she fell to her
knees； then forced herself back up and struggled on。 Tears of fear mixed
with melting snow on her fevered cheeks。 Her clothing chafed against her
sweaty body。 Still she moved on。
Finally； though； she was too weak。 She collapsed on her knees and sank
into a billowing drift。 Head bowed； panting with exhaustion； she fought
hysteria and swayed in the gusting wind。
〃Mitch 。。。 Mitch 。。 。 please help me 。。 。〃 she whimpered。
〃Annie！〃
Mirage or reality； she didn't care。 When a large form knelt before her；
she fell against it； aware only of the support it offered； the warmth it
held。
He lifted her from the snow。 〃Hold on； Annie。 It's not far to the
house。〃
〃Mitch？〃 she cried against his jacket as she shielded her face from the
driving snow。
〃It's me； honey。 Quiet now。 Save your strength。〃
The light from the house filtered through the snowy darkness like a
beacon。 Once inside； he kicked the door shut with his boot and gently
lowered her feet to the floor； only to catch her up again when her knees
buckled。 Without a word； he carried her to the downstairs bedroom。
Depositing her on the edge of the bed； he began to quickly remove her
wet clothing。 He paused once to throw off his own jacket and pull back
the bed's quilt； then returned to undress her。 Anne didn't protest。
Chilled to the bone； she trembled unco