I awoke with a start, sat up, and looked around the room. For an instant, I had no idea where I was. Oh yes, Nicole’s guesthouse. I flopped back on the pillows and reached for my watch; it was only 7:00 a.m. Sunlight bathed the room, reflecting off the white plaster walls, a stunning departure from the goldenrod adobe of the walls in the main house. The large bed was extremely comfortable, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to get out of it.
It had only taken me a short time to put away my meager belongings and set up my computer the night before. Not surprisingly, Wi-Fi was available so I had Internet access—another plus. I enjoyed a long luxurious shower, along with the use of some extraordinarily thick towels. I began to think I could get used to this lifestyle.
Just before I’d gotten into be
