rekindled(英文版)-第26部分

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By　midafternoon；　she　was　champing　at　the　bit。　With　neither　cleaning　nor
baking　left　to　do；　she　did　some　translating。　When　she　finally　heard　a
distant　car；　the　dim　light　of　day　had　long　since　yielded　to　night。　But
the　growing　purr　was　familiar。　Without　doubt；　it　was　the　Honda。

Excited；　she　opened　the　front　door。　It　seemed　an　eternity　before　he
finally　climbed　from　the　car；　wrested　his　bags　from　the　trunk；　and
bolted　through　the　rain　toward　the　house。　When　he　brushed　past　her
without　a　direct　glance；　she　knew　something　was　wrong。

She　closed　the　door　on　the　rawness　of　the　night；　and　turned　to　see　him
drop　the　bags；　throw　off　his　overcoat；　and　head　for　the　fire；　all
without　a　word。　Unsure；　she　sank　down　on　the　sofa　and　waited。

The　man　reached　out　to　her　both　physically　and　emotionally。　He　wore　a
beige　sweater　and　brown　corduroy　slacks；　and　looked　as　strong　and　fit　as
ever。　But　it　was　the　fatigue；　suggested　by　his　bent　head　and　the　limp
hand　in　his　pocket；　that　made　the　greatest　impression　on　her。　She　ached
to　help；　but　she　feared　rebuff。　So　she　remained　silent。

For　a　time；　frowning　at　the　fire；　Mitch　seemed　oblivious　to　her
presence。　Needing　to　make　some　small　gesture；　she　went　quietly　to　the
kitchen　and　returned　with　a　mug　of　strong　black　coffee。

〃Have　something　hot；　Mitch。　It　was　a　long　drive。〃

He　looked　at　her　so　suddenly　that　she　knew　his　mind　had　been　miles　away。
Without　a　word　of　either　greeting　or　explanation；　he　accepted　the　cup
and　returned　to　his　brooding。　Again　Anne　waited；　fearing　what　was　wrong；
but　needing　to　be　there。

Finally；　he　put　his　head　back；　drew　in　a　great　breath；　straightened；　and
turned。　His　eyes　were　tired；　his　face　more　drawn　than　she　remembered　it。
He　drank　the　last　of　his　coffee　and　set　the　mug　on　the　mantel。　His　smile
was　wan；　but　it　was　a　smile。　〃You're　looking　well。〃

She　rested　her　chin　on　her　knees；　which　were　drawn　up　and　held　by　her
arms。　〃I　have　been；　thanks　to　you。　The　antibiotic　did　the　trick。〃

〃No　more　trouble？〃　When　she　shook　her　head；　he　said；　〃That's　good；〃　and
looked　back　at　the　fire。

〃What's　wrong；　Mitch？〃

He　shot　her　a　dry　look。　〃Don't　ask。　I　wouldn't　know　where　to　begin。〃

〃Was　it　a　bad　drive　up？〃

〃The　usual。〃

A　silence　followed。

〃I　received　the　message；〃　she　tried。　〃Thanks　for　sending　it。〃

〃I　didn't　want　you　waiting。〃

Or　worrying；　she　added　silently；　bitterly。　His　aloofness　scared　her。　It
suggested　he　hadn't　wanted　to　e　at　all。　Perhaps　he　even　regretted
having　given　her　the　key。

〃Would　you　like　me　to　leave；　Mitch？〃

He　looked　at　her　like　she　was　deft。　〃Of　course　not。　Why　do　you　suggest
that？〃

〃Because　you're　two　days　late；　then　you　walk　in　here　like　a　zombie　and
stare　at　the　fire。　It　occurs　to　me　that　you　might　just　want　your　house
to　yourself〃

〃If　I　had　wanted　that；　I'd　never　have　given　you　a　key　to　the　place。〃

〃Why　did　you？　I　keep　asking　myself　that；　but　I　can't　e　up　with　a　good
answer。〃

〃I　wanted　you　to　have　access　to　the　place　whenever　you　wanted。〃

Gewhy？〃

〃That's　a　crazy　question。〃

〃And　this　is　a　crazy　situation。〃

He　went　to　the　front　window　and　stared　out　at　the　darkness。　〃I　never
promised　you　more。〃

