rekindled(英文版)-第33部分

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and　neck　with　a　damp　cloth。　〃That's　quite　some　cold；〃　he　muttered。

〃It　just　hung　on。　I　thought　it'd　be　better　by　now。〃

〃Why　did　you　leave　New　York　in　the　first　place？　You　should　have　stayed
in　bed。〃

He　was　annoyed　with　her。　She　thought　that　was　unfair。　〃It　wasn't　snowing
at　home；〃　she　argued。　〃I　had　no　idea　I'd　run　into　this　mess；　or　that　it
would　get　so　bad　so　fast。〃

〃Forget　the　weather。　You　should　have　been　in　bed　anyway；　with　a　cold
like　this。〃

〃Good　God；　Mitch；　I　can't　put　my　life　on　hold　every　time　I　get　a　cold。〃

〃Yeah；　well　if　you　don't　take　better　care　of　yourself；　you　may　put　your
life　on　permanent　hold。　Colds　can　turn　into　pneumonia；　and　people　die
from　pneumonia。〃

She　teared　up。　〃I　just　wanted　to　be　here　with　you。〃　She　turned　onto　her
side；　away　from　his　glower；　and　pulled　the　covers　up　around　her　ears。

She　was　startled　when　Mitch　lifted　her；　covers　and　all；　and　held　her
tightly。　From　time　to　time　he　dipped　his　head；　touching　his　lips　to　her
hair；　her　brow；　or　her　eyes。　His　voice　was　softer　when　he　finally　spoke。
〃Don't　think　I　didn't　want　to　see　you　as　much。　I　did。　But　we　could　have
e　next　week。〃

〃Someone　else　may　be　here　next　week。〃

〃No　one　will　be　here。〃

〃How　do　you　know？〃　she　cried　with　a　touch　of　indignance。

Looking　suddenly　resigned；　he　shifted　her　in　his　arms　and　ran　a　hand
back　through　his　hair。　〃Because　this　is　my　house。　Miles　Cooper　works　for
me。　He　rents　it　out　when　I'm　not　planning　to　be　here。〃

The　puzzle　piece　fell　into　place。　Hoarsely；　she　said；　〃Oh；　my。　It
figures；　I　guess。　Helps　explain　the　original　mix…up。　And　why　you　prefer
this　bed。　It's　yours。〃

〃There　won't　be　any　more　mix…ups；　Annie。　I've　taken　the　house　off
Miles's　rental　list。　From　now　on　we'll　be　the　only　ones　who　use　it。〃

Before　Anne　could　grasp　the　full　implication　of　that；　a　new　shudder
shook　her。　She　burrowed　against　him；　seeking　warmth　for　her　extremities。

Gently；　he　laid　her　down　and　disappeared。　He　returned　moments　later　and
lifted　her　head。　〃Aspirin；〃　he　explained　before　she　could　ask。　〃Open
your　mouth。〃

She　was　a　docile　patient；　too　weak　to　protest　his　pampering；　too　pleased
by　it　to　want　to　protest。　He　kept　her　pumped　with　broth　and　aspirin　for
most　of　the　night；　dozing　beside　her　under　the　quilt。　One　part　of　his
body　always　touched　her。　She　couldn't　so　much　as　turn　over　when　he　was
up　on　an　elbow；　concerned。　In　other　circumstances；　the　sleeping
arrangement　would　have　been　heady。　But　Anne's　senses　were　blunted　by
fever。

The　next　day　was　a　mass　of　hours　blurred　together。　Her　fever　stayed　high
despite　the　medicine。　Increasingly；　her　whole　body　suffered　when　she
coughed。

〃What　is　the　matter　with　me？〃　she　cried　in　frustration；　when　she　awoke
late　in　the　afternoon　feeling　no　better。

Mitch　took　her　hot　hand　in　his。　〃I'm　not　sure。　As　soon　as　the　road　is
plowed；　I'm　taking　you　to　the　doctor。〃

〃Has　it　stopped　snowing？〃

〃Finally。〃

〃How　much　is　on　the　ground？〃

〃A　little　over　a　foot。　It　makes　the　plowing　slower；　though　the　folks　up
here　are　well…equipped。〃

〃Mitch？〃　She　rolled　onto　her　back　to　see　his　face；　as　he　sat　beside　her
on　the　bed。　Her　voice　was　weak；　but　something　had　been　nagging　at　her。

〃Yes？〃

〃If　you　own　this　house；　then　you　have　access　to　the　names　and　addresses
of　the　renters。　Yes？〃

He　looked　amused。　〃Yes。〃

〃Then　you　know　who　I　am。〃

〃No。〃

〃But　you　have　that　information。〃

〃Miles　has　that　information。　I　suppose　I　could　see　it　if　I　wanted　to；
and　I've　been　tempted　a　time　or　two；　but　I　haven't　peeked。〃

