membered it。
He drank the last of his coffee and set the mug on the mantel。 His smile
was wan； but it was a smile。 〃You're looking well。〃
She rested her chin on her knees； which were drawn up and held by her
arms。 〃I have been； thanks to you。 The antibiotic did the trick。〃
〃No more trouble？〃 When she shook her head； he said； 〃That's good；〃 and
looked back at the fire。
〃What's wrong； Mitch？〃
He shot her a dry look。 〃Don't ask。 I wouldn't know where to begin。〃
〃Was it a bad drive up？〃
〃The usual。〃
A silence followed。
〃I received the message；〃 she tried。 〃Thanks for sending it。〃
〃I didn't want you waiting。〃
Or worrying； she added silently； bitterly。 His aloofness scared her。 It
suggested he hadn't wanted to e at all。 Perhaps he even regretted
having given her the key。
〃Would you like me to leave； Mitch？〃
He looked at her like she was deft。 〃Of course not。 Why do you suggest
that？〃
〃Because you're two days late； then you walk in here like a zombie and
stare at the fire。 It occurs to me that you might just want your house
to yourself〃
〃If I had wanted that； I'd never have given you a key to the place。〃
〃Why did you？ I keep asking myself that； but I can't e up with a good
answer。〃
〃I wanted you to have access to the place whenever you wanted。〃
Gewhy？〃
〃That's a crazy question。〃
〃And