eezing。〃
〃That sweater。。 。〃…a fit of coughing interrupted her； but she managed to
catch her breath…〃I wore it for you。 Did you notice？〃
His lips twitched。 〃I did notice； Annie。 It was pink。〃 He brushed a
strand of hair from her forehead。 〃Thank you。〃 With the back of his
hand； he felt her forehead； then her cheeks。 〃I'm going to heat up some
soup for you。〃
She shook her head。 〃No。 I can't eat。 Just stay here with me for a few
minutes。〃
He drew her； quilts and all； into his arms and rubbed her all over to
warm her up。
〃I was so frightened；〃 she whispered。 〃It was cold and wet。 And dark。〃
〃You should have known I'd e looking for you。〃
〃I wasn't sure you were here。 There were no tire tracks…〃 She broke off；
coughing again。
He waited until she quieted。 〃I arrived before the storm began。 Snow can
be pretty dramatic up here。 It should be beautiful e morning。〃
The thought of wandering through the snow with Mitch was a lovely one。
She smiled then sneezed。
〃I'll get that soup now。〃
〃No。 Really； I'm not hungry。〃
〃You need something warm inside。〃
〃I don't think I can keep it down。〃
〃You will。〃 He set her down。 〃Just rest。 I'll be back。〃
She rolled to her side and tucked up her knees。 The warmth of the bed
burned； still she felt chilled。 Turning over； she huddled in a ball and
dozed。 She woke up when Mitch re