Page 25 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

I woke up early Saturday morning, having spent most of the night tossing and turning. There was no sense of lingering in bed. Since arriving, I’d slept soundly, except last night. Too much rattled around in my mind.

After dinner last night, Dana showed up at our table, making it clear what she wanted.

I bet I turned ten shades of red, but the other women were gracious enough to pretend they didn’t notice.

Well, except for Emma, who shot several disapproving glares at me.

But I was in the middle of coaching my villa mates on finances, something I loved doing, so I hadn’t needed Emma’s influence to turn Dana away.

Shortly after, Dana and Noelle had slipped from the group again. Did it bother me? Weird, but something told me working with my friends on their finances would be more rewarding than what Dana offered.

Fuck. What was happening to me? After a week here, my brain had been sucked out and my libido ruined.

I wouldn’t have chosen Blissful Breeze, yet I enjoyed the other women and might be having fun.

But it was the programs that caused me to lose sleep.

I didn’t want my feelings stirred up, but no doubt, they were.

With a sigh, I rolled out of bed. I might as well go talk to Vera about Helena wanting to extend her stay at the retreat.

I’d already decided I’d pay, but Helena would be none the wiser.

Vera could pretend Helena qualified for a special scholarship and wouldn’t have to pay the money back. A win-win.

I threw on a baseball cap and slid into the clothes I wore yesterday. I’d take a shower when I returned. While I had ample time, being up early, I’d still better get moving.

Everyone from all four villas was making the trek into Madison today.

If I were honest, I was eager for the weekend and our plans in town today.

During the day, we had free time to choose our own activities.

Well, I wouldn’t since Emma called the shots, but she wasn’t saying what she had planned for us.

Then we’d join the entire group for dinner before attending Wicked at Overture Center.

I’d been fortunate to see Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth on Broadway, but I’d likely keep that to myself.

I opened my bedroom door quietly, not wanting to wake those still sleeping. When I entered the kitchen, Annie was already up, sipping on a cup of coffee.

“Early riser?” I asked.

Annie shook her head. “Not always. My thoughts were racing, so I thought coffee might do the trick.”

“Mine too.” I smiled.

“Thank you again,” Annie said. “For the advice on my Danny’s life insurance payout.”

“Is that what kept you up last night? I hope not.”

Annie nodded. “Yeah, you gave me a lot to think about. Makes my head spin.”

“That’s what most people say, but it’s not hard once you let go of your fears.”

Annie rubbed her forehead. A grimace twisted her face as her fingertips pressed against her skin. “I don’t want to end up like Katlynn. I’m afraid I’d never know if someone was screwing me.”

“Hey, how about you call me after the retreat is over? I’ll help you out.”

“Really?” Annie’s eyes widened. “No. I can’t take advantage of you that way.”

“I insist. It would be my pleasure.”

“Are you sure?” Annie studied me.

“Absolutely.” It surprised me how true it was. I wanted to help Annie and the others. “Anything for my villa mates.” I gave Annie a wide smile.

Annie put her hand against her chest, and tears welled in her eyes. “Thank you. You’re an angel.”

I hoped my mouth hadn’t fallen open. It had been a long time since anyone said something like that to me. My emotions were already churning, so I waved my hand at Annie. “It’s nothing. I could do this stuff in my sleep.”

“Well, regardless. I appreciate it.”

“No worries.” Heat rose up my neck. I’d done more blushing here than I’d done in years. I needed to get out of here. “I should get over to see Vera since I promised Helena I’d look into a payment plan.”

“That’s something else I wanted to thank you for. I adore her, so it’ll be nice she can stay on for the rest of the retreat.”

“Stop.” I grabbed a banana from the fruit bowl and a bottle of water from the refrigerator. I’d planned on eating before I left, but I’d just take it with me. “I best go, so I can get back and make myself presentable.” For emphasis, I tugged on the bill of my baseball cap.

“I’m so looking forward to tonight,” Annie said.

“Me too,” I replied as I stepped toward the door.

It was a beautiful summer day, so I walked through the woods instead of along the road.

The birds chirping overwhelmed my senses as I tried to pick out the different calls.

While birds were plentiful in Central Park, the roar of traffic and sounds of the city muted their calls.

Here I heard no other sound than their incessant communication.

Even though I’d finished eating my banana, I slowed my pace further.

When was the last time I’d walked anywhere slowly?

In the city, I always had a pair of sensible walking shoes in my office whenever I needed to go anywhere.

I prided myself on how fast I could move, despite my shorter stride.

Many times, I walked with tall, long-legged men who couldn’t keep up with me.

I had places to go and people to see, so it was senseless dawdling.

Yet today it was as if I didn’t have a care in the world.

Maybe I didn’t. My bank balance indicated I’d never have to work again. I chuckled to myself, and the birds greeted my laughter with a frenzied response.

“Sorry,” I muttered under my breath.

No way could I imagine not working. More than ever, I had something to prove to Terrence and the idiots who bought Fortitude. Last night, I’d culled through my emails, likely another reason I didn’t sleep well, and picked five companies to respond to.

Guilt washed over me. I should tell Emma what I was doing, even though Emma hadn’t given implicit instructions that I couldn’t. I shoved the thought from my mind. All I wanted to do was enjoy the beautiful day.

Upon arrival at the main office, the closed sign was still on the door.

