Chapter 52

She retreated silently to the house, where she would later rejoin him. When they were inside, he showed them how to navigate the kitchen. She needed a long, cool drink because it was hot. Observing, she saw him take out two glasses, fill them with fruit juice, and then offer her one.

"Have you relished the opportunity to bask in the sunshine and open air?"

"Until the freedom to move anywhere at will is taken away, I don't think anyone truly values the choice to do so." She raised the glass and sipped the cold liquid slowly, observing his every move.

On the spacious, partially covered patio, there were several chairs and two sun loungers. Anna went outside and happily settled into one of the loungers. The sun was starting to lose some of its heat, but the house shielded us from the wind well enough that sitting outside was still a delight.

As David selected the adjacent lounger, he made the observation, "Your face has regained a little color." She endured his examination calmly.

"If I