第20部分(第3/9 頁)

m　she

instantly　liked。　Ross　himself　had　disappeared　with　a　soft　apology

shortly　after　they　arrived。　She　saw　nothing　of　him　until　late　afternoon；

when　he　materialized　in　the　drafting　room；　where　she　was　admiring　the

architect's　plans　for　a　museum　and　theater　plex　in　Des　Moines。

〃What　do　you　think？〃

Delight　lit　her　face。　〃It's　wonderful；　Ross。　You　have　a　brilliant

architect。　From　the　looks　of　the　plans；　this　museum　will　be　a　drawing

card　for　all　of　Iowa。〃

His　smile　held　satisfaction。　〃That's　what　we're　hoping。　Any

suggestions？〃

She　grinned。　〃You　mean；　will　I　now　go　on　and　pick　the　thing　to　bits　on

the　geological　score？〃

〃Something　like　that。〃

〃I　have　no　way　of　knowing　about　this　particular　project。　Looking　at　the

designs；　I　can　mention　potential　sources　of　worry…drain　pipes；　for

instance…but　unless　I　know　something　about　the　land　there；　I　can't　offer

constructive　criticism。〃

When　Ross　put　his　lips　by　her　ear；　she　realized　that　it　was　the　nearest

he'd　e　since　she　arrived。　The　warmth　of　his　skin　by　her　cheek　sent　a

tingle　through　her。　〃Thank　God　for　that；〃　he　said　in　a　stage　whisper；

though　they　were　alone　in　the　room。　He　straightened。　〃The　day's　pretty

much　over。　Let's　get　going。〃

Chloe　gathered　her　things。　It　had　been　an　unexpectedly　pleasant　and

interesting　afternoon。　If　each　of　her　days　here　were　like　it；　she　m