Flora had already laid out breakfast on the wide deck table by the time they returned from their run. Fresh fruit, warm bread, eggs, and a pot of strong coffee waited under a light muslin cloth to keep the sea breeze from stealing the warmth. Kira and Derek went upstairs to freshen up.
Derek finished first and came down in a simple black shirt and trousers, hair still damp, and stepped out onto the deck. The morning sun was climbing higher, turning the sea into glittering shards of light. He saw Flora, but Alistar was nowhere in sight.
It was quite surprising that the old loyal dog wasn't hovering for once.
"Where's Alistar?" he asked Flora as he pulled out a chair.
Flora wiped her hands on her apron. "He's gone into town to fetch some medicine for Maya."
Derek remembered the little girl vividly. "How is she?"
Flora let out a weary sigh, her shoulders dropping slightly before she managed a nod. "We are still trying our best, Your Grace."
