rekindled(英文版)-第23章

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Startled；　she　lost　her　balance。　Apples　rained　to　the　ground　in　a　crimson
storm。　When　she　began　to　fall；　she　twisted　sideways；　grabbing　back　at
the　low　branch　to　catch　herself。　Mitch　caught　her　before　she　hit　the
ground；　though　not　before　she'd　been　scraped　by　the　ragged　bark　and
jutting　offshoots。

〃Why　did　you　creep　up　on　me　that　way？〃　she　cried　the　minute　her　feet
touched　ground。　He　released　her　instantly；　but　not　before　she　saw　him
flinch　in　pain。　With　a　gasp　of　pain　herself；　she　sank　to　the　grass　and
rubbed　the　knee　she　had　bumped　on　the　branch。

〃Are　you　all　right？〃　he　asked。

She　probed　an　aching　elbow。　〃Fine。　I'm　fine。〃

〃Are　you　always　this　clumsy？〃

〃I　wasn't　clumsy。　You　frightened　me；　sneaking　up　like　that。〃

〃Who　did　you　think　it　was？〃　he　asked　dryly。　〃There　aren't　a　whole　lot　of
other　people　around　here；　or　hadn't　you　noticed？〃　Frowning；　he　bent　to
gather　apples　that　had　fallen。　〃You　should　be　more　careful。　You　could
break　a　leg　that　way。〃

〃Is　that　the　voice　of　experience　talking？〃

His　jaw　was　tight。　〃You　could　say　that。〃　He　tossed　more　apples　onto　her
jacket。　But　he　only　used　his　right　arm。　The　left　hung　idle。

〃Is　your　arm　all　right？〃　she　asked。

He　glanced　sharply　up。　〃It's　fine。〃

〃You　favor　your　right。〃

〃It's　fine。　Can　you　walk？〃

As　she　stood；　testing　the　knee；　he　pulled　her　jacket　around　into　a
bundle；　lifted　it；　and　set　off　for　the　house。

She　limped　after　him。　By　the　time　she　reached　the　kitchen；　he　had　put
the　apples　beside　the　sink　and　disappeared。　Grateful　for　the　privacy；
she　collapsed　into　a　chair；　twisting　her　arm　to　see　the　scrapes　on　her
elbow。

〃Here；　let　me　take　a　look　at　that。〃

Before　she　could　resist；　Mitch　deposited　a　bottle　of　disinfectant　and　a
washcloth　on　the　table；　pulled　up　a　chair；　and　took　her　arm。　His　touch
was　warm。　When　she　tried　to　pull　back；　he　held　her　arm　more　firmly。　She
winced　at　the　antiseptic's　sting。

〃THAT'S　That's　enough！〃

But　he　disagreed；　repeatedly　dabbing　the　dirt　from　the　wound　before
kneeling　and　reaching　for　her　knee。

〃It's　all　right；〃　she　insisted。

He　raised　his　head。　His　jaw　was　hard；　his　cheeks　lean；　but　his　eyes　were
surprisingly　soft。　Something　stirred　inside　her。

〃I'll　do　my　best　not　to　hurt　you；　but　it　should　be　cleaned。〃　Very
gently；　he　pushed　the　jeans　past　her　knee。　He　applied　disinfectant　to
the　scrape　there；　blotting　it　to　ease　the　sting。

Anne　watched　his　shoulders　flex　as　he　worked；　easy　to　see　since　his
turtleneck　fit　him　as　snugly　as　each　of　his　others　had。　This　one　was
dark　green。　By　contrast；　the　silvery…blonde　of　his　hair　was　striking。

〃There；　now；〃　he　murmured。　〃That　wasn't　so　bad；　was　it？〃　With　both　hands
cradling　her　leg；　he　surveyed　his　work。　His　tone　was　gentle；　his　touch
even　more　so；　and　when　he　raised　his　eyes；　they　were　the　gentlest　yet。

Her　breath　faltered。

He　curved　a　hand　to　her　neck。　His　thumb　feather…touched　the　soft　swell
of　her　lips。　For　an　instant　he　hesitated；　and　Anne's　breath　held。

With　eternal　slowness；　he　raised　his　mouth　to　hers　in　a　kiss　that　was
little　more　than　the　tantalizingly　light　movement　of　his　lips。　When　she
made　no　protest；　he　deepened　it；　coaxing　her　mouth　open　with　a
gentleness　that　was　worlds　away　from　the　first　night's　force。

