
world。

Lost　in　silent　self…reproach　Chloe　was　unaware　that　he　had　moved　away
and　returned　to　the　sofa。　He　was　waiting；　listening；　when　she　finally
raised　her　head。

〃Why　are　you　doing　this　to　me？〃　she　pleaded　softly。　〃Why　can't　you　just
leave　me　alone？〃

He　frowned。　〃Funny；　I've　asked　myself　the　same　question　a　dozen　times　in
the　last　two　weeks。〃　He　studied　his　knuckles；　seeming　to　struggle。　〃It's
like　for　the　first　time　in　years；　I　care。〃

〃What　do　you　mean？〃　she　asked　falteringly。

〃You　asked　me　what　I've　done　with　myself　during　the　past　years。〃　He　gave
a　snort　of　disgust。　〃I　haven't　been　quite　as　noble　as　you。　There　have
been　women　over　the　years。〃

She　had　assumed　that；　and　felt　no　resentment。　There　was　a　certain　solace
in　the　knowledge　that　when　all　was　said　and　done；　he　was　still　attracted
to　her。　After　all；　he　was　magnificent。　More　than　one　of　those　women　must
have　tried　to　tie　him　down。

〃Didn't　you　find　anyone　special？〃　she　asked　quietly。

Ross　ore　than　others。　But；　no；　there
was　no　one　special。　No　one　who　meant　enough　to　tempt　me　to　change　my
lifestyle。　I'm　on　the　road　all　the　time。　I　do　own　an　old　brownstone　in
Manhattan；　but　I　doubt　if　I　spend　a　total　of　three　months　a　year　there。
Hotel　rooms；　friends'　apartments；　rented　suites…that's　been　home　for　the
past　few　years。〃

〃It　served　your　purpose。〃

〃Yes。〃　The　amber　eyes　that　held　hers　pierced　her　heart。　They　said　much
more；　all　of　it　silent；　all　of　it　mind　bending。　In　the　insanity　of　a
fleeting　instant；　she　wanted　。。。　she　wanted　。。。　What　did　she　want？

Ross　sighed。　〃I　am　a　successful　businessman。〃　It　was　a　statement　of
fact；　devoid　of　arrogance。　〃But　that's　not　enough。〃

She　followed　his　thoughts。　〃I　can't　help　you；　Ross。〃

〃Can't？　〃

〃Won't。　If　you're　looking　for　a　wife　and　a　family；　a　home　in　the
country；　maybe　a　few　dogs　and　horses；　even　sheep；　you'll　have　to　look
elsewhere。　I　can't　be　anything　but　this。〃

His　gaze　sharpened。　〃Did　I　mention　those　things？　Or　are　they　what　you
wanted　once？　Haven't　you　ever　wished　for　a　husband　who　loves　you；
children；　pets；　friends；　property？　What　do　you　want　from　life？〃

〃What　I　have　right　now。　I　don't　want　to　look　back；　and　I　won't　look
ahead。　I　like　this　life。　I'm　content。〃

〃Are　you？〃　he　challenged。　〃Don't　you　ever　stop　to　wonder　what　it　might
have　been　like…〃

〃No；〃　Chloe　said　with　force　and　pushed　herself　out　of　the　chair。　〃I
didn't　ask　you　to　e　here；　Ross。　I　didn't　ask　you　to　stay。　As　of　right
now〃…she　pointed　at　the　floor　for　emphasis…〃I　don't　care　what　you　do；
but　don't　expect　to　change　the　way　I　see　the　world　and　my　life。　I've
done　just　fine　on　my　own　for　the　past　eleven　years。　I　plan　to　do　it　a
while　longer。〃　Her　hand　was　shaking。　She　jammed　it　into　the　back　pocket
of　her　jeans。　〃I'm　going　to　bed。　Let　yourself　out。〃　With　a　whirl　that
sent　her　hair　flaring　out　behind；　she　strode　from　the　room；　ran　up　the
stairs　to　her　room；　and　firmly　closed　the　door。

Trembling　uncontrollably；　she　collapsed　onto　the　bed　and　stared　at　the
ceiling。　Her　ragged　breathing　was　the　only　sound　that　broke　the　night's
quiet…that；　and　the　opening　and　closing　of　the　front　door　when　Ross　left
the　house。

For　what　seemed　like　hours　she　agonized；　locked　in　silent　battle　with　a
horde　of　private　ghosts。　If　only　she　had　never　seen　Ross　again。　To　be
free；　once　more；　of　this　gnawing　at　mind　and　body。

