It was the new view that stopped her, the window facing east that framed the stunning break of dawn. The roll of clouds on the horizon was thick, layered, and shot with swirling red. The bold color spread into the sky, beating back the more soothing blues and tamer pinks with licks of fire. Even as she watched, the clouds moved, sailing like a flaming ship as the sky slowly lightened.

For the first time in months she found herself actively wanting to paint. It had been habit more than desire that had had her packing some of her equipment. She was grateful now, and wondered how far she would have to drive to buy what other supplies she might need.

Pleased with the idea, and the prospect of a genuine activity, she wandered back toward the kitchen.

Finding Brianna already there and wrist deep in bread dough was more of a surprise than it should have been. “I thought I would be the first up.”

“Good morning. You’re an early riser.” Brianna smiled as she continued to knead her dough. “So’s Kayla, and she wakes hungry. There’s coffee, or tea if you like. I’ve already brewed it for Grayson.”

“He’s up, too?” So much, Shannon thought, for a solitary morning.

“Oh, he got up hours ago to work. He does that sometimes when the story’s worrying him. I’ll fix you breakfast once I set the bread to rise.”

“No, coffee’s fine.” After she’d poured a cup, Shannon stood awkwardly, wondering what to do next. “You bake your own bread?”

“I do, yes. It’s a soothing process. You’ll have toast at least. There’s a hunk of yesterday’s still in the drawer.”

“A little later. I was thinking I might drive around a bit, see the cliffs or something.”

“Oh, sure you’ll want to see the sights.” Competently Brianna patted the dough into a ball and turned it into a large bowl. “The keys are on that hook there. You take them whenever you’ve a mind to ramble. Did you have a good night?”

“Actually, I—” She broke off, surprised she’d been about to tell Brianna about her dreams. “Yes, the room’s very comfortable.” Restless again, she took another sip of coffee. “Is there a gym anywhere around?”

Brianna covered her dough with a cloth, then went to the sink to wash off her hands. “A Jim? Several of them. Are you looking for anyone in particular?”

Shannon opened her mouth, then closed it again on a laugh. “No, a gym—a health club. I work out three or four times a week. You know, treadmills, stair climbers, free weights.”

“Oh.” Brianna set a cast iron skillet on the stove as she thought it through. “No, we’ve none of that just here. A treadmill, that’s for walking?”

“Yeah.”

“We’ve fields for that. You can have a fine walk across the fields. And the fresh air’s good for exercising. It’s a lovely morning for being out, though we’ll have rain this afternoon. You’ll want a jacket,” she continued, nodding toward a light denim jacket hanging on a peg by the back door.