rekindled(英文版)-第34章

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The　days　that　followed　were　pure　hell　for　Anne。　After　tears；　came
selfrecrimination。　She　had　been　naive；　she　had　been　irresponsible；　she
had　been　wanton。　She　should　never　have　returned　to　the　cabin　after　the
first　week。　She　shouldn't　even　have　stayed　there　then。

Self…recrimination　gave　way　to　anger；　and　she　railed　on　at　Mitch　for　a
while。　She　didn't　understand　how　a　person　could　do　what　he　did。　And　he
kept　calling　her！　She　cringed　each　time　the　phone　rang　and　answered　only
to　avoid　visits　from　her　family。　When　it　was　Mitch；　she　hung　up。

Her　seclusion　was　more　total　than　it　had　been　after　Jeff's　death；
because　no　one；　but　no　one；　knew　about　Mitch　and　her。　If　her　parents
sensed　that　her　reaction　to　the　deposition　was　extreme；　they　attributed
it　to　the　final　pain　of　losing　Jeff。　She　let　them　believe　that；　rather
than　having　to　tell　them　what　a　fool　she'd　been。

She　couldn't　begin　to　think　of　the　future。　Once　again；　it　was　a
frightening　void。　Each　day　was　a　challenge。　Her　only　hope　was　in　wiping
Mitch　from　her　mind；　and　it　was　easier　here　in　New　York。　They　hadn't
spent　time　together　here。　There　were　no　memories　of　him　here；　other　than
of　the　deposition；　but；　there；　he　hadn't　been　the　man　she　loved。

On　occasion　she　thought　of　Vermont。　Spring　would　be　ing　there。　She
would　have　liked　to　see　the　lilacs　bloom　and　smell　their　fragrance。　So
there　was　a　loss　in　this；　too。

He　stopped　calling　after　the　first　few　days；　but；　try　as　she　might；　she
was　never　able　to　push　him　far　from　mind。　Her　father　actually　mentioned
him　one　afternoon。

〃I　received　a　call　from　Mitchell　Anderson　the　other　night。　You　know；　the
head　of　SEAA？〃

Did　she　know　him？　Did　she　know　him！

〃Seems　like　a　nice　fellow。　He　wanted　to　make　sure　you　were　all　right；
since　you　seemed　so　upset　at　the　deposition。〃

〃Wasn't　that　considerate　of　him；〃　she　snipped　bitterly。　Guilt　feelings。
Good。　Let　him　suffer　〃How　did　he　know　to　call　you？　He　doesn't　know　my
maiden　name。〃　But；　of　course；　he　could　find　it　out。　He　could　find　out
anything　he　wanted。　Powerful　men　got　what　they　wanted　without　batting　an
eyelash。

〃He　called　Ted　first；〃　her　father　explained。　〃He　hesitated　to　call　you
directly；　for　fear　of　upsetting　you　more。〃

〃Wise　man。〃　Upsetting　me　more。　That　was　cute。

Anthony　Faulke　eyed　her　with　gentle　reproach。　〃It　was　considerate。　After
all；　his　airline's　been　found　innocent　in　the　matter。　Technically；　it's
no　concern　of　his　any　longer。〃

Anne　didn't　care　that　his　airline　was　innocent。　In　her　mind；　Mitch　was
still　a　deceiver。

She　was　angry　with　no　one　to　yell　at；　heartsick　with　no　one　to　hug；　and
if　she　moped　about　for　the　better　part　of　each　day；　the　nights　were　no
better。　She　was　obsessed　by　a　living　nightmare；　waking　and　sleeping。

By　the　middle　of　the　second　week；　she　was　at　the　end　of　her　rope。　So　she
lined　up　several　fast　interpreting　jobs　that　would　get　her　away　from
paper　translations　and　out　into　a　people…oriented　mainstream　again。　And
it　worked。　She　got　a　handle　on　her　emotions。

Then　she　was　thrown　a　setback。　Her　doorbell　rang　one　evening　when　she
wasn't　expecting　anyone。　Leaving　the　chain　latch　in　place；　she　opened
the　door　the　several　inches　allowed　and　peered　out　to　find　Mitch　there。
She　closed　the　door　with　a　slam。　The　bell　rang　again　and　again。　She　went
to　the　most　remote　corner　of　the　apartment；　crossed　her　arms　on　her
chest；　and　vowed　to　let　it　ring。

