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windows faced the east and offered the morning sun. Sheer lacy curtains gently fluttered in the breeze.
    Decorated in shades of cream and mauve with plush carpeting and mahogany furnishings, the room was both elegant and comfortable. Besides a big closet that swallowed her wardrobe, there was a chest of drawers and a dressing table with mirror that glistened from Rosa's attention.
    The downstairs was also homey and welcoming with some elegant rooms and some very comfortable ones. She'd paid several visits here and was familiar with the layout, but enjoyed expToning more thoroughly.
    A wide hallway with a winding staircase divided the house. On one side was a formal dining room and living room for entertaining large numbers of people. The other side had a small ranch office and a huge family room.
    The big yellow and white kitchen was at the back of the house and stretched the entire length of the building. It had a breakfast nook big enough to seat eight people and expanded to seat more, if necessary.
    Luke had grabbed a couple sandwiches and headed back out to work, but Rosa and Susan shared a more leisurely lunch. The housekeeper was at least twenty years her senior with a maternal streak a mile long. She was good company and a great cook.
    Susan was surprised she didn't mention the upcoming nuptials, but assumed Luke had something to do with that. He'd probably warned Rosa to go slow with the wedding celebration plans.
    Her own five children were grown and married, but she was notorious for adopting strays like Susan. Although they'd never spent much time together, they respected each other and had become casual friends.
    Rosa refused to let her help clean the kitchen or do any household chores. Within a few of hours after her fainting spell, she was feeling truly restless and bored.  "How about some television?" the housekeeper suggested, realizing their guest needed to be busy. "Or there's a bunch of videos."
    Susan smiled her thanks, but she didn't care much for television. Videos didn't appeal, nor did reading at the moment. She wanted to ride, but knew she shouldn't do that.  "Could you sleep for a while?" ask Rosa. "Nobody will care if you take a nap."
    "I'm not really sleepy, and I'm not used to napping in the daytime."
    "Why don't you put on a bikini and go soak up some sun. There's a wonderful swimming pool out back that doesn't get nearly enough use. John comes about every day for a little exercise, and Luke likes to swim, but neither of them spend much time out there. It's such a waste."
    The idea sounded close to heaven. Susan loved the water, but she hadn't been near a pool since college. Unfortunately, she didn't own a decent bathing suit.  "It will be wonderful therapy," added Rosa. "I have a whole collection of suits in all sizes for when we have visitors. They're stored in the pantry. Come and see."
    Susan followed her to a small room off the west side of the kitchen. They sorted through stacks of bathing suits until they found a one-piece blue maillot that looked like it might fit her.  "You shouldn't be running up and down the stairs," said Rosa, pointing to their right. "Just use the washroom through this door to try it."
    She indicated a small half-bath that adjoined the pantry and laundry room. Susan stepped inside and closed the door, then changed into the suit. There was a mirror on the back of the door, so she scrutinized herself for the first time in months.
    The suit had a modest neckline, but was cut really low in the back and high on the thighs. It clung to her every curve, making her realize just how much weight she'd lost. Her breasts had always been full and her waist small, but her hips had been too rounded for her liking. Now everything was trim to the point of thinness. She could see the outline of her ribcage. It might be fashionable to be so skinny, but it just looked pathetically unhealthy to her. There were tan lines on her arms and legs, leaving the rest of her skin unnaturally