rekindled(英文版)- 第23部分

From　the　first；　Jeff's　family　had　adored　her。　They　had　always　insisted
that　they　would　hold　Jeff　personally　to　blame　if　the　marriage　ended。　In
that　spirit；　they　had　stayed　so　close　to　Anne's　side　that　she　had　to
finally　beg　them　for　space。　They　had　eased　off；　but　with　reluctance。

Anne's　parents　had　persisted；　urging　her　to　give　up　the　apartment　and
move　back　home；　but　she　refused。　She　knew　that　as　crammed　with　reminders
of　Jeff　as　the　apartment　was；　it　was　better　than　the　Westchester　home
where　she　had　grown　up。　To　return　there　would　be　an　admission　of
failure…failure　to　make　the　kind　of　happy　life　her　parents　had。

A　ghost　of　a　smile　lifted　the　corners　of　her　lips。　Her　childhood　had
been　happy　indeed；　even　those　awkward　adolescent　years　when　she　was　an
ugly　duckling；　by　modest　accounts。　Oh；　her　parents　denied　it；　but　the
mirror　didn't　lie；　and；　anyway；　the　ugly　duckling　became　a　swan　well
before　the　Senior　Prom。　By　that　time　she　was　quiet　and　graceful；
thriving　academically；　socially；　and　emotionally。　Nothing　in　her　rosy
first　twenty…seven　years　had　even　remotely　begun　to　prepare　her　for　the
heartbreak　at　the　start　of　her　twenty…eighth。

Brought　back　to　the　present　by　a　pang　of　hunger；　she　closed　the
untouched　book　and　went　to　the　kitchen。　She　flipped　on　a　single　light；
mixed　tuna　into　a　salad；　put　a　pot　of　coffee　on　to　perk；　and　toasted　rye
bread。　With　the　sandwich　plate　in　one　hand　and　a　coffee　mug　in　the
other；　she　retraced　her　steps；　flipping　the　light　off　with　a　nudge　of
the　elbow。

Her　hunger　surprised　her。　Unusual　for　her；　she　finished　the　sandwich。
Revived；　she　sat　back　in　the　chair；　the　mug　warming　her　hands　as　the
fire　warmed　her　feet；　and　it　suddenly　struck　her　that　she　was　beginning
to　feel。　It　had　been　months　since　she　had　smelled　coffee　brewing　or　felt
the　barefoot　plushness　of　a　carpet。　But　the　coffee　did　smell　good。　Same
with　the　burning　logs　and　the　pines　outside；　and　her　feet　did　feel；
albeit　smooth　sanded　oak　planks　rather　than　the　thick　carpeting　of　home。

Pushing　the　glasses　up　on　her　nose；　she　stared　at　the　biography；　but　it
wasn't　a　biography　kind　of　night。　Jumping　up；　she　returned　to　her　room
for　a　replacement。　Mystery　or　romance…the　choice　was　easy。　A　romance
might　appeal　to　her　later　in　the　week；　when　she　was　feeling　stronger。
She　took　the　mystery　and　set　off。

The　addition　of　several　logs　brightened　the　blaze　in　the　hearth。　Edging
her　chair　closer；　she　read　from　its　light；　and　the　book　drew　her　in。
Within　a　chapter；　she　was　the　heroine。　She　was　only　marginally　aware
that　the　rain　was　ing　harder；　beating　with　increased　force　against
rooftop；　windowpane；　and　clapboard。　It　was　a　fitting　backdrop　for　the
story　of　a　young　woman　stranded　in　the　deep　woods　in　a　cabin　not　unlike
her　oparison；　debated　switching　to
the　romance　after　all；　but　was　inexorably　drawn　back　to　the　tightly
written　piece。　Burrowing　deeper　into　the　chair；　she　gave　herself　up　to
the　plot。

She　read　for　two　hours；　pausing　only　for　more　coffee。　The　gold　watch　on
her　wrist　read　eleven；　but　she　was　wide　awake；　stimulated　by　caffeine；
her　new　surroundings；　and　the　riveting　edge　of　the　story。　As　Chapter
Four　became　Five　and　then　Six；　the　mystery　deepened。　Accidents　were
neither　accident　nor　coincidence。　Someone　was　after　the　heroine。　No；
something　was　after　her；　or　so　it　appeared　from　the　bizarre　markings
left　by　footprints；　paw　prints；　or　whatever　in　the　winter　snow。　Terror
slowly　mounted。　The　woman　was　trapped；　hunted；　doomed。　As　Chapter　Seven
ended　and　Eight　began；　she　hatched　her　escape　plan　against　seemingly
insurmountable　odds。　Then；　plicating　an　already　desperate　situation；
came　the　blizzard。　Gale　force　winds；　blinding　snows；　chilling
temperatures　conspired　to　keep　her　at　the　mercy　of　the　wild　beast　that
stalked　her。