She　wasn't　prepared　for　the　loud　pounding　that　followed。　He　was　making　a
godawful　racket。

Fearing　that　he　would　have　her　neighbors　out　in　no　time；　she　returned　to
the　door。　〃Go　away！〃　she　yelled；　hoping　that　her　voice　would　carry
through　his　ruckus。

It　did。　His　returning　call　was　muffled；　but　she　heard　every　word。　〃Not
until　I've　spoken　with　you；　Anne。〃

〃Go　away！　I　don't　want　to　talk！〃

〃You'll　have　to。〃

Irate；　she　reopened　the　door　those　few　allotted　inches。　〃I　don't　have　to
do　anything。　Now；　please　leave；　or　I'll　call　the　police。〃　It　took　very
ounce　of　restraint　for　her　to　remain　calm　when　she　would　have　liked
nothing　more　than　to　run　him　through　with　a　carving　knife。

He　looked　agitated。　〃I'm　trying　to　be　patient；　Anne；　but　you　refuse　to
take　my　calls。　We　have　to　talk。　There　are　things　I　have　to　explain。〃

She　seethed。　〃Sorry；　bud；　but　you　had　your　chance；　and　you　passed　it　up。
You　had　all　those　days　and　nights　to　tell　me　who　you　were　and　what　your
business　was；　but　you　didn't。　You　were　so　cagey。　I'll　see　you　soon；
Annie；　soon。〃　She　contorted　her　voice　to　mock　him。　〃But　you　didn't
bother　to　tell　me　when；　did　you；　Mitch？　Well；　I　don't　want　to　talk　now。〃

She　leaned　against　the　door　to　shut　it；　only　to　find　he　had　a　foot　in
the　way。

〃Move！〃　she　ordered　hoarsely。　She　was　wearing　down　in　more　ways　than
one。

He　swore。　〃Hell；　Anne；　but　you　can　be　stubborn。　If　we　were　back　in
Vermont；　I'd　know　just　what　to　do。〃

〃We're　not　in　Vermont！〃　she　screamed；　uncaring　that　others　might　hear。
〃I'll　never　be　there　again。　Now；　leave！〃　Every　muscle　in　her　body
quivered。

〃Fine；〃　he　gave　in。　〃I'll　leave；　but　I'll　be　back。　If　not　here；　I'll
catch　you　somewhere　else。　On　the　street；　in　a　restaurant；　even　at　your
parents'　house；　if　need　be。　I　can　be　devious。　You　can't　stay　holed　up　in
this　place　forever。　And　I　won't　give　up！〃

When　his　foot　slid　back　into　the　hallway；　Anne　slammed　the　door　shut
then；　she　turned　and　ran；　trembling；　toward　the　bedroom；　where　she
huddled　against　the　headboard　like　a　hunted　animal。　He　could　be　devious；
that　was　putting　it　mildly！　She　would　see　him　again；　and　the　thought
filled　her　with　dread。

Determined　not　to　be　made　a　prisoner　in　her　own　home；　Anne　booked　even
more　jobs。　She　was　all　over　town；　with　varied　and　interesting　people；
but　the　diversion　she　wanted　came　only　in　bits　and　snatches。　Ever　on
guard　against　running　into　Mitch；　she　found　herself　looking　over　her
shoulder　wherever　she　went；　half　expecting　to　find　him　ready　to　pounce。
It　was　nerve…racking；　to　say　the　least。　After　more　than　a　week　of
running　from　place　to　place　and　feeling　haunted；　she　grew　discouraged。

The　worst　of　it　was　that　that　she　didn't　see　him；　and　that　deep　inside；
in　a　place　she　didn't　want　to　know　about；　she　was　disappointed　because
of　that。　The　pain　went　on。

Relief　came　from　her　parents　in　the　form　of　an　invitation　to　spend　time
with　them　at　the　shore。　Yes；　they　tended　to　smother　her；　but　she　could
use　a　little　smothering　now。　She　wanted　to　be　pampered　and　loved。　She
wanted　to　be　protected　from　Mitch。　The　change　of　scenery　would　be　good。
She　planned　to　make　the　most　of　it。

The　first　of　May　found　her　dressed　in　a　bright　yellow　sundress；　waiting
beside　her　bags　at　the　front　entrance　of　her　apartment　building。　She
checked　the　street；　then　her　watch。　Her　parents　had　promised　to　be　there
at　one。　It　was　one…fifteen　now。　They　weren't　usually　late。

