d a crock of steaming beef stew； put
together from leftovers； and a half…loaf of what appeared to be
home…baked bread on the table did she realize that she had done all the
work。 But it had kept her mind occupied。 Ross had been in and out of the
room as she worked； finally settling down on a tall stool by a
butcher…block counter to watch。
His presence didn't upset her now as much as it had earlier。 She had
gotten over the shock； she guessed。 Still； she felt vaguely shy when
they were actually ready to eat。
〃Uh； is there anything else you want？〃 She skimmed the simple place
settings； the two large bowls filled with stew。 〃A drink？〃
He made no move to help himself For old times' sake； so the liberated
woman told herself； she indulged him。
〃Milk would be fine。〃
He waited while she searched for glasses and filled two。 She sat down
opposite him。 Once several mouthfuls of the thick stew had warmed her
stomach； she put her spoon down。 Something stuck in her craw。
〃I'm not unhappy；〃 she stated； so softly and apparently unexpectedly
that Ross looked perplexed。 〃You thought I looked unhappy。 I'm not。〃
He went back to eating； but slowly； thoughtfully。 〃No； I suppose you're
not； not right now；〃 he finally said。 〃But earlier； there was a look in
your eyes。 It es and goes。 There it is again。〃
The sound of his voice had been enough to spark memories。 With a barely
perceptible shake of her head； she chased them off again。 〃I do love
what I'm doing；〃 she said。
〃Tell me about it。 How did you get started？〃
〃You heard the bare outline tonight。〃
〃The bare outline。 Now I'd like to hear more。〃 His pause was