Her hair was wet from the shower when Anna came out of her room and closed the door.

"What were you doing this morning?" The question wasn't issued casually but in arrogant challenge.

"Running," she relied, and rotated her gaze to Brian's face.

He sighed heavily, "I saw you working on something."

"I found a hurt sea gull. His wing," she added. "Are you ready for breakfast?"

Brian's gaze hardened and shifted to her eyes. "You like to play the role of the rescuer, don't you? Birds, animals, people. Well, get this straight, little Miss Miracle Worker. I don't need you, and furthermore I don't want you. So get out of my life and stay out."

"My, my, we're in a fine mood this morning," Anna said cheerfully. "How do you want your coffee? Lukewarm and in your lap, or perhaps over your head?"

A hint of a smile touched his hard mouth. "Would it be too much to ask for it in a cup?"

"That depends entirely on you," she chided softly. "Don't go away. I'll be right back."

A few minutes later, she brought his breakfast tray. "You'll be pleased to know I ate in the kitchen," she said, a mocking reminder of his earlier comment.

Again a near-smile crossed his face.

"I thought that would please you," she said. "I'll be back in a few minutes with Dennis."

"I don't need him this morning," Brian said stiffly.

"Are you already in your suit?"

"My suit?"

"We're going swimming, remember?"

Brian laughed coldly, "Like hell."

"It'll probably hurt that much, so prepare yourself."

"Miss Watson," he muttered grimly, "there's no way in God's green earth that you're going to get me in that pool, so kindly accept that and save us both a lot of trouble."

"We'll see," she returned lightly.

The grooves around his mouth deepened with defiance. "Has anyone ever told you that you're a stubborn bi-"

"I do find such language unnecessary." She effectively cut him off by pivoting and walking away.

An hour later, dressed in her one-piece turquoise swimsuit, Anna dived into the deep end of the pool. Her slim body sliced through the water. She surfaced and did a couple of laps, enjoying the cool water against her skin.

When she paused she found Dennis standing outside the pool, looking ill at ease and uncertain.

"Littrell isn't pleased about this."

"I don't imagine he is. If necessary, bring him down here naked. He's coming in this pool one way or another."

"You're sure?"

"Very," she repeated confidently. "Throw him in, if you have to."

"If that's what you want."

She waited in the shallow end of the pool until she heard him coming long before she could see him. There was an angry torrent of angry words followed by a red-faced Dennis.

"Thank you, Dennis." She smiled her appreciation and glared at Brian. "The time has come to separate the men from the boys."

A slow smile spread across Anna's face. "Come on in. The water's fine."

"I could hate you for this," Brian growled.

"I've been hated by better men than you," Anna informed him cheerfully. She didn't doubt Brian; her job was to channel some of that intensity into the exercises. Charity had told her how much Brian had loved the pool, swimming laps every morning. He would again if she had anything to do with it. "Put him in the water, Dennis."

She turned and dove into the blue depths, feeling slightly guilty that Dennis was left to deal with the abusive end of Brian's temper. Her turned back offered him the privacy to climb into the water without her seeing Dennis lift him.

When she surfaced to the far end of the pool, Anna noticed Dennis was standing back from the pool's edge, his look unsure.

"That'll be all." Treading water, she raised one hand and waved, indicating she wanted him to leave.

Brian was sitting on the steps that led from the shallow end, his look foreboding. "Let's get this over with so I can get the hell out of here."

"All right," she agreed, swimming toward him. Her arms cut through the water as she stroked. Because of the distance separating them she couldn't hear the savagely muttered words which was probably just as well.

He held himself rigid, and one hand gripped the side of the pool.

"I've always loved to swim," she announced and playfully dipped her head back into the cool, aqua-blue water.

Brian's dark gaze followed her actions.

"When I was a child, my father was the one who taught me," she said. "I loved those days. We could never afford a pool like this, but summer evenings when Dad got off work, my brother, mother, father, and I went swimming in the pool at the park."

Brian looked bored.

"It seems ironic to me that my father would drown," she continued. Her unflinching gaze met Brian's. "For a year afterwards I couldn't go near a pool. In some obscure way I think I wanted to punish the water for taking my father."

Brian exhaled a short, angry breath.

"For now all I want you to do is familiarize yourself with the pool. Tomorrow I'm going to start you on a series of exercises. I won't try to kid you. These movements are going to hurt, but they're supposed to."

"Do you want me to leap for joy with some pie in the sky dream you have of my walking again?" His eyes snapped fire.

"No but I will tell you this. Progress will be slow enough; if you fight me, it'll only take longer."

"In other words, a lot of pain and only a little progress."

"That, Mr. Littrell, is up to you."

"If it was up to me, you'd get the hell out of my life."

A smile twitched at the edge of her mouth. "I'll be happy to leave, but when I go that wheelchair will be in the attic."

His fist slammed against the water, spraying it along the pool's tiled edge. "Spare me from optimistic women!"

"Starting tomorrow, Dennis will be taking you to the whirlpool before our session here. There are several reasons for that, none of which would interest you, I'm sure."

His impassive expression didn't alter.

"You can go for now. I'll see you at lunchtime."

"Don't hurry."

The sun's golden rays bathed his pale features. Anna realized that only a year ago Brian Littrell would have been bronze and sunbrowned. Once he had been a compellingly handsome man, but pain had chiselled blunted, abrupt lines in his face. His dark eyes seemed to mirror the agony of the past months. Mournful and intense.

"I won't hurry," she answered at last. "I"m not any more anxious to see you than you are me."

"At least we understand one another."

Anna called for Dennis and swam laps as the young man helped Brian from the pool. She was again offering him the privacy that might salvage his pride.

That night, after the sun set, she picked up her flute and stood on the balcony to play. A gentle breeze stirred her hair and felt like a whispered caress against her smooth skin. The sounds of the Beatles' classic, "Yesterday," filled the silence. She loved the song.

Anna paused when she finished, noting that Brian had rolled onto the balcony and was staring into the still night.

"You can't bring back the past," he said. The words were filled with anger and regret.

"No," she agreed softly, "you can't. Today, this minute. Now, is all that matters."

Again she played the songs she loved best. Anne Murray, Kenny Rogers, mellow sounds that produced a tranquil mood within her.

She sighed as she lowered the musical instrument. The day had been full, and she was exhausted. "Is there anything I can get you before I go inside?" She asked softly not wanting words to destroy her mood.

At first it didn't appear that he'd heard her. His mouth twisted sardonically and he rotated the wheelchair so that he faced her. "How about new legs, Miss Miracle Worker?"

"I'm fresh out of those," she replied evenly. "I'm afraid you will have to make do with what you've got."

Anna heard him exhale a frustrated, savage breath and knew her comment hadn't pleased him. With a soft smile she turned away, "Good night, Mr. Littrell."

He didn't reply and Anna guessed that he wasn't wishing her anything good.