ered his eyes。 His voice was filled with
gentleness。 〃Rachel enjoyed this taste…testing stage the most last year；
too。〃
Anne froze。 Rachel？ His 〃obligation〃？ She frowned； then stood
straighter； then backed away from the arm on her shoulders。 Rachel？
With that faraway gleam； and such gentleness？ Oh； yes； he loved Rachel。
Anne didn't doubt it for a minute。
He was frowning。 〃What is it？〃
〃How could you？〃
〃How could I what？〃 His innocence riled her。
〃How could you do that to me？ How could you mention her name at a time
like this？〃 She felt eviscerated； as though he had bee part of her
and was being cut free。
〃Her name？〃 Then he realized what he had done； and his frown gentled。 〃I
mentioned Rachel； didn't I？〃
The softness in his voice at the mention of her name ravaged Anne。 〃How
could you？〃 she repeated。 Tears welled。 When he reached out； she
flinched and took a step back。
〃Annie； listen…〃
She took another step； then another。 〃I don't want to hear about your
love life。〃
〃You're wrong…〃
〃Yes； I'm wrong。 I'm wrong to want to stay up here with you； when I
should be back in New York trying to build a new life。 I'm wrong to
think that you really wanted me here； when in one careless minute you go
wimpy over another woman。 How could you； Mitch？ Can't you see that I
love you？〃
Whirling around； she ran from the kitchen； taking the steps with
reckless speed； stopping only when the door to her bedroom was slammed
and flush to her back。 Trembling hands covered her eyes and grew wet
with tears。 The pounding of her heart drowned out the sound of footsteps
on the stairs。