and a pickup； to the market for food。 Its afternoon had been one of
steady driving； then storing groceries and unpacking bags。
The fireplace had beckoned。 Anne was bone…weary； had been lacking in
stamina for weeks。 As the wing…backed chair held her slim form； the
dancing flames lulled her into recollection of a dinner with her parents
the weekend before。
〃I don't understand；〃 her mother had tried to reason with her； 〃why you
have to take off all by yourself。 We've tried so hard to do what's best。
Have we failed？〃
Arodous to ease her mother's worry； Anne had forced a smile。 〃No； you
didn't fail。 I just want to get out of the city for a while。 You know；
get a little of that fresh…air…and…color…on…my…cheeks type of thing？〃
〃Well； you could certainly use that；〃 came her father's deep voice。 Tall
and distinguished…looking； Anthony Faulke's sturdy frame belied his
near sixty years。 Anne took the darkness of her hair and eyes from him；
though her willowed shapeliness was her mother's。 〃But we'd have liked
to have you join us on the shore in several weeks。 Won't you reconsider
and wait until then？〃
Anne shook her head。 Not a hair moved。 It was in a somber knot at the
nape of her neck。 〃Now's the time。 I've already made the arrangements
and paid for the place。〃
Her mother tried again。 〃But you've never enjoyed traveling alone。