Page 27 of No Such Thing as Serendipity
Emma craned her neck forward. “There’s a sign up there. Behind that tree.”
She’d not commented that the tree had fallen, so I didn’t mention it, either. I slowed as we approached. The tree lay inches from the road and looked to have been there for some time. The half-crushed sign peeked out between the bare branches.
“Looks like the arrow points right for the main office and left for the villas.” I looked out the front windshield. “I don’t see any turns, though.”
“There are numbers after the names. Point-four miles?”
I squinted and leaned forward as if that would help. “Or is it four miles?”
“Shit. I don’t think this place is that big.”
“Or maybe it’s Wisconsin math. Six Mile Creek is twelve, so point-four miles is probably point-eight.”
Emma laughed and slapped me on the arm. “Now that’s the smartass I know and love.”
I’d made Emma laugh. Warmth spread across my chest. I released the brake and continued down the lane. It wasn’t long before we arrived at a fork in the road. I turned to the right. This lane was less overgrown, but the vegetation could still use a trim.
The road spilled into a parking lot that could easily hold a hundred vehicles. There was only a smattering of cars in front of the large log building with a sign that read:Blissful Breeze Sanctuary Lodge.
“Looks like that’s where we check in.” Emma pointed to what appeared to be the entrance.
I decided not to comment on the almost empty lot, nor the potholes and broken-up asphalt. Instead, I started to turn into a parking space when Emma screamed.
I slammed on my brakes. My heart raced. A small dog sprinted across the lawn toward the truck. “Jesus, he’s not even close to us. You could have given me a heart attack.”
“Sorry.” Emma gave me a sheepish grin. “I wanted to ensure you saw him.”
Before I could respond, a red-faced woman ran around the side of the building.
Emma jumped out of the truck, moving toward the dog, who skidded to a stop in the middle of the yard. He peeked over his shoulder at the approaching woman and then at Emma. Then he dropped to the ground and rolled onto his back. His tongue lolled out of the side of his mouth.
What the hell? I had limited experience with dogs, but this seemed odd. I rolled down my window. “Is he okay?” I called out.
“The little shit is fine.” The woman approached her dog, who appeared to have passed out. “Millie! Stop being a drama queen.”
The dog opened one eye and then bounced to her feet. She bound over to the woman, wagging her stubby tail, or more like her butt, the entire time.
Once secured in the woman’s arms, I pulled the truck into the parking space and killed the engine.
Emma had already approached the woman and was scratching the dog’s ears when I walked up.
“Thanks,” the woman said. “She had an incident with a duck.”
Emma’s eyes widened. “Is the duck okay?”
The woman laughed. “The duck’s fine, but Millie’s pride is wounded. She got a sharp peck on the nose.” The woman ruffled the dog’s fur. “Not that she didn’t deserve it. I’ve told her a million times ducks don’t like to roughhouse.”
A flash of this dog, I think a pug, wrestling with a duck created an interesting visual.
The woman lifted the dog. “Well, I better get her home before she creates any more havoc.”
Emma pointed at the building. “Is that where we register?”
The woman nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Are you here for the next retreat?”
“We are,” Emma answered.
“Vera is inside. She’ll take care of you. And thanks again.” The woman turned and started toward a rusty blue minivan.
