statement of them。 It's legal and
binding。 It's just a formality； but an important one。〃
Anne rested against the back of the sofa。 〃I see；〃 she said when there
seemed nothing else to say。 〃Are my parents meeting us at the
courthouse？〃
〃My wife will have called them by now。 There's no need for them to be
there； not at a meeting like this。〃
She nodded； then searched the room for memories of Jeff that were warm
and treasured； memories that had finally found their place。 When her
eyes pleted the circle； they fell once more on her father…in…law。
〃Shouldn't we be going？〃
He glanced at his watch。 〃We don't have to be there until eleven。 Was
there something else you wanted to do first？〃
She laughed sadly。 〃I'd pretty much chalked off the day； not to mention
the next few。〃
〃Do you have much work to do？〃
〃Right now？ No。 I was expecting the worst from this hearing； so I gave
myself a week's vacation。〃
〃I hear you got a good rest in Vermont the week before last。〃
〃You've been talking to my mother；〃 she accused lightly； astonished at
how the mere mention of Vermont could cheer her。
〃We all worry about you； Anne。 But you've been looking more yourself
lately。 Something is working for you。〃
It was the perfect opening； but she couldn't get herself to tell him
about Mitch。 It seemed so soon； and； in light of the day's happenings；
inappropriate。
She blushed…but her father…in…law couldn't know why。 〃I've accepted
Jeff's death； which is why this whole legal thing is so hard。 It helps
spending time away from it all in Vermont。〃
〃I suspect you'd like to be there now。〃
Her grin was sheep