Hidden Nature

Sloan’s housing over the course of the novel symbolizes the state of her life and character arc at that moment. When the story opens, Sloan is living independently in Annapolis, where she has an apartment near her office with the Natural Resources Police. Sloan wanted to move away from her childhood home and pursue her own career, so her apartment is a reflection of that independence. However, Sloan has found that she’s let work take over, and her personal life is not thriving. When her injury places her back in her childhood home, under the care of her parents and sister, this return makes Sloan feel she is starting over in many ways. While she chafes at her own weakness, she uses the time to reflect on what she really wants and decides to move forward with a job offer that will keep her in the area and a new house that will let her live close to, if not with, her family.

Sloan’s cottage is small and in need of some repairs, much as she herself feels after her recovery. She approaches renovations step-by-step, a reflection of her methodical nature, and each new remodeling touch reflects the pride and satisfaction Sloan felt during her physical recovery.