date had been seated； but the table was empty now； reset with fresh
linen and silver。
Biting her lip； she reread the message。
〃What is it； Anne？ Any problem？〃 Alex's concern made her aware of the
others' attention。
Embarrassed； she refolded the paper。 〃It's nothing。 An old friend was in
and saw us。〃 With a feeble smile； she tucked the note in her purse。
〃Must have been some old friend；〃 Alex whispered。 〃You're blushing。〃
〃I am not；〃 Anne replied。 〃It's the wine。〃
But her cheeks grew red more than once in the following days。 Sometimes
it was with annoyance that Mitch had embarrassed her in front of her
friends； sometimes with frustration that he hadn't approached； sometimes
with anger that he hadn't made his note more personal。 One or twice； it
was even with jealousy。 He had been with a woman。 His 〃other
obligation〃？ Anne couldn't recall anything about her； not her looks； her
age； her dress； or her expression。 She wished she could； but she'd had
eyes only for the man who looked so much like Mitch。
Thinking about this faceless woman； she had second thoughts about
returning to Vermont。 If Mitch wasn't free； what was the point？ Already
she thought about him far too often。 Better to cut her losses and make a
clean break。
But she did think about him a lot； and she needed Vermont。 No matter
that it would be safer spending New Y