bundle； lifted it； and set off for the house。
She limped after him。 By the time she reached the kitchen； he had put
the apples beside the sink and disappeared。 Grateful for the privacy；
she collapsed into a chair； twisting her arm to see the scrapes on her
elbow。
〃Here； let me take a look at that。〃
Before she could resist； Mitch deposited a bottle of disinfectant and a
washcloth on the table； pulled up a chair； and took her arm。 His touch
was warm。 When she tried to pull back； he held her arm more firmly。 She
winced at the antiseptic's sting。
〃THAT'S That's enough！〃
But he disagreed； repeatedly dabbing the dirt from the wound before
kneeling and reaching for her knee。
〃It's all right；〃 she insisted。
He raised his head。 His jaw was hard； his cheeks lean； but his eyes were
surprisingly soft。 Something stirred inside her。
〃I'll do my best not to hurt you； but it should be cleaned。〃 Very
gently； he pushed the jeans past her knee。 He applied disinfectant to
the scrape there； blotting it to ease the sting。
Anne watched his shoulders flex as he worked； easy to see since his
turtleneck fit him as snugly as each of his others had。 This one was
dark green。 By contrast； the silvery…blonde of his hair was striking。
〃There； now；〃 he murmured。 〃That wasn't so bad； was it？〃 With both hands
cradling her leg； he surveyed his work。