Damn. I hadn’t thought of that. It was a little before seven, so I climbed the stairs, looking for a sign with the hours of operation. Shit. The sign said eight a.m., which meant I’d have an hour to kill. We weren’t leaving until ten, so I’d still have plenty of time.

Just as I was turning away, I heard my name called from inside. I peered into the window and squinted. Vera hurried across the lobby toward me.

“Blake, what brings you out so early?” Vera said, opening the door.

“Sorry. You’re closed.” I held up my hand and backed up.

“Nonsense. Come on in.” Vera pushed open the door wider. When I stood rooted in place, Vera said, “Get in here.”

With that, I stepped inside. “I don’t want to bother you.”

“You’re no bother at all.” Vera looked over my shoulder. “No Emma today?”

“She’s still sleeping.” I smiled. “We were up late last night.”

“Campfires have that effect on people.” Vera patted my arm. “Especially city folks.”

I laughed. “Guilty as charged. There’s just something magical about sitting around the campfire, sharing with the others.”

“Well, I’ll be damned. I think you might have the bug.”

My eyes widened. “I know, right?”

Vera laughed. “Don’t act so surprised.”

“I didn’t mean any offense.”

“No offense taken. I’ve seen plenty of people show up here full of resistance, but they leave feeling completely different. If they let themselves.”

Was I letting myself? Partially. At least more so than Dana, so I’d count it as a win. “It’s out of my comfort zone is all.”

“I know you got laid off.” Vera studied me. “But there’s more to the story, isn’t there?”

I gazed into Vera’s sincere eyes. Something about her put me at ease. Something familiar. Did she remind me of my mom? Whatever it was, I didn’t want to brush her off or avoid her question.

“What gave me away?” I asked.

“I’ve been here a long time. I sense things.”

I found myself spilling the entire story of what Terrence had done and how betrayed I felt. Vera threw in a few questions as I talked, but mostly, she listened. The only other person I told the entire story to was Emma, but with her, I’d focused more on my anger than my hurt.

What was it about this place? When I finished, I said, “And that’s the whole ugly story.” I smiled, hoping to convey that it didn’t bother me.

“It’s okay to be hurt. It’s human.”

“Oh, you noticed I was deflecting?” What the hell, this emotional honesty shit was getting out of hand.

“Yep. I think it’s what you do best when emotions get too close.”

There was no sense in trying to deny it since I suspected Vera would see right through me. “So I’m not special?”

“Oh, no, dear, you’re special. Everyone is. But you’re not unique. You’d be surprised how many people hide behind their careers and success to avoid the other parts of their lives.”

“Is that what you think I’m doing?” I stopped myself from bristling. Still, I wasn’t someone who hid from anything. I was a warrior. Just ask the guys I’d put in their place in the boardroom.

“I think you’re more comfortable closing the deal, charging ahead, taking risks in business than you are being vulnerable with what’s in your heart.” Vera met my gaze. “That scares the hell out of you.”

I wanted to deny it, argue with her, but it would be pointless, so I said, “I almost forgot why I came.”

Vera grinned. “Message received. You’ve had enough for one day. Tell me what you need.”

I explained my conversation with Helena last night and told Vera my plan. At first, Vera argued and said she could front Helena the money, but when I pressed, she relented.

“Oh, hey, one more thing,” I said. “I see signs pointed off toward the cabins. Do you still rent those?”

Sadness filled Vera’s eyes. “I’m afraid the health department would shut me down if I tried.”

“Why? What’s wrong with them?”

Vera sighed. “They should just be torn down, but that isn’t cheap, either.”

Without thinking, I glanced around the lobby.

Vera laughed. “I know what you’re thinking. How could they be in any worse repair than this lobby?” She shook her head. “This is palatial compared to the cabins.”

“Can I see them?”

Vera studied me for a few beats. “Why would you want to do that?”

“I put together deals. Find investors. Maybe there’s something I could do for you.”

“I’ve been after Robyn to take over or buy me out.” Vera pointed at me. “But don’t you go telling anyone.”

“Of course not.”

“I don’t want to sell to just anyone. They’d change Blissful Breeze.

Make it a fancy resort for people coming out of Milwaukee and Chicago.

” Vera put her hand on her chest. “This place has my heart. I’ve seen so many women come here to heal.

I get emails from people who met here, who’ve remained friends ten, twenty years later. ”

“How long did you say you’ve been doing this?”

“Since 1988. I had a roaring business. More people wanting to come than I had spaces, but COVID hit me hard.” Vera threw her hands up.

“Who am I kidding? It was already on the decline. There’s so much competition.

Do you know they do online retreats now?

” Vera’s expression conveyed her disgust. “How do you bond through a screen? You don’t.

” Vera shook her head. “Look at me. Just ignore the ramblings of an old woman.”

“No. I find this all fascinating. This place...uh…” I didn’t know how to continue without being insulting.

“Spit it out.”

“The square…”

Vera laughed. “Doesn’t look like the rest of the place, does it?”

“Um, not exactly.”

“Very diplomatic of you. One of my patrons, who’d had a life-transforming experience here, wrote me into her will with the stipulation her money must be used on the square.

I have more cash than I know what to do with for it.

” Vera smiled. “That’s how I replaced all the flowers the goats ate, but I didn’t want to be wasteful and just let them eat them year after year. ”

“Millie is happy you made that decision.”

“That dog! She’s a handful.” Vera’s affection was undeniable. “Do you really want to see the rest of the place?”

“I would.”

“All righty, let me grab the key to the golf cart, and I’ll give you the grand tour.”