t case hanging over my head。〃
〃What court case？〃
〃The accident。 My husband's family has been pushing me to sue for
negligence。 I agreed at first because I was as angry as they were and we
were all so helpless。 Now I'd rather put the whole thing behind me。〃
Mitch was silent for a time。 〃And the nightmare？〃 he asked quietly。 His
arms were exquisitely tender as they held her to his chest。
She took a shuddering breath。 〃I dreamed I was on that plane with Jeff
when it crashed； but that I wasn't injured and had to stand by and watch
while he burned to death。 There were no doctors； no medics； nothing but
flames and smoke and debris and people's screams。〃 She buried her face
in his chest。 〃It was awful。〃
He spoke softly against her hair。 〃I know； honey； I know。 But it was
only a dream。〃 His nearness forted her。 〃Only a dream；〃 he repeated
and said it on and off； between gentle rocking； until she fell back to
sleep。
Mitch seemed preoccupied。 She sensed it from time to time and guessed
that he had work on his mind。 On the last night before she was to leave；
though； she looked up to find him brooding at the flames in the hearth。
He was sitting on the floor by her chair； with his legs stretched toward
the warmth。
She touched his shoulder。 〃Is something wrong？〃
Snatched from some distant place； he jerked his head around。 〃Hmm？〃
〃Y