第27部分(第5/7 頁)

　Anne。　There's　something　you　have　to

see！〃

She　was　disoriented　only　until　she　saw　Mitch　in　his　robe　at　the　window；

waving　her　along。　Rolling　out　of　bed；　she　joined　him　there　and　followed

his　pointing　finger。　Under　a　patch　of　mist　in　the　yard；　by　the　base　of

the　old　apple　tree；　a　young　doe　was　munching　at　the　remains　that　Mitch

had　tossed　out。　As　they　watched；　the　lithe　animal　stood　on　her　hind　legs

to　pick　a　fresh　piece　of　fruit。

〃Deer　do　like　apples；　wouldn't　you　say？〃　His　breath　fanned　her　ear；　its

warmth　enhancing　the　moment's　pleasure。

〃That　was　beautiful；〃　she　murmured　when　the　doe　finally　moved　off　into

the　mist。　〃Thank　you　for　waking　me。〃　She　turned　to　find　him　very；　very

close；　and　she　thought　about　that　kiss。　All　he　did　this　time；　though；

was　to　give　her　arm　a　gentle　squeeze；　then　leave。

By　the　time　she　showered　and　went　to　the　kitchen；　he　was　dressed。　As　he

gazed　absently　out　the　window；　the　freshness　of　morning　gentled　his

features。

〃Coffee？〃　she　offered　quietly。

〃Ummm。〃　He　paused；　slowly　turning　to　look　at　her。　〃And　a　piece　of　that

apple　pie。　My　pliments　to　the　baker。〃

〃Apple　pie？　For　breakfast？〃

〃Sure。　Call　it　danish；　if　the　thought　disturbs　you。　But　it　was　good。〃

She　set　to　making　coffee；　somehow　lost　count　and　thought　that　maybe　she

added　an　extra　scoop　to　the　basket。　She　let　it　stand。　〃Swedish　apple

pie。　My　mother's　recipe。　Easy　and　good。　Actually；　now　that　I　think　about

it；　my　dad　used　to　have　it　for　breakfast；　too。〃　Fearful　that　she'd

spoken　too　personally；　she　quieted。

He　must　have　wondered　about　that　quiet；　because　he　asked；　〃Is　your

father　dead？〃

〃Oh