Anne　was　entranced。　She　couldn't　think；　because　this　wasn't　part　of　her
plan。　But　she　could　feel；　and　what　she　felt　was　overwhelming；　the　purest
pleasure　in　a　meeting　of　mouths；　a　touching　of　tongues。

Abruptly　he　pulled　away；　and　sanity　returned。

With　a　gasp　she　bolted　from　the　chair　and；　ignoring　a　twinge　in　her
knee；　went　to　the　far　side　of　the　room。　Mitch　stood；　keeping　his　back　to
her　as　his　breathing　steadied。　When　he　finally　faced　her；　he　had　his
passion　in　check。

By　that　time；　she　was　trying　to　understand　herself。　Because　she
couldn't；　she　lashed　out　at　him。　〃You　had　no　business　doing　that。〃

His　lips　thinned。　〃I　don't　seem　to　recall　your　objecting。〃

〃You　didn't　give　me　much　of　a　chance。〃

He　approached；　studying　her　eyes；　the　heat　on　her　cheeks；　the　tiny
quiver　of　her　lips。　He　frowned。　〃It's　been　a　long　time；　hasn't　it？〃

〃I　don't　want　your　pity！〃

〃Pity？〃　His　features　tensed。　〃I　don't　deal　in　pity。　I've　seen　enough　of
it　in　the　past　year　to　make　me　sick。　No；　Anne；　if　you　can't　recognize　a
basic　physical　need；　then　you're　deluding　yourself〃　His　gaze　narrowed。
〃Let's　just　say　I　took　my　reward　for　playing　nursemaid　to　a　bad…tempered
tomboy。〃

She　gasped　in　dismay；　but　he　was　on　his　way　out　of　the　room；　which　was
probably　just　as　well。　That　way　she　didn't　have　to　eat　crow；　because　he
was　right。　She　would　be　lying　if　she　refused　to　admit　that　she　liked　his
kiss。　She　had　been　physically　roused　by　a　physical　act。

But　it　had　been　only　a　kiss；　only　a　kiss　in　the　midst　of　bizarre
circumstances。　e　next　week；　the　cottage；　the　kiss；　the　man　would　all
be　memory。

Gradually；　she　calmed。　She　began　paring　and　slicing　apples；　piling　skins
on　a　piece　of　paper　towel；　turning　the　slices　into　a　large　glass　pie
plate　and　sprinkling　them　with　cinnamon。　Her　supplies　were　dwindling；
but　she　found　adequate　amounts　of　flour；　butter；　and　sugar　for　the
topping。　Once　the　pie　was　in　the　oven；　she　spotted　the　unused　apples。
She　washed　each；　polished　it　to　a　high　gloss；　and　set　it　in　a　dish　in
the　center　of　the　table。　It　wasn't　until　the　dish　was　filled　that　she
saw　Mitch　eyeing　her　from　the　doorway。

She　was　quickly　defensive；　〃Is　something　wrong？〃

〃Just　looking　to　see　that　you're　all　right。〃

〃I　am。　I　actually　forgot。。　。〃　She　gestured　toward　her　bruises　with　a
sheepish　grin。

〃Glad　to　hear　it。〃　With　a　dip　of　his　head；　he　left　the　room　and；　soon
after；　the　house。

Anne　immersed　herself　in　the　last　of　her　work；　while　the　scent　of　baking
apples　filled　the　air。　The　pie　was　delicious；　by　her　immodest　estimate；
a　perfect　finish　for　the　early　dinner　she　ate　alone。　Again；　dusk　found
her　reading　before　the　fire。

〃Anything　good？〃

She　looked　up　and　blushed。　〃Just　a　romance。〃　She　was　actually　enjoying
it　without　thinking　of　Jeff　at　every　turn　of　the　page。　When　Mitch　set
off　for　the　kitchen；　she　called；　〃There's　apple　pie　on　the　counter。　Help
yourself〃　She　grinned　when　he　looked　back　and　arched　a　brow。　〃Even
bad…tempered　tomboys　have　their　merits。〃

〃Thanks。〃

〃You're　wele。〃

〃By　the　way；　I　put　the　peels　out　for　the　deer。〃

〃I　wondered　where　they'd　gone；　but　I　wasn't　about　to　look　a　gift　horse
in　the　mouth。　Do　deer　like　apples？〃

