rekindled(英文版)-第21章

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intention　of　spending　the　week　here；　and　I'm　paying　for　that　time　right
now。　So；　do　you　go？〃

His　expression　was　unchanged。　〃Tonight？　No。〃

〃What　do　you　mean；　no？　You　have　no　right　to　be　here。〃

His　voice　was　suddenly　as　loud　as　hers。　〃I　have　every　right　to　be　here；
but　that's　between　Miles　Cooper　and　myself。　Let's　get　one　thing
straight。〃

His　eyes　darkened　to　a　charcoal　green。　〃I　don't　want　you　here　any　more
than　you　want　me　here；　but　for　tonight；　at　least；　we're　stuck　with　each
other。　We'll　work　something　out　in　the　morning。〃

〃But　you　can't　stay　here　tonight。〃

〃Why　not？〃

〃Because　I'm　here！〃

〃So？〃　His　eyes　were　hazel　again；　calmer；　strong。

A　flush　warmed　her　cheeks。　〃I　thought　I'd　made　it　clear　that　I　wasn't
part　of　a　conspiracy。　Well；　let　me　take　it　one　step　further。〃　Her
breathing　faltered；　but　she　let　loose　with　what　she'd　been　trying　to
tell　the　whole　world　for　weeks。　〃I'm　not　interested　in　you；　or　any　other
man。　Can　you　understand　that？〃

〃I　hear　you。　I'm　not　sure　I　believe　you。〃　Audacious　eyes　fell　from　her
face　to　her　neck　to　her　breasts。　Mockery　faded　when　he　looked　at　her
wedding　band。　Frowning；　he　drew　himself　up　straight。　〃I　think　I've　had
it。　Good　night。〃　As　he　brushed　past　her；　she　grabbed　his　arm　in　alarm。

〃Where　are　you　going？〃

〃To　bed。〃　His　words　were　blunt；　his　tone　chilled。

〃Oh；　no；　you're　not。〃

He　arched　a　brow。　〃Are　you　going　to　stop　me？〃　Slowly　he　looked　down　at
the　white…knuckled　hand　on　his　arm。

She　released　him　fast。　〃But　you　can't　stay　here！〃　He　continued　on　toward
his　bags。　Unable　to　think　of　a　better　course；　she　followed。　〃I　said；　you
can't　stay！　There　must　be　some　place　in　the　village。〃

Piling　luggage　under　his　right　arm；　he　headed　wordlessly　for　the　stairs。
Abruptly；　he　stopped；　turning　his　head　only　enough　to　call　over　his
shoulder；　〃I　assume　you're　sleeping　down　here？〃

She　had　no　power；　no　power　at　all。　〃Yes；　but　you　have　to　leave。〃

He　turned　to　face　her。　His　smile　was　polite；　his　eyes　frosty；　his　voice
cool。　〃I　will　in　good　time。〃　Taking　the　stairs　two　at　a　time；　an
astounding　feat；　given　his　bulky　burden；　he　disappeared　into　the　attic；
leaving　her　at　a　total　loss　for　words。

Anne　didn't　budge。　Her　arms　hung　limp　at　her　sides；　her　bare　feet　were
flat　on　the　floor；　her　eyes　were　glued　to　the　attic　door；　which　closed
with　a　resounding　bang。　Even　the　faint　sounds　from　within…the　scrape　of
a　chair　leg；　the　creak　of　the　mattress　under　one　bag；　the　thud　of
another　on　the　floor；　the　jangle　of　metal　hangers　on　a　wooden　rod…failed
to　move　her。

A　crick　in　her　neck　finally　brought　her　back　to　reality。　Hands　bracing
her　lower　back；　she　rolled　her　head　in　a　circular　motion　in　an　attempt
to　release　tension。

Bizarre。　Bizarre　situation。　A　real…life　drama　in　place　of　a　fictional
one；　discarded　now　on　the　floor　by　the　fire。　But　there　wasn't　a　thing
she　could　do。　She　could　agonize　over　it　for　hours；　but　that　fact
wouldn't　change。

Retreating　to　her　bedroom；　she　closed　the　door　tightly　and　propped　a
chair　against　the　knob　the　way　her　heroine　had　done　in　Chapter　Six；　or
thereabouts。　Quickly；　she　slipped　into　a　long　flannel　nightgown；　pulled
her　hair　from　its　knot；　and　took　refuge　under　the　bed's　heavy　quilts。