Anne　wasn't　sure　whether　to　be　relieved　or　hurt。

He　laughed。

〃What's　so　funny？〃　she　grumbled。

〃You。　Your　face　hides　nothing！〃

〃I'm　that　transparent？　It's　not　fair；　y'know。〃

〃What　isn't　fair？〃

〃Me　。。。　here　。。。　at　your　mercy。　With　my　transparent　face　and　all；　I　feel
naked。〃

〃Except　for　the　good　graces　of　my　shirt；　darling'；　you　are；〃　he　drawled。

〃That's　not　what　I　mean；　and　you　know　it；〃　she　scolded　and　broke　into　a
spasm　of　coughing。　When　she　quieted；　he　ran　cool　fingers　across　her　hot
cheek。　It　felt　good。

〃You　talk　too　much；　Annie。　Rest　your　voice　now。〃

At　the　silence　that　followed；　a　sound　filtered　in　from　outside。　〃The
plow！〃　Mitch　was　on　his　feet；　stopping　only　at　the　bedroom　door　to　call；
〃Don't　move　until　I　get　back！〃　Then　he　was　gone。

She　lay　there　for　what　seemed　hours。　Finally；　she　struggled　out　of　bed
to　use　the　bathroom。　Her　reflection　in　the　mirror　appalled　her…pale
skin；　red　cheeks；　dark　and　sunken　eyes。　Her　hand　trembled　as　she　sorted
through　Mitch's　toiletries　for　a　b。　Halfway　bing　her　hair；　her
knees　began　to　knock。　Dropping　the　b；　she　clutched　at　the　edges　of
the　sink　for　support。　That　was　when　the　bathroom　door　opened。

〃What　are　you　doing　out　of　bed？〃　He　scooped　her　up　and　carried　her　back；
and　the　bed　felt　like　heaven；　the　quilt　even　more　so。　〃Next　time；〃　he
taunted；　〃you　might　just　pass　out　in　the　middle　of　the　floor。　Will　you
stay　in　bed？〃

〃I　just　went　to　the　bathroom。〃

〃Good。　You　should　be　set　for　a　while。　Where　are　the　keys　to　your　car？〃

She　tried　to　remember。　〃I　think　I　put　them　in　the　pocket　of　my　jeans。〃

He　vanished　and　returned　moments　later　with　the　keys　in　hand。　〃I'm
hitching　a　ride　with　the　plow　down　to　your　car。　It　may　take　me　a　little
while　to　dig　it　out。　Does　it　have　snow　tires？〃　When　she　nodded；　he　said；
〃Good。　I'll　be　back　as　soon　as　I　can；　then　I'm　taking　you　to　the
doctor。〃

〃Mitch…〃　Her　hoarse　call　caught　him　at　the　door。　〃Your　arm…is　it　all
right　to　shovel？〃

She　heard　a　sharp　intake　of　breath；　then　a　grunt。　〃It'll　do。〃

While　he　was　gone；　she　suffered。　Her　head　hurt；　her　sinuses　hurt；　her
throat　hurt；　her　chest　hurt；　her　legs　hurt。　Curled　up　in　misery；　she
prayed　for　sleep。

She　must　have　dozed　off；　because　it　seemed　only　minutes　before　Mitch
returned　with　a　gruff　foot…stamping　at　the　front　door。　Lacking　the
strength　to　call　out；　she　waited　until　he　appeared　by　her　bedside；　ruddy
checked　from　the　cold；　but　eager　to　pack　her　up　and　leave。

He　did　it　without　a　fuss；　simply　snatching　her　up；　quilt　and　all；　and
carrying　her　out。　He　stopped　short　at　the　front　door。　Swearing　softly；
he　back　tracked　and　deposited　her　on　the　sofa；　went　into　the　kitchen；
and　returned　with　her　wool　hat；　which　was　now　warm　and　dry。　He　put　it　on
her　head；　scooped　her　up　again　and　didn't　put　her　down　until　they
reached　his　car。

She　wheezed　heavily　for　most　of　the　trip　into　the　village。　Between
darkness　and　the　new　walls　of　snow　lining　the　roads；　there　wasn't　much
for　the　headlights　to　pick　out。

He　parked　in　front　of　a　tiny　clinic；　ran　around　the　car；　and　hoisted　her
up。　He　had　had　the　driver　of　the　plow　call　ahead。　A　doctor　was　waiting
inside。

Thirty　minutes　later　he　carried　her　back　to　the　car。　〃Bronchial
pneumonia。　Good　show；　Annie；〃　he　teased　gently　as　he　tucked　her　into　the
passenger's　seat　again。

Weary；　she　caught　his　eye。　〃Do　you　have　my　pills？〃

He　patted　the　spot　where　the　upper…left　breast　pocket　of　his　shirt　would
be。　〃Right　here。　Are　you　fortable？〃

〃fortable？〃　she　shot　back　hoarsely。　〃I've　been　poked；　X…rayed；　stuck
with　needles；　and　carted　around　like　I　had　no　feelings　at　all。〃　She
scowled。　〃I　feel　hot　and　cold　and　achy。　And　you　ask　if　I'm　fortable？〃

She　looked　away。　〃Don't　ask。〃

Mitch　chuckled。　Slamming　the　door；　he　circled　the　car　to　the　driver's
side　and　slid　behind　the　wheel　with　remarkable　ease；　given　his　length。
〃At　least　your　good　humor　is　intact；〃　he　teased。　〃Let's　go　home。　The
doctor　ordered　warmth；　rest；　and　lots　of　hot　liquid。　We'd　better　get　to
it。〃

