The driver let them out at the beach cottage that had been rented for the rest of the season.<br/><br/>“We would have stayed at the hostel had not a generous donation been made to our department and earmarked for this trip.” Professor Fuller said as he pulled his luggage from the back seat of the van.” We also have this private vehicle and a driver who speaks good English for the duration due to this benefactor.”<br/><br/>“Don’t you mean, Benefactress?” Sammy asked with an arch of her eyebrow. “Everyone in the department knows what a ladies’ man you are. Bet you sweet talked old Kilgore’s widow.”<br/>The prof went red to the tip of his little round nose and pushed his glasses back to his face with a tip of his index finger.<br/><br/>“Samantha, you did say you wanted to graduate this semester, didn’t you? Well, deviling your instructor is not the best way to go about that.” His words were sharp but his eyes were merry as he handed her the key to the cottage.<br/><br/>Sammy unlocked the bright blue door and stood in amazement at the layout of the rooms. The room was open and airy, large picture windows opened out onto a sandy beach straight in front of the back door and looming volcanic rock breakers on either side. She stood mesmerized by the white foam as it broke into the air, sparkling like diamonds as the surf on the sand crept in and slid back so docilely.<br/><br/>“We are staying here?” she asked in amazement, turning to look at Harper who was going across the open expanse of the living room where turquoise slipcovers graced the old, yet comfortable looking sofas and wing back chairs.<br/><br/>The living area's furnishings were awash with blue and yellows A patchwork rug reflected the sun and the sky and anchored the room. The glass top on reclaimed-oak coffee table displayed a collage of vintage art and family photos. The kitchen was tucked into a corner and opened into a dining area with a white washed trestle table and benches. The pots and pans were gleaming from a rack on this ceiling, lending to the genial atmosphere.<br/><br/>Sammy followed Harper to the doors that opened up from the living room.<br/><br/>“This one is the bathroom,” she announced. “Nice. Lots of thick white towels. Double sinks, a soaker tub and a shower. The potty is is in a water closet.” She opened another door while Harper opened the third. “Oooh, a nice cozy room with a king sized bed.”<br/><br/>“That would be my quarters. Notice the desk in the corner?” the Prof said, coming to stand beside her. “Now go join your room mate.”<br/><br/>Sammy did and grinned at the small room. “Whoever made this house was not really planning on having company. All the room had to be taken from this one and put everywhere else.”<br/>The room held a bunk bed covered with blue quilts , an old kitchen table with two straight back chairs and one worn armchair by the window with a small table which held a round pink lamp.<br/><br/>“Do you have a preference for which bunk?” Sammy asked, setting her luggage on the wood floor. She slung her backpack on the table. “I hope they have wifi. Looks like there are enough plug ins.”<br/><br/>“I have the lead of some people to interview,” Sammy said as she unpacked her few clothes and her toothbrush. “ I don’t want to waste anytime, although just walking on the beach at the moment sounds wonderful.”<br/><br/>She shook her head and zipped up the suitcase.<br/><br/>“We are not here on vacation.” She set up her laptop and arranged her research papers. “All set. What do you want to do?”