With　a　thud；　Anne　put　the　book　facedown　onto　her　lap；　heart　pounding　in
vicarious　fright。　Mystery；　my　foot；　she　mused　with　regret；　this　book　is
sheer　horror！　It　wouldn't　have　been　so　bad　if　she'd　picked　it　up　last
night　or　last　week　in　New　York。　Here；　though；　she　was　alone；　isolated
from　the　familiar；　a　good　three　miles　from　a　shred　of　civilization。

Spooked；　it　took　her　a　minute　to　realize　that　what　she'd　assumed　to　be
the　thundering　of　her　pulse　was　the　thunder　outside。　Lightning　followed
quickly；　brightening　the　dark　side　of　the　room　for　a　shocking　instant；
its　blue…white　gleam　icy　in　parison　to　the　warm　orange　glow　of　the
fire。

Hastily　she　added　several　more　logs；　desperately　needing　to　put　the　book
down；　desperately　needing　to　read　on；　knowing　that　she　wouldn't　be　able
to　sleep　until　the　last　page　had　been　turned　and　the　mystery　solved。　She
raised　the　book　again　to　another　deafening　clap　of　thunder。　It　vibrated
through　the　house　along　with　tongued　bolts　of　lightening。

Anne's　nerves　prickled　then；　because；　in　the　thunder's　wake　came　another
noise。　This　one　was　more　human　and　threatening。　A　car　was　approaching；
ing　nearer；　loud　enough　to　be　heard　above　the　storm。　It　reached　her
front　door　and　stopped。

Huddled　in　the　chair；　she　held　her　breath。　It　was　twelve　thirty…five；
well　past　normal　calling　hours　even　in　the　city。　Perhaps　one　of　the
villagers　wanted　to　warn　her　about　the　storm。　Perhaps　someone　was　lost。
Perhaps　。。。　perhaps　　。。。　A　furious　pounding　came　at　the　door。　Had　it
been　a　gentle　knock；　Anne　might　have　dared　answer　it。　But　this　knock　was
angry；　clearly　no　neighbor　expressing　concern。　At　least　the　door　was
locked；　though　she　wished　fervently　for　the　dead　bolt　she　had　in　New
York。

〃Open　up！　It's　wet　out　here！〃　The　voice　was　deep；　gruff；　and　angry。
〃Open　the　damn　door！〃

Anne　didn't　budge。　This　was　her　cottage　for　the　week；　and　she　had　the
papers　to　prove　it。　She　didn't　have　to　open　the　door。

But　the　banging　went　on；　hard　knuckles　on　wood。　〃e　on；　whoever　you
are；　open　the　door！　I'm　getting　soaked　and　I　can't　reach　my　key。〃

His　key？　Was　this　a　mon　visiting　place？　Had　the　realtor　forgotten　to
tell　her　something？

Feeling　vaguely　guilty　at　being　warm　and　dry　while　someone　was　out　there
wet　and　cold；　she　approached　the　door。　〃Who　is　it？〃　she　yelled；　resting
her　forehead　against　the　smooth　oak。

〃It's　Mitch；　dammit。　Open　up！〃　An　impatient　hand　jiggled　the　doorknob
from　the　outside。

〃I　don't　know　any　Mitch；〃　she　shouted　over　the　storm。　〃What　do　you
want？〃

What　came　back　was　a　menacing　growl。　〃I　want　to　get　dry。　For　God's　sake；
open　up。　I　do　have　a　key；　but　if　I　have　to　put　these　bags　down　to　get
it；　I'll　be　madder'n　hell　when　I　get　in　there！〃

Assuming　she　could　believe　him；　he　had　a　point。　If　he　did　have　a　key　and
would　eventually　open　the　door　whether　she　liked　it　or　not；　she　could
save　him　the　effort　and　spare　herself　his　anger。　Cautious；　she　reached
for　the　knob。　She　opened　the　door　a　few　inches；　leaving　her　weight
against　the　wood　in　case　she　didn't　like　what　she　saw。

Without　warning；　a　heavier　weight　thrust　it　full　open；　throwing　her　back
into　the　room。　Startled　by　the　unexpected　force　and　cursing　herself　for
her　nerves；　Anne　lost　her　balance　and　tripped；　falling　backward　onto　her
bottom　with　a　thud。　From　that　vantage　point　she　watched；　wide…eyed；　as　a
huge　man　entered；　savagely　dripping　water。　He　tossed　in　several　large
bags　before　slamming　the　door　shut　and　leaning　against　it。

The　fire　had　begun　to　die；　leaving　only　the　faintest　glow　to　light　his
face；　but　it　was　enough　to　show　a　tight　jaw；　sneering　lips；　and　eyes
that　impaled　her。

〃You　bitch！　What　took　you　so　long？　Why　didn't　you　open　the　door？

Can't　you　see　what　the　weather　is　like？　And　who　sent　you　anyway？　Was　it
Joe？〃　Narrowed　eyes　gave　her　an　insolent　once…over。　〃No；　it　must　have
been　Lennie。　He　goes　in　for　the　plain；　scrawny　type。〃

