The master bedroom was connected to the deck. It was convenient for her to stroll out with Luna at her heel. She’d created a small fenced area off the deck that Luna could run to, which she happily did.

“Good morning,” called out Anna. She came through her bedroom door, also dressed in yoga clothes and carrying her mat.

They had started the routine of meeting on the deck at dawn for sun salutations as a way to bond. Anna was skilled at yoga and had begun teaching Linnea the twelve poses that made up the sun salutation. Linnea felt that during these days of isolation, it was all the more important to spend time outdoors, especially when the glowing sun broke through the darkness and filled the sky with pink and golden rays. She believed the sun’s energy could keep her inner darkness at bay.

After yoga, Anna helped Linnea in the kitchen to prepare breakfast. While Linnea made the coffee, Anna poured out her homemade granola into bowls, topped them with fresh berries, and set a carton of oat milk on the table. Linnea still couldn’t believe that Anna had convinced her cow’s milk–chugging brother to switch to oat milk. While the coffee brewed, she poured Luna’s dog kibble into a bowl. The puppy’s tail never failed to wag as she trotted after Linnea to the dog dish. Dogs were such dependable critters, she thought.

As usual, the scent of coffee was a lure for Cooper. He padded into the kitchen in a sleepy stupor, murmuring a good morning. There wasn’t much talk until all of them had finished their first cup of coffee.

Linnea carried her bowl and mug to the sink and began filling it with soapy water. She looked out the window to see a cherry-red cardinal at the bird feeder, his gray mate waiting her turn. She startled when she saw John walking down the stairs from his loft carrying two suitcases.

He couldn’t be leaving! She felt her heart lurch and turned off the faucet. With dripping hands she ran out the back door, ignoring Cooper calling, “What’s the matter?”

“John!” she called, hurrying down the stairs, across the gravel driveway. “John!”

He heard her and stopped at the fence gate. “What’s the matter?”

She came to a halt before him, breath heaving. “Are you leaving?”

He looked confused, then, looking down, saw the suitcases. He set them down and shook his head. “No, no. I’m leaving the loft, but I’m moving into the main house. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Oh,” she said. Then again, “Oh, okay.” It surprised her how devastated she’d felt thinking he was walking out of her life. Again.

“Did you think I was… leaving leaving?”

“Well, yes. I mean, you only came for a visit. Your quarantine is over. And”—she pointed to the suitcases—“it seemed obvious.”

He smiled a crooked smile. “And you wanted to stop me?”

She held back her grin. “I wanted to say good-bye.”

“Ah, okay. Well, sorry. I’m sticking around.”