rekindled(英文版)-第32章

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she　caught　his　hands　and　stilled　them。　〃Let　me；〃　she　said。　〃I　need　to
know　you。〃

He　searched　her　eyes　for　a　minute。　Then；　silently；　he　sat　back　on　the
bed　and　let　her　undress　him。　When　his　big　body　was　bare；　she　could　only
marvel　at　its　beauty；　at　the　beauty　of　the　love　she　felt。　She　explored
his　every　sinew；　touching　him　with　innocent　wonder　from　his　shoulders　to
his　thighs；　skimming　lean　planes；　tracing　manly　swells；　delighting　in
his　arousal。

When　his　patience　was　exhausted；　he　made　a　gutteral　sound。　〃That's　it；
honey。　That's　it。〃　With　bullet　speed；　he　flipped　over　her　and　removed
every　stitch　of　her　clothes。

They　lay　naked　then　on　the　cool　sheets；　facing　one　another。　Their
breathing　was　heavy　with　need　and　want；　but　he　held　her　off　for　those
last　few　infinitely　trying　seconds。　His　eyes　ran　the　length　of　her　once
more　before　searching　her　soul。

〃Are　you　sure？〃　he　asked　softly。

〃I　love　you；〃　she　replied。

〃But　it's　different　for　a　woman；　isn't　it？〃

〃Not　when　she's　in　love。〃

〃Then　you'll　be　mine？〃

She　grinned。　〃If　you　keep　me　waiting　much　longer；　I　may　attack　you。〃

The　waiting　ended。　He　possessed　her　as　the　pale　purple　of　early　evening
bathed　them　in　its　glow；　and　it　was　good　from　the　very　first。　Good　。。。
better　。。。　all…consuming　。。。　exhausting　。。。　absolutely；　positively
mind…blowing。

Arms　and　legs　entwined；　they　slept；　the　deep　and　satisfied　sleep　of　two
who　were　spent　and　content。　Long　forgotten　was　the　maple　syrup　on　the
stove；　cooling　to　a　thick　amber　perfection；　and　the　French　toast　that
was　to　have　showcased　it。　They　were　oblivious　when　dusk　faded　to　a　dark
and　moonlit　night。

When　Anne　awoke　some　time　later；　the　only　things　she　cared　about　were
the　warm　chest　pillowing　her　head　and　the　lean　hip　under　her　palm。　Her
first　movement　brought　a　tightening　of　the　arm　across　her　back　and　the
reverent　caress　of　a　hand。　Smiling；　she　kissed　the　matted　hair　on　his
chest；　then　tipped　her　head　to　see　him。　His　chin　was　strong　but　relaxed；
the　angled　jaw　likewise。　His　hair　fell　in　waves　over　his　forehead；
lending　a　boyish　charm。　But　his　eyes…his　eyes　held　hers；　speaking　of
love。

〃How　are　you？〃　he　asked　gently。

She　traced　the　line　of　his　jaw。　〃I've　never　been　better。〃

〃I　love　you。　You　know　that　now；　don't　you？〃

She　nodded。　He　could　never　have　made　love　to　her　the　way　he　had　if　it
hadn't　e　from　the　heart。　But　he　repeated　the　words　as　the　night
passed；　reassuring　her　again　and　again；　and　Anne　had　never　known　such　a
night。　She　would　collapse；　breathless；　weary　of　limb　and　shuddering　in
the　aftermath　of　passion；　only　to　discover　before　long　that　Mitch　had　a
new　way　to　say　it。

The　sun　was　high　in　the　late…morning　sky　when　they　finally　awoke。　They
lay　in　bed；　face　to　face；　studying；　marveling；　smiling。

〃How　am　I　going　to　drive　back　to　New　York　today？〃　she　finally　asked。
Forget　her　heart。　Her　body　was　done　in。

〃You're　not。　When　I　go　to　make　my　phone　call　later　today；　I'll　make　any
you　need　to　make。　I'm　sure　the　O'Gradys　won't　mind。〃

〃The　O'Gradys？〃

〃Our　neighbors；　about　two　miles　to　the　east。　I　found　them　by　accident
once；　but　they're　used　to　me　now。　I　always　call　Rachel　from　there。〃

