rekindled(英文版)-第7部分

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curriculum　guide　with　you。　If　the　preliminaries　are　all　right；　I'd　like
to　work　out　more　of　the　details。〃

Chloe's　arched　brow　spoke　volumes；　as　did　the　slow　perusal　she　gave　the
casually　disheveled　graduate　student。　〃You're　up　to　it？〃　With　great
effort　she　stifled　a　broader　grin。　Josh　was　a　favorite　of　hers。　Several
years　her　junior；　he　was　working　toward　his　degree　at　Brown。　This　was
his　second　year　working　part…time　at　ESE。

His　proposed　high…school　geology　curriculum　was　as　fine　as　any　she　could
have　hoped　ESE　would　produce。

Now　he　lowered　his　voice。　〃I'd　really　be　up　to　it　if　I　could　take　a　swig
of　the　coffee　that　smells　so　good　in　the　kitchen。〃

〃Why　don't　you？〃

He　kept　his　voice　low。　〃There's　a　watchdog　out　there。〃

〃In　the　kitchen？〃

〃In　the　living　room。　Tall　guy；　dark　hair；　dark　eyes。　He　doesn't　look
happy　with　the　traffic　in　here。　Who　is　he？　And　what's　he　doing　in　our
house？〃

For　the　better　part　of　the　morning　Chloe　had　pushed　Ross　from　mind。　Now；
revived　by　the　work　that　she　loved；　she　was　able　to　chuckle　at　Josh's
reference。

〃He's　a　friend；〃　she　answered　simply。

〃You're　sure　about　that？〃

〃I'm　sure。　Go　on　out　and　get　your　coffee。　If　he　starts　to　snarl；　you　can
send　him　in　here。〃

Josh's　face　took　on　a　dubious　I…hope…you…know　…what…you're…doing　look。
Noheless；　he　drew　up　to　his　full　sixty…seven　inches；　squared　his
shoulders；　and　made　as　grand　an　exit　as　was　possible　for　someone　going
to　face　the　proverbial　giant。　With　a　helpless　grin；　Chloe　sat　back　in
her　chair；　elbows　on　its　arms；　fingers　fortably　laced。

So　Ross　had　decided　to　spend　the　morning　in　her　living　room。　She
wondered　if　he　was　bored；　maybe　annoyed　that　she　was　carrying　on　as
usual；　perhaps　growing　impatient。　Her　grin　turned　smug。

〃You　wanted　to　see　me？〃　His　deep　voice　rumbled　in　from　the　door。

Her　grin　remained。　〃Who；　me？〃

He　searched　the　room。　〃I　don't　see　anyone　else　in　here；　for　a　change。
They　may　not　technically　live　here；　but　they　run　in　and　out　all　day；
don't　they？〃

〃It's　an　open　office；　you　might　say。〃

〃I　do　say。　Say；　when　will　you　be　done？〃

〃Done？〃　she　echoed　innocently；　then　gestured　toward　the　desktop。　〃Lord
knows。　I　have　two　reports　to　look　through　yet。　And　Josh　will　be　back。
Here　he　is。〃　His　timing　was　perfect。　〃Josh；　meet　Ross。〃　As　the　two　shook
hands；　Chloe　stared　at　the　appalling　discrepancy　in　their　heights。　No
wonder　Josh　had　been　intimidated；　not　only　did　Ross　tower　over　him；　but
their　respective　physiques　were　about　as　alike　as　night　and　day。

Instinctively　protective　of　Josh；　she　pointed　him　to　a　chair。　Then　she
said；　〃Ross；　would　you　excuse　us？　We'll　be　a　little　while。〃

〃I'll　be　waiting。〃　He　smiled　as　though　he　had　caught　onto　the　game　and
was　playing。　Then　he　turned　and　left。

Josh　wasn't　thick。　〃Listen；　Chloe；　are　you　sure　you　wouldn't　rather　go
over　this　another　time？〃

〃What？〃　she　ribbed　him　gently。　〃And　waste　the　effort　it　took　for　you　to
pull　yourself　out　of　bed？　Carry　on！〃

