rekindled(英文版)-第24部分

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behind　her；　so　there　was　no　turning　back。　She　peered　nervously　through
the　windshield；　praying　for　a　plow。　With　each　passing　mile；　she　drove
more　slowly　through　accumulating　depths。

When　her　pace　was　down　to　fifteen　miles　an　hour；　and　she　couldn't　see
more　than　a　single　car's　length　ahead；　she　felt　a　wave　of　panic。　The
sense　of　isolation　was　utter　and　intense。　Fighting　a　sudden　dizziness；
she　kept　her　foot　on　the　gas。

Dusk　had　fallen　by　the　time　she　reached　the　cottage　cutoff。　She　was　so
relieved　to　see　it；　that　she　took　the　turn　a　hair　too　fast。　The　car
skidded　and　fishtailed　before　ing　to　an　abrupt　halt　several　yards
into　the　private　way；　lodged　firmly　in　a　snow　bank　at　the　side　of　the
road。

Swearing　under　her　breath；　Anne　worked　the　gear　shift；　alternating
between　forward　and　reverse　in　an　attempt　to　free　the　car　from　the
drift。　Her　nerves　were　already　taut。　Now　she　cursed　her　luck　as　she
fumbled　with　the　door　handle；　tripped　out　of　the　car；　and　promptly　sank
in　snow　nearly　as　high　as　her　boots。　Even　through　rose…colored　glasses；
hopes　for　the　car　were　low。

She　peered　up　the　hill　in　the　direction　of　the　house。　In　ideal　weather；
the　walk　was　a　mile's　mild　uphill　challenge。　But　in　this　blizzard？　And
then　there　was　the　possibility　that　Mitch　was　stuck　somewhere；　too。　But
he　was　the　one　with　the　key。

She　sneezed　and　raised　a　parka…covered　arm　to　her　face。　If　the　door　was
locked；　she　would　just　have　to　break　in。　There　was　no　other　choice。　She
couldn't　go　back；　and　she　couldn't　stay　here。

Packing　her　pockets　with　KLEENEX；　she　closed　up　the　car。　She　zipped　the
parka　all　the　way；　pulled　its　hood　over　her　wool　hat；　pushed　her　hands
into　gloves；　and　set　off。　She　trudged　as　fast　as　she　could　through　the
mounting　snow；　lifting　one　leg　high；　then　the　other。　Her　muscles　began
to　ache。　Tucking　her　head　deeper　into　the　hood　of　her　parka；　she　plodded
on。

Thirty　minutes　passed；　then　another　fifteen。　Exhausted；　she　looked
around　for　something　to　rest　against。　But　all　was　white；　lonely；
uninviting；　and　bleak。　Looking　back；　she　saw　nothing　but　her　own
footsteps。　Looking　ahead；　she　saw　nothing　at　all。　She　pushed　on；
absolutely；　positively　refusing　to　believe　that　she　may　have　taken　the
wrong　road。

Bone…weary　and　weak　from　coughing；　she　grew　more　frightened　as　the
minutes　passed。　Signs　of　life　were　nonexistent。　The　cabin　had　to　be
somewhere。　For　another　half　hour；　she　pushed　herself　forward；　pausing
occasionally　to　blow　her　nose；　huffing　hoarsely　at　the　exertion；
ignoring　the　heat　on　her　cheeks。

Snow　continued　to　fall；　creating　a　fairyland　that；　to　Anne's　bleary
gaze；　was　nightmarishly　grotesque。　She　imagined　being　lost　and　freezing
to　death。　The　road　had　never　been　this　long。

Her　senses　blurred　black　with　the　onset　of　night。　Dizzy；　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　uncontrollably。

〃Lift　your　arms；　like　a　good　girl；〃　he　said　softly　and；　one　at　a　time；
drew　the　sleeves　of　her　heavy　sweater　off　and　pulled　it　over　her　head。

〃I　thought　I　was　lost；　Mitch。　I　walked　for　so　long　and　I　couldn't　find
the　house。〃

〃Shhh。　You're　safe　now。〃

She　clutched　at　his　shoulders　for　support　when　he　knelt　to　pull　off　her
boots；　then　her　socks。　〃Lie　down；　honey。　Your　jeans　are　drenched。〃　With
infinite　tenderness　he　eased　her　back　and　pulled　them　off；　tugging
impatiently　only　when　the　sodden　denim　resisted　his　hands。

〃I　feel　so　sick；〃　she　said　in　a　hoarse　whisper；　throwing　an　arm　over　her
forehead。

In　an　instant　he　was　bending　over　her。　〃I　know；　Annie。　But　you'll　be
fine　now。　I　just　have　to　warm　you　up。　Okay？〃　She　didn't　answer；　not　even
to　protest　when　he　drew　off　her　cold；　drenched　panties。　He　tucked　the
lower　half　of　her　body　under　the　weight　of　the　quilt　before　turning　to
remove　her　turtleneck　and　bra。　With　the　covers　bunched　around　her
shoulders；　he　crossed　the　room　to　his　suitcase；　pulled　out　a　clean
cotton　shirt；　and　returned　to　the　bed。

Sitting　beside　her；　he　pressed　cool　lips　to　her　burning　forehead。
〃You'll　be　fine；〃　he　repeated　and　quickly　dressed　her　in　the　shirt；　then
covered　her　up　again。　Anne　sneezed。　〃You　shouldn't　have　taken　off　my
sweater。〃

〃Forget　modesty。　You　were　soaked　to　the　skin　and　freezing。〃

〃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　returned　with　a　bowl　of　steaming　broth。　He
helped　her　sit；　and　he　fed　her　himself　When　she　couldn't　take　in　another
drop；　he　let　her　sleep。

She　awoke　an　hour　later　feeling　even　worse。　Mitch　was　bathing　her　face
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；