rekindled(英文版)- 第3部分

〃Excuse　me　for　interrupting；　Mr。　Stephenson。〃　She　leaned　toward　the
mike；　looking　at　Ross　for　the　first　time　entirely　in　the　context　of　the
present。　〃I　would　like　to　respond　to　the　gentleman。〃　Her　expression
brooked　no　argument。　She　was　determined。　Ross　straightened　and　backed
off；　seeming　bemused。

She　looked　back　at　the　man　in　the　audience。　〃First　things　first；　Mr。…〃

〃…Younger；〃　he　supplied；　dropping　the　r　at　the　end　of　his　name　in　true
New　England　form。　〃…Mr。　Younger。　I　have　a　bachelor　of　science　in　geology
from　Williams　College　in　Williamstown；　Massachusetts；　and　a　master's　in
geology　from　Boston　College。　I　spent　three　years　working　for　Conarn
Petroleum；　performing　geological　studies　on　oil　deposits　in　the　Gulf　of
Mexico。　I　was　then　able　to　co…found　Earth　Science　Education；　Inc。；　the
consulting　firm　that　was　contacted　by　Senator　Wolschinski　to　study　the
pros　and　cons　of　the　Rye　Beach　Resort　and　Condominium　plex。〃　Holding
the　man's　gaze　steadily；　she　pushed　on。　〃I　have　control　over　neither　my
age　nor　my　looks。　And　I　never　worked　for　Senator　Wolschinski　prior　to
the　day　he　retained　my　services　for　this　project。〃　She　tipped　up　her
chin　a　hair。　〃Have　you　any　other　questions？〃

Again　a　collective　murmur　went　through　the　crowd。　Just　as　the　man
shrugged　and　stepped　back；　Chloe　saw　the　hand　on　the　podium　lift。　Ross
pressed　his　chin　with　his　thumb；　looking　satisfied；　respectful。

He　wasn't　the　only　one　she　had　impressed。　A　different　voice　rose　from
the　audience。　〃The　taxpayers'　money　has　been　well　spent　for　a　change。
Thank　you；　Ms。　Macdaniel！〃

Chloe　directed　a　full　smile　across　the　ocean　of　heads　as　she　leaned
toward　the　microphone　a　final　time。　〃It's　been　my　honor。　If　my　effort
here　has　helped　to　preserve　the　natural　bounty　of　your　state；　then　we've
all　benefited。　Thank　you。〃

It　was　the　perfect　time　to　make　a　gracious；　if　not　sweeping　exit。　With
Ross　still　standing　aside　in　deference　to　the　crowd　applauding　its
appreciation　of　her；　she　should　have　quit　while　she　was　ahead。　Her
mistake　was　in　looking　back　at　him。

His　smile　was　devastating。　Chloe　felt　her　chest　tighten；　as　she　was
caught　in　the　throes　of　memory　again。　She　was　suddenly　immobilized；
suspended　in　a　matrix　of　desire　and　guilt　that　canceled　out　the　years
that　had　e　between；　until　there　was　only　yesterday；　Ross；　Crystal；
and　the　toss　of　a　coin。

When　a　last…minute　surge　brought　members　of　the　audience　to　the　stage；　a
shaken　Chloe　returned　to　the　present。　She　had　to　concentrate　again；
listening　to　questions；　offering　answers。　She　stood　at　one　side　of　the
stage　with　her　followers；　Ross　stood　at　the　other　side　with　his。　She
gained　strength　with　each　new　question；　so　that　when　the　last　of　the
locals　left；　she　felt　more　herself…felt　more　herself；　that　is；　until　she
realized　that　she　and　Ross　were　alone。

He　showed　no　sign　of　sharing　either　her　awkwardness　or　her　apprehension。
Rather；　he　smiled　at　her；　looking　older　and　wiser　perhaps；　but　no　less
alive。　The　air　between　them　hummed；　just　as　it　had　eleven　years　before。

Looking　at　him；　Chloe　grappled　with　a　world　of　inner　demons；　but　the
past　was　better　left　alone。　She　was　determined　to　make　this　reunion　as
brief　as　possible。

〃How　are　you；　Chloe？〃　he　asked；　crossing　the　stage　to　where　she　stood。

He　was　that　much　taller　than　she　was。　She　had　to　tip　up　her　head。　〃Fine。
And　you？〃

〃Not　bad。　You're　looking　well。〃　He　gave　her　a　warm　once…over。　〃Very
different。〃　Humor　tugged　at　the　corners　of　his　lips。

〃So　are　you。〃　Even　in　spite　of　an　inner　trembling；　she　could　appreciate
the　humor。　〃When　I　last　saw　you；　you　were　distinctly　antiestablishment。
This　is　a　switch。〃

His　stance　was　a　casual　one；　the　hand　in　his　pocket　not　only　emphasizing
the　solid　wall　of　his　chest　but　pulling　the　fabric　of　his　trousers
across　his　thigh　in　a　way　that　showed　the　strength　of　seemingly　endless
legs。

