d cautiously。
〃Yes。〃 There was no point belaboring the matter。 With a defeated sigh；
she pushed away from the wall and returned to the car with Mitch。
Within the hour they left the traffic of the city behind and sped
northward。 〃When did you get the new car？〃 Anne asked； groping for
conversation with Mitch as Rachel knelt on the backseat； studying the
receding skyline。
〃About a week ago。 This is her maiden voyage。 The Honda was a bit small
for three。〃 The eyebrow that arched her way was subtle； but Anne had to
marvel at his presumption。 If the three included her； he had paid a
whole lot for a single trip。
Rachel poked her golden head between the bucket seats and rubbed her
cheek against the soft velour。 〃I like this car。 Daddy says the color
matches my eyes。〃
〃It does； at that；〃 Anne said with a warm smile。 How not to smile at a
child who exuded sweetness like this one？ She prayed there would be
pouts； crankiness； and temper tantrums as the week progressed。
Otherwise； she could be in big trouble。
There weren't any pouts； crankiness； or temper tantrums； and Anne grew
more and more attached to the child。 Even knowing that Mitch contrived
it didn't detract from the pleasure Anne took in simple custodial things
like bathing her； bing those long blond curls； helping retie the
shoelaces that came undone after Rachel laboriously tied them herself。
There were substantive things to cherish； like cookie baking； hikes in
the woods； and reading stories before the fire at night。
And if Anne was in love； she felt it ing right back from Rachel。 Such
innocent； heartfelt； freely given affection was the most