〃There；〃 he said with a satisfied sigh。 〃That's a little color for you。
Maybe next time a bright sweater to wear for me。〃
Next time。
The words thrilled her as much as the ring。 〃I will。 And 。。。 thank you；
Mitch。 The ring is beautiful。 I'll cherish it。〃 She put both hands up to
frame his face； to trace the powerful line of his cheeks； his jaw； his
chin。 Then she leaned forward and gave him a soft and heartfelt kiss。 〃I
wish I had something to give you；〃 she whispered when it was done。
In a trembling breath； he said； 〃You already have； Anne。 And I thank
you。〃
Anne drove north again on a Friday afternoon in the second week of
February。 As the first flakes of snow began to fall； she sniffled and
pulled another Kleenex from the glove box。 For the better part of the
week she'd had a cold。 If she had known Mitch's number； she might have
called to cancel their meeting。 But she didn't know it； and she wanted
to see him。 She was counting on feeling better in the clean country air。
What she hadn't counted on was the snow。
As she crossed the border from New York into Vermont； the flakes grew
larger and more feathery。 They were sticking to anything and everything
in sight。 Traffic had slowed with the decreased visibility； but that was
a double…edged sword。 Yes； it was safer driving slower。 But it meant the
trip took longer； and the longer