Page 31 of No Such Thing as Serendipity
“Look at me, going on and on.” Vera smiled. “I know you gals are itching to check out your accommodations, not listen to me.” Vera winked at us. “You’ll have plenty of time to listen to me ramble during our programs.”
Vera clapped her hands together. “I almost forgot.” She opened a drawer and pulled out two folders. “Your welcome packets. It’s got all the offerings for the next four weeks.”
I took the thick packet and shot a glance at Emma, who pretended to ignore me as she gushed at Vera, but I suspected Emma would confiscate it as soon as we left the lodge.
CHAPTER 10
We were back inthe truck, heading in the direction we’d come. “Hey.” I pointed to a sign. “Cabins are that way. We could ask Vera if we could stay in a private one.”
Emma shot me a dirty look. “The point is to experience the retreat with others.”
I groaned. “Can’t we experience it from a distance? Besides, it sounds like there are plenty of opportunities for sharing.” My voice carried a tone of distaste. Emma might say it was with full-blown revulsion.
“Have you forgotten who’s in charge?” She smirked. “Take us to our villa.”
I thought I’d test the water. “Do I get to pick the activities I want to do?”
“Nope.” Emma gazed out the side window as we drove down the bumpy path toward the villas.
“Nope. That’s it?”
“Yep.” Emma pointed out the front window. “Look. I think it’s a woodpecker.”
I peered in the direction she pointed, but I saw nothing but overgrown trees.
“Stop!”
I slammed on the brakes, searching the road in front of me, expecting to see another dog rushing the truck. “What?”
“I wanted you to see the woodpecker.”
“Jesus, Em, you made me slam on the brakes for that.”
“Have you ever seen one?”
“I dunno. Probably at the zoo.”
She turned her back and leaned toward me. She pointed into the trees. “Follow my arm.”
I bent, and my gaze trailed along her arm until I noticed a flash of red. “Is that him? With the redhead?”
“I think so. Isn’t he cool?”
I smiled. Actually, it was kinda cool seeing its head bob as it pounded the tree with abandon. “Damn, that tree doesn’t stand a chance.”
We sat and watched it for a few minutes before it tired of the tree and flew away. I lifted my foot from the brake, and we rolled down the pockmarked road toward our villa.
Half a mile later, the villa complex came into view. As Vera promised, four identical buildings faced inward, enclosing the square. As we approached from the south, I pointed to the villa facing north. “I’m assuming that one is ours.”
“Tranquility Terrace. This is so fun. It’s like they’re nestled in the middle of a forest.”
She was right. They’d obviously cleared the area to put in the villas. Trees flanked the buildings, a little close for my liking. There were only a few yards clearance from the back of the villas to the forest. What if there was a storm?
“Why the worry lines?” Emma asked.
“Um, aren’t those trees a little close? What if they blow over?”
Emma chuckled. “Can’t you just enjoy the splendor? Stop being practical for a minute or two.”
