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〃Too restful。 Tomorrow is my last morning here。 Will you go walking with
me； or do I sneak out alone？〃
He looked back at the fire。 〃I'll go with you。〃
She had expected an argument； something to the tune of You're not well
enough for a walk。 When he said nothing； she knew something was
definitely wrong。
But he wasn't the only one who had lost his taste for the fight。 She
didn't want anything to mar their last night。 So she let it go。 With the
snowfall still fresh on the deserted mountain； the sight greeting them
the following morning was one of blinding splendor。 The sky was a deep
blue； the air cold and still。 Days of warm sun and freezing temperatures
had created a crust of ice。 The crunch underfoot echoed as they made
their way across the hillside。 Bits of the brook that weren't frozen ran
through crystalline palaces of branches and weeds。 The only other signs
of life were those frozen in the snow； the tracks of the snowshoe rabbit
or the packed path of the deer。
It was a scene of rare beauty； all the more beautiful for the week…long
wait to see it。 But time was short。 Too soon； afternoon arrived and the
moment of parting。
〃Are you sure you won't stay the weekend？〃 Mitch asked。 〃You shouldn't
be driving so far yet。〃 Her car was packed。 They stood beside it。
His wistfulness added to Anne's regret。 〃I wish I could。 But I promised
my folks I'd attend a hospital benefit with them tomorrow night。 I can't
let them down。〃
He wrapped an arm around her。 〃Even if you're letting me down？〃 His eyes
dropped to her lips。 Seconds later he kissed them。 It was a gentle
caress； sweet torture to Anne's reawakening body。 She wound her arms
around his neck and felt him tighten in response。 She was well now。 Her
departure was imminent。 If ever there was a time for ardor； this was it。
The kiss deepened and the fire grew hotter。 With a wildness borne of
desperation； he thrust his tongue deeper into her mouth； and Anne reeled
at the sensation。 She would have happily returned to the house； to that
same bedroom； that same large bed if he'd asked just then。 But he
didn't。
With a shaky breath； he drew back。 He took her hand； pressed something
in it； and closed her fingers。 〃I want you to take this。 It's a key to
the place。 I have a few hectic weeks ahead； but I'll be up again at the
end of March。 If you want to e at any time； I want you to。〃
Anne was deeply touched； but that wasn't the only reason her eyes filled
with tears。 Frightened that she would make a fool of herself； she
whispered a soft thanks against his cheek in a final hug； pulled away；
and got into her car。 She headed down the sanded road without a look
behind。 Parting was getting harder and harder。
March in Vermont was the time of unlocking； that period during which the
frozen ground gradually yielded one frigid layer after another to the
power of an ever…stronger sun； when the brooks and ponds； rivers and
lakes lost their ice to the rush of the downstream current。 It was a
time of the loud thrashing of formidably cold waters against their
banks。 It was a time of mud。
Anne hadn't expected that when she left New York。 Taking Mitch up on his
offer and using his key； she arrived several days in advance of him。 The
excitement was in being there； in these hills； in Mitch's house。 Nothing
could have kept her away longer。
〃You're going again？〃 her mother had asked in surprise。
Anne was prepared for the question。 She had done her homework。 〃It's
maple…sugaring time。 I wouldn't miss it for the world。〃
Her father had remarked； 〃I wouldn't be surprised if you turned around
and bought that place。 Pretty soon you'll be spending more time there
than you do here。〃
It was an exaggeration； of course。 Still； Ann blushed。 The cottage
already had an owner； a hale and hearty one； who appeared to be in no
way interested in selling。 Fortunately her parents had never learned of
the stranded car or the pneumonia fiasco； and they still knew absolutely
nothing about Mitch。
Anne was starting to feel guilty about that。 She had always been close
to her parents。 They had been understanding and solicitous during her
grief It occurred to her that they would want to know when she was
happy。
For she was happy。 Knowing that Mitch would be with her in Vermont； she
could face just about anything else that arose。 His giving her the key
was a significant gesture。 Now she had a steady tie to the place。
Since returning this last time； she had changed。 For one thing； she had
finally been able to pack up Jeff's things。 For another； she was smiling
more； laughing more； eating more。 For a third； she was going out more
with old friends。
Strange。 For so much of the last year her apartment had been her private
retreat； her sanctuary when she couldn't face the world。 Lately； though；
it was nearly as lonely as it had been in the dreadful days following
the crash。
She missed Mitch。 The longing grew with each day that passed； until her
only refuge was in work and the pany of others。 Even then； he was
never far from her mind。
Now； with mud streaks covering the bottom half of her once…bright yellow
car； she turned onto the familiar private road。 Twice her tires began to
spin in the muck； twice she was able to back down and charge forward
around the offending mud hole。
It was early Wednesday afternoon。 Mitch wasn't due up until late Friday。
Everything seemed larger； emptier； and more silent without him； but she
wasn't lonely。 His mark was in every room of the house； surrounding her
in a promising cloak。
In his absence； she applied herself to menial tasks like dusting；
mopping； scrubbing sinks and the top of the stove。 Oh； she had brought
several translations to do； but she didn't touch either。 She wasn't in
the mood to concentrate。
During those two days； she did more baking than she had in the past two
years。 She baked bread。 She baked muffins。 She baked cookies。 Something
about the rural life was conducive to it。
Same with hiking。 Despite the mud； she did it daily。 Without a motor
humming； she could better hear sounds of the world emerging from winter。
The first of the geese honked as they flew