“I’m glad you like it.” Mandy shut off the water. Leaving the pan to soak for a few minutes, she dried her hands and reached for her jumbo mug of coffee. So far this morning, even a massive caffeine infusion was unable to cut through the cobwebs last night’s insomnia had left in her brain.

“You’re the best cook in the whole world.” He swirled the last few pieces around in peach sauce and shoved them in his mouth. Draining his glass, he carried his dirty dishes to the sink.

“Excuse me.” A woman in her midtwenties stood under the arch that led to the dining room.

Bill jumped. The glass hit the bottom of the sink with a clatter. He backed toward the exit as if there were a wild bear in the kitchen instead of a pretty girl. The connecting door slapped shut as he disappeared into the apartment.

“I’m terribly sorry if I disturbed your breakfast.” Ashley Trent, a hiker from Boston, was staying in the top-floor suite with two friends.

“It’s fine. My brother is a little shy.” Mandy smiled. “What can I do for you?”

“I overslept. Could I please still get a cup of coffee?” Ashley’s eyes were puffy. Though it was past nine in the morning, she was dressed in a sweatshirt and pink-striped pajama bottoms. Her long brown hair was pulled back into a messy tail. The last two mornings, she and her two friends had been out the door by seven. Hadn’t anyone at the inn slept well last night?

“Of course.” Mandy set her cup down and headed for the coffeepot. “I thought I saw your friends go out earlier.”

“I was tired from the long hike we took yesterday. I told them to go without me. No sense in them missing out on the beautiful day.” Ashley squinted at the bright sunlight streaming through the window.

“I’m sorry you’re not feeling well. Do you need anything?” Mandy handed her a cup of coffee.

“No, thanks. I’ll be fine tomorrow.” Ashley sniffed the steam rising from her mug. “This smells fabulous.”

“Let me make you some breakfast.”

Ashley shook her head, then winced. She pressed three fingers to her temple. “No. I couldn’t put you to any trouble. I’m not very hungry. I’m going to take some aspirin and go back to bed.”

Mandy pulled down a tray and bustled around the kitchen. “At least let me give you some muffins in case you get hungry later.” She added a bottle of water and a banana to the tray.

“Thank you.” Ashley took the food and retreated. Her slippers scuffed on the hardwood, leaving Mandy and her mother alone in the big kitchen.

The muffled sounds of lightsabers and speeding spacecraft seeped through the apartment door. Mandy rooted under the sink for a scrubber sponge. “He needs a new movie.”