raised his head； she bowed hers and dissolved into
helpless tears。
〃Don't cry； Annie。 Please。〃 Sounding tormented； he held her tightly
until she gradually quieted。 〃I won't hurt you。 Please believe me；
honey。 I've never meant to hurt you。 I just want you to listen to what I
have to say。〃
〃Do I have a choice？〃 she finally whispered。
He smiled。 〃No。〃
She remained docile as he led her to the chair before the cold hearth。
The same wings that had once been blinders against the dark； now blotted
out all but Mitch。
He raked a hand through his hair。 〃I know what you must be thinking
about me； but you're wrong。 It's unfair of you to blame me for what
happened to Jeff。〃
Anne had never blamed him for the crash。 But before she could tell him
that； he said； 〃It wasn't until February； when you were so sick and had
that nightmare about the accident and mentioned the court hearing； that
I began to wonder if there was a connection。 Contrary to your
assumption； I did not run right back to New York to check it out。〃 He
turned away and approached the hearth。 With an arm on its mantel； and a
foot on the ashstrewn grate； he was silent for several minutes。 〃I
didn't want to know；〃 he finally said。 〃My guilt feelings about that
accident were bad enough； without having to bear your scorn。〃
But he was missing the point！ She didn't blame him fo