Despite　the　chair　at　the　door；　she　wasn't　frightened。　Not　really。
Mitch's　story　irritated　her；　but　it　was　believable　enough。　Or；　rather；
he　was　believable。　There　was　something　about　him…his　intelligent　manner
of　speech；　his　clean　appearance；　his　refined　air…that　spoke　of　breeding。
Granted；　he'd　been　pretty　crude　at　the　start。　But　even　that　could　be
explained　away。　He　seemed　neither　malicious　nor　vengeful；　only　angry　at
the　rental　agent's　error。

What　to　do？　She　had　no　choice　but　to　sleep　on　the　matter。　e　morning；
a　solution　would　be　found。　It　would　have　to　be　found。　This　was　her　week。
She　wasn't　sharing　it。

But　sleep　eluded　her。　She　cursed　the　two　cups　of　coffee　that　she'd　had；
the　unfinished　paperback；　the　creaking　that　came　from　the　room　above
her。　She　finally　fell　into　a　restless　sleep；　only　to　be　awaken　at
intervals　by　the　creak　of　that　bed。　It　was　nearly　dawn　when　she　realized
that　she　wasn't　brooding　about　Jeff　for　a　change。　On　that　ironic　note；
and　thoroughly　worn　out；　she　slept　soundly。

What　seemed　only　moments　later；　she　was　jolted　awake　by　a　thunderous
noise　in　the　kitchen。　Livid；　she　bolted　out　of　bed；　whipped　the　chair
from　the　door；　and　stormed　toward　the　source　of　the　racket。

〃What；　in　God's　name；　was　that　noise？〃　she　shouted；　rounding　the　kitchen
door　in　time　to　see　Mitch　picking　up　the　first　of　a　scattered　mess　of
pots；　pans；　and　metal　utensils　that　covered　the　linoleum　by　the　stove。
He　wore　a　navy　velour　robe　that　barely　touched　his　knees；　and　was
barefoot　like　her。　And　disheveled。　And　very；　very　cranky。

Shooting　her　a　sidelong　glare；　he　bellowed；　〃What　kind　of　housekeeper
are　you；　piling　things　in　the　cabi　like　that？　Did　you　really　expect
them　to　stay　put　once　I　opened　the　door？　And　where　in　the　hell　is　the
orange　juice　press？　My　Lord；　woman；　get　to　it　and　clean　up　this　mess！〃

Friends　who　knew　Anne　to　be　easygoing；　even…tempered；　understanding；　and
acmodating　would　never　have　recognized　the　spitfire　she　suddenly
became。　It　had　been　too　long　a　day　yesterday；　too　long　a　night　last
night；　too　disturbing　an　ordeal　for　months；　for　an　ounce　of　poise　to
survive。

Dark　eyes　flashing；　she　confronted　him。　〃You　clean　it　up。　I　didn't　make
the　mess；　and　I'm　not　your　slave！　It　happens　that　I　didn't　touch　that
cabi　when　I　arrived。　Put　your　blame　on　whomever　you　please；　as　long
as　it　isn't　on　me！　And　what　right　do　you　have　to　wake　me　up？　This　is　my
vacation；　or　didn't　you　hear　that　last　night？〃　Only　a　deaf　man　could
have　missed　a　word　now。　Goaded　by　his　indignant　stare；　she　ranted　on。
〃This　noise　was　enough　to　wake　the　dead。　Not　that　I　needed　anything　as
loud　as　that　to　disturb　me。　Your　twisting　around　up　over　my　head　all
night　was　bad　enough！　Just　because　you　have　insomnia　doesn't　mean　that　I
have　to　have　it！〃

His　stare　was　chilling。　〃You　wake　up　in　a　lovely　mood；　don't　you？　Very
different　from　my　usual　women。〃　He　looked　her　over；　head　to　toe。　〃That's
quite　an　outfit；　also　different　from　my　usual　women。〃

Naturally；　Anne　had　left　her　robe　hanging　in　the　closet。　Whirling　on　her
heel；　hair　flying　out　behind；　she　returned　to　her　room；　put　on　the　robe；
then；　with　a　wave　of　weariness；　sank　down　onto　the　edge　of　the　bed；
elbows　on　knees；　face　buried　in　her　palms。　Inhaling　deeply；　she　tried　to
still　the　throbbing　at　her　temples。　His　women。　His　women；　indeed。　She
wasn't　his　or　anyone　else's。