But　she　had　seen　him　again　and；　if　he　stuck　to　his　plan；　would　see　more
of　him　before　he　left。　There　was　only　one　solution；　as　she　saw　it。
Indifference。　What　man　would　put　up　with　that　for　long？　Indifference。　It
would　turn　him　off；　wouldn't　it？　Surely　then　he　would　leave　her　in
peace。

She　awoke　the　next　morning　on　an　optimistic　note；　showered；　dressed；　and
sailed　downstairs　for　breakfast。　It　was　with　momentary　dismay　that　she
found　her　kitchen　in　use…until　she　recalled　the　night's　resolve；　tilted
up　her　chin；　and　advanced。

〃Ah；〃　she　said　as　she　helped　herself　to　a　cup　of　the　coffee　he　had
brewed；　〃　you've　made　yourself　at　home。〃

His　grin　was　as　bright　as　the　morning　sun　that　slanted　across　the　porch
beyond　the　screen。　〃It's　a　luxury。　I'm　enjoying　it。　It's　not　every　day
that　I　get　to　putter　around　a　cozy　kitchen；　much　less　wait　on　a
princess。〃

〃Flattery　will　get　you　nowhere。〃　She　hoped；　prayed　it　was　so。　By　way　of
diversion；　she　eyed　the　stove。　〃Bacon；　eggs；　home　fries？　You're　going　to
eat　all　that？〃

〃With　your　help。〃

〃Ohhhh；　no。　After　a　breakfast　like　that　I'd　barely　be　able　to　keep　my
eyes　open。　I　have　too　many　things　to　do…〃

〃…for　which　you　need　energy。　And；　anyway；〃　he　called　over　his　shoulder
as　he　turned　the　bacon；　〃if　you　don't　eat　breakfasts　like　this；　why　such
a　full　stock　of　goodies？　Lee's　refrigerator　was　bare。〃

〃So　that's　it；　huh？〃　she　asked；　eyes　narrowing。　〃You're　starved　and　my
old　buddy　Lee　couldn't　help　you　out？〃　She　chuckled。　〃Lee　eats　out。　A
lot。〃

〃Here？〃

〃Do　you　see　him　here　now？〃　she　shot　back。

〃haven't　seen　him　today；　period。　He's　not　upstairs；　is　he？〃

Shaking　her　head；　she　turned　toward　the　large　bay　window；　whose　broad
seat　was　her　favorite　perch。　〃That　doesn't　deserve　an　answer。〃

Sipping　her　coffee；　she　spoke　absently。　〃As　for　the　state　of　my　ice　box；
I　eat　in。　A　lot。　Eggs　make　terrific　dinner　omelets；　bacon　a　great　BLT；
and　potatoes　are　most　definitely　to　be　baked；　then　scooped；　mashed　with
a　little　Parmesan　cheese　and　cream；　restuffed；　dotted　with　butter；　and
broiled　until　delicately　browned　on　top。〃

The　silence　that　followed　her　recitation　was　enough　to　get　her　to　look
back。　Ross's　expression　was　one　of　amused　astonishment。　〃You　must　have
memorized　the　cookbook。〃

〃No。　I　just　happen　to　like　my　potatoes　that　way；　and　I　do　it　a　lot。〃

Ross　leaned　back　against　the　counter；　arms　folded　across　his　chest。
〃Would　you　make　them　like　that　for　me　some　time…maybe　with　a　few　lamb
chops；　some　fresh　broccoli；　a　little　wine？〃

He　looked　dangerous；　newly　showered　and　wearing　jeans　and　a　black
turtleneck　sweater。　But　Chloe　had　taken　a　vow　of　indifference。　He's　just
a　friend；　she　told　herself；　no　different　from　Lee。　Calmly　enough；　she
said；　〃I　make　a　meal　of　the　potatoes。　If　you'd　like　to　do　up　the　rest；
be　my　guest。〃　She　settled　on　the　window　seat　and　looked　out　at　the
beach。　〃It's　another　beautiful　day。〃

〃Uh…huh。〃　His　voice　was　muffled。　He　had　turned　back　to　his　cooking。　Chlo
soon　he　was　addressing　her　again。　〃Sleep　well？〃

〃Not　bad。〃　Once　she　had　fallen　asleep。　〃How　about　you？〃

He　had　turned　to　reach　for　plates　from　the　cupboard。　〃About　the　same。〃

It　was　an　odd　choice　of　words；　she　mused；　unless　she　was　so　transparent
that　he　could　see　her　thoughts。　If　there　was　smugness　on　his　face；
though；　she　couldn't　see　it。　He　was　cooking。　All　she　saw　was　his　back。
There　was　a　full　head　of　thick　and　vibrant　dark　hair；　a　torso　whose
firmness　was　shown　off　by　the　snug　fit　of　his　sweater；　a　pair　of　lean
denim　hips　and　long；　sturdy　legs；　not　to　mention　well…worn　leather
boots。