Well；　he　was　right。　A　heavy　weight　settled　in　Anne's　stomach。　Head
bowed；　she　rose　from　the　sofa；　reached　for　the　empty　mug；　and　headed　for
the　kitchen。　At　the　door；　she　stopped；　but　she　didn't　turn。　〃Have　you
had　any　supper？〃

〃No。〃

〃I'll　make　something。〃

〃That's　not　necessary。〃

〃I'll　do　it。〃

Five　minutes　later；　she　sat　across　from　him　and　watched　him　down　the
club　sandwich　that　she　had　made　with　the　chicken　that　had　gone　uneaten
on　Friday　night。　Conversation　was　sparse　and　cryptic；　pounding　her
frustration。　〃Thank　you；〃　he　said　when　only　crumbs　remained。　〃That　hit
the　spot。〃

〃I'm　glad　I've　finally　done　something　right；〃　she　murmured；　standing　to
clear　the　dishes。

He　caught　her　hand。　〃What's　that　supposed　to　mean？〃

〃I　think　you　know。〃　She　freed　her　hand　and　she　continued　to　the　sink。

Suddenly　he　was　directly　behind　her。　〃You've　been　vague　about　something
for　the　last　hour。　What　is　it？〃

Fiercely；　she　scrubbed　at　the　dish。

〃You're　angry　because　I　showed　up　late？〃

〃No。〃

〃What　else　could　it　be？　I　sent　word。　I　even　did　it　through　Miles　so　you
wouldn't　worry　that　I　knew　your　last　name。〃

〃That's　not　bothering　me。〃

He　turned　her　around。　〃Look　at　me；　Anne。〃

Her　hands　dripped　of　soap。　She　held　them　out　to　the　sides。

〃I　want　you　to　tell　me　what's　wrong；〃　he　insisted；　and　she　was　suddenly
angry。

〃Why？　I　don't　owe　you　an　explanation　for　my　behavior；　any　more　than　you
owe　me　one　for　yours！〃

His　eyes　held　hers　for　long　minutes。　〃Ah。　That's　it。　You　want　an
explanation　for　my　lateness；　like　this　is　some　kind　of　a　business
meeting。〃

〃I　don't　want　a　thing！〃　she　cried；　whipping　out　of　his　grasp　to　dry　her
hands　on　the　towel。　She　thrust　a　damp　rag　into　his　hand。　〃Here。　You
finish　cleaning。　I'm　going　to　bed。〃

She　held　off　tears　until　she　was　safely　up　in　her　attic　room　and　sure　of
not　being　followed。　Then　they　came　with　a　vengeance。　She　had　loved　Jeff
and　lost　him；　through　powers　that　were　beyond　her。　Now　it　was　happening
all　over　again　with　Mitch。

Oh；　yes；　she　loved　Mitch　。。。　Mitch；　whose　last　name　she　didn't　even
know。　She　knew　that　she　had　missed　him　desperately；　that　his　brooding
upset　her；　along　with　her　inability　to　console　him。　She　knew　that　she
wanted　an　explanation　for　his　delay。

For　long　hours　she　agonized。　Leave　here　tomorrow；　a　tiny　voice　said；
protect　yourself；　you　don't　need　this　pain。　But　a　louder　voice　told　her
to　wait。　Mitch　made　her　feel。　She　wanted　to　be　with　him。　There　was
always　hope。

On　that　optimistic　note　she　fell　into　a　deep　sleep；　long　after　all　sound
of　life　from　downstairs　had　ceased。　The　rain　continued　to　pound　the
windows；　but　it　was　the　smell　of　strong　coffee　that　finally　woke　her　up。

Even　before　she　opened　her　eyes；　she　knew　he　was　there　in　her　room。　The
weight　by　her　right　hip；　a　distinct　depression　in　the　mattress；　the
faint　hint　of　after…shave…all　told　her　so。　She　opened　heavy　eyes　and
focused　on　him。　Through　a　sleepy　haze；　he　looked　soft；　gentle；　and
caring。　Freshly　shaven；　showered；　and　dressed；　he　was　powerfully　male。
His　face　was　one　big　tender　smile；　broken　only　when　he　sipped　coffee
from　the　mug　he　held。

