Just looking to see that you're all right。〃
〃I am。 I actually forgot。。 。〃 She gestured toward her bruises with a
sheepish grin。
〃Glad to hear it。〃 With a dip of his head； he left the room and； soon
after； the house。
Anne immersed herself in the last of her work； while the scent of baking
apples filled the air。 The pie was delicious； by her immodest estimate；
a perfect finish for the early dinner she ate alone。 Again； dusk found
her reading before the fire。
〃Anything good？〃
She looked up and blushed。 〃Just a romance。〃 She was actually enjoying
it without thinking of Jeff at every turn of the page。 When Mitch set
off for the kitchen； she called； 〃There's apple pie on the counter。 Help
yourself〃 She grinned when he looked back and arched a brow。 〃Even
bad…tempered tomboys have their merits。〃
〃Thanks。〃
〃You're wele。〃
〃By the way； I put the peels out for the deer。〃
〃I wondered where they'd gone； but I wasn't about to look a gift horse
in the mouth。 Do deer like apples？〃
She learned the answer the next morning。
A warm hand shook her awake。 〃e； 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