gest of the maples near the house。 On succeeding days they
collected the sap that had flowed。 It was no mean feat； carting heavy
buckets from tree to house and back。
〃If we had the most modern equipment；〃 Mitch teased as she massaged the
nagging muscles of her shoulders； 〃we'd have used plastic spouts
attached to plastic tubing that would take the stuff directly from the
tree to the sugarhouse。 It's much more efficient in terms of time and
labor。〃
〃That's all okay；〃 she reasoned。 〃We don't have a sugarhouse。 Besides；
I'm gaining weight。 The exercise will do me good。〃
He looked her over。 〃Well； you're not scrawny anymore； but 。。。 in danger
of being overweight？ Not a chance。〃
〃Fine for you to say。 You did most of the work this week。〃 And he had。
He had cooked nearly every meal； in addition to doing the lion's share
of the sugaring work。
He threw an arm across her shoulders and drew her to his side。 〃I owed
you for being such a bastard when I first got here。 Most women would
have packed up and left。〃
She managed a gruff； 〃The thought did cross my mind。〃
〃I'm glad you stayed；〃 he said with affection。
There was a gleam in his hazel eyes； a softness in his smile； gentleness
in the fingers that cupped her shoulder； and a velvet edge to his voice。
All in all； it was a warm moment。 Anne mitted it to memory。
By Friday morning；