第34部分(第3/7 頁)

g；　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；　h