Anne turned on him。 〃You arranged this with my parents; didnt you?〃
He grinned。 〃Theyre wonderful people。 When I explained the situation;
they were more than glad to help out。〃
〃Well; thats just fine; but Im not going! For all your smugness and
your crafty little plans; Im not going!〃
His grin died。 〃I told Rachel that youd be spending the week with us。〃
〃You had no right to do that。〃
〃But its done。 Shes counting on your being there。 Would you disappoint
her?〃
Anne was exasperated。 〃How can you use her like this? You know I cant
hurt her。〃
〃I was counting on that。〃
〃So youre going to go out there〃…she pointed a shaky finger toward the
street…〃and tell her I cant go。〃
〃But you can。 Your bags are packed and loaded。 Your work has been
cleared for the next two weeks。 Theres nothing left to hold you here。〃
Anne felt trapped。 With a tired sigh; she slumped back against the wall。
〃Why dont you leave me alone? Cant you see that I dont want to be
with you?〃
He was sober then。 〃Thats because you wont listen to reason。 Ive
tried to explain; and more than once; but you wouldnt answer my calls
or let me in when I banged on your door。 You wouldnt give me the
courtesy of hearing me out。 So now Im asking you; for Rachels sake; to
e with us。 Just this once。 At the end of the week; if you still feel
this way; I will leave you alone。〃
Anne wondered if it was the only way out。 She couldnt bear the thought
of hurting a child who had already been so badly hurt in life。 And the
little girl would be a chaperon of sorts。 What harm could there be?
〃Is that a promise?〃 she asked 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