hands up to
frame his face； to trace the powerful line of his cheeks； his jaw； his
chin。 Then she leaned forward and gave him a soft and heartfelt kiss。 〃I
wish I had something to give you；〃 she whispered when it was done。
In a trembling breath； he said； 〃You already have； Anne。 And I thank
you。〃
Anne drove north again on a Friday afternoon in the second week of
February。 As the first flakes of snow began to fall； she sniffled and
pulled another Kleenex from the glove box。 For the better part of the
week she'd had a cold。 If she had known Mitch's number； she might have
called to cancel their meeting。 But she didn't know it； and she wanted
to see him。 She was counting on feeling better in the clean country air。
What she hadn't counted on was the snow。
As she crossed the border from New York into Vermont； the flakes grew
larger and more feathery。 They were sticking to anything and everything
in sight。 Traffic had slowed with the decreased visibility； but that was
a double…edged sword。 Yes； it was safer driving slower。 But it meant the
trip took longer； and the longer she was on the roads； the worse they
became。
She was impatient to reach the cottage。 Even aside from a hacking cough
and the accumulation of snow on the windshield； she wanted to be in a
place that had bee； in some ways； more real a world than the other。
The past six weeks in New York had been a way of passing time between
trips。 She was happier here； more relaxed and alive with Mitch than
anywhere else。
Traffic slowed another notch。 She glanced at her watch。 Two hours
behind； already！ It was late afternoon。 Darkness would be here