precious thing
in the world。
Staying indifferent to Mitch was a problem； but she did her best and； to
his credit； he didn't push。 She slept upstairs； he slept downstairs；
with Rachel in a sleeping bag on the floor of his room。 By Wednesday
morning； though； Anne felt she was walking a tight…rope of conflicting
emotions； with Mitch watching from morning to night to see which way she
would go。
Memory nagged。 She remembered beautiful times here with Mitch； innocent
times of fulfillment and love。 She might put them aside in New York； but
they were more real here and harder to flee。
Still she tried。 〃I'm going for a walk；〃 she announced after a
postbreakfast bit of brooding。
〃That's a good idea；〃 Mitch said without mockery； but then； his
gentleness was part of the torture。 〃Take your time。 I think I can
manage Rachel for a few hours。〃
Despite the little girl's protest； Anne left。 It was the first time she
had been alone since they had arrived； and she needed it badly。 She was
feeling frayed at the seams； but there were still two days left in the
week。 She had to find a way of surviving。
Spring was everywhere。 What had been damp and gray a month before was
now a fresh； vibrant green。 The scent was of rebirth； spreading upward
from the lush carpet of new grass and through the lime leaves that
clothed long tree branches。 The sounds were enchanting ones…the chirping
of birds from nest to nest； the rustle of forest creatures in the newly
spreading undergrowth。 Water ran freely over rocks and silt； rushing
with the force of the snows that melted higher up the mountain。 The
pasture glowed yellow w