第10部分(第7/7 頁)

lot。〃

〃Here？〃

〃Do　you　see　him　here　now？〃　she　shot　back。

〃haven't　seen　him　today；　period。　He's　not　upstairs；　is　he？〃

Shaking　her　head；　she　turned　toward　the　large　bay　window；　whose　broad

seat　was　her　favorite　perch。　〃That　doesn't　deserve　an　answer。〃

Sipping　her　coffee；　she　spoke　absently。　〃As　for　the　state　of　my　ice　box；

I　eat　in。　A　lot。　Eggs　make　terrific　dinner　omelets；　bacon　a　great　BLT；

and　potatoes　are　most　definitely　to　be　baked；　then　scooped；　mashed　with

a　little　Parmesan　cheese　and　cream；　restuffed；　dotted　with　butter；　and

broiled　until　delicately　browned　on　top。〃

The　silence　that　followed　her　recitation　was　enough　to　get　her　to　look

back。　Ross's　expression　was　one　of　amused　astonishment。　〃You　must　have

memorized　the　cookbook。〃

〃No。　I　just　happen　to　like　my　potatoes　that　way；　and　I　do　it　a　lot。〃

Ross　leaned　back　against　the　counter；　arms　folded　across　his　chest。

〃Would　you　make　them　like　that　for　me　some　time…maybe　with　a　few　lamb

chops；　some　fresh　broccoli；　a　little　wine？〃

He　looked　dangerous；　newly　showered　and　wearing　jeans　and　a　black

turtleneck　sweater。　But　Chloe　had　taken　a　vow　of　indifference。　He's　just

a　friend；　she　told　herself；　no　different　from　Lee。　Calmly　enough；　she

said；　〃I　make　a　meal　of　the　potatoes。　If　you'd　like　to　do　up　the　rest；

be　my　guest。〃　She　settled　on　the　window　seat　and　looked　out　at　the

beach。　〃It's　another　beautiful　day。〃

〃Uh…huh。〃　His　v