〃Good　morning；〃　he　said。　〃I'd　begun　to　wonder　whether　you'd　ever　wake
up。　A　real　sleeping　beauty。〃

Anne　was　relieved　enough　that　his　mood　had　improved　to　muster　a　smile。
〃I　had　trouble　falling　asleep。〃

〃Tell　me　about　it。〃

〃Hmph。　Got　a　taste　of　your　own　medicine？〃　Pushing　higher　up　on　the
pillow；　she　moved　her　hair　off　her　cheek。

As　the　quilt　fell　away；　Mitch's　eyes　lit。　〃What's　this？　Bare　arms？　A
negligee？　Where'd　the　long　flannel　nightgown　go？　It's　not　that　warm
yet。〃

Anne　scowled。　〃It's　not　a　negligee。　A　negligee　is　something　daring。　This
is　just　a　nightgown。〃　Primly；　she　pulled　the　quilt　to　her　throat。

〃We're　arguing　semantics；　Annie。　The　fact　is；　you　look　like　a　woman
should　look　first　thing　in　the　morning。〃

〃I　look　awful；〃　she　grumbled；　picturing　ratty　hair；　swollen　eyes；　and
bare　features　and　suddenly　wishing　she　could　hide。

〃If　you　could　bottle　up　and　sell　what　you　call　awful；　you'd　make　a
million。〃

〃Well；　I'm　sure　you'd　know。　You　must　have　seen　dozens　of　women　first
thing　in　the　morning。〃

〃Ah。　I　think　you　need　coffee。〃　He　slid　an　arm　behind　her　and　drew　her
up。　〃Jealousy　isn't　your　usual　style。〃　Though　a　smile　played　around　his
mouth；　his　eyes　were　serious。

〃I'm　not　jealous；〃　she　said；　but　she　drank　his　coffee。　The　intimacy　of
it　made　a　lie　of　her　denial。　She　wanted　to　know　who　occupied　Mitch's
time　and　thoughts　when　he　wasn't　with　her。　Oh；　yes；　she　was　jealous。

〃Better？〃　he　asked　and　took　another　drink　himself。　He　placed　the　mug　on
the　nightstand　when　she　lay　back　against　the　pillows。　〃Is　the　nightgown
symbolic？　Like　the　pink　sweater　last　time？〃

She　lifted　a　shoulder；　self…conscious。　〃I　suppose。　I'm　getting　out　more
now。　I　feel　better。〃　Except　when　she　thought　about　the　uping　trial；
which　she　desperately　tried　not　to　do。　〃What　about　you？　Any　symbolic
recovery　gestures？〃

He　gave　an　evasive　smile。　〃Some。〃

Anne　waited。　After　a　minute；　she　said；　〃Like　what？〃

〃It's　better　told　at　another　time。　I　have　something　more　important　in
mind　right　now。〃

〃What？〃　she　asked　with　total　innocence；　until　his　eyes　fell　to　her
breasts。　The　nightgown　was　sheer。　Blushing；　she　crossed　her　arms　over
the　pale　yellow　bodice。

He　took　her　wrists　and　pulled　them　away；　then　murmured　a　husky；　〃I
haven't　properly　said　hello；〃　and　drew　her　forward。　His　lips　found　hers
unerringly；　and　proceeded　to　do　all　the　things　Anne　loved　until　she　was
dizzy　with　pleasure。

Had　she　actually　been　angry　at　him　the　night　before？　The　only　thing　she
felt　now　was　love。　She　kissed　him　as　deeply　as　he　kissed　her；　and　when
he　shifted　her；　cradled　her；　she　pushed　her　hands　into　his　hair。

He　was　everything　Anne　had　waited　for　and　wanted。　His　kiss　set　her
afire；　his　arms　fed　the　flame。　By　the　time　he　set　her　back；　her　cheeks
and　lips　were　rosy　with　heat。