She　learned　the　answer　the　next　morning。

A　warm　hand　shook　her　awake。　〃e；　Anne。　There's　something　you　have　to
see！〃

She　was　disoriented　only　until　she　saw　Mitch　in　his　robe　at　the　window；
waving　her　along。　Rolling　out　of　bed；　she　joined　him　there　and　followed
his　pointing　finger。　Under　a　patch　of　mist　in　the　yard；　by　the　base　of
the　old　apple　tree；　a　young　doe　was　munching　at　the　remains　that　Mitch
had　tossed　out。　As　they　watched；　the　lithe　animal　stood　on　her　hind　legs
to　pick　a　fresh　piece　of　fruit。

〃Deer　do　like　apples；　wouldn't　you　say？〃　His　breath　fanned　her　ear；　its
warmth　enhancing　the　moment's　pleasure。

〃That　was　beautiful；〃　she　murmured　when　the　doe　finally　moved　off　into
the　mist。　〃Thank　you　for　waking　me。〃　She　turned　to　find　him　very；　very
close；　and　she　thought　about　that　kiss。　All　he　did　this　time；　though；
was　to　give　her　arm　a　gentle　squeeze；　then　leave。

By　the　time　she　showered　and　went　to　the　kitchen；　he　was　dressed。　As　he
gazed　absently　out　the　window；　the　freshness　of　morning　gentled　his
features。

〃Coffee？〃　she　offered　quietly。

〃Ummm。〃　He　paused；　slowly　turning　to　look　at　her。　〃And　a　piece　of　that
apple　pie。　My　pliments　to　the　baker。〃

〃Apple　pie？　For　breakfast？〃

〃Sure。　Call　it　danish；　if　the　thought　disturbs　you。　But　it　was　good。〃

She　set　to　making　coffee；　somehow　lost　count　and　thought　that　maybe　she
added　an　extra　scoop　to　the　basket。　She　let　it　stand。　〃Swedish　apple
pie。　My　mother's　recipe。　Easy　and　good。　Actually；　now　that　I　think　about
it；　my　dad　used　to　have　it　for　breakfast；　too。〃　Fearful　that　she'd
spoken　too　personally；　she　quieted。

He　must　have　wondered　about　that　quiet；　because　he　asked；　〃Is　your
father　dead？〃

〃Oh；　no。　But　it's　been　years　since　I　lived　at　home。〃

〃Do　you　live　in　the　same　place　you　did　with　your　husband？〃

〃Yes。〃

〃Does　it　bother　you？〃

〃Sometimes。〃　An　understatement。

〃Do　you　have　children？〃

〃No。〃　Regretfully。

〃You're　lucky。〃

Frowning；　she　lowered　the　gas　under　the　perking　coffee。　〃Why　do　you　say
that？　I've　often　thought　it　would　have　been　easier　to　have　part　of　him
left。〃

〃It　isn't；〃　Mitch　said　tightly。　〃Take　my　word　for　it。〃

Anne　heard　vehemence　enough　to　suggest　personal　experience。　She　wanted
to　ask　more；　but　it　seemed　against　the　rules。　When　he　didn't　offer　more
himself；　she　figured　he　agreed。　Anonymity　was　best。　Definitely。

He　finished　his　pie　and　coffee；　tossed　a　playful；　〃Getting　better！〃　over
his　shoulder　in　passing；　and　left　her　to　add　coffee　to　her　own　cuppa
Joe。　Soon　after；　he　left　the　cottage。

Noise　from　the　kitchen　late　that　afternoon　announced　his　return。　Anne
put　the　finishing　touches　on　the　piece　she　had　translated；　stacked　her
papers　neatly；　then　paused。　She　sniffed　the　air。　There　was　a　new；　vile
smell。

〃You　went　fishing！〃　she　moaned　from　the　kitchen　door；　staring　in　horror
at　the　mess　on　the　counter。　She　crinkled　her　nose　in　disgust。

〃Now；　now；〃　he　chided；　〃it　may　smell　bad　at　first；　but　once　this　bass　is
fried；　the　end　result　will　be　worth　it。　You'll　join　me　for　dinner；　won't
you？〃

The　invitation　sounded　sincere。　He　looked　sincere　issuing　it。　This　was
her　last　night　at　the　cottage。　She'd　had　a　week's　worth　of　time；　space；
and　her　solitude。

Oil　sizzled　in　the　skillet。　The　sound　oddly　inviting。

〃If　you　have　enough；〃　she　said　graciously　and　was　rewarded　with　a　smile。

〃Oh；　I　have　enough。　More　than　enough；　and　whatever　we　don't　eat　tonight
goes　to　waste。　This　is　great　bass。　Trust　me。　I'm　a　champion　fisherman。〃

