Page 57 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

My feet pounded the path as I ran past the dilapidated cabins of Blissful Breeze. Despite there being so much for me to do, I’d allowed myself the luxury of an early morning run. Dew still clung to the grass, and the birds had begun their morning routine in earnest.

I inhaled deeply, hoping the infusion of oxygen would further clear my mind. The past twenty-four hours had been a whirlwind, and I expected more of the same today.

In my heart, I knew I was making the right decision, but guilt nagged. The Garth Brooks song rattled in my mind, and the hurt in Robyn’s voice yesterday haunted me. I hoped she’d forgive me for it and what I was about to do.

Her tear-streaked face flashed in my mind, so I increased my pace, hoping to outrun it.

I couldn’t. The vivid memory of our last night together was fresh in my mind.

It occupied much of my thoughts when I was in New York City.

I’d pushed it aside then, so I could do what I needed to do. I had to find the strength again.

Last night when I returned to Madison, it had taken everything I had not to head straight to her apartment. I wanted to share with her everything that happened in New York, but I knew I couldn’t. I didn’t dare. It would cause me too many conflicted emotions when I needed my head in the game today.

Luckily, the dinner I’d scheduled with Emma saved me from a long, painful evening. Our talk had gone exceptionally well. I knew it would since I have the best sister in the world. How often during this trip had I been reminded of that?

After dinner, Vera let us into the great room to rehearse for the talent show. Since high school, Emma and I had performed Candle in the Wind so many times together we could do it in our sleep. We didn’t realize how difficult it would be to do a different song until we began practicing.

Actually, it was me who found it difficult.

Sit Emma behind a piano keyboard and she could play any song, but my vocals were another story.

I used to love to sing, but I’d not done much of it the past fifteen years.

Several cocktails might persuade me to sing karaoke, but seldom.

Now I relegated my singing to the shower.

We’d practiced until after ten, which made it easier for me not to slip away to Robyn’s.

Having my entire concentration on the music had been cathartic.

Emma and I had laughed so hard we cried when I kept butchering the words.

Leaving the lodge, I felt somewhat comfortable I could pull it off, while Emma had no doubts.

I glanced at my watch as I rounded the corner and the lodge came into view. Seven thirty. It would give me plenty of time to take a shower and eat breakfast before Dana arrived. I smiled at the thought since I looked forward to seeing her.

Halfway to the villas, my calves were cramping and my lungs burning, but I picked up my pace.

The road had proved a questionable choice with the crumbling pavement and potholes.

I stayed in the middle of the road since it seemed the least damaged.

Glancing at my watch, I realized dodging the hazards was impeding my time.

With the villas in view, I was ready for a sprint to the finish.

I took in a deep breath before taking off. Sprinting felt good, and I realized pushing this hard had worked. I’d been able to think of nothing else but running. It only took that split second of distraction for me to miss the crack in the pavement, which crumbled when my foot hit it.

Before I knew it, my body lurched forward, and I windmilled my arms to right myself.

It didn’t work as I plummeted toward the road.

With my speed, I didn’t get my hands down to cushion the fall before my knee hit.

I twisted, hoping to avoid a face plant.

Pain seared as my cheek scraped against the pavement.

Partial success since I’d protected my nose.

When I skidded to a stop, I cursed my clumsiness. I rose to my feet and jogged back to the villa, not wanting to see the damage I’d done to myself.

Emma and Annie were sitting on our front porch. I’d hoped to get inside and clean up before anyone saw me. As I came closer, I saw their smiles turn to frowns.

“What in God’s name happened to you?” Annie asked.

Emma jumped to her feet, concern written on her face. “Blake, did someone attack you?”

“No, I’m fine.”

Emma stepped back and studied me. “But you’re bleeding. Everywhere.”

Really? I glanced down at my knee and swooned when I realized it resembled ground hamburger.

“Jesus, I think she’s gonna pass out.” Annie jumped to her feet and grabbed me by the arm.

“I’m okay.” I shook my head to clear it.

“We need to clean you up before Dana gets here, or she’s gonna take one look at you and turn around and leave,” Emma said.

“Dana?” Annie shot Emma a look. “Like in the Dana?”

“Yes, the Dana.” Emma put her arm around my waist. “Let’s get you inside.”

“Hold the train.” Annie called. “Why is Dana coming back? And more importantly, why does it seem you’re okay with it?”

Emma and I had agreed not to share anything with the others since I didn’t want Robyn to inadvertently hear something through the grapevine.

“Dana’s changed. You know that,” Emma said as she pushed open the door.

“What the hell is going on here?” Annie said, raising her voice. “Blake shows up covered in blood, and you’re all nonchalant about Dana returning. Have the sisters gone mad?”

“It’s a twin thing,” Emma said over her shoulder as we entered the house.

Annie laughed despite everything. “Girl, you better be glad I like you because I wouldn’t take these half-assed answers from just anyone.”

I’d decided to meet Dana at the lodge instead of the villa, which turned out to be a smart move after Annie’s reaction. We didn’t need an audience while we talked. When I arrived at the lodge fifteen minutes early, Dana was already there. She was leaning over the counter, talking to Vera.

She turned when I walked in, and her eyes widened. “Jesus, what happened to you?”

I smiled. “You should see the other guy.”

Once Emma cleaned me up, we’d taken stock of the damage.

My left cheek sported an angry red road rash.

I hoped it wouldn’t scab by tonight, but I feared it would.

Healing would take some time. A deep purple bruise had already sprung up on my knee, but the worst was the pulpy mess in the center.

Emma had dug pieces of ground asphalt from it.

My arms were the least damaged, only suffering a few scrapes and cuts.

“Seriously.” Dana approached me and lightly touched my cheek. “What happened?”

“I tripped on my run this morning.” I glanced at Vera, not wanting her to know it was the disrepair of the property that led to my fall.

“See. That’s why I never do it. It’s dangerous,” Dana teased.

“Do you need ice or something, honey?” Vera asked.

I shook my head. “Emma did all the doctoring I need.” I clapped my hands together. “Besides, we’ve got things to do.”