The next morning, in the bedroom on the second floor, Austin awoke with a start. Heart racing, she felt the rush of adrenaline followed by an equal dose of anxiety. She slipped out of bed wearing only a T-shirt and panties and felt the cool floor beneath her feet. In semi-darkness, Austin padded across the room to the window. A pink dawn perched upon the ocean was evolving into a sunrise. On the beach below, a smattering of people materialized, like insects drawn to the light.
The next morning, in the Austin checked her iPhone she’d left charging on the bedside table—ten past seven. She’d stayed in bed longer than planned, but last night, sleep had been elusive. She wondered if Roderick was awake. So far, he’d been a perfect gentleman, but she figured some of his chivalry was connected t
