Page 39 of No Such Thing as Serendipity
I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her against me. “Today was a good day.”
“I’m just sorry I missed it,” Helena said. She appeared rested, but her eyes were still dull—distant. I couldn’t say she’d done anything to lose thesad sacklabel I’d given her.
“Are you feeling better?” Emma asked.
Helena nodded. “I’m getting there. Travel sometimes takes it out of me, but I’m hoping by tomorrow I’ll be okay.”
I noted she said okay, not good. Something told me there was more to Helena’s story. Would we discover it by the end of our time together?
Annie clapped her hands. “It’s quarter to six. Should we join the party?”
We were the last to arrive. The other three villas’ tables were full and the conversations loud.
Seated between Emma and Annie, I had time to take everything in. The tables were set, and servers fluttered around the service area. The food hadn’t been delivered, but I suspected it wouldn’t be long. As inconspicuous as I could, I checked out the women from other villas. What happened at the retreat stayed at the retreat, right? My gaze was drawn to Noelle’s shiny red hair, but I moved on to avoid catching her eye. During my scan, I discovered a few more who held promise, but none was as striking as Noelle or built like Dana.
My attention shifted to the front of the room, where Vera huddled with several women. “Hey, is that the woman we met yesterday? Pug mom?” I asked Emma.
She craned her neck so she could see where I was looking. “Yeah. Robyn.”
The memory of her chasing the dog across the yard formed in my mind. I narrowed my eyes and looked at her. She’d been dressed casually when we’d seen her at check-in, but now she wore a pair of black slacks and a blue silk blouse.
Vera stepped to the podium. Without a microphone, it took her several minutes to quiet the women so she could speak.“Welcome,” she said once she had the crowd’s attention. “I’m so glad you could join us here at Blissful Breeze. I’m Vera Voss, but I likely met you all at registration. Before I ask the servers to bring out the food, I’d like to introduce you to your instructors for the next two weeks. I couldn’t do it without them.”
Vera pointed to the table to her right, where six women sat, including Robyn. One by one, she asked each to stand for their introduction.
I studied Robyn as she spoke. There was something calming about her—serene. Her voice was low and soothing. I wondered if she taught meditation classes. Hopefully not, or I might fall asleep to the sound of her voice. Even dressed up, her hair had the same carefree tousled look as when we’d met her.
Once the introductions were finished, Vera put her hands together over her chest. “You ladies are the core of our retreat and have access to every event.” She stretched out her hand toward the square. “All classes held in the square are exclusive to you, but remember, the classes scheduled in the main building aren’t. Guests staying at the lodge, as well as visitors with one-day passes, may join you.”
Great, more people.Something else Emma hadn’t told me.My irritation rose. Then I realized it meant more women, so I relaxed against the back of my chair. I might enjoy this retreat after all.
The meal was excellent and the dinner conversation lively. Was it the prelude to what was to come or the calm before the storm? As my tablemates debated the classes they planned on attending, my stomach sank. Some classes sounded downright unappealing—vegetable art, dancing in the woods, silent conversations, compliment circles, role-playing, emotion charades. I didn’t know what the hell some were. Several times, I glanced at Emma, who just smiled and winked.
After the caterers cleared the dishes, the instructors visited the groups as the caterers served dessert.
When Robyn approached our table, Emma gave her a big smile. “How’s Millie?”
Millie? Who the hell was Millie?I glanced around the room, trying to remember which instructor might be Millie.
Robyn laughed. “Still trying to befriend those damned ducks.”
Ah.Millie was the pug.
When our tablemates gave Robyn a puzzled look, Emma shared the tale of our encounter with Millie and Robyn.
“You didn’t bring her tonight?” Annie asked.
“No. She needs to rest up for tomorrow.”
Everyone laughed. I must have missed something, but I’d ask Emma later, so I pretended to get the joke and laughed with the others.
“I’m looking forward to visiting your bookstore,” Katlynn said. “What’s it called?”
“Lift Our Voices,” Robyn responded.
“Oh, how perfect.” Katlynn clapped her hand against her chest.
The gesture and bookstore name caused me to groan inside. The hand against the chest move screamed giddy female, and the bookstore was the one we’d seen yesterday,ugh. Of course, a feminist bookstore would be right up her alley.
