rekindled(英文版)-第3章

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shirt？〃　she　asked　softly。

He　laughed。　〃The　peasant　shirt　was　replaced　for　a　while　by　a　dashiki；
but　I'm　afraid　the　modern　me　is　addicted　to　ordinary　sports　shirts　and
sweaters。〃

〃Conventional；〃　she　murmured　with　a　faltering　smile；　teasing　him　as　much
as　she　dared。　It　was　hard　to　remain　indifferent　to　this　man。　She　felt
the　strain。

〃Sadly　so；〃　he　agreed　without　any　sadness。　〃But　look　at　you。　You've　done
a　turnaround。　Last　time　I　saw　you；　your　hair　was　curled；　you　wore
makeup；　higher　heels；　and　more　daring　clothes。　You　also　talked　New
Orleans。　Where'd　the　accent　go？〃

Chloe　drew　in　a　long　breath。　〃It　faded。　I've　lived　up　north　for　too
long。　Time　does　different　things　to　each　of　us；　I　guess。〃

〃It's　for　the　better。　You　look　beautiful。　Unhappy；　but　beautiful。〃

His　candor　made　her　balk。　Seeing　him　was　painful　enough。　Talking　more
with　him　could　be　a　total　trauma。

She　glanced　at　the　auditorium　clock。　〃My　Lord；　it's　nearly　twelve。　I
have　to　run。〃　Straightening　the　shoulder　strap　of　her　pocketbook　and
hugging　the　large　folder　to　her　breast；　she　went　to　the　stage　steps。
Ross　followed。　Under　the　guise　of　worry　at　the　lateness　of　the　hour；　she
quickened　her　step。　He　kept　stride　easily。

：〃You're　not　driving　back　tonight；　are　you？〃

〃am。〃

〃All　the　way　to　。。。　？〃

〃Little　pton。〃

〃That　has　to　be　a　good　two…　to　three…hour　drive。　Wouldn't　you　do　better
to　get　an　early　start　in　the　morning？〃

〃Can't　do。　I　have　an　early　appointment　in　the　morning。〃　Her　voice
sounded　breathy。　It　was　the　rush；　she　told　herself。

For　long　moments；　Ross　said　nothing。　They　reached　the　front　door。　He
held　it；　she　passed　through。　In　silence　they　crossed　the　lawn　that
separated　the　high　school　from　the　parking　lot。

〃I　admire　you；　Chloe；〃　he　said；　sounding　sincere。　〃Your　work　is
interesting。　You　obviously　enjoy　it。〃

〃I　do；〃　she　agreed。　Relieved　to　be　at　her　car；　she　fished　in　her　purse
for　her　keys。　The　sooner　she　was　back　at　that　work；　back　in　the　security
of　her　seafront　home；　the　sooner　she　could　turn　the　past　off　again。
Slipping　in　behind　the　wheel；　she　rolled　her　window　down　to　let　in　the
cool　night　air。　With　escape　imminent；　she　grew　bolder；　looking　up　at
Ross　as　he　leaned　over　with　his　fingers　curved　on　the　lowered　window。
How　handsome　he　was；　she　mused。　She　had　been　powerfully　attracted　to　him
then；　she　still　was。　〃It　was　nice　seeing　you；　Ross。〃

〃You　won't　change　your　mind　and　stay　over？　I'm　at　the　Wayward　Sailor；　an
inn　just　down　the　road。　I'm　sure　they　have　another　vacancy；　since　the
height　of　the　season　is　past。　We　could　grab　a　snack　somewhere　and　talk。〃

Chloe　would　have　liked　nothing　better。　She　knew　nothing　about　the　Ross
Stephenson　who　was　a　successful　businessman。　Instinct　told　her　that　time
spent　with　him　would　be　interesting。　It　would　also　be　downright
dangerous；　even　devastating。

She　sighed。　〃That　would　be　nice；　but　I　have　to　get　back。　I　feel　wide
awake　for　driving。　I'd　just　as　soon　put　the　miles　behind　me。　Besides；　I
have　that　appointment。〃

