rfect；〃 she
said。 〃Just what I needed。〃
〃Sit down and tell me all about it；〃 the older woman ordered； and Anne
had。 Almost。 She didn't mention Mitch。 He played no role in her real
life。 She didn't even know his last name。
At first she gave little thought to the idea of returning to Vermont in
November。 The new semester had begun； and she was up to her ears in
translation work。 Friends still hovered； but she had more patience for
it now。 In turn； they sensed her calmer state and began to ease up。
She still refused to date。 But she was excited enough about one
professor's project to agree to sign on as a part…time assistant。
Assured of steady work to off…balance incidental work； she faced the
fall and winter seasons with confidence。
But Jeff was gone； and the holidays approached。 These would be her first
without him。
When she first heard low whispers in the back of her mind； she ignored
them。 After Halloween； though； they became a murmur。 Go to Vermont go to
Vermont go to Vermont； they said。
But how could she？
That first time had been an accident。 Sharing the cottage with Mitch had
been a makeshift solution to an unexpected problem。 If she went this
time； there would be nothing unexpected about it。
But Mitch was right。 The closer Thanksgiving came； the more she dreaded
it。 She could use a boost； indeed； before facing th