She　opened　her　eyes　wide。　〃That　was　a　nice　hello。〃

To　her　delight；　he　wasn't　done。　When　he　reached　for　her　again；　she　went
willingly。　Her　hands　slipped　around　his　waist；　fingers　burrowing　under
his　sweater　to　brush　his　skin。　She　was　barely　aware　that　he　had　pushed
off　the　slim　straps　of　her　nightgown；　until　he　drew　back　to　release　her
arms　and　let　the　silky　fabric　fall　to　her　waist。

His　gaze　caressed　her　breasts；　which　tingled　and　swelled。　〃How　lovely
you　are；　Annie；〃　he　said　hoarsely。

〃You've　seen　me　before。〃　She　felt　vaguely　self…conscious。

But　his　eyes　were　deep　green　with　passion。　〃Then；　you　were　sick　with　a
fever　and　a　hacking　cough。　The　beauty　was　there；　but　I　hardly　had　time
to　admire　it。　Now's　different。　You　are　lovely。　I'll　say　it　again　and
again；　every　time　I　hold　you；　every　time　we　make　love。〃

Her　insides　quivered；　all　the　more　so　when　he　stroked　her　breast。　When
his　fingers　rubbed　her　nipple；　she　grabbed　at　his　shoulders　for　support。
〃You're　cruel。〃

She　felt　a　grin　by　her　ear。　〃You　bring　out　the　worst　in　me；〃　he　said　and
kept　up　the　torment。

The　flames　in　Anne　burned　hotter；　threatening　to　reduce　her　to　embers。
Small；　unfamiliar　sounds　came　from　her　throat　when　he　eased　her　down　on
the　bed　and　took　her　breast　in　his　mouth。　He　sucked　it　in；　bringing　her
arching　off　the　bed。　Clutching　handfuls　of　his　sweater；　she　was　thinking
she　couldn't　bear　any　more；　when　he　released　her　and　whipped　the　sweater
over　his　head。　Her　hands　were　all　over　him；　then。　She　couldn't　touch　him
enough。

He　ground　out　her　name　through　gritted　teeth　and　crushed　her　to　him　to
stop　her。　She　gasped　at　the　press　of　his　chest　against　hers；　the　texture
against　her　softness；　the　rapid　thunder　of　his　heart。

〃I　need　you；〃　she　cried；　looking　up　at　him。　This　wasn't　enough；　just
wasn't　enough。　〃Please？〃

〃Do　you　know　what　you're　doing？〃　he　asked　huskily；　and　sucked　in　his
breath　when　she　pulled　at　the　snap　of　his　jeans。　Seconds　later　her
fingers　were　inside；　against　his　abdomen。　〃My　God；　Annie！〃　For　long
seconds　of　indecision　he　stared　down　at　her；　and　she　was　an　open　book；
she　knew。　But　she　wasn't　ashamed。　She　might　not　be　ready　to　say　the
words　aloud；　but　the　depth　of　her　love；　her　longing；　brought　tears　to
her　eyes。

Then　something　went　wrong。　Suddenly　his　eyes　grew　hard。

〃Damn　it！〃　he　swore　and　released　her　abruptly。　Bolting　from　the　bed；　he
strode　to　the　window；　where　he　stood　with　his　hands　on　his　hips；　his
legs　apart；　his　head　hung　low；　his　shoulders　heaving。　Then；　swearing
again；　he　stalked　past　her　and　left　the　room。

Anne　sat　in　stunned　silence；　unable　to　move；　to　think；　to　feel。　Finally
the　chill　in　the　air　drove　her　under　the　quilt；　but　even　then　the
trembling　hit　her　hard。　There　was　only　one　explanation　for　Mitch's
behavior；　and　it　had　to　do　with　the　〃obligation〃　to　which　he　had　once
referred。　He　wasn't　free。

So　again　she　wondered；　Do　I　leave；　or　do　I　stay？　And　again　she　reached
the　same　decision。　Self…destructive　or　not；　she　was　staying。　She　had　to
be　near　Mitch。