Anne　smiled。　〃Rachel。　You're　daughter。　That's　so　special；　Mitch。　I'm
glad　you　keep　in　touch　with　her　while　you're　away。　I　feel　guilty　that
you　left　her　at　all　to　meet　me；　especially　when　she　was　sick。〃

〃She　was　better　by　the　time　I　left。　But　don't　worry　your　pretty　head
about　that。　What　you　need　to　worry　about　is　whether　I'll　let　you　out　of
this　bed　before　Monday。〃

She　feigned　shock。　〃You　wouldn't　keep　me　here　that　long。〃

〃No？〃

She　took　another　tack。　〃You　couldn't。〃

〃No？〃　His　eyes　held　a　naughty　gleam。　Then　he　slid　over　her　and　proved
her　wrong。

Saturday　night　they　had　cause　to　celebrate；　toasting　each　other　by　first
and　last　names；　making　merry　despite　the　fact　that　they　had　both　decided
to　leave　the　next　day。　Mitch　had　a　Monday　morning　board　meeting；　Anne
needed　to　deliver　a　promised　piece　of　work。　The　real　world　waited。

She　dreaded　the　moment　of　parting。　What　they　had　was　so　new；　so　fragile；
so　precious　that　she　would　have　liked　nothing　more　than　to　stay　in　the
cottage　forever。

But　Mitch　grew　preoccupied　as　that　moment　of　parting　drew　near。　Finally；
cautiously；　he　said；　〃The　next　few　weeks　are　going　to　be　impossible　for
me；　Annie。　I　have　some　business　matters　ing　to　a　head；　and　I'll　want
to　spend　extra　time　with　Rachel。　Let　me　call　you　as　soon　as　things　clear
up。　Is　that　okay？〃

Given　their　intimacy　and　the　number　of　times　he'd　said　he　loved　her；
Anne　might　have　been　puzzled　by　his　unsureness；　but　she　was　starting　to
grow　preoccupied　herself。　The　court　hearing　on　the　matter　of　her　law
suit　was　only　a　week　and　a　half　off。

She　took　a　resigned　breath　and　gave　him　a　hopeful　smile。　〃I'll　be
waiting。

Wait　she　did；　day　after　day；　night　after　night。　The　knowledge　that　Mitch
was　suffering　through　a　busy　spell　was　small　solace。　Only　the　belief
that　he　loved　her　carried　her　through　to　the　evening　before　her　court
appearance；　when　the　phone　finally　rang。

〃How　are　you；　Annie？〃　He　sounded　caring；　but　a　little　guarded。

〃Fine。　But　I　miss　you。〃　She　had　no　pride。

〃Same　here；　honey。　Are　you　all　set　for　tomorrow？〃

She　was　touched　that　he　remembered　the　date；　touched　that　he　was　calling
to　give　her　last…minute　encouragement。　〃I　don't　think　I'll　ever　be
ready；〃　she　answered　honestly。　〃But　my　family　and　Jeff's　will　be　ing
to　get　me　first　thing　in　the　morning。　I　think　they're　not　sure　that　I'll
show　up　on　my　own。〃

〃They'll　all　be　there？〃

〃Most　of　them。　I'll　have　plenty　of　emotional　support。〃

〃I'm　glad。〃

A　silence　fell。　To　lighten　it；　she　asked；　〃How's　Rachel？〃

〃Fine。　Thanks　for　asking。　A　few　scabs　still　left；　but　she's　back　at
school。〃　Again　a　pause；　even　heavier　this　time。　〃Anne？〃

〃Yes？〃

〃I　love　you　very　much。〃　His　voice　was　melancholy。　Anne　wanted　to　believe
that　he　was　as　bothered　by　the　separation　as　she　was。

〃I　love　you；　too。　When　will　I　see　you？〃

〃Soon；　honey；　soon。　I'll　talk　with　you　again　soon。　Just　remember　that　I
love　you。〃

Tears　filled　her　eyes。　Something　felt　wrong。　But　he　said　he　loved　her。
She　had　to　hold　on　to　that。

The　next　day　was　warm　by　April　standards；　but　Anne　woke　up　feeling
chilled。　At　nine　o'clock　sharp；　Jeff's　father　rang　her　bell。

She　kissed　him；　feeling　the　same　fondness　she　always　had；　and　reached
for　her　coat　and　purse。　〃Are　the　others　downstairs？〃　She　was　eager　to　be
gone。　The　sooner　the　day　was　done；　the　better。　She　had　been　unable　to
touch　any　breakfast；　and　her　stomach　continued　to　knot。