It　was　a　full　hour　later　when　Josh　finally　left。　Chloe　walked　him　to　the
door　and　had　only　enough　time　to　note　that　Ross　was　occupied　with　a
briefcase　of　his　own；　before　Lee　bounded　through　the　living　room。　He
delivered　a　wave　in　passing　to　Ross；　looped　an　arm　about　Chloe's　waist；
and　corralled　her　back　into　her　office。

〃It's　about　time　you're　free；〃　he　scolded　good…naturedly。　〃You're　a　busy
lady。〃

Chloe　smiled。　〃I'm　all　yours　now。　I　want　to　show　you…〃　The　look　on　his
face　cut　her　off。　〃There's　something　we　have　to　discuss　first。　I　think；〃
he　said；　giving　care　to　each　word；　〃that　we　have　a　problem。〃

〃A　problem？〃　She　frowned。　〃What　problem？〃

Eying　her　warily；　he　said；　〃I　had　two　cancellations　yesterday。〃

〃Cancellations？〃

〃That's　right。　The　schools。　They　don't　have　the　money　to　finance　us　for
the　next　semester。〃

She　sat　straighter。　〃Are　you　serious？〃

；〃Very。〃

〃But　I　thought…〃

〃So　did　I。〃

〃I　just　sent　Josh　out　of　here　with　a　great　proposal。　You　mean　to　say
that　he　won't　be　able　to　apply　it？〃

〃Not　in　Hingham　or　Westerly　he　won't。　There　are　still　the　wealthier
munities。。　。〃　His　voice　trailed　off；　his　implication　clear。

〃But　not　for　long。　That's　it；　isn't　it？　You　think　we're　headed　down　a
dead…end　street？〃

〃Unless　the　powers　that　dole　out　money　for　education　loosen　up。　They're
thinking　A；　B；　Cs。　We're　talking　H；　I；　Js。　We're　strictly　elective；　they
say。　A　luxury　they　can't　afford。〃

Chloe's　mind　raced　ahead。　〃A　good　third　of　our　work　is　through　the
public　schools。　Oh；　boy。　We'd　better　rethink　that。〃

〃Smart　girl。〃

〃Private　enterprise；〃　she　announced　without　hesitation。

〃e　again？　Business　isn't　our　field。〃

Chloe　laughed　at　the　confusion　on　Lee's　bearded　face。　〃No。　But　I　said　it
to　Debbie　earlier　this　morning　and　I　meant　it。　What　we　need　is　to
affiliate　ourselves　with　corporations　as　resident　geologists；　be　the
geologistson…call　for　several　of　these　large　development　corporations。
You　know；　like…〃

〃…the　Hansen　Corporation？〃

The　thought　took　her　off…guard。　〃No；〃　she　said　with　deliberate　care。　〃I
was　thinking　more　of　firms　like　Cabot　and　Walker；　or　Fennimen　East。〃

But　Lee　was　grinning。　〃What's　wrong　with　the　Hansen　Corporation？〃

〃Nothing；〃　she　said；　but　rethought　her　answer　when　Lee　was　clearly
disbelieving。　She　lowered　her　voice。　〃What's　wrong　with　the　Hansen
Corporation　is　that　Ross　Stephenson　is　its　president。〃

So？〃

〃Lee；〃　she　pleaded；　〃Ross　is　a　friend。　I　would　no　more　ask　him　to　hire
ESE　than　。。。　than。。　。〃　She　went　silent；　at　a　loss　for　words。　She　was
hoping　to　survive　a　single　weekend　with　Ross。　She　couldn't　begin　to
imagine　working　with　him　on　an　ongoing　basis。

Lee　grew　serious。　〃What　is　he　to　you；　Chloe？〃

She　sighed；　giving　up　the　struggle　to　find　excuses。　〃We　knew　each　other
before　Crystal　died。〃

〃He's　the　one；　isn't　he？〃　There　was　only　kindness　in　Lee's　voice；　yet
his　words　jolted　her。

〃What？〃　she　whispered。

〃He's　the　one…the　man　in　your　life。〃

〃There　is　no　man　in　my　life。　You　know　that。〃

Lee　grew　gentler。　〃Over　the　years；　I've　learned　a　lot　about　you。　You've
told　me　about　your　sister；　that　she　died；　that　you　rarely　visit　your
family　back　in　New　Orleans。　But　you　never　talk　about　men。　You're　a
beautiful　person；　Chloe。　I　know　it；　and　he　knows　it。〃　He　tilted　his　head
toward　the　living　room。　〃I　dare　you　to　look　me　in　the　eye　and　deny　that
there　was　ever　anything　between　the　two　of　you。〃