For　the　next　three　days　they　followed　the　doctor's　orders　to　a　tee；　with
Mitch　in　mand；　dictating　when　each　pill　was　to　be　taken；　when　she　was
to　eat　and　sleep。　She　felt　miserable　for　another　full　day　before　the
medication　began　to　take　effect。　Only　then　did　she　dare　to　balk　at　the
strict　regimen。

〃I'm　going　to　turn　into　a　chicken　if　I　drink　one　more　drop　of　this　soup。
It's　awful；〃　she　plained　when　he　appeared　on　Tuesday　morning　with
another　mug　of　broth。　〃I　feel　better　today。　Honestly　I　do。〃　She　was
sitting　up　against　the　headboard　of　the　bed；　dressed　in　her　own　flannel
nightgown。

〃You　still　sound　lousy；〃　he　informed　her；　as　though　that　settled　that；
but　she　was　impatient。

〃If　you　don't　want　to　hear　my　noise；〃　she　croaked；　〃don't　good　me　into
conversation。　Isn't　it　about　time　I　went　upstairs　to　the　other　bedroom？〃

He　grinned。　〃You　don't　like　sleeping　with　me？〃

〃I'm　not　'sleeping'　with　you；　as　the　expression　goes。　It's　more　like
sleeping　in　spite　of　you。　You　may　think　that　I'm　out　of　it；　but　I　feel
you　beside　me。　I　know　you're　there　。。。　all　night！　You　touch　me　just
enough　to　make　sure　I'm　all　right；　but　that's　all。　What　fun　is　that？〃

She　broke　into　a　fit　of　coughing　from　which　only　Mitch's　firm　slap　on
the　back　saved　her。　He　stayed　to　gently　rub　her　neck　and　shoulders；　his
touch　growing　more　seductive　by　the　minute。　She　hadn't　been　aware　of　his
other　hand　on　her　midriff　until　it　moved　upward。　Her　breast　tingled　at
its　touch。　She　gasped；　but　couldn't　pull　away。　His　palm　passed　around
and　over　her　nipple；　teasing　it　through　the　soft　flannel。　She　gripped
his　arm；　as　much　to　hold　it　there　as　for　support。

〃It　isn't　much　tin；　is　it？〃　he　said；　〃but　you'll　stay　down　here　for　now；
where　I　can　keep　an　eye　on　you。　In　a　few　days　you　can　go　back　upstairs。〃

〃In　a　few　days　I'll　be　going　home。〃　A　sad　thought；　indeed。　At　his　urging
she　lay　back　on　the　pillow。　Her　eyes　held　his。　She　waited。　〃Something
has　to　give；〃　he　said。　〃You　know　that；　don't　you；　Annie？〃

She　nodded。　They　were　nearing　the　point　where　a　kiss　alone　wasn't
enough。　Same　with　the　occasional　week　together。

〃Are　you　ready　for　more？〃　he　asked。

〃Are　you？〃

〃I　asked　first。〃

〃I　can't　answer　until　I　know　more。　Tell　me　about　your　family。〃

His　eyes　held　hers。　〃There　isn't　much　to　tell。　My　parents　are　alive　and
well　in　Manhattan。　My　father　is　retired。　He　has　been　for　several　years
now。　It's　nice。　Gives　him　time　to　spend　doing　other　things。〃

〃What　did　he　do？〃

Mitch　grinned。　〃He　was　a　concert　pianist。　I'm　sure　you'd　recognize　the
name　if　I　told　you。〃　He　didn't　offer　it；　nor　did　she　ask。　That　part　of
the　bargain　held。

Anne　was　intrigued。　〃That's　quite　a　switch…from　concert　pianist　to
business　tycoon　in　one　generation。　Was　the　musical　ability　passed　on　at
all？〃

He　smiled。　〃Can　I　carry　a　tune？　Fairly。　Can　I　play　the　piano？　No。　My
sister　does；　though。〃

Her　eyes　widened。　〃You　have　a　sister？　Is　she　older　or　younger　than　you？〃

He　gave　the　ceiling　a　one…eyed　squint。　〃Older　by　。。。　let's　see　。。。
three；　no　four；　minutes。〃

〃Years；〃　she　corrected　quietly。

〃Minutes；〃　he　reasserted；　laughing。

〃TWINS？〃

He　nodded。

〃Oh；　Mitch！〃　She　was　delighted。　〃That's　marvelous！　You　must　have　had　fun
growing　up！〃

〃Not　really。　She　was　always　taller；　smarter；　and　faster　than　I　was。〃

〃And　now？〃

He　grinned。　〃I've　caught　up。〃

〃There　must　have　been　some　advantage　to　being　the　runt　of　the　litter；〃
she　teased。

〃Oh；　there　was。　My　mother　pampered　me　more。　She　felt　sorry　for　me。〃

A　mischievous　gleam　danced　in　his　eyes。　〃I　suppose　that's　why　I　still
have　the　need　to　touch　and　be　touched。〃　He　took　her　hand　between