The　sorrow　of　that　thought　deflated　her。　If　Jeff　could　only　see　her　now！

Ashamed；　she　gathered　up　a　towel　and　soap　in　the　hope　that　a　long；　hot
shower　would　ease　her　tension　and　improve　her　mood；　and　for　a　short　time
it　did。　The　water　pressure　was　strong；　sending　steamy　trails　over　the
taut　muscles　of　her　neck　and　back。　Rich…lathering　shampoo　left　her　hair
squeaky　clean　and　shiny；　hanging　in　damp　clusters　about　her　shoulders
when　she　finally　emerged；　toweled　herself　vigorously；　and　returned　to
her　room。

Half　an　hour　later；　wearing　a　navy　sweater；　jeans；　and　sneakers；　she
headed　for　the　kitchen　to　make　coffee。　It　was　already　hot　on　the　stove。
To　her　surprise　the　floor　was　free　of　debris；　the　offending　cookware
stacked　neatly　in　the　cupboard。

She　smiled　a　bit　smugly。　So　he　had　cleaned　up　himself　Take　that；　male
chauvinist　pig！　And　he　had　made　himself　scarce。

Helping　herself　to　coffee；　she　took　a　seat　at　the　table。　Despite　the
outburst；　she　had　actually　slept　until　ten…thirty。　Now　she　heard
footsteps　on　the　stairs　and　the　slam　of　the　bathroom　door。　All　she　had
to　do　was　to　wait　until　he　finished　his　shower　and　dressed。　Then　they
would　face　their　dilemma　like　adults。

When　the　shower　started；　she　relaxed　back　in　the　chair；　bing　her
still…damp　hair　with　slender　fingers；　spreading　it　out　over　her
shoulders　to　dry。　Her　gaze　was　drawn　through　the　three…sided　window　of
the　breakfast　nook　to　the　backyard。　She　hadn't　seen　it　the　afternoon
before　and　found　instant　pleasure　in　the　rustic　scene；　the　well…kept
lawn；　the　scattering　of　maples　and　pines；　the　intermixing　of　apple　trees
with　fruit　hanging　ripe　and　ready　for　picking。　The　morning　mist　had
begun　to　burn　off；　speared　here　and　there　shafts　of　sunlight。

The　scene　was　exactly　what　she　had　hoped　to　find；　so　peaceful　and　quiet；
that　she　was　unprepared　for　the　roar　behind　her。

〃You　used　up　all　the　hot　water！　Damn　it；　don't　you　have　a　considerate
bone　in　your　body？〃

Mitch　stood　in　the　door　of　the　kitchen；　dripping　wet；　wearing　nothing
but　a　towel　around　his　hips。

For　a　second；　she　couldn't　breathe。　He　was　incredibly　well　built。　Arms
and　shoulders　of　granite　flanked　a　chest　that　was　tanned；　sinewed；　and
matted　with　fair　hair　made　darker　by　the　water。　His　stomach　was　flat　and
firm；　his　slim　hips　a　solid　start　for　muscled　thighs　and　lower　legs。

Swallowing　convulsively；　Anne　forced　herself　to　look　away。　〃I'm　sorry；〃
she　murmured。　〃I　didn't　realize　there　would　be　a　shortage。〃

〃Didn't　realize？〃　he　mocked　loudly。　〃Well；　next　time；　realize。　I　like　my
showers　long　and　hot；　too！〃

Annoyed　that　he　was　annoyed；　since　this　was　her　house　for　the　week；　she
took　a　mouthful　of　coffee　and　then　nearly　choked。　〃My　God；〃　she　cried
when　she　finally　swallowed；　〃this　coffee　is　like　mud！　What　did　you　put
in　here？　Or　should　I　ask〃…her　eyes　narrowed…〃how　much　of　my　coffee　did
you　put　into　that　pot？　I　don't　see　any　groceries　of　yours　around　here。
Make　yourself　right　at　home；　thanks　a　lot。〃

His　anger　faded。　Lips　twitching；　he　leaned　nonchalantly　against　the
doorjamb。　〃Why　shouldn't　I　make　myself　at　home？　I　plan　to　spend　the　week
here。〃

She　sputtered　out　a　furious　laugh。　〃Oh；　no；　you're　not。〃　She　rose
quickly；　forgetting　every　good　intention　to　keep　calm。　〃You'll　have　to
find　another　place。　I'm　sure　you'll　have　no　trouble；　what　with　your
delightful　personality　and　winning　smile。〃