She　couldn't　lie。　Not　to　Lee。　〃I　can't　do　that。　But；　whatever　it　was；
it's　over。〃

〃You　think　so？〃

〃Yes。〃　She　said　it　firmly；　and　held　her　head　the　same　way。

Lee　studied　her　for　a　long　minute；　before　making　a　show　of　wiping　his
hands　together。　〃Well；　then；　I　guess　that　settles　that。〃　He　graciously
redirected　the　conversation　to　safer　ground。　〃I　do　agree　with　you　that
the　private　business　sector　could　be　a　promising　outlet。　I'll　be　in
Washington　next　week　to　work　with　the　Coast　Guard　on　the　Gulf　project。
Let　me　see　what　nosing　around　I　can　do　while　I'm　there。〃

〃How　much　longer　will　the　training　project　take？〃

〃With　the　government；　that's　a　good　question。　And　when　it　es　to　oil
spill　cleanups；　no　amount　of　training　is　ever　enough。　I　would　guess　the
present　phase　will　take　another　few　months　at　least。〃

Chloe　contemplated　those　ing　few　months。　Unthinkingly；　she　glanced
toward　the　door。

Lee　headed　that　way。　〃I　can　take　the　hint；　pretty　lady。〃　His　hand　was　on
the　knob　before　she　could　call　him　back。　〃Anything　else　can　wait。　Have
fun！〃　He　left　with　a　wink。

〃Lee！　Wait…〃

But　one　dark　head　was　replaced　by　another。　〃At　last；〃　Ross　said　and
closed　the　office　door。　〃Alone　at　last。〃

Chloe　forced　herself　to　sit　back　slowly。　〃I　hadn't　realized　you　would
hang　around　all　morning。　I　hope　you　weren't　bored。〃

〃Actually〃…he　circled　her　desk　to　plant　himself　on　the　corner　nearest
her…〃I　went　over　some　papers　of　my　own。　I'm　a　good　loser；　for　a
morning。〃　He　cocked　his　head　toward　the　door。　〃Ready　to　go？〃

〃Go？　Where？〃

〃Oh〃…he　looked　out　the　window　in　amusement…〃I　thought　you　could　show　me
around　town。　I'm　a　stranger　to　these　parts。〃

Judging　from　the　confidence　he　exuded；　it　was　a　wonder　that　any　parts
were　strange　to　him。　Chloe　couldn't　ignore　the　thread　of　excitement　that
he　had　brought　with　him　into　the　room。　Indifference；　she　reminded
herself。　But　it　was　a　tough　order。

Standing　quickly；　she　tried　to　remedy　the　situation。　〃I　wish　I　could
help；　but　I　still　have…〃　A　strong　arm　caught　her　waist。　Before　she　could
say　another　word；　she　was　imprisoned　between　his　thighs。

〃All　work　and　no　play…〃

〃Makes　a　successful　scientist。〃

〃And　a　very　dull　woman。〃

She　frowned；　unwittingly　taking　his　bait。　〃Do　you　think　my　work　is
dull？〃　Her　disappointment　was　genuine。　So　was　the　devastatingly　handsome
smile　that　spread　across　his　face。　The　hands　that　were　looped　loosely
behind　her；　now　brought　her　closer。

〃Nothing　about　you　is　dull；〃　he　said；　〃except　your　determination　to　hold
me　at　arms'　length。〃

Arms'　length　was　a　lot　farther　than　where　she　was　now。　Well　within　the
circle　of　his　arms；　with　her　hands　braced　at　the　point　where　his　jeans
met　his　hips；　she　was　under　his　spell。

Ross　lowered　his　head　and　kissed　her；　tasting　the　sweetness　of　her
mouth；　and　it　struck　her　that　she　might　well　have　been　too　successful　at
her　own　game。　By　denying　the　past；　she　was　responding　to　him　in　the
present　alone。　Her　return　kiss　was　gentle；　sampling。　She　played　with
being　free　of　all　memory；　all　guilt。　Her　lips　opened　to　his。　She　gave　of
herself　as　she　hadn't　done　in　years。

