Page 29 of No Such Thing as Serendipity
“Let’s see which villa you’re assigned. Tranquility Terrace.” She pulled out a map and circled a building. “It’s here. Facing north, which means you’ll get the south sun all day. Not that you’ll be in your rooms much.”
She put her finger on the map, and her wrinkled hands gave away her age. Despite the white hair, I’d assumed she was younger.
She tapped on the center of the map. “As you can see, we have a square between the villas. That’s where we conduct a lot of our activities. Also where everyone from the four houses can get together and socialize. There’s a firepit, a grill, and cornhole.”
What the hell is cornhole?
Before I could ask, Emma said, “This is going to be so perfect. Are any of our housemates here yet?”
Vera took a brief glance at her spreadsheet and said, “Uh, it looks like one has already arrived.” Something told me Vera didn’t have to check the spreadsheet. “There are only six staying in your villa, so you should have plenty of room.”
Finally.I’d count it as a win.
“Oh,” Emma said. “I thought there were twelve.”
Vera glanced at her spreadsheet and fiddled with the corner. “Uh, not this time.” She looked up at me and smiled. “You’re a quiet one.”
I returned her smile. “No choice with Emma around.”
Emma rolled her eyes. “Ignore her.”
“Now, now, girls.” Vera shot us both a motherly look. “What are your goals?” Vera asked me.
“Well, I’d like to find a private equity company that values my skill set. And—” I broke into my elevator speech. The one I’d been rehearsing for when the headhunters came courting.
Emma elbowed me. “I think she meant your goals for the retreat.”
“Oh.” By the heat radiating up my neck, my face reddened. “I, well, I’m…”
Vera patted my hand. “It’s okay, dear. Everyone doesn’t know why they’re here when they first arrive. It comes to them as they go through the experience.”
“Like serendipity,” Emma added.
“Exactly!” Vera frowned. “I’d wanted to name one Serendipity, but all I came up with was Serendipity Shack, and that doesn’t sound appealing, does it?”
Emma was about to respond when the screen door rattled open.
“Back again?” Vera said, glancing over our shoulders.
The dog mom from earlier walked our way. I thought she’d left.
“I came back when I realized I didn’t get my itinerary,” the woman said.
Vera smiled, picked up a packet, and waved it. She turned to us and said, “Ladies, I’d like to introduce you to one of our instructors, Robyn Tremaine.”
“We met outside,” Emma said. Then she introduced herself and me to Robyn.
Once we finished the greetings, Robyn said, “They had to help me catch my naughty dog.”
Vera laughed. “Millie’s an angel.”
“Tell that to the ducks,” Robyn said.
“Millie is enamored with those birds,” Vera said to us. “She’s so adorable.”
“You need to stop enabling her.” Robyn looked at us and shook her head. “They’re losing their patience with her. One pecked her on the nose today. You should have seen the look of confusion on her little pug face.”
“At least they aren’t chickens,” Emma said.
