Brenna woke with a start from a familiar nightmare in an unfamiliar bed. Within seconds her mind had cleared and provided her with the memory of where she was but it took her body a few minutes more to relax. When her breathing had finally slowed she threw the covers back and swung her legs onto the dark wooden floor.

The room she was in was much nicer than her room at home. Then again, she lived in an old farm house that had been built around the turn of the century. She and Greg had done a lot of work on it and remodeled just about everything but it was still a very old home. She liked it that way and wouldn't have traded it for anything.

Her room at home was decorated in the shabby chic and faced a large field of wildflowers in late spring and summer. This room was luxurious in dark jewel tones of amber, red, purple and royal blue and faced a magnificent view of beach. She contemplated the lovely view as she stretched and brushed out her long, thick hair.

After a time she pulled on an old flannel shirt of Greg's that she had kept over her pajamas and padded out into the still silent house. She was the first one up even though the quality of light told her the day was well underway. She wasn't surprised; they'd gotten to the house in the wee hours of the morning and were all likely suffering from a minor case of jet lag.

Quietly she surveyed the contents of the cabinets to see what the kind housekeeper had left them with and was more than pleased to find coffee, cream and sugar. Humming to herself she set up the coffee maker and waited patiently as it brewed its dark brown liquid.

After locating a large pottery mug glazed in dark purple, Brenna fixed her coffee and wandered to the large deck she had seen the night before that faced the water. She disabled the alarm and wandered out onto the deck reveling in the cool breeze blowing off the water.

For several long moments she simply stared out at the water and sipped her coffee in peace. Such moments of peace were far and few between for her these days but there were more of them than before.

It had been a long slow uphill battle but she could truly say that these days she was happy she had made it. The pain of losing Greg would never go away but it had dulled to some extent. Only on mornings that she woke up back on the sidewalk and listening to the explosion did she really struggle. The nightmare continued to show its ugly face a few times a week.

Movement in the periphery of vision made her turn her head just in time to see the large beautiful German shepherd bounding her way. He skidded to a halt at her feet breathing hard just as his master rounded the corner and left her speechless.

He was shirtless with only a pair of basketball shorts to accompany his running shoes. His dark hair stood up in places like he hadn't bothered to brush it down between waking and jogging, his skin was a light tan and flushed with exertion. Her curiosity was immediately peeked by her unfettered view of the tattoos she'd only had a glimpse of the day before. With no obstruction she could see that started at his wrists and continued up his arms and appeared to continue on to his back.

Suddenly aware she was much too interested in the view ahead of her she quickly dropped her eyes as a stab of guilt hit her in the stomach. She focused on the dog looking up at her with lolling tongue.

"I thought I was the first one awake!" she exclaimed and ruffled his ears.

His handler jogged up to them and stood breathing shallowly.

"This one started whimpering to go out a couple hours ago so I just decided to get up and get a run in before everyone else started moving." He stood with his hands on his hips and eyes squinted against the rising sun. "Is that coffee? Is there anymore?"

She steeled herself against the interest she felt as she met his very dark blue eyes and nodded toward the kitchen.

"Awesome. Any food in there?"

"Some. I was thinking about doing some eggs, bacon and toast. We'll definitely need to do some grocery shopping today."

"Sounds delicious. I'll help." He gestured toward the open door and she turned to enter with the man and the dog close on her heels.

Inside, Brenna busied herself with frying bacon while Mac helped himself to the coffee and fed Reego a handful of treats.

"So how long have you and handsome been partners?" she asked.

"Four years."

"Is he your first K9?"

"First in the civilian sector; I started with the sheriff's office 6 years ago after I got out of the Marines. I had 2 bomb dogs that I handled in our disposal unit before that. I've always been good with dogs. Better than my people skills by far."

"Is that how you knew Pete?" he nodded. "Derek was in the Army with my husband Greg. They stayed close and that is how I ended up part of this rag tag bunch."

"They're a good group of people." He took the loaf of thick bread of the counter and started feeding it into the toaster.

"They saved my life." she stated simply and without flourish. The bacon lay draining on a paper napkin as Brenna began cracking several eggs into a bowl. Mac found a small tub of butter in the fridge and began to spread it onto the hot slices of toast.

"These eggs need mozzarella and mushrooms but we don't have any," she poured the contents of the bowl into the hot skillet and began slowly stirring them.

