“I know what they say about best-laid plans, but this is ridiculous,” Reesa said as she stood in front of her bedroom window. Torrential rain was one of two challenges she faced in picking up art supplies from Vernazza.

The other challenge was a different kind of downpour.

She turned away from the window and looked at her bedding. “How can I get this past Myko?”

On her tablet, an alarm signaled that it was time to make breakfast. The device was ...