rekindled(英文版)-第24章

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blur　of　gray…green　on　distant　hills。　Mountains　stood　stark；　more　harsh
without　greenery　on　their　slopes。　Leaf　peepers　had　long　since　gone　home
to　city　beat　and　thoughts　of　Thanksgiving；　barely　two　weeks　away。

Those　thoughts　had　precipitated　Anne's　trip；　or　so　she　told　herself　as
she　drove　steadily　north。　On　one　hand；　things　had　improved　in　New　York。
Her　return　trip　had　been　uneventful；　her　apprehension　at　facing　life　and
its　memories　eased　by　the　onset　of　autumn　and　a　renewed　strength。

〃You　look　marvelous！〃　her　mother　had　said　the　first　night　of　her　return。
〃I　like　that　pink　on　your　cheeks。　It　bees　you。〃

Even　after　the　long　drive；　Anne　was　full　of　energy；　which　was　why　she
had　stopped　at　her　parents　in　the　first　place。　〃It　was　perfect；〃　she
said。　〃Just　what　I　needed。〃

〃Sit　down　and　tell　me　all　about　it；〃　the　older　woman　ordered；　and　Anne
had。　Almost。　She　didn't　mention　Mitch。　He　played　no　role　in　her　real
life。　She　didn't　even　know　his　last　name。

At　first　she　gave　little　thought　to　the　idea　of　returning　to　Vermont　in
November。　The　new　semester　had　begun；　and　she　was　up　to　her　ears　in
translation　work。　Friends　still　hovered；　but　she　had　more　patience　for
it　now。　In　turn；　they　sensed　her　calmer　state　and　began　to　ease　up。

She　still　refused　to　date。　But　she　was　excited　enough　about　one
professor's　project　to　agree　to　sign　on　as　a　part…time　assistant。
Assured　of　steady　work　to　off…balance　incidental　work；　she　faced　the
fall　and　winter　seasons　with　confidence。

But　Jeff　was　gone；　and　the　holidays　approached。　These　would　be　her　first
without　him。

When　she　first　heard　low　whispers　in　the　back　of　her　mind；　she　ignored
them。　After　Halloween；　though；　they　became　a　murmur。　Go　to　Vermont　go　to
Vermont　go　to　Vermont；　they　said。

But　how　could　she？

That　first　time　had　been　an　accident。　Sharing　the　cottage　with　Mitch　had
been　a　makeshift　solution　to　an　unexpected　problem。　If　she　went　this
time；　there　would　be　nothing　unexpected　about　it。

But　Mitch　was　right。　The　closer　Thanksgiving　came；　the　more　she　dreaded
it。　She　could　use　a　boost；　indeed；　before　facing　them　alone。　Recalling
with　pleasure　the　land；　the　air；　and　the　cottage；　she　figured　that
whether　he　showed　up　or　not　the　week　would　be　good。

This　time　her　parents　raised　no　objection。　As　a　precaution；　she　made　a
reservation　at　an　inn　thirty　miles　from　the　house。　It　was　the　nearest
one；　but　would　assure　her　a　place　to　stay　if　Mitch　either　didn't　want
her　or　wasn't　there。

She　didn't　have　a　key；　because　she　hadn't　called　the　rental　agent。　What
would　she　have　said？　Is　Mitch　going　up　this　weekend？　No；　I　don't　know
his　last　name；　but　we　spent　the　week　together　there　last　time。
Embarrassing！

She　made　the　sharp　turn　off　the　highway　onto　the　rutted　road　that　lead
up　the　hill　to　the　house。　The　ruts　were　harder　now；　more　jolting　in　the
cold　of　a　raw　November　than　they　had　been　in　September。　In　that　instant
her　thoughts　jolted；　too；　up　and　down；　in　and　out。　She　shouldn't　have
e　she　had　to　e。　What　did　she　hope　to　acplish…why　did　she　have　to
hope　to　acplish　anything？　What　if　Mitch　wasn't　there…what　if　he　was？

She　had　deliberately　waited　until　Saturday　morning　to　leave　the　city。　If
Mitch　had　driven　up　on　Friday　night；　like　last　time；　she　would　reach　the
cottage　just　when　he　was　waking　up。

