Page 15 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

By the time we returned to Blissful Breeze after our hiking excursion, the villas had a different vibe. The rest of the participants had arrived, and a frenzy of activity replaced the calm energy from yesterday.

Near the fountain, an open-sided tent had been erected.

A bank of tables filled with chafing dishes, indicating a buffet, lined the back of the tent.

Four evenly spaced circular tables filled the center.

Each table sported an arrangement of assorted flowers, matching the gardens in the four corners.

A placard peeked out of the bouquet, displaying the name of each villa.

At the front of the tent, nearest the fountain, a long narrow table sat beside a podium.

As we walked toward our villa, I leaned over toward Emma. “You didn’t tell me there was something going on tonight.”

She gave me a side eye. “It was in the packet.”

“I didn’t read it.” I glowered at her. “You told me I couldn’t choose any of my activities, so I figured why torment myself with everything I couldn’t do.”

She winked. “Wise.”

“What time does this thing start?”

“Six.”

“Six? Jesus, it’s a little after five.”

Emma laughed. “It’s not my fault you tripped over that log.”

As if falling wasn’t bad enough, I’d landed in a wet marshy bog. I glanced around at the others gathered in the square. Great. A smorg?sbord of women, and they were seeing me with swampy hair plastered to my head, and I smelled.

“Get me to a shower,” I whispered to Emma.

“Blake,” I heard my name called.

Noelle, the redhead from last night, caught my eye and waved. Shit. I gave her a big smile and waved back before I put my head down and double stepped. I grabbed Emma’s arm. “Get me out of here,” I said under my breath.

She laughed as I dragged her along. “She’s not for you, anyway.”

“One of these other women may be.”

“I already told you. This isn’t a dating retreat. You’re supposed to find yourself.”

“Right now, all I want to find is a shower.”

I glanced at myself in the mirror, satisfied with how well I’d cleaned up.

If Emma had brought more stylish clothes, I could make an impression on Noelle or Dana.

I’d settled on a pair of jeans and the black V-Neck shirt I’d considered wearing last night.

The opening ceremonies seemed like the best time for the snug shirt that highlighted my muscles.

I had women to impress, even though Emma warned me off. By now, there’d be others to check out. Besides, I was confident I could find myself and score at the same time.

I stared into my eyes. Besides Emma, would anyone see the hurt and fear behind the bravado?

Did I want them to? If my interest in Noelle and Dana were any indication, I’d say no.

Neither seemed like deep emotional thinkers.

Why had they come to the retreat? I’d show Emma.

I’d get acquainted with them and find the answer.

Then she couldn’t claim I didn’t know them.

When I emerged from my room, I found the rest of my housemates gathered around the table.

Dana greeted me with a sensual grin. Our outfits were almost identical, except her jeans were black. Still, she filled out her tight shirt as well as I did mine. “Glad you could join us.”

“If these yahoos hadn’t made me fall into a marsh, I’d have been ready sooner.”

“Who you calling a yahoo?” Annie said with a smile. She’d changed into a yellow sundress that complemented her dark skin. During our hike, I’d gotten the chance to chat with her one-on-one. Warmth spread across my chest as I recalled our conversation, realizing I’d made my first friend here.

“Yeah, I didn’t see anyone push you,” Katlynn added. After only two days, I’d adjusted to her bohemian style and no longer thought of her as the hippie . Some women couldn’t pull off the look. It just made them look ridiculous, but Katlynn executed it to perfection.

“I see I’m outnumbered.” I met Dana’s gaze.

“If I’d been there, I’d have stuck up for you,” Dana said.

Before our electricity could build, Emma stepped between us and put her arm over my shoulders. “You were a good sport.”

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 the sad sack label 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.

“Shouldn’t it be Raise Our Voices? I mean, that seems more powerful,” I said.

Robyn fixed me with her gaze, and her penetrating brown eyes bored into me. Her voice was low when she said, “Actually, I’ve found someone with real confidence doesn’t have to raise their voice.”

“Touché,” Dana said from across the table with a satisfied smirk.

I shrugged. “Might work in Wisconsin, but running in the big leagues, sometimes the only way to get their attention is to raise your voice.” I knew my tone was defensive, but I didn’t need Robyn embarrassing me in front of my new friends.

“I’m sorry that’s your experience,” Robyn responded, showing no sign of irritation.

Fuck that. “I’m not sorry! I enjoy busting their balls. It shows them that women are just as strong as men. Stronger.”

Robyn smirked. “I suppose if you have something to prove to them. I, on the other hand, would rather focus on lifting my sisters’ voices than busting the male genitalia.”

The table erupted in laughter as my face heated. Before I could conjure a snappy comeback, Robyn bid us good night and moved on to the next table.