With　a　brief　word　to　the　doorman；　she　returned　to　her　apartment；　dialed
her　parents'　home　phone；　waited　through　ring　after　ring。　Assuming　they
were　on　their　way；　she　went　back　downstairs。　What　she　found　there
stopped　her　cold。

With　the　doorman's　ready　assistance；　her　bags　were　being　loaded　into　the
trunk　of　a　shiny　brown　Audi　that　she　didn't　recognize。　But　she　did
recognize　the　man　who　stepped　from　its　far　side。　He　was　sun…bronzed　and
gorgeous　in　a　pullover　and　white　ducks；　looking　as　handsome　and
masculine　as　could　be；　and　very；　very　smug。　Before　she　could　find　her
tongue；　he　opened　the　rear　door　of　the　car　and　leaned　in。　When　he
straightened；　he　was　carrying　the　most　beautiful　child　Anne　had　ever
seen。

Her　breath　faltered。　How　could　he？　He　wasn't　playing　fair；　wasn't
playing　fair　at　all…and　he　knew　it；　if　the　mischief　in　his　grin　meant
anything。

〃Hi；　Annie！〃　He　greeted　her　as　though　nothing　was　wrong。　〃Hope　we　didn't
keep　you　waiting　too　long。　Traffic　was　a　bitch。　I　think　we　have　all　your
bags。　Is　there　anything　else　inside？〃

Anne　may　have　been　thick　in　the　past；　but　she　wasn't　thick　now。　He　had
known　she　would　be　waiting。　He　had　known　what　time　to　e。　He　would
never　have　brought　the　child；　if　he　hadn't　been　sure　of　the　oute。
That　meant　her　parents　were　in　cahoots　with　him。

Had　it　been　Mitch；　alone；　she　would　have　turned　and　run。　But　when　she
looked　at　the　child；　she　was　lost。　The　six…year…old　wore　pink　bib…topped
shorts；　a　white　jersey；　and　clean　white　sneakers。　Her　limbs　were　tanned；
long　legs　dangling　around　Mitch's　thighs。　Golden　cascades　of　curly　hair
fell　half％way　down　her　back；　held　off　from　her　face　by　gaily　painted
barrettes　above　either　ear。　But　the　barrettes　were　small　and　couldn't
quite　hold　all　her　hair。　Short　wisps　escaped　into　tendrils　that　framed
her　face。　And　that　face？　If　Anne　hadn't　been　in　love　with　the　rest；　that
face　would　have　done　it。　It　was　softly　rounded　and　rosy　checked；　with　a
swarm　of　bright　freckles　over　the　bridge　of　a　button　nose；　and　eyes　that
were　chocolate…colored　and　soulful…and　staring　at　her。

〃Oh；　my；〃　Mitch　said。　〃I've　almost　forgotten　introductions　in　my　rush　to
get　going。　Anne；　this　is　my　daughter；　Rachel　Anderson。　Rachel；　this　is
Anne　Boulton。〃

With　more　poise　than　Anne　could　seem　to　muster；　the　child　extended　a
small　hand。　〃Hello；　Anne。　I'm　pleased　to　meet　you。　Daddy's　told　me　all
about　you。〃

Anne　held　her　hand；　loving　its　fragility　and　its　warmth。　〃Only　the　good
things；　I　hope？〃

Rachel's　eyes　rounded　quickly。　〃Oh；　my　daddy　would　never　say　anything
bad　about　you。　He…〃

〃That's　enough；　pumpkin；〃　Mitch　cut　her　off　with　a　squeeze。　〃You　can't
give　away　all　our　secrets；　now；　can　you？〃

The　child　broke　into　a　wide　grin；　displaying　a　mouthful　of　small　white
teeth　with　a　wide　gap　smack　in　the　middle　of　the　top。

Anne　was　enchanted。　〃That's　quite　some　hole　you've　got　there。　Did　the
good　fairy　bring　you　something　nice　for　those　teeth？〃

Again　the　grin；　along　with　owl　eyes。　〃I　got　a　whole　dollar　for　each　of
them。　Daddy　says　he　only　got　a　quarter　when　he　was　a　little　boy；　but
that　the　good　fairy　was　afraid　I　might　swallow　a　coin；　so　she　gave　me
paper。　I'm　really　glad；〃　she　bubbled　and　lowered　her　voice　in
confidence；　〃'cause　you　can't　buy　much　for　a　quarter。〃