Her　heartbeat　quickened　when　she　rounded　the　final　curve　and　saw　his
sporty　blue　Honda　parked　in　front　of　the　house。　It　stood　out　clearly　in
the　dusky　November　day；　a　bright　and　promising　robin's　egg　in　a　dried
twig　nest。　Her　pulse　pounded　as　she　pulled　in　behind　it；　slid　out　of　her
car；　and；　pulling　her　navy　pea　coat　closed；　approached　the　door。

All　was　winter　silent；　such　that　the　heels　of　her　leather　boots　sounded
abnormally　loud　on　the　flagstone　walk。　The　grass　bordering　the　walk　was
aged　and　dying；　the　lilac　forlornly　naked。　But　Anne　felt　alive　as　she
knocked　on　the　door。

When　there　was　no　answer；　she　imagined　him　in　the　kitchen；　and　knocked
harder。

Still；　silence。

But　his　car　was　there。　She　wondered　if　he　had　broken　habit　and　gone　for
an　earlier　hike。　She　tried　the　doorknob；　but　it　didn't　budge。　Finally；
she　banged　on　the　door　with　a　full　fist。

It　opened　then；　and　she　knew　he'd　been　asleep。　He　was　bleary…eyed；
unshaven；　mussed　of　hair；　and　rumpled…looking　in　an　old　shirt；　tails
hanging　low　over　wrinkled　jeans。　He　was　as　tall　and　lean　as　she
remembered；　though　not　quite　as　enthusiastic　as　she　had　hoped。

She　swallowed　doitch。〃

〃Where　in　the　hell　have　you　been？〃　he　bellowed。　〃I　was　thinking　of
sending　the　troops　out。〃

If　not　for　his　gruffness；　Anne　might　have　hugged　him。　Only　then　did　she
realize　how　much　she　had　wanted　to　see　him。　〃I'm　sorry。　I　didn't　leave
the　city　until　this　morning。〃

〃Why　not？　You　knew　I'd　be　arriving　yesterday。〃

〃No；　I　didn't。〃

Though　his　eyes　were　a　deep；　deep　green；　he　continued　to　scowl。　〃I'm
beginning　to　wonder　if　you're　more　trouble　than　you're　worth！〃

〃Thanks　a　lot；〃　she　said；　offended；　and　suddenly　she　remembered　every
little　annoying　thing　about　him。　〃I　could　say　the　same　about　you。　I
think　I'll　leave。〃　Spinning　on　a　heel；　she　took　a　single　step　before　he
caught　her。

〃No！〃　His　voice　softened。　〃Don't　go。〃　When　she　looked　back；　his　eyes
were　gentler。　〃e　in。　Please。〃

She　had　no　choice　when　he　drew　her　in。　Not　that　she　wanted　one。　Struck
by　his　height　and　good　looks；　she　was　very　glad　she'd　e；　and　suddenly
shy。

For　a　minute；　he　seemed　unsure。　He　studied　her　eyes；　searching。　Then　he
let　out　a　sigh　and　drew　her　close　for　a　hug。　She　returned　it　as　though
it　was　the　most　natural　thing　in　the　world。

His　lips　moved　against　her　hair。　〃It's　good　to　see　you；　Anne。〃

She　smiled　against　his　chest。　〃Same　here；　Mitch。〃

He　drew　back　and　framed　her　face。　Tipping　it；　he　kissed　her　softly。　His
mouth　played；　lightly；　sensually。　His　tongue　made　the　moment　even
sweeter。

When　he　drew　back　this　time；　his　eyes　smoldered。　His　voice　was　thick。
〃How　about　making　coffee　while　I　get　cleaned　up？　You　look　a　damned　sight
better　than　I　do　right　now。〃

〃You　don't　look　so　bad。〃

〃Get　the　coffee？　Please？　I'll　get　your　bags　later。〃　Putting　her　from
him；　he　strode　off。

Anne　tossed　her　coat　on　a　chair。　She　made　coffee　strong；　and　eggs
scrambled　moist。　When　the　food　was　hot　on　the　table；　she　went　to　the
window。　The　backyard　looked　bare。　A　dull　apple　or　two　clinging
stubbornly　to　lonely　branches。　The　firs　stood　out；　towering　over　trees
that　were　deleafed。　They　swayed　gallantly　in　gusts　of　wind　that　sent
shivers　through　the　tall　grass　below。

