The morning fog still clung to Lakesland as Nina, rarely out at such an early hour, bundled up in her heavy down jacket and wandered through the nursing home garden. The air felt sharp and invigorating, biting her lungs with a crispness that brought her alive.
At the garden's edge, she found Michael already seated on one of the benches. Wrapped in a dark gray wool coat and neatly scarfed, he held a coffee cup and gazed thoughtfully into the distance at the snow-covered mountains.
"You're an early riser too?" Nina said, settling beside him.
Michael cast a sidelong glance at her, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Couldn't catch any sleep, so I decided to watch the sunrise. Unable to doze off too?"
"Yeah." She nodded.
He took a thoughtful sip of his coffee. "Artists, we're forever tangl