With　an　arrogant　shift　of　his　shoulders；　he　left　the　doorjamb　and
placidly　headed　away。　〃You　find　the　substitute；〃　he　called　over　his
shoulder。　〃I'll　be　staying　here。〃

She　trailed　him。　〃You　can't！〃

At　the　bathroom　door　he　turned　so　suddenly　that　she　nearly　bumped　into
him。　She　took　a　defensive　step　back。

He　raised　his　right　arm　to　rest　high　on　the　door。　His　left；　with　an
angry　red　scar　glaring　from　its　upper　half；　hung　by　his　hip。　His　body
was　a　solid　wall　of　stunning　man。

〃Are　you　going　to　stop　me？〃　he　drawled　with　an　insolent　silver　gleam　in
his　eye。

Anne　tried　to　think　up　a　sensible　reply。　When　none　came　she　turned　on
her　heel　and　retraced　her　steps。　She　was　hungry；　she　told　herself。　She
needed　breakfast。　But　she　didn't　do　more　than　nibble　on　the　scrambled
eggs　and　toast　that　she　made。

What　to　do。　If　she　wasn't　so　far　away　from　home　and　so　badly　in　need　of
that　distance；　she　might　have　simply　packed　up　and　left。　But　she　wasn't
staying　out　of　pride。　She　did　need　the　distance。

〃Aren't　you　eating？〃　Again　his　voice　startled　her。　This　time；　though；　he
was　fully　dressed。　His　jaw　was　clean…shaven　and　smelling　of　a　lime
aftershave。　His　hair　was　neatly　bed　and　reached　back　collar　of　his
wool　plaid　shirt。　A　wide　leather　belt　hugged　his　hips；　dark　blue　jeans
his　legs。　Tan　desert　boots　color…coordinated　with　his　hair。　His　eyes
were　light　green　and　calm。

He　repeated　the　question。　〃You're　not　hungry？〃　The　way　he　looked　at　her
plate　said　that　if　she　wasn't；　he　was。

With　a　sigh　of　defeat　she　pushed　the　dish　across　the　table。　〃Help
yourself〃

With　an　exaggerated；　〃Thank　you；〃　he　lowered　himself　into　a　chair　and
took　her　up　on　her　offer。　She　was　starting　to　think　that　he　might
actually　have　manners；　when　he　said；　〃Geez；　no　wonder　you're　so　thin。
You've　scrambled　these　eggs　so　dry　they're　impossible　to　swallow。　If
this　is　the　way　you　always　cook；　it's　a　miracle　you　haven't　wasted　away
to　nothing。〃

Anne's　jaw　dropped。　Jeff　had　never　plained　about　anything；　least　of
all　her　cooking。

Sitting　straighter；　she　said；　〃If　you　don't　like　my　cooking；　then　don't
eat　it！　As　a　matter　of　fact；　I　don't　like　you　very　much；　so　why　don't　we
dispense　with　breakfast　and　get　to　work　finding　a　solution　to　this
mess。〃　Only　when　she　stopped；　did　she　realize　she'd　been　shouting。　There
were　also　tears　in　her　eyes　again。　Again。　Jamming　her　knuckles　against
her　mouth；　she　looked　away。

More　softly；　Mitch　asked；　〃How　did　you　get　into　this　mess；　as　you　call
it；　Anne？　Why　aren't　you　with　your　husband？〃

〃That's　none　of　your　business。〃

〃Are　you　divorced？〃

〃No。〃

〃Are　you　working　on　the　separate…vacation　concept？〃

〃No。〃

〃He　doesn't　know　you're　here？〃

She　gave　a　bitter　laugh。　〃No。〃

〃You've　run　away？〃

Her　posure　cracked。　〃Will　you　leave　me　alone？　Just　go！　Get　out！

Let　me　be！〃

He　didn't　move。　〃Why　did　you　leave　your　husband？〃

〃That's　none　of　your　business！〃

〃No？　In　my　book；　marriage　is　a　precious　thing。　Some　people　treasure　it
and　then　lose　it　through　no　fault　of　their　own。　Others　throw　it　away。　If
we're　going　to　spend　the　week　together；　I　want　to　know　which　it　is。　So
tell　me　why　you　left　him。　If　it　was　just　your　lousy　cooking　or　your
selfishness　in　the　shower；　he'd　have　left