〃And　an　immodest　one；〃　she　added；　smiling　back。　She　didn't　doubt　his
ability　for　a　minute。　She　half…suspected　he　would　be　good　at　whatever　he
did。　He　had　an　air　of　petence　that　went　well　beyond　an　arrogant　jaw。

Indeed；　the　fish　was　delicious。　As　was　the　fresh…squeezed　orange　juice
she　found　at　breakfast　the　next　morning。　He　was；　it　seemed；　a　handy　man
to　have　around。

This　was　Anne's　last　morning　in　Vermont。　To　her　surprise；　when　she
headed　for　the　woods；　Mitch　fell　into　step　beside　her；　and　it　was　as
peaceful　a　hike　as　any　she'd　had。　There　was　silence；　the　soft　sounds　of
nature；　and　Mitch's　occasional　ments。　He　was　knowledgeable　in　the
ways　of　the　forest　and　had　a　wealth　of　information　to　share。　He　talked
about　species　of　trees　and　flowers；　habits　of　woodland　creatures；　the
history　of　the　area　itself；　and　did　it　all　in　an　easygoing；
unpretentious　manner。　He　read　Anne　well；　and　knew　when　to　speak　and　when
to　be　still。　She　was　almost　sorry　when　they　arrived　back　at　the　cabin；
since　her　next　chore　was　to　pack。

Too　soon　that　was　done。　With　her　luggage　stowed　in　the　trunk；　she　put
her　key　in　the　ignition…and　for　a　brief　minute　hoped　her　engine　would
fail。　It　was　a　possibility；　wasn't　it？　She　hadn't　started　the　car　once
all　week。

But　it　coughed　to　life　at　the　first　turn；　and　hummed　smoothly　as　it
warmed。　Which　left　only　one　thing　left　to　do。

She　was　about　to　climb　from　the　car　when　that　one　thing　rounded　the
house。　〃You　weren't　going　to　leave　without　saying　good…bye；　were　you？〃
he　asked；　bending　to　talk　through　the　open　window　of　the　car。

〃I　was　just　going　to　e　and　find　you。〃

〃Do　you　have　all　your　stuff。？〃

〃Uh…huh。　I　left　the　rest　of　the　apple　pie　for　you。〃

His　eyes　sparkled　warmly。　〃Thanks。　You　do　make　a　good　one；　even　though
your　coffee　is　still　too　weak。〃

〃Then　you'll　be　glad　to　be　rid　of　me。〃　She　smiled　wryly。　〃When　do　you
leave？〃

〃Later　today。〃

〃Oh。〃　What　else　to　say？　His　fingers　curved　over　the　window　ledge。　They
were　strong　fingers；　nice　ones。

〃Will　you　be　back　up　here　at　all？〃　he　asked　quietly。

She　shrugged。　〃I　don't　know。　I　haven't　thought　too　far　ahead。　It's　been
a　good　week；　though。　I'm　sorry　to　be　leaving。〃

〃It　wasn't　all　that　bad；　was　it？〃　He　seemed　suddenly　hesitant。　〃Look；〃
he　began　tentatively；　〃I'll　be　ing　up　the　week　before　Thanksgiving。
Kind　of　to　give　myself　a　boost　before　the　holidays。　Keep　it　in　mind。〃　He
stopped　short　of　an　open　invitation；　but　the　implication　was　there。

It　struck　her　that　she　would　probably　want　a　boost　herself。　〃I'll
remember。〃　She　cleared　her　throat。　〃Well；　good…bye；　then。〃

He　smiled；　hit　the　ledge　once；　and　pushed　himself　straight。　〃Safe　trip。〃

When　he　stepped　away；　she　put　the　car　in　reverse；　backed　around；　and
headed　for　the　road；　all　the　time　thinking　that　she　might　have　liked　a
kiss。　It　was　a　whimsical　thought。　Not　so　whimsically；　his　lank　image
shrank　steadily　in　the　rearview　mirror。　When　the　car　took　a　curve　and　he
disappeared；　she　narrowed　her　sights　on　reality　and　New　York。

How　different　the　road　looked　this　time　around。　Parched　brown　leaves
blanketed　the　ground；　forests　of　bare　branches　joined　evergreens　in　a
blur　of　gray…green　on　distant　hills。　Mountains　stood　stark；　more　harsh
without　greenery　on　their　slopes。　Leaf　peepers