〃That　was　nice；〃　he　whispered　against　her　mouth；　then　pulled　away　and
set　her　back　before　she　could　do　it　herself。　He　trailed　a　long　thumb
across　her　cheek　to　the　lips　he'd　just　left。　〃We'll　do　it　again　soon。〃
It　was　said　so　gently　and　carried　such　lightness　that　Chloe　couldn't
help　but　smile。　A　warm　flush　painted　her　cheeks　a　ely　pink；
plementing　the　gray　of　her　eyes；　which　held　a　hint　of　apology。　〃You
have　a　way　of　sneaking　up　when　a　girl　least　expects　it；　Ross。　What　am　I
going　to　do　with　you？〃

His　gaze　told　her　first；　and　there　was　something　heady　about　it；　until
he　added；　〃You're　going　to　love　me　one　day。　That's　what　you're　going　to
do。〃

She　stiffened；　but　he　went　on。　〃Right　now；　you're　going　for　a　ride　with
me。〃

〃I　have　errands　to　do；〃　she　protested。

〃Like？　〃

〃Like　marketing；　for　starters。　In　one　meal　you've　nearly　wiped　me　out。〃

〃So　we'll　go　to　the　market。　What　else？〃

She　adlibbed。　〃I　need　new　house　plants　for　the　living　room。　With　winter
ing　on…〃

〃Winter？　It's　creeping　up　toward　seventy　again　today。　How　can　you　think
of　winter？〃

〃It'll　be　here。　And　anyway；　the　sooner　the　plants　get　used　to　the　house；
the　easier　it　will　be　for　them　to　adapt　to　the　cooler　weather。〃

His　gaze　narrowed。　〃I　bet　you　talk　to　your　plants。〃

〃No。　If　I　did　that；　they　might　think　I　was　flaky。　I　want　my　plants　to
respect　me。〃

She　doubted　Ross　heard　her。　He　was　focusing　on　her　mouth；　looking
entranced。　Suddenly　he　slid　the　fingers　of　both　hands　through　the　hair
on　either　side　of　her　face；　brought　his　own　head　down；　and　kissed　her
again。　This　time　there　was　a　hunger　there　hadn't　been　before；　a　new
urgency。　This　time　Chloe　was　frightened。　How　not　to　lose　herself　in　that
hunger？

〃Ross；〃　she　cried；　〃don't；　please；　don't。〃

He　released　her。　His　voice　remained　husky；　but　his　eyes　held　a　promise。

〃I　won't　push　you　now。　But　you　will　love　me　one　day。　One　day　soon。〃

〃You're　wrong…〃

〃Not　this　time；　princess。〃　He　paused　to　let　his　breathing　steady。　〃Let's
go。　We'll　stop　for　lunch　first。　I'm　starved。〃

Chloe　took　a　steadying　breath　of　her　own。　〃After　that　breakfast？〃

〃That　breakfast；〃　he　grumbled；　〃was　interrupted。　And　anyway；　that　was
this　morning。　It's　nearly　two。　Any　more　feeble　excuses　to　try　on　me
before　we　leave？〃

Chloe　looked　around　her　office。　Its　familiarity　gave　her　strength。
Indifference。　She　could　do　it。

〃Not　a　one；〃　she　said；　preceding　Ross　from　the　room　without　another
word。　It　was　only　when　they　reached　the　front　door　that　she　felt　an　odd
sense　of　adventure。　Eyes　alight；　she　turned　back　to　Ross。　〃I　have　an
idea。　Let's　take　the　bike。〃

〃I　have　a　better　idea；〃　he　countered；　pulling　the　neck　of　his　turtleneck
away　from　his　skin。　〃Let's　change　into　cooler　things。　I　hadn't　expected
it　would　get　so　warm。〃

Assuming　that　his　clothes　were　still　at　Lee's　house；　she　felt　generous。
〃Okay。　You　go　back　and　change。　I'll　just　sit　here　and…hey！　What　are　you
doing？〃

It　was　pretty　obvious；　actually。　With　a　fast　tug　he　freed　his　sweater
from　his　jeans；　crisscrossed　his　arms；　and　smoothly　whipped　the　black
turtleneck　over　his　head　and　off。　Never；　ever；　would　Chloe　forget　that
moment　when；　muscles　stretched；　his　chest　came　into　view。