〃Actually；　no。　There's　been　a　slight　change。　Our　lawyer　got　the　call
this　morning。〃

〃What　kind　of　change？〃

He　took　her　arm　and　directed　her　back　into　the　room。　〃Sit　for　a　minute
and　I'll　explain。〃　When　they　were　seated　on　the　sofa；　he　said；　〃The
hearing　has　been　called　off。〃

〃What？〃　After　dreading　the　day　for　so　long；　the　last　thing　Anne　wanted
was　to　have　to　go　through　the　agony　of　anticipation　all　over　again。
〃Why？〃

〃It's　good　news；　really。　There　will　probably　be　an　out…of…court
settlement。〃

A　wave　of　relief　swept　her。　〃You　mean；　there　won't　be　a　hearing　at　all？〃

He　shook　his　head。　〃I　doubt　it。〃

〃Then　today？〃　The　first　thing　she　could　think　of　was　changing　out　of　her
suit　and　into　jeans；　and　putting　the　whole　matter　behind　her　at　last。

〃Today　we　go　to　the　lawyer's　office。　The　lawyer　representing　the
airline；　that　is。　It　seems　that　Southeast　American　Air　has　counter…filed
a　suit；　one　against　the　manufacturer　of　the　aircraft　itself。〃　He　waited
for　her　nod；　just　as　Jeff　would　have　done。　Then　he　went　on。　〃The　latest
investigation　points　to　a　weakness　in　the　design　of　the　craft　as　the
cause　of　the　accident；　rather　than　pilot　error　or　substandard
maintenance　procedures。　Southeast　American　Air　has　a　fine　reputation　on
those　scores。〃

Anne　didn't　understand。　〃Then　isn't　this　the　end　between　the　airline　and
me？　Why　do　I　need　to　do　anything　more？〃

Theodore　Boulton　took　her　cold　hand。　〃They　need　a　deposition　from　you；　a
statement　of　what　you　suffered　and　will　suffer　in　the　future　because　of
the　accident。　The　lawyer　asks　questions　and　you　answer　under　oath。　You
see；〃　he　explained；　〃in　order　to　arrange　a　settlement；　there　has　to　be
some　assessment　of　damages；　of　losses。　Not　only　will　our　lawyer；　the
airline's　lawyer；　and　its　president　be　there；　but　there　will　be　similar
representation　by　the　airplane　manufacturer。〃

She　sighed。　What　he　described　sounded　less　threatening　than　a　court
hearing。　Still；　the　prospect　of　a　question…and…answer　session　was　less
than　pleasant。　〃What　will　I　be　asked？〃

He　gave　a　negligent　shrug。　〃They'll　want　to　know　about　you　and　Jeff。　How
old　you　were　when　you　met　him。　How　long　you　were　married。　Where　he
worked。　How　much　money　he　earned。〃

〃But　aren't　those　things　matters　of　record；　already？〃

〃Yes；　but　a　deposition　is　a　sworn　statement　of　them。　It's　legal　and
binding。　It's　just　a　formality；　but　an　important　one。〃

Anne　rested　against　the　back　of　the　sofa。　〃I　see；〃　she　said　when　there
seemed　nothing　else　to　say。　〃Are　my　parents　meeting　us　at　the
courthouse？〃

〃My　wife　will　have　called　them　by　now。　There's　no　need　for　them　to　be
there；　not　at　a　meeting　like　this。〃

She　nodded；　then　searched　the　room　for　memories　of　Jeff　that　were　warm
and　treasured；　memories　that　had　finally　found　their　place。　When　her
eyes　pleted　the　circle；　they　fell　once　more　on　her　father…in…law。

〃Shouldn't　we　be　going？〃

He　glanced　at　his　watch。　〃We　don't　have　to　be　there　until　eleven。　Was
there　something　else　you　wanted　to　do　first？〃

She　laughed　sadly。　〃I'd　pretty　much　chalked　off　the　day；　not　to　mention
the　next　few。〃

〃Do　you　have　much　work　to　do？〃

〃Right　now？　No。　I　was　expecting　the　worst　from　this　hearing；　so　I　gave
myself　a　week's　vacation。〃

