第25部分(第3/9 頁)

he　hope　that　a　long；　hot

shower　would　ease　her　tension　and　improve　her　mood；　and　for　a　short　time

it　did。　The　water　pressure　was　strong；　sending　steamy　trails　over　the

taut　muscles　of　her　neck　and　back。　Rich…lathering　shampoo　left　her　hair

squeaky　clean　and　shiny；　hanging　in　damp　clusters　about　her　shoulders

when　she　finally　emerged；　toweled　herself　vigorously；　and　returned　to

her　room。

Half　an　hour　later；　wearing　a　navy　sweater；　jeans；　and　sneakers；　she

headed　for　the　kitchen　to　make　coffee。　It　was　already　hot　on　the　stove。

To　her　surprise　the　floor　was　free　of　debris；　the　offending　cookware

stacked　neatly　in　the　cupboard。

She　smiled　a　bit　smugly。　So　he　had　cleaned　up　himself　Take　that；　male

chauvinist　pig！　And　he　had　made　himself　scarce。

Helping　herself　to　coffee；　she　took　a　seat　at　the　table。　Despite　the

outburst；　she　had　actually　slept　until　ten…thirty。　Now　she　heard

footsteps　on　the　stairs　and　the　slam　of　the　bathroom　door。　All　she　had

to　do　was　to　wait　until　he　finished　his　shower　and　dressed。　Then　they

would　face　their　dilemma　like　adults。

When　the　shower　started；　she　relaxed　back　in　the　chair；　bing　her

still…damp　hair　with　slender　fingers；　spreading　it　out　over　her

shoulders　to　dry。　Her　gaze　was　drawn　through　the　three…sided　window　of

the　breakfast　nook　to　the　backyard。　She　hadn't　seen　it　the　afternoon

before　and　fou