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to see it,” Emma smiled.
    “Ms. Shaw, are you ready?” Bill called from the doorway.
    “Coming,” Susanna answered.
    Emma reached forward to grasp Susanna’s hand, “There is nothing to be frightened of, I swear to you.  Just immerse yourself in the experience. Only good will come of it,” Emma smiled warmly. 
    Susanna had a strange feeling about the woman’s words, as if she were trying to tell her something without coming right out and actually saying it.  She wanted to question her further but she knew that Bill was waiting for her.
    “I will,” Susanna answered politely before dashing out of the study.

Chapter 5
     
    The motor of the small wooden skiff hummed through the water as they made their way to the island.  Bill was a man of few words so once he helped her into the boat he set his sights on the Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse and off they went.  The water was anything but calm as the small boat cut through the white capped waves towards their destination.  There was a wooden dock at the far end where Bill tied the boat off and reached to help her out.  Susanna was not steady on her feet and swayed a little when her boots touched the dock. 
    “Careful now.   Take a minute to adjust before you walk,” Bill said above the loud waves as he reached for her bags, setting them on the dock.
    Susanna reached down and threw her canvas overnight bag over her shoulder.
    “I’ve got these,” Bill said, reaching for her laptop and her camera bag.  Normally there was someone on location that was in charge of photos, but Michelle had urged Susanna to take her own camera and try to get some good pictures.
    “I’m ok ay now,” Susanna said, feeling much better now that they were on dry land.
    Susanna followed Bill up the grassy path toward the lighthouse.  She recognized the top of the keeper’s cabin and its bright red roof and smiled. It looked just as beautiful as it did in the pictures.  Susanna arched her neck as she gazed up at the formidable lighthouse which seemed to soar into the clouds. 
    “How tall is it?” Susanna asked as she followed Bill.
    “165 feet,” Bill answered over his shoulder.
    When they reached the cottage Susanna took in her surroundings and barely made out something beyond the fence, “Is that sheep?”
    “That it is.  It’s one of your duties while you ’re here. You will feed them and make sure they have hay and water.”
    Susanna thought back to her dream and the sheep she saw as a little girl.  Everything was more familiar to her now that she was actually here.  She felt an odd peace with it that she could n’t fully understand. 
    “This is where you’ll be staying.  It’s rustic but comfortable . I think you’ll be happy here,” Bill said as he led her inside the small cottage. 
    Susanna stepped inside out of the cold and set her bag on the floor.  They entered through the small kitchen that held an old coal stove and a small dining table by a window.  Adjacent was a sitting room with a large but worn couch and an oversized chair that faced the fireplace.   
    “This is your main room ,” Bill shut the door behind him, “The stove works, everything you need should be there.  Like I said, I’ve stocked the fridge,” he led her through another door down from the living room, “This is your bedroom,” he pointed towards a white wrought iron bed covered in a thick white duvet, “The bathroom is through there.  There is a tub with cold water, no hot water.  If you want a bath you will need to heat water in the kitchen and fill it.  The sink and toilet work of course.”
    Susanna followed him through the little rooms, setting her bag down on the bed as she went. 
    “Remember, no internet,” he reminded her once again.
    “Right,” Susanna nodded, “I can work around it.”
    Bill then showed her the storage room where the brooms and other cleaning supplies were.  “While you’re here you can sweep the pathways and keep the house tidy.