"That would never have occurred to me, then again, I'm not too imaginative or creative with food. Most of my food comes from the deli down the street from my apartment."

"Brenna is an amazing cook," Pete announced as he entered the kitchen and made a beeline for the coffee maker. "Seriously, like chef quality. She is the official vacation cook."

Brenna felt her face warm at the praise as she spooned the eggs onto a plate. "Well this is pretty much my dream kitchen so I am happy to stay here. You are just in time for food."

Before the meal was over both Becca and Derek had joined the table and the kitchen was full of lively conversation and laughter.

"So here is what I propose," Derek tented his hands over his coffee cup. "Becca and Brenna go in search of provisions while us boys run down to the marina and learn how to run the boat that comes with this place. Then later we can all play on the beach and decide whether we want to stay in tonight or head out on the town. How does that sound?"

Everyone murmured their acceptance of his proposal and started to clean up the kitchen.

Soon after Brenna and Becca joined by Tammi who'd wandered in as the last minute fresh from her shower left to search out the closest super market. Isabelle hadn't emerged from her room yet and the boys left off on foot for the marina which was only a few blocks away.

****************

The boat was simple enough to figure out. It was a giant shiny brand new Cobalt A40 mini yacht. Just looking at it made Mac nervous.

"I don't wanna drive it. If we break it, it would cost more than my retirement and savings combined to replace."

Pete gave his friend a look of exasperation. "It's insured. It's all part of the package we paid for. Don't worry."

They took the luxury boat for a spin around the marina before returning it to its slip and heading back home.

The girls still hadn't returned by the time the made it back to the house and Mac decided Reego might appreciate a long game of fetch.

Mac and Reego stepped out onto the back deck only to find Isabelle sprawled out on a chase lounge coated in oil wearing a small pink bikini bottom and nothing else.

"Whoa!" Mac couldn't help exclaim as he came to an abrupt halt and looked away.

"You're back! Oh my." She exclaimed and heard her moving around. "Ok, I'm covered. Sorry bout that. No one was home so I got comfortable."

"Uh ya." Mac was afraid to look in case her idea of covered and his didn't quite match up. "Us guys are home. The girls are still out. They should be back any minute now. I'm just going to go out on the beach." With that he walked away as fast as he could without looking as if he were running from the dark haired woman staring after him with a gleam in her eye.

***************

The girls returned and put together lunch while they all decided what they wanted to do that evening. Finally it was agreed upon they would head out to a local seafood joint the girls had seen on their outing and then find a place where they could dance.

After lunch they broke to change into bathing suits and meet back up on the beach.

Mac and Reego were the first to bound into the rushing waves and report back to everyone that the water was like bathwater. After that they were all running, splashing and swimming in the sapphire sea.

Mac noticed Brenna kept a light shirt on over her bikini. It seemed strange and he wondered if she was just ultra conservative.

The sun began to sink lower on the horizon so they returned to the house to prepare for their night out.

Mac felt guilty putting Reego in his kennel but couldn't chance him roaming loose in the house and finding something expensive to chew on. He checked he looked well enough in his button down shirt and khaki pants one last time in the mirror by the door.

"Sorry buddy, I'll bring you back a treat. I promise." he turned off the light and went to join the others.

As he rounded the corner he stumbled into Tammi, Becca and Brenna in the middle of an argument. They were so engrossed they didn't realize he was there.

"All I'm saying is that you are beautiful. Scars and all. Not a one of us cares and no one we want to know would care either. It's too hot for a sweater. Don't hide yourself because of some stupid mean comment from a woman with low self esteem." She looked frustrated and her hands were gripped on a lavender sweater Brenna held hugged to her body.

"If it makes other people uncomfortable it's not a big deal. I'm fine with my sweater." Brenna protested.

"That's just it. It doesn't! She's just a bitch." Becca threw her hands up. She turned to Tammi. "She's your damn friend. You invited her."

"That isn't fair, don't do that Becca." Brenna demanded. "I won't wear it, but I'll bring it just in case. Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself." With that she turned and walked away leaving Tammi and Becca alone in the hall. They shared a look before following after her.

Mac wondered what all that was about. He was fairly certain the "bitch" described was Isabelle but didn't know what that rest of it had been about or why Tammi and Becca would be concerned about Brenna wearing a sweater.

With a shrug he walked into the foyer just in time to load into the car and set out.