〃Not　entirely。　It's　just　that　now　I　save　my　jeans　for　free…time　wear　and
my　boots　for　cold　weather。〃

So　he；　too；　remembered　what　he　had　worn　that　night。　〃And　the　peasant
shirt？〃　she　asked　softly。

He　laughed。　〃The　peasant　shirt　was　replaced　for　a　while　by　a　dashiki；
but　I'm　afraid　the　modern　me　is　addicted　to　ordinary　sports　shirts　and
sweaters。〃

〃Conventional；〃　she　murmured　with　a　faltering　smile；　teasing　him　as　much
as　she　dared。　It　was　hard　to　remain　indifferent　to　this　man。　She　felt
the　strain。

〃Sadly　so；〃　he　agreed　without　any　sadness。　〃But　look　at　you。　You've　done
a　turnaround。　Last　time　I　saw　you；　your　hair　was　curled；　you　wore
makeup；　higher　heels；　and　more　daring　clothes。　You　also　talked　New
Orleans。　Where'd　the　accent　go？〃

Chloe　drew　in　a　long　breath。　〃It　faded。　I've　lived　up　north　for　too
long。　Time　does　different　things　to　each　of　us；　I　guess。〃

〃It's　for　the　better。　You　look　beautiful。　Unhappy；　but　beautiful。〃

His　candor　made　her　balk。　Seeing　him　was　painful　enough。　Talking　more
with　him　could　be　a　total　trauma。

She　glanced　at　the　auditorium　clock。　〃My　Lord；　it's　nearly　twelve。　I
have　to　run。〃　Straightening　the　shoulder　strap　of　her　pocketbook　and
hugging　the　large　folder　to　her　breast；　she　went　to　the　stage　steps。
Ross　followed。　Under　the　guise　of　worry　at　the　lateness　of　the　hour；　she
quickened　her　step。　He　kept　stride　easily。

：〃You're　not　driving　back　tonight；　are　you？〃

〃am。〃

〃All　the　way　to　。。。　？〃

〃Little　pton。〃

〃That　has　to　be　a　good　two…　to　three…hour　drive。　Wouldn't　you　do　better
to　get　an　early　start　in　the　morning？〃

〃Can't　do。　I　have　an　early　appointment　in　the　morning。〃　Her　voice
sounded　breathy。　It　was　the　rush；　she　told　herself。

For　long　moments；　Ross　said　nothing。　They　reached　the　front　door。　He
held　it；　she　passed　through。　In　silence　they　crossed　the　lawn　that
separated　the　high　school　from　the　parking　lot。

〃I　admire　you；　Chloe；〃　he　said；　sounding　sincere。　〃Your　work　is
interesting。　You　obviously　enjoy　it。〃

〃I　do；〃　she　agreed。　Relieved　to　be　at　her　car；　she　fished　in　her　purse
for　her　keys。　The　sooner　she　was　back　at　that　work；　back　in　the　security
of　her　seafront　home；　the　sooner　she　could　turn　the　past　off　again。
Slipping　in　behind　the　wheel；　she　rolled　her　window　down　to　let　in　the
cool　night　air。　With　escape　imminent；　she　grew　bolder；　looking　up　at
Ross　as　he　leaned　over　with　his　fingers　curved　on　the　lowered　window。
How　handsome　he　was；　she　mused。　She　had　been　powerfully　attracted　to　him
then；　she　still　was。　〃It　was　nice　seeing　you；　Ross。〃

〃You　won't　change　your　mind　and　stay　over？　I'm　at　the　Wayward　Sailor；　an
inn　just　down　the　road。　I'm　sure　they　have　another　vacancy；　since　the
height　of　the　season　is　past。　We　could　grab　a　snack　somewhere　and　talk。〃

Chloe　would　have　liked　nothing　better。　She　knew　nothing　about　the　Ross
Stephenson　who　was　a　successful　businessman。　Instinct　told　her　that　time
spent　with　him　would　be　interesting。　It　would　also　be　downright
dangerous；　even　devastating。

She　sighed。　〃That　would　be　nice；　but　I　have　to　get　back。　I　feel　wide
awake　for　driving。　I'd　just　as　soon　put　the　miles　behind　me。　Besides；　I
have　that　appointment。〃

Ross　considered　that　for　a　minute；　then　held　up　his　hands。　In　gracious
defeat；　he　stepped　back。　She　put　the　key　in　the　ignition；　pumped　the　gas
pedal；　turned　the　key。　There　was　a　click；　but　nothing　happened。　She
repeated　the　sequence。　It　always　worked。　Granted；　her　small　blue　pact
had　seen　better　days；　but　it　had　always　started　for　her…until；　she
realized　as　she　turned　the　key　a　third　time；　this　afternoon。　She　had
heard　the　same　click　then；　had　run　back　into　the　house　and　brought　Lee
out　to　help。　They　had　figured　the　engine　was　flooded；　had　waited　and
won。　The　car　had　started。　But　Murphy's　Law　said　that　it　wasn't　going　to
start　now。