Ross　considered　that　for　a　minute；　then　held　up　his　hands。　In　gracious
defeat；　he　stepped　back。　She　put　the　key　in　the　ignition；　pumped　the　gas
pedal；　turned　the　key。　There　was　a　click；　but　nothing　happened。　She
repeated　the　sequence。　It　always　worked。　Granted；　her　small　blue　pact
had　seen　better　days；　but　it　had　always　started　for　her…until；　she
realized　as　she　turned　the　key　a　third　time；　this　afternoon。　She　had
heard　the　same　click　then；　had　run　back　into　the　house　and　brought　Lee
out　to　help。　They　had　figured　the　engine　was　flooded；　had　waited　and
won。　The　car　had　started。　But　Murphy's　Law　said　that　it　wasn't　going　to
start　now。

〃Trouble？〃　Ross　bent　in　at　the　window　again。

〃Battery；　I　think。〃

He　opened　the　door。　〃Let　me　try。〃

She　slid　out。　With　an　ease　that　belied　his　awesome　length；　he　folded
himself　behind　the　wheel。　The　front　seat　was　already　back　to　allow　for
the　length　of　Chloe's　own　long　legs；　and　even　then　he　gave　a
good…natured　grimace。　She　had　to　smile。　Getting　in　was　apparently　the
easy　part。　Maneuvering　now　that　he　was　there　was　the　challenge。

But　he　managed。　When　he　tried　the　ignition；　though；　he　had　no　better
luck　than　Chloe。　He　listened　to　that　impotent　click　once；　twice；　three
times。　Then　he　hoisted　himself　out　of　the　car　and　looked　under　the　hood。

〃You're　right；〃　he　said；　straightening。　〃It's　the　battery。〃　He　slammed
the　hood　shut　and　brushed　his　palms　against　one　another。　〃It　looks　like
you'll　have　to　stay。　I　don't　see　how　you'll　get　someone　to　e　out　at
this　hour。〃

She　reached　for　her　bag。　〃I　have　triple…A。〃

〃Chloe。〃　He　sighed　softly。　〃This　isn't　a　bustling　metropolis。　By　the
time…〃

〃Do　you　have　jumper　cables？〃

〃No。〃　He　patted　his　pockets。　〃Not　anywhere　close　by。〃

〃In　your　car？〃

〃It's　a　rental。〃

Her　gaze　fell　to　the　pavement。　She　could　rant　and　rave　all　she　wanted；
but　it　seemed　she　had　little　choice。　〃I　suppose　Lee　could　change　that
early　appointment　for　me；〃　she　murmured　quietly；　then　looked　up。　〃And
you　think　your　inn　would　have　a　room？〃

His　gaze　was　steady。　〃I'm　sure　it　would。〃

Not　one　to　belabor　a　no…win　situation；　Chloe　sighed。　〃Lead　on；　Ross。
Lead　on。〃

Ross　led　her　to　a　late…model　rental　car　roomy　enough　for　both　pairs　of
long　legs　to　stretch　fortably。　Vibes　were　something　else。　Chloe
sensed　that　no　space　would　be　large　enough　for　the　ones　that　circuited
back　and　forth　during　the　short　drive　to　the　inn。

〃You　flew　in　just　for　tonight's　meeting？〃　she　asked；　seeking　to　ease　the
silence。　It　was　awkward；　given　the　intimacy　they　had　once　shared。

〃That's　right；〃　he　answered；　paying　close　attention　to　roads　that　were
now　dark　and　deserted。　〃From？〃

〃New　York。〃

〃Do　you　live　there？〃

〃Occasionally。〃

It　was　an　odd　answer。　When　he　failed　to　elaborate；　Chloe　tried　again。
〃Have　you　had　to　e　here　often？〃

〃More　often　than　I'd　anticipated。　This　project　has　created　something　of
a　stir。〃　If　the　glance　he　shot　her　was　accusatory；　she　accepted　it　as
fair　game　and　took　no　offense。　She　believed　in　her　cause。

〃From　what　Felix　Hart　implied；　you　move　around　a　lot；〃　she　said。

〃I　always　did。〃

It　was　a　direct　reference　to　the　past。　Then；　he　had　been　in　the　Peace
Corps　on　leave　for　Thanksgiving；　the　world　traveler　ing　stateside　for
a　visit。　There　had　been　an　air　of　excitement　about　him。

He　still　had　it。　His　profile　was　strong；　lean；　preoccupied　in　ways　that
suggested　big　business　in　far　places。　She　looked　away；　focusing　on　the
view　outside　her　window；　trying　to　ignore　a　silence　that　she　could　feel
and　taste。　She　was　relieved　when　the　Wayward　Sailor　came　into　view。