〃I　hear　you　got　a　good　rest　in　Vermont　the　week　before　last。〃

〃You've　been　talking　to　my　mother；〃　she　accused　lightly；　astonished　at
how　the　mere　mention　of　Vermont　could　cheer　her。

〃We　all　worry　about　you；　Anne。　But　you've　been　looking　more　yourself
lately。　Something　is　working　for　you。〃

It　was　the　perfect　opening；　but　she　couldn't　get　herself　to　tell　him
about　Mitch。　It　seemed　so　soon；　and；　in　light　of　the　day's　happenings；
inappropriate。

She　blushed…but　her　father…in…law　couldn't　know　why。　〃I've　accepted
Jeff's　death；　which　is　why　this　whole　legal　thing　is　so　hard。　It　helps
spending　time　away　from　it　all　in　Vermont。〃

〃I　suspect　you'd　like　to　be　there　now。〃

Her　grin　was　sheepish。　〃Oh；　I　wouldn't　mind　it；　no　offense　to　present
pany；　of　course。〃

〃Have　you　started　to　date　yet；　Anne？〃

She　took　a　breath　the　wrong　way　and　coughed。　〃Not。。　。　really。〃　She　and
Mitch　had　never　actually　〃dated。〃

Theodore　Boulton　was　sober。　〃We　think　you　should；　Anne。　You're　young　and
beautiful。　I　know　how　much　you　and　Jeff　loved　each　other；　but　he's　gone。
Dot　and　I　have　accepted　that；　too。　He　was　our　son。　Not　a　day　goes　by
when　we　don't　think　about　him。　But　it's　been　over　a　year　now；　and　life
has　to　go　on。　You're　only　twenty…eight。　You　should　be　enjoying　yourself
and　your　friends；　finding　someone　else　to　love；　having　babies。〃　His
cheeks　reddened。　〃e　the　day　you　do　have　a　baby；　I'll　think　of　it　as
my　own　grandchild。〃

Anne's　eyes　filled　with　tears。　Reaching　out；　she　hugged　him　soundly。
〃Thank　you。〃　He　had　lifted　a　burden　from　her　shoulders。　She　felt　better
knowing　that　when　she　told　them　about　Mitch；　they　would　support　her。　She
prayed　that　that　day　would　e　soon；　particularly　once　this　one　was
over。　The　midmorning　traffic　was　heavy。　Sitting　in　it　on　Manhattan's
residential　side　streets；　Anne　looked　around　for　a　distraction　from　the
uping　interview。　Her　eyes　fell　on　the　first　of　the　flowers　that　had
appeared　in　window　boxes；　then；　when　the　car　reached　the　wider　avenues；
on　trees　that　were　beginning　to　bud。　They　were　tall；　thin；　and　pale；
pared　to　her　memory　of　the　trees　in　Vermont。

Those　Vermont　trees；　being　farther　north　and　later　to　blossom；　would　be
barely　swelling　with　buds　now；　but　those　buds　held　promise　of　a　rich　and
fruitful　spring。

Soon；　Mitch　had　said。　Soon　they　would　talk　again。　Soon　they　would　see
each　other；　and　the　waiting　would　be　done。

Her　father…in…law　touched　her　hand　as　they　waited　for　a　traffic　light　to
change。　〃Such　a　wistful　look。〃

She　sighed。　〃I'll　just　be　glad　when　this　is　over。〃

He　smiled　Jeff's　warm　and　reassuring　smile。　〃It's　going　to　be　fine；
Anne。　Just　fine。〃

Within　minutes；　he　pulled　into　a　parking　lot　and　guided　Anne　into　the
posh　skyscraper　that　housed　the　offices　of　the　attorney　for　Southeast
American　Air。　The　elevator　ride　to　the　sixty…eighth　floor　seemed
endless。　Her　palms　were　moist　and　her　stomach　jumpy　by　the　time　they
finally　reached　the　law　firm。

The　Boulton　family　attorney；　Terrence　Carpenter；　met　then　in　the　outer
waiting　room。　He　spent　several　minutes　explaining　the　types　of　questions
Anne　would　be　asked；　then　led　her　through　the　double　doors。　They　walked
down　long　corridors　of　secretaries'　stations；　past　open　doors　of　office
after　office　to　one　at　the　very　end　of　the　hall。

It　was　a　conference　room；　dominated　by　a　long；　rectangular　table　of　a
rich　wood；　surrounded