But　she　wasn't　being　humiliated　again。　She　wasn't　begging　for　love　until
it　was　freely　offered　first。

Needing　to　make　a　statement　to　that　effect；　she　slipped　from　bed；　went
to　the　dresser；　and　pulled　on　a　pair　of　corduroys　and　a　turtleneck
sweater。　Then　she　went　downstairs　with　her　head　held　high。

But　her　show　of　confidence　was　wasted。　Mitch　was　nowhere　in　sight。　He
had　eaten。　She　saw　dishes　in　the　sink。　And　the　blue　Honda　was　parked
outside。　Deflated；　she　guessed　that　he　was　out　in　the　woods。

Resigned　to　spending　the　afternoon　alone；　Anne　built　a　roaring　fire　and
settled　before　it。　She　had　a　short　essay　to　translate；　and　a　new　novel；
of　the　bestseller　type；　to　read。　She　set　to　it。

Late　afternoon　became　early　evening　without　a　sign　of　Mitch。　More
restless　than　bored；　more　concerned　than　angry；　she　wandered　into　the
kitchen。　But　she　didn't　have　it　in　her　to　make　dinner；　so　she　returned
to　the　fireplace。

Not　long　after；　the　back　door　opened　and　shut。　Heavy　boots　crossed　the
kitchen　floor。　A　slicker…clad　figure　appeared。

Without　a　word　he　approached；　shucking　the　slicker　along　the　way　and
draping　it　over　a　chair。　Then　he　hunkered　down　near　her　and　added
another　log　to　the　fire。　When　it　had　begun　to　sizzle　and　smoke；　he
swiveled　to　face　her。

〃Angry？〃　The　fire　behind　him　threw　a　halo　around　his　head；　but　his　face
was　in　shadow。　Unable　to　tell　whether　he　empathized　or　taunted；　she　went
with　the　truth。

〃No。　I　have　no　right　to　be　angry。〃

〃I　needed　to　walk。　Even　wet；　it　was　good。　I　needed　to　think。〃

About　her？　About　another　〃obligation〃？　〃You　sound　like　you　have　the
weight　of　the　world　on　your　shoulders；〃　she　teased。

〃It　sometimes　seems　that　way。〃　His　voice　was　softer；　more　rueful。　〃It's
been　a　bad　week。〃

〃Work？〃　she　asked　with　caution。

〃No。　Work's　fine。　I　have　good　backup　there。　They　keep　things　running
when　I　fade　out。〃

Anne　sat　quietly；　waiting　for　him　to　say　more。　If　his　problem　wasn't
business；　it　had　to　be　personal。　Suddenly；　she　didn't　want　to　know。

She　stood　with　a　start。　〃I'll　go　make　dinner。〃　He　caught　her　wrist。
Suddenly　gentle；　he　said；　〃It's　my　turn。　You　did　it　last　night。　This
time　I'm　cooking　for　you。〃

His　gentleness　threw　her；　as　did　his　eyes；　which　begged　her　to　let　him
do　this。　It　wasn't　exactly　the　begging　she　wanted；　but　it　was　something。

Trying　to　be　as　nonchalant　as　she　could；　she　sank　back　into　the　chair
and　held　up　both　hands。　〃It's　your　house。〃

He　chuckled；　in　a　suddenly　lighter　mood。　One　agile　movement　brought　him
to　his　feet；　another　brought　him　to　her。　He　planted　a　kiss　on　her　cheek
before　she　had　time　to　pull　away。

〃What　was　that　for？〃　she　asked。

〃For　being　a　saint；〃　he　said　and　set　off。　Dinner　was　so　panionable；
that　when　Tuesday　morning　brought　bright　sun；　Anne　wasn't　surprised　to
see　Mitch　up　early　to　join　her　for　breakfast。

〃It's　a　perfect　morning　to　set　in　the　spouts；〃　he　said；　wiping　the
dishes　as　she　washed。

〃Spouts？〃

〃We've　had　cold　nights　and　warm　days。　The　sap　should　be　flowing　like
water。〃

Anne　laughed　in　delight。　〃Maple…sugaring？　We　can　do　it　o