alone； she would have turned and run。 But when she
looked at the child； she was lost。 The six…year…old wore pink bib…topped
shorts； a white jersey； and clean white sneakers。 Her limbs were tanned；
long legs dangling around Mitch's thighs。 Golden cascades of curly hair
fell half％way down her back； held off from her face by gaily painted
barrettes above either ear。 But the barrettes were small and couldn't
quite hold all her hair。 Short wisps escaped into tendrils that framed
her face。 And that face？ If Anne hadn't been in love with the rest； that
face would have done it。 It was softly rounded and rosy checked； with a
swarm of bright freckles over the bridge of a button nose； and eyes that
were chocolate…colored and soulful…and staring at her。
〃Oh； my；〃 Mitch said。 〃I've almost forgotten introductions in my rush to
get going。 Anne； this is my daughter； Rachel Anderson。 Rachel； this is
Anne Boulton。〃
With more poise than Anne could seem to muster； the child extended a
small hand。 〃Hello； Anne。 I'm pleased to meet you。 Daddy's told me all
about you。〃
Anne held her hand； loving its fragility and its warmth。 〃Only the good
things； I hope？〃
Rachel's eyes rounded quickly。 〃Oh； my daddy would never say anything
bad about you。 He…〃
〃That's enough； pumpkin；〃 Mitch cut her off with a squeeze。 〃You can't
give away all our secrets； now； c