he water was so
cold that she gasped； but the pain felt good； and the invigoration was
wele。 She headed slowly back toward the cottage； winding in and out
among the forest paths； physically relieved from the cry； if no closer
to a solution。
Under the warmth of the high noon sun； she arrived at the house to an
unexpected silence。 Assuming that father and daughter were out in the
woods themselves； she passed through the kitchen to the living room；
only to stop short at the sight of Mitch； standing tall and lean at the
front window。 His hands filled the pockets of his jeans in a pose that
was more idle than she would have expected； given the presence of a
vivacious six…year…old。
〃Where's Rachel？〃 she asked。
He faced her。 〃She's gone。〃
〃Gone。〃 But he wasn't upset。 〃What do you mean gone？〃
〃My parents came by to pick her up。 They're continuing on to Montreal
for a few days。〃
〃You mean； she's gone？〃 The implication of it was only slowly seeping
in。
〃Yes。〃 His eyes held hers。 〃You've been crying。〃
〃No。〃 She felt justified lying。 He had tricked her again！
〃Your eyes are red；〃 he challenged softly。
〃I have hay fever；〃 she snapped； feeling a growing fury。 〃You planned
this； didn't you？ You had it all arranged with your parents。 You
orchestrated the whole thing； using Rachel to get me up here； then
conveniently hav