But　the　chill　was　out　there；　and　Anne　was　in　here。　She　was　warm　and
content。

〃You're　looking　well；〃　Mitch　said　from　the　door。　〃A　little　pale；　but
better　than　last　time。〃　He　was　groomed　meticulously　now　and　looking
devastatingly　fresh　in　an　opermecked　wool　shirt　and　clean　denims。

〃There　wasn't　much　in　the　fridge；〃　she　said。　〃I　hope　the　eggs　are
enough。〃

He　took　a　chair　and　helped　himself　from　the　platter。　〃I　thought　we'd　go
marketing　today。　Unless；〃　he　shot　her　a　look　over　the　rim　of　his　coffee
cup；　〃you　brought　groceries。〃

〃Not　this　time。　I　wasn't　sure　I'd　be　staying　here。　I　made　reservations
at　an　inn　in　Woodstock　just　in　case。〃

He　sat　back。　〃Were　you　afraid　I'd　attack　you　again？〃

〃No；〃　she　said　with　care。　〃I　wasn't　sure　you'd　be　here。　It　was　tentative
when　you　mentioned　it；　and　since　I　had　no　way　of　contacting　you　in
between…〃

〃You　could　have　called　Miles　Cooper；〃　he　suggested　lightly。

She　looked　him　in　the　eye。　〃No；　I　couldn't。　So　there　was　no　fortable
way　of　my　learning　your　plans。〃

〃Did　that　bother　you？〃

〃No。〃　She　didn't　look　away。　〃I　don't　want　to　cope　with　identities　yet。〃

〃Then　we　agree　on　that。　No　more　said。〃

〃No　more　said。〃　She　felt　proud　of　herself；　if　a　little　wistful；　as　she
watched　him　eat。

When　he　finished；　he　ran　a　napkin　over　his　mouth。　Then　he　balled　it　up
in　his　fist。　〃You　can　phone　from　the　village　later　and　cancel　those
reservations。　But　I　think　you　should　know　that　there　are　two　conditions
to　your　staying　here。〃

Conditions？　She　arched　a　brow。

He　leaned　way　back　this　time；　until　the　chair　was　on　its　rear　legs。
〃First；　we　eat　together。〃

She　had　no　problem　with　that。　It　pleased　her；　actually。　She　smiled　her
agreement。

〃Second；〃　he　said；　〃I　sleep　downstairs。〃

Her　smile　vanished。　〃Uh；　I　。。。　don't　think　so。　I'm　not　ready　for　　。。。
that。〃

His　eyes　laughed。　〃I'm　told　that　I'm　a　good　lover。　But　hey；〃　he
relented；　all　teasing　gone；　〃I'm　not　ready　for　。。。　that；　either。　Maybe
soon。　But　not　yet。　You　aren't　the　only　one　dealing　with　ghosts。〃

Startled　by　that　thought；　she　gathered　up　the　empty　dishes　and　went　to
the　sink。

He　was　close　behind　her。　〃You're　a　beautiful　woman。〃

〃Last　time；　I　was　'plain'　and　'scrawny。〃'

〃Last　time；　I　was　wet　and　tired。〃　Strong　hands　slid　around　her　middle
and　drew　her　back　against　his　body。　His　forearms　brushed　the　underside
of　her　breasts。　Her　heart　thudded　in　response。

When　he　turned　her　to　face　him；　her　lips　parted。　He　kissed　her　then；
possessive　but　gentle；　and　she　responded　with　a　fervor　she　had　forgotten
was　possible。　Wrapping　her　arms　around　his　neck；　she　opened　her　mouth；
and　he　moved　right　in。　After　her　mouth　he　kissed　her　cheeks　and　her
eyelids。　Then；　hotly；　he　sought　out　her　tongue。

They　weren't　ready　for　this　emotionally；　but　there　was　no　problem
physically。　Mitch　was　rock…hard　against　her。　His　hands　moved　restlessly
on　her　back；　her　waist；　her　hips。　They　found　her　breasts　and　explored　in
detail；　and　Anne　was　every　bit　as　active。　She　touched　him　everywhere　to
make　sure　he　was　real；　and　he　was；　real　and　ready。　While　their　mouths
tangled　hungrily；　her　fingers　spread　over　his　thigh　and　moved　upward；
upward　and　inward。

With　a　strangled　sound；　Mitch　pulled　away。

Anne　felt　instant　loss；　then　acute　embarrassment。　Mitch's　ragged
breathing　was　small　solace　for　her　aggressiveness。　〃That　shouldn't　have
happened；〃　she　said　in　a　faltering　whisper。