Ross　turned　to　her　as　soon　as　the　car　stopped。　His　features　had
softened。　His　tone　was　solicitous。　〃Why　don't　you　wait　here？　I'll　make
the　arrangements　and　find　out　where　we　can　get　a　bite　to　eat。　You　are
hungry；　aren't　you？〃

She　smiled　awkwardly。　〃I　haven't　had　anything　since　lunch。〃

〃No　wonder　you're　pale。〃　He　touched　her　cheek。　〃Stay　put。　I'll　be　right
back。〃

She　sat　quietly；　trying　to　think　of　anything　but　Ross。　Just　when　she　was
on　the　verge　of　declaring　defeat；　he　loped　back　down　the　steps　of　the
charmingly　ancient　house。　〃Any　luck？〃　she　asked　when　he　reached　the　car。

〃There's　good　news　and　bad　news。〃　He　was　leaning　down　to　talk　through
the　window　again。

〃Give　me　the　good　news　first；〃　Chloe　said。　She　needed　that；　needed　it
bad。

He　grinned。　〃The　good　news　is　that　you　have　the　penthouse。〃

She　looked　up　the　inn's　facade　to　the　very　top；　the　third　floor。
Assuming　the　attic　was　clean　and　had　a　bed；　it　would　do。　〃The　penthouse
is　fine。〃　She　scrunched　up　her　face。　〃What's　the　bad　news？〃

He　opened　the　door　with　a　flourish。　〃The　bad　news　is　that　no　one　serves
food　at　this　hour。　The　night　manager　here　says　we　can　raid　his
refrigerator；　though。〃　He　paused；　staring　down　at　her　for　a　minute
before　offering　his　hand　to　help　her　out。　〃The　service　won't　be　fancy。
We'll　be　on　our　own。〃　The　warning　note　in　his　voice　jarred　her。　He　was
remembering　the　old　Chloe。　That　Chloe　had　been　spoiled。　She　hadn't　known
how　to　cook；　having　had　everything　done　for　her　for　the　entire　eighteen
years　of　her　life。　But　her　lifestyle　had　changed　drastically　since　then。

She　rose　from　the　car。　〃That's　fine。　I　think　we　can　manage。〃　Oh；　yes；
she　could　certainly　manage　to　put　together　a　meal。　She　was　actually　a
fine　cook　now。　But　it　occurred　to　her　that　she　and　Ross　would　be　alone。
She　wasn't　so　sure　about　managing　that。

A　frown　creased　her　brow　as　she　entered　the　inn　with　Ross　by　her　side。
He　left　his　overnight　case　at　the　front　desk　with　the　night　manager；　who
cheerfully　directed　them　into　the　kitchen；　a　decidedly　old　room　into
which　every　modern　convenience　had　been　crammed。　Chloe　made　herself　at
home。　Only　after　she　had　placed　a　crock　of　steaming　beef　stew；　put
together　from　leftovers；　and　a　half…loaf　of　what　appeared　to　be
home…baked　bread　on　the　table　did　she　realize　that　she　had　done　all　the
work。　But　it　had　kept　her　mind　occupied。　Ross　had　been　in　and　out　of　the
room　as　she　worked；　finally　settling　down　on　a　tall　stool　by　a
butcher…block　counter　to　watch。

His　presence　didn't　upset　her　now　as　much　as　it　had　earlier。　She　had
gotten　over　the　shock；　she　guessed。　Still；　she　felt　vaguely　shy　when
they　were　actually　ready　to　eat。

〃Uh；　is　there　anything　else　you　want？〃　She　skimmed　the　simple　place
settings；　the　two　large　bowls　filled　with　stew。　〃A　drink？〃

He　made　no　move　to　help　himself　For　old　times'　sake；　so　the　liberated
woman　told　herself；　she　indulged　him。

〃Milk　would　be　fine。〃

He　waited　while　she　searched　for　glasses　and　filled　two。　She　sat　down
opposite　him。　Once　several　mouthfuls　of　the　thick　stew　had　warmed　her
stomach；　she　put　her　spoon　down。　Something　stuck　in　her　craw。

〃I'm　not　unhappy；〃　she　stated；　so　softly　and　apparently　unexpectedly
that　Ross　looked　perplexed。　〃You　thought　I　looked　unhappy。　I'm　not。〃

