e thrust his tongue deeper into her mouth； and Anne reeled
at the sensation。 She would have happily returned to the house； to that
same bedroom； that same large bed if he'd asked just then。 But he
didn't。
With a shaky breath； he drew back。 He took her hand； pressed something
in it； and closed her fingers。 〃I want you to take this。 It's a key to
the place。 I have a few hectic weeks ahead； but I'll be up again at the
end of March。 If you want to e at any time； I want you to。〃
Anne was deeply touched； but that wasn't the only reason her eyes filled
with tears。 Frightened that she would make a fool of herself； she
whispered a soft thanks against his cheek in a final hug； pulled away；
and got into her car。 She headed down the sanded road without a look
behind。 Parting was getting harder and harder。
March in Vermont was the time of unlocking； that period during which the
frozen ground gradually yielded one frigid layer after another to the
power of an ever…stronger sun； when the brooks and ponds； rivers and
lakes lost their ice to the rush of the downstream current。 It was a
time of the loud thrashing of formidably cold waters against their
banks。 It was a time of mud。
Anne hadn't expected that when she left New York。 Taking Mitch up on his
offer and using his key； she arrived several days in advance of him。 The
excitement was in being there； in these hills； in Mitch's house。 Nothing
could have kept her away longer。
〃You're going again？〃 her mother had asked in surprise。
Anne was prepared for the question。 She had done her homework。 〃It's
maple…sugaring time。 I wouldn't miss it for the world。〃
Her
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