He rose and went downstairs to get them somebreakfast. He didn’t know where the idea of breakfast in bed hadcome from, but he had to act quickly before giving into needs. Hewanted his pretty wife with a desire that seemed to grow hourly.Never mind they’d made passionate love not a half hour before. Hestill wanted her.
Anything to delay beginning the separationprocess all over again.
She was surprised and delighted by breakfastin bed. They talked and laughed and later snuggled together todiscuss names for the baby.
The hours flew by until wispy cloudsreflected the rosy shades of sunset, gradually fading intodarkness. They watched from his window, still entwined in eachother’s arms.
“I’m glad we had this time together,” Audrasaid.
“Me, too.”
One part of him didn’t want it to end.Another knew he had to escape if he was to ever have a chance toregain his equilibrium. Being around Audra brought dreams that heknew were futile.
“What time do you leave in the morning?” sheasked at last.
“A Jeep will be here at eight to pick me up.I catch the eight-thirty shuttle from the lodge to theairport.”
“Mmmm.”
For a moment he feared tears andrecriminations. But Audra had never tried any female tricks to gether way. She’d always been blunt and open and forthright.
And Mitch suddenly felt like a failure. Hehadn’t measured up.
He gathered her closer. “Stay the night withme.”
She nodded.
“And then I’ll get up and fix youbreakfast.”
“No, sleep in. I’ll get something at theairport.”
He knew it was time to make the break. Timeto move back to the life he knew and had chosen. This time hadmerely been a segment of dream time. Real life didn’t function likethis. It was time he let go.
Chapter Nineteen
Despite what he’d said, Audra rose when hedid and had coffee ready by the time Mitch came down with hissuitcase the next morning.
She smiled, determined to make it throughthese next few minutes. It was almost eight. He’d be gone soon.
“It’s not breakfast, just coffee. But I knowyou like it first thing and it’ll tide you over until you get tothe airport.”
“Thanks.”
He took the mug and sipped, his eyesdrinking her in.
She hoped the shorts and pink shirtflattered her. Pink was her best color, she often thought. She’dput on makeup and looked her best. Let him remember her lookingthis way.
“Oh, here.” She handed him the cell phone.“You might need this.”
“I’ll call you when you get back to Boston,”he said, tucking it into his pocket.
She nodded, the smile feeling forced and asartificial as plastic. But she refused to let it waiver.
“We never decided on names,” she said, thenswallowed hard.
They’d spent hours discussing various names,then became sidetracked with kisses.
She refused to think about that. In fact,she dare not think about any thing until he’d left. She could getthrough this