Lightly　bronzed；　with　a　liberal　hazing　of　hair　that　tapered　toward　his
navel；　it　was　a　solid　wall　of　hard；　glorious　flesh。　Her　mouth　went　dry。
She　could　only　stare。

〃My　bags　are　right　here；〃　he　replied；　retrieving　a　soft　leather　duffel
from　beside　the　sofa。　Long　arms　pulled　at　the　duffel's　zipper。　Deft
fingers　exchanged　the　sweater　for　a　lighter；　short…sleeved　jersey。　He
quickly　drew　it　over　his　head。　Once　more　Chloe　trembled　as　that　body
stretched；　flexed；　then　settled　back　down；　mercifully　covered　again。

Ross　grinned。　〃There。　Easy　enough。　Do　you　need　to　change　or　anything？
Are　you　cool　enough？〃

Chloe　didn't　think　she　would　ever　be　cool　enough　again。　〃Uh；　I'm　fine。〃
She　cleared　her　throat　awkwardly；　turning　and　escaping　to　the　wide　open
spaces　without　any　further　attempt　at　wit。　And　she　had　suggested　taking
the　bike！　They　would　be　better　off　swimming。　They　might　not　get　to　any
store；　but　they　would　have　a　barrel　of　much…needed　cold　water　between
them！

But　too　late。　He　was　at　her　heels　as　she　led　the　way　to　the　side　shed
that　housed　her　motorbike。

〃You　drive　this　yourself？〃　Ross　asked；　eyeing　the　small　vehicle　with
something　short　of　trust。

〃Sure；〃　she　said；　praying　that　he　not　hear　her　breathlessness　and　guess
its　cause。　〃It's　great　for　the　fresh　air；　uses　practically　no　gas；　and
does　much　less　by　way　of　pollution　than　my　car。〃　She　paused。　〃Unless
you'd　feel　safer…〃

〃No。　No。　I'm　game。　Don't　forget…of　the　two　of　us；　I'm　the　original
hippie。〃

Chloe　drove　with　Ross　straddling　the　seat　behind　her；　and　it　was　totally
traumatic。　He　was　near；　so　near。　His　arms　were　locked　about　her　waist；
his　body　tucked　against　hers。　Even　the　October　breeze　whipping　by　did
nothing　to　relieve　the　intimacy　of　the　trip。　When　he　spoke；　it　was　a
nibble　at　her　ear。　A　nibble？　Had　he　really　done　that@r　was　it　a　product
of　her　overworked　imagination？

Indifference。　Uh…huh。

The　road　they　traveled　was　one　she　covered　daily。　Its　sides　were　edged
with　maples　and　oaks；　grown　ripe　and　mellow　now；　on　the　verge　of
bursting　into　autumn　flame。　Fields　sprawled　to　the　right；　wooded
pastureland　to　the　left。　Ahead　undulated　a　path　to　Sakon　Point；　the
very　tip　of　the　finger　of　land　on　which　Little　pton　sat　just　across
the　bay　from　Newport。

If　Ross　was　aware　of　the　havoc　his　nearness　wreaked　on　her；　he　kept　his
smugness　in　check。　Once；　in　a　gesture　of　soft　intimacy；　he　released　her
waist　to　gather　her　hair　together　in　his　hands；　twist　the　long　fall
once；　and　tuck　it　inside　the　back　of　her　shirt。

〃The　better　to　see　the　town；〃　he　murmured　wickedly。　He　had　to　know　that
her　neck　tingled　from　the　touch　of　those　fingers；　her　ear　from　the　brush
of　his　breath；　so　much　so　that　she　was　oblivious　to　much　of　their
surroundings。　When　at　last　they　reached　the　wharf；　with　its　graceful
fleet　of　pleasure　craft；　she　was　almost　sorry。　The　intimacy　had　been
nice。　She　was　strangely　torn。

Not　so　Ross。　〃Ah！　There's　a　place　that　looks　like　it'll　fit　the　bill。
Can　we　eat　there？〃

The　ultimate　humiliation　had　to　be　being　bested　by　a　restaurant。
Apparently　the　way　to　a　man's　heart　was　through　his　stomach　after　all。
But　then；　Chloe　wanted　no　part　of　Ross's　heart。　The　restaurant　could
have　him。