〃Trouble？〃　Ross　bent　in　at　the　window　again。

〃Battery；　I　think。〃

He　opened　the　door。　〃Let　me　try。〃

She　slid　out。　With　an　ease　that　belied　his　awesome　length；　he　folded
himself　behind　the　wheel。　The　front　seat　was　already　back　to　allow　for
the　length　of　Chloe's　own　long　legs；　and　even　then　he　gave　a
good…natured　grimace。　She　had　to　smile。　Getting　in　was　apparently　the
easy　part。　Maneuvering　now　that　he　was　there　was　the　challenge。

But　he　managed。　When　he　tried　the　ignition；　though；　he　had　no　better
luck　than　Chloe。　He　listened　to　that　impotent　click　once；　twice；　three
times。　Then　he　hoisted　himself　out　of　the　car　and　looked　under　the　hood。

〃You're　right；〃　he　said；　straightening。　〃It's　the　battery。〃　He　slammed
the　hood　shut　and　brushed　his　palms　against　one　another。　〃It　looks　like
you'll　have　to　stay。　I　don't　see　how　you'll　get　someone　to　e　out　at
this　hour。〃

She　reached　for　her　bag。　〃I　have　triple…A。〃

〃Chloe。〃　He　sighed　softly。　〃This　isn't　a　bustling　metropolis。　By　the
time…〃

〃Do　you　have　jumper　cables？〃

〃No。〃　He　patted　his　pockets。　〃Not　anywhere　close　by。〃

〃In　your　car？〃

〃It's　a　rental。〃

Her　gaze　fell　to　the　pavement。　She　could　rant　and　rave　all　she　wanted；
but　it　seemed　she　had　little　choice。　〃I　suppose　Lee　could　change　that
early　appointment　for　me；〃　she　murmured　quietly；　then　looked　up。　〃And
you　think　your　inn　would　have　a　room？〃

His　gaze　was　steady。　〃I'm　sure　it　would。〃

Not　one　to　belabor　a　no…win　situation；　Chloe　sighed。　〃Lead　on；　Ross。
Lead　on。〃

Ross　led　her　to　a　late…model　rental　car　roomy　enough　for　both　pairs　of
long　legs　to　stretch　fortably。　Vibes　were　something　else。　Chloe
sensed　that　no　space　would　be　large　enough　for　the　ones　that　circuited
back　and　forth　during　the　short　drive　to　the　inn。

〃You　flew　in　just　for　tonight's　meeting？〃　she　asked；　seeking　to　ease　the
silence。　It　was　awkward；　given　the　intimacy　they　had　once　shared。

〃That's　right；〃　he　answered；　paying　close　attention　to　roads　that　were
now　dark　and　deserted。　〃From？〃

〃New　York。〃

〃Do　you　live　there？〃

〃Occasionally。〃

It　was　an　odd　answer。　When　he　failed　to　elaborate；　Chloe　tried　again。
〃Have　you　had　to　e　here　often？〃

〃More　often　than　I'd　anticipated。　This　project　has　created　something　of
a　stir。〃　If　the　glance　he　shot　her　was　accusatory；　she　accepted　it　as
fair　game　and　took　no　offense。　She　believed　in　her　cause。

〃From　what　Felix　Hart　implied；　you　move　around　a　lot；〃　she　said。

〃I　always　did。〃

It　was　a　direct　reference　to　the　past。　Then；　he　had　been　in　the　Peace
Corps　on　leave　for　Thanksgiving；　the　world　traveler　ing　stateside　for
a　visit。　There　had　been　an　air　of　excitement　about　him。

He　still　had　it。　His　profile　was　strong；　lean；　preoccupied　in　ways　that
suggested　big　business　in　far　places。　She　looked　away；　focusing　on　the
view　outside　her　window；　trying　to　ignore　a　silence　that　she　could　feel
and　taste。　She　was　relieved　when　the　Wayward　Sailor　came　into　view。

Ross　turned　to　her　as　soon　as　the　car　stopped。　His　features　had
softened。　His　tone　was　solicitous。　〃Why　don't　you　wait　here？　I'll　make
the　arrangements　and　find　out　where　we　can　get　a　bite　to　eat。　You　are
hungry；　aren't　you？〃

She　smiled　awkwardly。　〃I　haven't　had　anything　since　lunch。〃

〃No　wonder　you're　pale。〃　He　touched　her　cheek。　〃Stay　put。　I'll　be　right
back。〃

She　sat　quietly；　trying　to　think　of　anything　but　Ross。　Just　when　she　was
on　the　verge　of　declaring　defeat；　he　loped　back　down　the　steps　of　the
charmingly　ancient　house。　〃Any　luck？〃　sh