ck and asked quietly； 〃How did Jeff die？〃
She glanced around the room； but there was no avoiding the issue。 So she
studied her wedding band。 〃He was in an accident。〃
〃I know that。 But what kind？ Were you with him？〃
She shook her head。 〃No。〃
〃Tell me。〃
〃He was on a business trip。 The plane went down。〃
In the silence that followed； she raised her eyes。 Mitch looked pale。
〃When did it happen？〃 he asked。
〃Last January。〃 He flinched。 It was a while before he said； 〃It's been
nearly a year。 Do you date at all？〃
〃No。〃
〃You should。〃
〃Now look who's being sanctimonious。 When did your wife die？〃
〃Last winter。〃 He held her gaze。
〃Do you date？〃 It was a foolish question。 She knew it the minute she saw
the wry twist of his mouth。
〃I'm not sure you'd call it dating。 When I want a woman； I get one。〃 He
took a breath； paused on the verge of saying more； then dropped it。 〃At
any rate； I have other obligations。〃
〃Female…related obligations？〃
He watched her closely。 〃Yes。〃
〃see。〃
〃No； I doubt you do。 But maybe that's better for now。〃
She didn't know what he meant； but she wasn't asking。 She had too much
pride。 Besides； questions weren't part of the deal。 If she hadn't asked
that last one； she wouldn't be feeling suddenly low。
Mitch stirred。 〃Do me a favor？〃 His eyes were softer。 〃Take those pins
out of