Anne　was　dumbstruck　by　the　sudden　turn　of　events。

〃What？〃　he　went　on。　〃No　denials？　No　coy　protestations？〃　He　unbuttoned
his　heavy　wool　jacket；　shrugged　it　off；　and　tossed　it　onto　an　empty
chair。　Even　without　its　bulk；　with　only　snug　denims　and　a　dark
turtleneck；　he　was　imposing。

To　her　horror；　he　advanced　until　he　towered　directly　over　her。　〃Well？

Don't　you　have　anything　to　say？　Or　are　you　just　going　to　lie　there；　all
helpless　and　inviting？〃

Anne　found　her　tongue。　〃You　shouldn't　be　here。　Get　out！〃

A　coarse　laugh　filtered　through　the　sounds　of　the　storm。　〃Ah；　having
second　thoughts；　are　you？　Reneging　on　your　little　deal　so　fast？〃

Anne　slid　backward　on　the　floor。　〃I　think　there's　been　a
misunderstanding。〃

〃Right　in　one！　I　don't　know　who　you　are；　but　I　don't　want　you　or　any
other　woman　up　here。　So〃…he　lowered　his　voice　but　failed　to　relax　his
jaw…〃I'd　suggest　you　pick　up　your　little　carcass　and　get　out。〃

Anne　was　incredulous。　〃I　will　not。〃　Her　eyes　didn't　leave　his　for　a
second；　though　she　inched　farther　away。

Suddenly　he　was　crouched　before　her；　steel…muscled　shins　imprisoning
hers　and　making　movement　impossible。　〃What　did　you　say？〃

Willing　a　strength　she　didn't　feel；　Anne　held　his　gaze。　〃I　said　that　I
wouldn't　leave。　I'm　here　for　the　week。　If　anyone　is　leaving；　it's　you。
Now！〃

She　practically　shrieked　the　last。　Between　frustration　and　fear；　she　was
losing　posure。

But　her　order　had　the　opposite　effect。　The　man　moved　forward；　resting
his　weight　on　his　right　hand；　on　the　hard　floor　inches　from　her　hip。　〃So
this　is　a　new　kind　of　game；〃　he　taunted。

〃I　don't　know　what　you're　talking　about；〃　she　said；　but　her　voice　fell
to　a　whisper　when　his　face　came　closer。　〃This　is　no　game。〃

Lit　by　the　pale　orange　cast　of　the　fire；　his　lips　were　firm　and　grinning
wryly。　His　eyes　narrowed　again；　homing　in　now　on　her　mouth；　which
quivered。　She　couldn't　move。　Terror　rose　up　from　the　pit　of　her　stomach。

〃No　game？〃　he　echoed　as　she　struggled　to　pull　herself　free　of　his
leghold。　With　the　grace　of　an　athlete　and　the　power　of　a　lion；　he
stretched　fully　over　her；　flattening　her　onto　the　cold　floor。

Panic　hit　then。　〃Let　go！　Get　off　me！〃　Futilely　she　pushed　against　him；
but　his　body　weight　was　awesome；　stealing　her　breath。　Gasping　for　air；
she　continued　to　push　as　his　mouth　lowered。　〃No！〃　she　cried　and　wrenched
her　head　to　the　side。

He　brought　it　back　with　a　firm　hand。　〃No　game；　you　say？　We'll　see　about
that。〃　His　lips　seized　hers　with　a　steadiness　that　held　her　head　flush
against　the　oak　planks。　Startling　in　intensity；　relentless　in　duration；
his　kiss　had　an　animalism　that　was　primitive　and　raw。

She　fought　desperately；　writhing　beneath　him　until　one　large　hand　seized
both　of　hers　and　pinned　them　to　the　floor　above　her　head。　Only　then　did
his　lips　finally　release　hers。

Fighting　tears；　she　gasped　for　breath；　and　all　the　while　he　studied　her。
When　he　finally　spoke；　he　was　calm　and　cynical。　〃Tears？　That's　not　part
of　the　game　plan。〃　In　an　effort　to　raise　himself；　his　hand　tightened　on
hers；　forcing　them　to　bear　the　brunt　of　his　weight。　She　cried　out　in
pain　when　her　wedding　band　dug　in。

He　freed　her　quickly　then；　and　sat　back　on　his　haunches。　She　recoiled；
crawling　backward　until　she　hit　a　wall；　then　jumping　to　her　feet　and
racing　to　the　hearth。　She　grabbed　the　only　weapon　in　sight；　a　heavy　iron
poker。　〃Don't　e　near　me；〃　she　warned　in　a　high…pitched　whine。

Her　threat　reached　its　mark。　He　didn't　move　a　muscle。

Silence　hung　h