Page 1 of Bryce

Chapter 1

The hill wasscattered with wildflowers. Daisies, daffodils, a sprinkle ofdandelions and some sunflowers, their petals soaring upwards, erectand tall, above the rest. Moonlight streamed through the leaves ofthe trees, dappling everything in sight.

The clean scent ofthe morning permeated the air all around and made one think of newbeginnings. New hopes and dreams. Zahra laughed at the fancifulthoughts flickering inside her mind. It was her favorite time of theday.

Just before the sunburst forth, scattering the shadows and beaming its brilliance oneverything, she liked to take a walk, to breathe in the fresh air andto think and plan for her day. The land was part and parcel of theinn and was an added appeal to the already delightful surroundings.

From here, she couldlook down on the entire town. Not that there was much of it, FlowerHills was tiny, with a population a little over a thousand, if thatmuch. It always amazed her that she had ended up here and made theplace her home.

She was originallyfrom a big city and would never have dreamed she would make her homein a place like this. But it had healed her. It had given her a senseof peace and tranquility. She had packed up her belongings, quit herjob as an administrative assistant in a stressful corporate office.

Her mother hadthought she was insane. Her friends had told her that she would comerunning back. But she was still here and this was her home. She kneweveryone in the village. Knew their names and they knew hers.

She was invited overfor tea. The mail woman dropped off the mail and would sit down forsome delicious piece of pie and a cup of coffee. She was invited toweddings, would drop in for funerals. Attended community meetingsthat contributed to the local fundraising - whether it was torenovate the library or buy gear for the volleyball team.

She also had someonesniffing around. William Lane was a sweetheart, and she thought ofhim more of a brother than a potential lover.

She had told himthat, but he would not give up. She was flattered to have a mandetermined to be part of her life. She had been involved in just tworelationships and the first – well, she shied away fromthinking about it.

Lifting her head, shetook several deep breaths. It was almost time for her to head onback. It was almost the end of summer, and she had several guestsgetting ready to depart. One was leaving this morning and hadrequested breakfast. She had prepared the soda bread already, andplanned the menu.

Sausages andscrambled eggs. Perhaps some porridge as well. She would start thepot of coffee as soon as she got back. And a pot of tea as well. Theywere supposed to be getting rain. Probably change the menu tosomething hot and spicy. A stew or vegetable soup.

Jessica would bearriving shortly to do the tables. Taking another look around, shesmiled. It was easy to do so now. In the past, she had been somiserable. Just going from one day to the next and taking sleep aidsto close her eyes. Now in the two years she had been living here,sleep came naturally to her.

The chaos that hadbeen her life was in the rear-view mirror. She was contented andhappy. The place suited her, and she wished she could tell Aunt Sybilhow grateful she was for getting this chance.

Rubbing her handsover her arms, she turned to take the narrow path that led to theinn, a smile on her face.

*****

“Take a loadoff, why don’t you?” Jessica clucked her tongue andbustled over to make sure she did by taking her arm and tugging hertowards the cozy dining table and chair, tucked beneath the windowoverlooking the bed of flowers and herbs that Zahra had planted justa year ago.

“You have beenrunning around since six without a break.” The woman bustledoff without waiting for a response, returning a few minutes laterwith a tray.

Scones and some ofthose delicious biscuits.”

“You spoil me.”

“Someone hasto!” She placed the tray in front of Zahra and folded her handsinto the pockets of her soiled apron.

Picking up the cup,Zahra sent the woman a knowing look, a hint of smile, revealingdouble dimples. “You heard the conversation.”

Jessica lookedsheepish, broad face pinkening with embarrassment. “I know howyou get when she calls.”

Forcing herself toappear nonchalant, Zahra put the cup down and reached for abiscuit.

“It’s getting easier to talk to her.”

“She wants youto give up your dreams and go back so that she can suck the life outof you.” Shaking her head, the woman squared her shoulders.“Forgive me if I am overstepping.”

Zahra laughedruefully. “When did that ever stopped you?” She askedfondly. “Sit, Jess. I was not the only one who was runningaround.”

“Let me get acup. I could really use some of that tea.” She hurried and cameback with a cup, pulling out a chair. The lunch hour had come andgone, and the cozy yellow and cream-colored kitchen was spotless. Thescent of pine and lingering aroma of cinnamon made for a pleasantambiance.

The guests, twocouples, a novelist and an aging movie star were out for a stroll totake in the sights. They would stop for lunch at one of the tinyrestaurants, visit the museum and stay in town for the fair, leavingZahra and Jessica free for the rest of the day.

Tomorrow wasSaturday, the first one in September, and the couple and novelistwould be leaving to go back home.

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