He　made　a　sputtering　sound　and　pushed　a　hand　through　his　hair。　〃Yeah；
but　it　did。　Damn　it；　this　was　a　crazy　idea！〃

She　averted　her　eyes　and　tried　to　edge　away　from　the　sink；　but　he　had
her　pinned　there。　Holding　her　chin；　he　forced　her　face　up。　His　voice　was
rough　as　sand。　〃You　try　my　patience；　Annie。　One　part　of　me　aches　to　pick
you　up　in　my　arms　and　carry　you　out　to　that　bed；　but　the　last　thing　I
need　right　now　is　to　bear　you　calling　for　another　man　in　the　throes　of
passion。　You're　still　mourning　your　husband。　Your　clothes；　your　hair；
your　eyes　all　tell　me　that。　And　I　have　a　past；　too。　The　last　thing　you
need　is　to　hear　me　call　out　another　woman's　name。〃

Anne's　eyes　filled　with　tears。　When　she　pushed　at　him；　he　let　her　go。
She　went　to　the　window；　wrapped　her　arms　around　herself；　and　looked　out。
〃Why　do　you　lead　me　on？〃

There　was　silence；　then　a　begrudging；　〃I　can't　seem　to　help　myself。
What's　your　excuse？〃　When　she　didn't　answer；　he　approached　her　and
goaded；　〃Hmm？　Are　you　that　frustrated？〃

She　spun　around　and　sent　the　flat　of　her　hand　against　his　cheek。　He
caught　it　on　the　rebound　and　had　her　arm　behind　her；　drawing　her　hard
against　him；　in　an　instant。

〃Don't　ever　do　that　again！〃　he　muttered　and；　as　suddenly　as　he'd　seized
her；　let　her　go。　He　took　long　steps　toward　the　door　before　stopping
short。

Anne　was　stunned；　short　of　breath；　wondering　what　was　ing　next。

One　lithe　stride　brought　him　back。　To　her　astonishment　he　framed　her
face　with　his　hands；　placed　a　hard　kiss　on　her　lips；　then　walked　off
again。

〃What　was　that　for？〃　she　cried。

〃Moist　eggs　and　strong　black　coffee。〃　He　half…turned　at　the　door。　〃I
have　a　couple　of　things　to　do。　Find　something　to　keep　you　busy　for　an
hour；　then　we'll　leave　for　the　village。〃

It　wasn't　a　question；　and　he　didn't　wait　for　an　answer。　That　was　what
kept　Anne　busy　while　she　unpacked　her　bags　in　the　attic　bedroom。　She
brooded。　She　agonized。　She　wondered　why　she　had　e　and　why　she　ever
wanted　his　kiss。　Mitch　whoever…he…was　was　stubborn　and　selfcentered。　He
was　the　exact　opposite　of　gentle；　caring；　generous…to…a…fault　Jeff。

But　Jeff　was　dead。

An　art　teacher　had　once　told　her　that　a　painting　was　successful　when　it
evoked　a　reaction；　be　it　positive　or　negative。　For　Anne；　the　months
since　Jeff's　death　had　been　devoid　of　reaction；　until　Mitch。

So　where　did　she　go　from　there？　Into　bed　with　the　man　at　the　very　first
chance？

Unsettled　by　that　thought；　she　exchanged　her　city　skirt　for　a　sweater
and　jeans；　grabbed　her　heavy　parka；　and　ran　down　the　stairs。　She　needed
fresh　air　and　a　long　walk。

She　barely　got　out　the　back　door　when　she　spotted　Mitch　in　the　yard
splitting　logs　for　the　fire。　Bundled　in　a　sheepskin　jacket　with　its
collar　raised；　he　didn't　see　her。　Time　and　again　he　raised　the　ax　and
struck；　time　and　again　splitting　each　new　log　with　a　single　sweep　of　the
blade；　and　all　with　his　right　arm。　She　wondered　how　the　left　had　been
injured。　It　was　none　of　her　business。　Still　she　wondered。

She　joined　him　in　the　yard　and　sat　quietly　on　a　pile　of　logs　while　he
finished　his　work；　then　as　quietly　helped　carry　the　wood　into　the　house
and　stack　it　by　the　fireplace。　Shortly　after　that；　they　left　for　the
village。

In　the　confines　of　the　car；　he　was　mor