apartment。
The work was plentiful。 She could pick and choose。 Between her
availability； her petence； and her promptness； she was in demand。
On occasion； she met overeager professors； even some young and
attractive ones who were aware of her situation。 She remained courteous
and professionally efficient； but she refused to date them。 It disturbed
her； even angered her； that men thought she would want to date so soon。
Memories of Jeff were too near； too vivid； too dear。 Those memories
would eventually settle in； she knew； and she might date then。 For now；
though； she'd had enough of love and pain。
This trip was good in that sense； too。 It gave her excuses to avoid
dating。 Between getting ready to leave with a million errands to do；
being physically out of state for the week； and eventually returning to
a huge pile of work； she was safe。 She didn't have to worry about men in
the backwoods of Vermont。 She was hoping she wouldn't see anyone in the
week she was here。
Pretty reclusive for a former socializer； she mused without a hint of
remorse。
From the hearth； the sudden crumbling of an ash…split log startled her。
She whirled from the window； eyes wide in alarm。 When she realized what
the sound was； she took a breath and uncurled fingers from fists。 After
months of being bitten to the quick； her nails had grown into nicely
taper