He　went　back　to　eating；　but　slowly；　thoughtfully。　〃No；　I　suppose　you're
not；　not　right　now；〃　he　finally　said。　〃But　earlier；　there　was　a　look　in
your　eyes。　It　es　and　goes。　There　it　is　again。〃

The　sound　of　his　voice　had　been　enough　to　spark　memories。　With　a　barely
perceptible　shake　of　her　head；　she　chased　them　off　again。　〃I　do　love
what　I'm　doing；〃　she　said。

〃Tell　me　about　it。　How　did　you　get　started？〃

〃You　heard　the　bare　outline　tonight。〃

〃The　bare　outline。　Now　I'd　like　to　hear　more。〃　His　pause　was　pregnant
with　unspoken　thoughts。　〃Why　geology？〃

She　shrugged。　〃Why　not？〃

He　didn't　pull　any　punches。　〃Because　it's　one　of　the　last　fields　that
someone　raised　in　the　style　of　conspicuous　consumption　would　choose。〃

〃Maybe　that's　why　I　chose　it。〃

〃Ah。〃　He　smiled。　〃You　were　rebelling。〃

〃Not　entirely…〃

〃Escaping？〃

She　looked　away。　〃You're　perceptive。　But　only　half　right。〃

〃Go　on。〃

Chloe　tucked　a　long　strand　of　dark　hair　behind　her　ear。　〃It　was　actually
a　simultaneous　discovery@scape　and　excitement。　At　that　period　of　my
life；　I　needed　something　that　was　a　total　change　from　everything　I'd
known　before。　I　spent　some　time　in　Newport　with　friends　and　fell　in　love
with　the　ocean　there。〃

〃You　found　solace？〃　he　asked　gently。

She　admitted　it　with　a　small　tilt　of　her　head。　〃I　spent　a　lot　of　time　on
the　beach　and　happened　to　befriend　an　old　man　who　felt　very　strongly
about　environmental　considerations。　He　affected　me　deeply。〃　The　memory
of　Hector　Wallaby　brought　a　sad　smile　to　her　lips。

〃He's　dead？〃

〃Yes。　I　miss　him。　He　never　knew　it；　but　in　spirit　at　least；　he　was　the
founding　father　of　ESE；　Inc。〃

〃Were　you　in　college　during　the　time　you　knew　him？〃

Chloe　sat　straighter。　〃Uh；　no。　I　。。。　my　freshman　year　was　postponed。〃

〃So　you　started　college　late　and　have　still　done　all　this？〃

The　pliment　gave　her　a　boost。　She　smiled。　〃Once　I　decided　to　go　into
geology　I　was　in　a　rush。〃

Ross　smiled　back。　Firm　lips　framed　the　whitest　of　teeth；　mesmerizing　her
for　the　split　second　until　he　said；　〃You　worked　for　Conam　Petroleum？〃

〃Yes。　Do　you　know　the　pany？〃

He　shook　his　head。　〃Only　by　reputation。〃　He　looked　at　her　sideways；
skeptical　now。　〃I'd　have　thought　that　if　environmental　concerns　were
your　focus；　the　oil　panies　would　be　your　archenemies。〃

She　blushed。　He　made　nothing　easy；　that　was　for　sure。　But　if　he　wanted
to　be　honest；　she　could　be　honest　right　back。　〃I　needed　the　money；〃　she
said　and　braced　herself　for　the　response　that　was　sure　to　e。

And　she　wasn't　let　down。　Ross's　eyes　widened；　then　narrowed。　〃You　needed
the　money？〃　He　frowned。　〃Did　I　miss　something　here？　I　was　given　to　think
James　Macdaniel　was…is…mne　of　the　wealthiest　men　in　New　Orleans。〃

〃He　is。〃

〃Then；　why　。。。　？〃

〃Among　other　things；〃　she　began　in　self…defense；　〃it　was　a　matter　of
pride。　I　wanted　to　start　my　own　consulting　firm　and　didn't　want　to　ask
my　father　for　money。〃　Ross　should　know　how　much　she　had　changed。　He
should　know　that　she　was　her　own　woman　now。

But　his　take　on　the　situation　was　different　from　hers。　〃So　you　sold　out
to　the　powers　that　be　for　the　amount　of　time　it　took　you　to　gather　the
resources　to　mount　a　systematic　campaign　against　those　same　powers？〃

Chloe　reacted　quickly　and　vehemently。　〃That's　not　true。　Not　true　at　all。
The　work　I　did　for　the　oil　panies　involved