She dreaded the moment of parting。 What they had was so new； so fragile；
so precious that she would have liked nothing more than to stay in the
cottage forever。
But Mitch grew preoccupied as that moment of parting drew near。 Finally；
cautiously； he said； 〃The next few weeks are going to be impossible for
me； Annie。 I have some business matters ing to a head； and I'll want
to spend extra time with Rachel。 Let me call you as soon as things clear
up。 Is that okay？〃
Given their intimacy and the number of times he'd said he loved her；
Anne might have been puzzled by his unsureness； but she was starting to
grow preoccupied herself。 The court hearing on the matter of her law
suit was only a week and a half off。
She took a resigned breath and gave him a hopeful smile。 〃I'll be
waiting。
Wait she did； day after day； night after night。 The knowledge that Mitch
was suffering through a busy spell was small solace。 Only the belief
that he loved her carried her through to the evening before her court
appearance； when the phone finally rang。
〃How are you； Annie？〃 He sounded caring； but a little guarded。
〃Fine。 But I miss you。〃 She had no pride。
〃Same here； honey。 Are you all set for tomorrow？〃
She was touched that he remembered the date； touched that he was calling
to give her last…minute encouragement。 〃I don't think I'll ever be
ready；〃 she answered honestly。 〃But my family and Jeff's will be ing
to get me first thing in the morning。 I think they're not sure that I'll
show up on my own。〃
〃They'll all be there？〃
〃Most of them。 I'll have plenty of emotional support。〃
〃I'm glad。〃
A s