Page 25 of Until the Sea Runs Dry

He squeezed her shoulder. His touch warmed some of the ice she was feeling. “You’ll be fine. After all, you’ve got Kitty and Loki here to keep you company.”

Kitty flashed a smile at them. “Yes. And Loki brightens up everyone’s day but Logan’s,” she joked. “He’s not really used to having a pet just yet, is he?”

She addressed the question to Loki, who tilted his head as he listened to her, causing his big ears to flop adoringly to one side. The shoe he’d discarded in Logan’s presence was back in his mouth.

“Take care of yourself, Jane. We’ll speak soon.”

And then he was gone too.

“This way, Dear.”

Kitty led the way through the house, though Jane could barely take in the stunning design of the place. She felt as if she was outside of her body, living in a dream that wasn’t hers.

She noticed only the details as they came at her: modern artwork that stood on white plinths lit by their own spotlights; the giant log fires that seemed to form the centerpiece of every room; marble floors with matching columns that held up the thirty-foot ceiling; and lush modern furniture that seemed as if they had never been used.

On and on, the luxury was never-ending, though Jane hardly registered the sights at all.

It wasn’t until they arrived outside the pool house, that anything akin to pleasure went through her body.

Bathed in the mid-afternoon sun, it was even more lovely than she had remembered. Having followed them there, Loki charged into the pool house, dove onto a pristine white leather sofa and ran from one end to the other, barking with delight, almost as if he’d forgotten about this place and had rediscovered it all over again.

“I didn’t have much time stock it as well as I wanted to, but you should find much of what you need here,” Kitty said. “The kitchen has a range of foods that should suit most diets, and in the bedroom, I managed to have some clothes arranged for you in a variety of sizes.”

She smiled. “Logan wasn’t very helpful at describing what size you might need.”

“That is more than enough, thank you.” Jane couldn’t believe the effort she had gone to for her — that both of them had gone to.

“If I have missed anything, I’m just a phone call away,” Kitty explained.

As lovely as this all was, it was starting to feel overwhelming. This house, Logan, her entire situation. A wave of exhaustion caused her to sway on her feet. Kitty took hold of her elbow, looking aghast, steering her inside.

“You need rest! You’ve had far too much excitement for the day. Why don’t you sit? I can make you some tea if you’d like?”

Jane shook her head. “I think I might just need some time alone, to take all this in. My head is a little overwhelmed.”

Kitty looked immediately contrite. “Of course. I’ll get out of your way. I’ll take Loki and we’ll leave you to acquaint yourself with your new home.”

She started for the dog, but Jane stopped her. “Do you mind leaving him? I wouldn’t mind his company.”

“Are you sure? He can be a handful?” Kitty’s expression was dubious.

“If he’s too much, I’ll let you know.”

Kitty nodded, happy with her answer. “Press 9 to call me any time, day or night. I live in the house with Logan.”

“Thank you. I will.”

* * *

Alone with only the puppy,the sudden peace calmed her racing pulse, and the exhaustion she had felt turned into curiosity for this wonderful house. She went off to explore, joined by Loki — and that ever present shoe in his mouth — who seemed thrilled to be left with her.

The wooden floor had a pale varnish that let the richness of the oak shine through. Her shoes — a pair of used Crocs that a nurse had given to her at the hospital — clicked softly on them as she wandered into the vaulted room that served as the living area.

Light shone in through the floor-to-ceiling doors that, when closed, formed the walls on three sides of the pool house, giving direct views onto the extensively landscaped grounds beyond. Numerous skylights revealed more of that crystal blue sky above.

The furniture was as tasteful as the house itself, chosen for its shabby chic style where distressed wood and heritage colors met wrought iron metal.

In almost every corner and surface, plants and flowers provided bursts of color to what was an otherwise white landscape. The whole effect was an oasis of calm, yet one couldn’t deny the luxury that abounded.

---