Anne　laughed。　〃You're　a　perceptive　little　girl。〃

Mitch　appeared　to　agree。　Pride　was　written　all　over　his　face；　and　he　had
a　right　to　that　pride　where　the　child　was　concerned。　Not　where　his　own
behavior　was　concerned；　though。　For　starters；　he　should　be　ashamed　of
himself　for　using　her　as　a　shield。

〃Uh；　perhaps　you　ladies　are　ready　to　go。　The　sooner　we　leave　the　city；
the　sooner　we'll　reach　the　cabin。〃

The　cabin？　Her　heart　stopped。　She　couldn't　go　to　the　cabin。

But　Rachel's　eyes　were　glued　to　hers　and　Mitch's　held　clear　warning。

〃Rachel；〃　she　began　softly；　checking　back　over　her　shoulder；　〃do　you
think　you　might　wait　here　while　your　father　helps　me　out　with　one　last
thing　upstairs？　Maurice；　the　doorman；　will　keep　you　pany。〃

The　child　looked　to　her　father　for　permission。　He　kissed　her　and　set　her
back　in　the　car。　〃We'll　be　down　in　a　jiffy。〃　He　spoke　gently；　repeating
the　same　for　the　doorman。　Taking　Anne's　elbow；　he　escorted　her　inside。
As　soon　as　they　rounded　the　corner　and　were　out　of　the　child's　sight；
Anne　turned　on　him。　〃You　arranged　this　with　my　parents；　didn't　you？〃

He　grinned。　〃They're　wonderful　people。　When　I　explained　the　situation；
they　were　more　than　glad　to　help　out。〃

〃Well；　that's　just　fine；　but　I'm　not　going！　For　all　your　smugness　and
your　crafty　little　plans；　I'm　not　going！〃

His　grin　died。　〃I　told　Rachel　that　you'd　be　spending　the　week　with　us。〃

〃You　had　no　right　to　do　that。〃

〃But　it's　done。　She's　counting　on　your　being　there。　Would　you　disappoint
her？〃

Anne　was　exasperated。　〃How　can　you　use　her　like　this？　You　know　I　can't
hurt　her。〃

〃I　was　counting　on　that。〃

〃So　you're　going　to　go　out　there〃…she　pointed　a　shaky　finger　toward　the
street…〃and　tell　her　I　can't　go。〃

〃But　you　can。　Your　bags　are　packed　and　loaded。　Your　work　has　been
cleared　for　the　next　two　weeks。　There's　nothing　left　to　hold　you　here。〃

Anne　felt　trapped。　With　a　tired　sigh；　she　slumped　back　against　the　wall。
〃Why　don't　you　leave　me　alone？　Can't　you　see　that　I　don't　want　to　be
with　you？〃

He　was　sober　then。　〃That's　because　you　won't　listen　to　reason。　I've
tried　to　explain；　and　more　than　once；　but　you　wouldn't　answer　my　calls
or　let　me　in　when　I　banged　on　your　door。　You　wouldn't　give　me　the
courtesy　of　hearing　me　out。　So　now　I'm　asking　you；　for　Rachel's　sake；　to
e　with　us。　Just　this　once。　At　the　end　of　the　week；　if　you　still　feel
this　way；　I　will　leave　you　alone。〃

Anne　wondered　if　it　was　the　only　way　out。　She　couldn't　bear　the　thought
of　hurting　a　child　who　had　already　been　so　badly　hurt　in　life。　And　the
little　girl　would　be　a　chaperon　of　sorts。　What　harm　could　there　be？

〃Is　that　a　promise？〃　she　asked　cautiously。

〃Yes。〃　There　was　no　point　belaboring　the　matter。　With　a　defeated　sigh；
she　pushed　away　from　the　wall　and　returned　to　the　car　with　Mitch。

Within　the　hour　they　left　the　traffic　of　the　city　behind　and　sped
northward。　〃When　did　you　get　the　new　car？〃　Anne　asked；　groping　for
conversation　with　Mitch　as　Rachel　knelt　on　the　backseat；　studying　the
receding　skyline。

〃About　a　week　ago。　This　is　her　maiden　voyage。　The　Honda　was　a　bit　small