She　smiled；　pleased　to　have　so　neatly　talked　herself　sane。　〃If　you're
really　hungry；　this　is　the　place　to　be。〃

Ross　was　really　hungry。　He　was　game　to　sample　most　anything　and
everything；　from　clam　fritters　to　little　necks　on　the　half　shell　to
swordfish　puffs；　a　specially　of　the　house。

Chloe　savored　his　enthusiasm；　taking　pride　in　pointing　out　the　small
groups　of　local　fishermen　on　the　pier　arduously　scraping　barnacles　off
tall…stacked　lobster　traps。　The　bright　yellow　of　their　rubber　overalls
was　a　bit　of　sunshine　stolen　from　the　sky；　adding　a　spark　to　the
otherwise　sleepy　air　of　the　harbor。　It　was；　all　in　all；　a　peaceful
lunch；　filled　with　good　food；　thirst…quenching　beer；　and　conversation
that　stuck　to　the　more　general；　less　personal　topic　of　travels；　foreign
ports；　and　favorite　hideaways。

〃The　ocean　is　beautiful；〃　Ross　admitted　at　one　point；　〃but　I　still
prefer　the　mountains。　There's　nothing　more　lovely　than　that　feeling　of
seclusion　you　get　in　a　small　cabin　tucked　into　a　neat　cleft；　with
stretches　and　stretches　of　piggybacked　hills　to　keep　the　world　at　bay。〃

〃Then　you've　never　been　on　the　beach　on　a　foggy　morning；〃　Chloe　returned
softly。　〃It's　like　being　in　a　gentle　white　cocoon；　with　the　solace　of
knowing　that　humanity　is　near；　yet　out　of　sight　and　sound　for　as　long　as
the　mist　should　choose。〃

〃You　like　New　England。〃

〃do。〃

〃You'll　be　staying　here？〃

〃I　will。〃

He　sighed　good…naturedly。　〃Then　we'd　better　get　you　to　the　market　or　you
won't　make　it　through　the　week；　much　less　the　winter。〃

On　that　fortable　note；　they　left　the　restaurant；　spending　leisurely
moments　wandering　along　the　breakwater　before　returning　to　the　bike。

〃I'll　drive　this　time；〃　Ross　said　with　an　arched　brow　and　a　palm　out　for
the　keys。　Chloe　was　only　too　glad　to　relinquish　the　responsibility。
Seated　fortably　behind　Ross；　she　was　more　in　control　of　her　emotions。

What　she　hadn't　counted　on　was　the　broad　expanse　of　his　back；　the　sense
of　contentment　that　flowed　through　her　as　the　wind　rushed　freely　through
her　hair；　the　gentle　fatigue　that　a　night　of　little　sleep；　a　morning　of
busy　work；　and　a　frill　stomach　had　induced。　Indifference　had　no　place
here。　Without　a　care　to　the　wisdom　of　the　move；　she　wrapped　her　arms
about　his　middle　and　laid　her　cheek　against　his　back。

It　was　heaven；　pure　and　simple。　She　didn't　have　a　care　in　the　world。
Ross　was　at　the　helm；　petent　and　strong。　Over　the　wind　that　sailed　by
came　the　steady　beat　of　his　heart；　steadying　her　in　turn。　She　didn't
know　what　it　was　about　this　particular　man　that　affected　her　so　deeply；
nor　did　she　care　just　then。　It　was　enough　to　enjoy　the　respite　from
responsibility　and　to　give　herself　up　to　his　care；　if　only　for　the　brief
ride　home。

The　brief　ride　home；　however；　grew　longer　and　longer。　Peering　around
Ross's　shoulder；　Chloe　saw　that　they　were　on　a　different　road　entirely。
〃Do　you　know　where　we　are？〃　she　called。

〃Roughly。　Where's　your　market？〃

He　followed　her　pointing　finger；　turning　this　way；　then　that；　until　the
town　mon　came　into　view。　Typically　New　England；　it　had　a
white　steepled　church　at　its　hub　and　a　variety　of　rural　shops　and
boutiques。　Chloe　found　everything　she　needed　at　the　grocery　store；
reluctantly　took　Ross's　suggestion　that　the　plants　be　saved　for　another
trip；　then　climbed　behind　him　onto　the　bike　to　retur