of the bestseller type； to read。 She set to it。
Late afternoon became early evening without a sign of Mitch。 More
restless than bored； more concerned than angry； she wandered into the
kitchen。 But she didn't have it in her to make dinner； so she returned
to the fireplace。
Not long after； the back door opened and shut。 Heavy boots crossed the
kitchen floor。 A slicker…clad figure appeared。
Without a word he approached； shucking the slicker along the way and
draping it over a chair。 Then he hunkered down near her and added
another log to the fire。 When it had begun to sizzle and smoke； he
swiveled to face her。
〃Angry？〃 The fire behind him threw a halo around his head； but his face
was in shadow。 Unable to tell whether he empathized or taunted； she went
with the truth。
〃No。 I have no right to be angry。〃
〃I needed to walk。 Even wet； it was good。 I needed to think。〃
About her？ About another 〃obligation〃？ 〃You sound like you have the
weight of the world on your shoulders；〃 she teased。
〃It sometimes seems that way。〃 His voice was softer； more rueful。 〃It's
been a bad week。〃
〃Work？〃 she asked with caution。
〃No。 Work's fine。 I have good backup there。 They keep things running
when I fade out。〃
Anne sat quietly； waiting for him to say more。 If his problem wasn't
business； it had to be personal。 Suddenly； she didn't want to