She　took　a　deep；　steadying　breath。　If　he　had　dressed　to　kill　on　purpose；
she　could　resist。　She　wasn't　buying　what　he　had　to　offer。　She　wasn't。

〃All　set？〃　Grinning；　he　placed　two　brimming　plates　on　the　table。　When
she　gaped　at　hers　in　dismay；　he　added　a　gentle；　〃Don't　worry。　Whatever
you　can't　finish；　I　will。〃

She　pushed　away　from　the　window　seat　with　a　grimace。　〃You'd　better　get
started　then。　I'm　nearly　finished。〃　She　held　up　her　drained　coffee　cup。
〃This　is　all　I　usually　have；　with　a　slice　of　toast　or　a　muffin。〃　Still；
she　took　a　seat　opposite　him。　She　stared　at　the　plate；　decided　that　the
eggs　looked　pretty　good；　and　took　a　bite。

〃Do　the　people　you　work　with　know　about　your　past？〃

Her　eyes　flew　to　his；　warning；　then　haunted。　She　gave　him　a　wan　smile。
〃You　make　it　sound　lurid。〃　She　pushed　home　fries　around　her　plate。　〃They
know　where　I　e　from…some　even　know　that　I　had　a　sister。　Lee　knows
most　of　the　story。　But　the　lovely　thing　about　my　life　here　is　that　the
people　I　know　see　me　for　what　I　am　today。　It's　easier　not　having　to
constantly　contend　with　the　past。〃

Ross　seemed　puzzled。　〃Why　do　you　assume　you'd　have　to　do　that　anywhere？
It's　been　eleven　years；　Chloe。　The　world　goes　on。　People　accept　change。
You　seem　to　be　the　only　one　who　can't　move　on。〃

Chloe　set　down　her　fork。　She　took　an　angry　breath。　〃I　look　in　the
mirror。〃

rooted　in　the　present。　There　were　reports　to　read；　studies　to　review；
proposals　to　consider。　The　more　she　worked；　the　better　she　felt。　For　the
first　time　since　having　done　the　lab　work　earlier　that　week；　she　studied
the　sediment　analysis　of　samples　taken　along　an　increasingly　unstable
portion　of　the　Cape　Cod　National　Seashore。

〃Problems？〃　This　from　Debbie　Walker；　who　popped　her　head　in　shortly
after　eleven。

〃Hi；　Deb。　e　on　in。〃　She　smiled　at　her　petite；　sandy…haired　associate。
〃It's　the　Cape　analysis。　I　was　just　studying　the　results　of　the　work　I
did　last　week。　I　have　the　grain　sizes　of　the　sand　pretty　much　divided　by
sections。　Boy；　they　really　botched　it。〃

〃〃They'　being　the　people　who　put　that　parking　lot　so　close　to　the
cliff。？〃

Chloe　sighed。　〃It's　begun　to　erode　already；　and　the　locals　want　to　sue。
According　to　my　calculations；　they　have　a　case。〃

〃Will　you　be　called　in　to　testify？〃

〃I'm　not　sure。　I　have　to　work　this　report　up　into　some　kind　of　written
form。　Depending　on　what　happens　when　they　read　it；　whether　or　not　the
matter　can　be　settled　first；　it　may　not　make　it　to　court。〃　She　sat　back。
〃It's　a　shame　that　we　seem　to　learn　things　after　the　fact。　If　only　those
developers　had　gotten　a　geologist　to　advise　them　at　the　start。〃

Debbie　smiled。　〃You　make　a　good　crusader。　I　wish　I　could　present　my　case
as　well　as　you　do。〃

〃I　wish　I　could　handle　those　puters　as　well　as　you　do；〃　Chloe
returned。　〃e　on。　Let's　take　a　look　at　your　statistics。〃

They　spent　the　next　half　hour　reviewing　the　work　Debbie　had　done。
Between　them；　they　came　up　with　a　plan　of　attack　on　both　the　sinkhole　in
question　and　the　people　in　a　position　to　do　something　about　it。　Suitably
buoyed；　and　with　her　work　cut　out　for　her；　Debbie　left。　She　was　replaced
moments　later　by　a　slightly　groggy…looking　Josh　Anderson。

Chloe　grinned。　〃Late　night　last　night？〃

〃Don't　you　know　it；〃　Josh　murmured。　〃But　I　have　to　discuss　this
curriculum　guide　with　you。　If　the　preliminaries　are　all　right；　I'd　like
to　work　out　more　of　the　details。〃