Page 62 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

“That was all Blake.” Robyn stepped up beside me. “We love it out there. I think we spend more time there than we do inside.”

“Are you going to move here soon?”

Robyn sighed. “Probably. Millie’s already made the move.”

I eyed Robyn, wanting to know more about the sigh, but I’d address the easy part first. “Millie! Where is she?”

Robyn rolled her eyes. “Your sister is spoiling her rotten. Although the ducks are thankful for Blake.”

I gave her a puzzled look.

“Once Millie started coming here often, and with all the construction traffic and increase in resort visitors, it wasn’t safe for her to be on the loose. Nor did the ducks approve, so Blake had a sanctuary built for her.”

I laughed. “So Blissful Breeze is an animal sanctuary, after all.”

“That’s exactly what Blake said.” Robyn bumped her hip against mine. “Must be a twin thing.”

“Must be. So tell me about this sanctuary.”

“It’s a big fenced-in area, a little smaller than a basketball court. Part was shaded by trees and the other half grass. There’re little ponds, sand pits, and other doggie play areas. Blake even converted a shed into a temperature-controlled doggie condo. It’s fancier than this place.”

“So I’m taking it Millie approves of your relationship.”

“Approves, ha! She’s practically dumped me.” Robyn shook her head and laughed. “Not really. I’m still holding on to my bitterness from the first time Millie refused to go with me when I returned to my apartment.”

“And things are still good with you and Blake?” I wasn’t sure why I asked. Probably to ensure Blake’s proposal would be accepted.

A lovesick expression crossed Robyn’s face, and I knew there was nothing to worry about.

Robyn put her hand on her chest. “I’ve never been so in love.” With her other hand, she clasped my arm. “Thank you for bringing her here. It changed my life.”

“And hers.” I put my hand over hers. “You are by far the best thing that has ever happened to her.”

“That means a lot coming from you, Emma,” Robyn said. “Can I let you in on something?”

“Sure.”

“Don’t tell Blake, but I think she’s going to ask me to marry her this weekend.”

Shit. I couldn’t give anything away. “What makes you think that?”

“Subtlety isn’t your sister’s strong suit. She’s been sneaking around here for the past few weeks. Several times, she’s gotten a phone call and practically jumped out of her skin. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she’s having an affair.”

I held up my hands. “Don’t look at me, she hasn’t said anything to me.” Slick. I hadn’t lied to Robyn.

“Oh, sorry.” She slapped her hand against her forehead. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I wasn’t digging for info.”

“No, I didn’t take it that way.” I narrowed my eyes and studied her. A nervous flutter settled in my chest. “What aren’t you saying? You’d say yes, wouldn’t you?” Damn. I shouldn’t be asking her, but something about her demeanor had me nervous.

“Oh, god, yes, of course, I would.” Robyn closed her eyes and scrunched up her face. “I shouldn’t have brought it up. Just forget I said anything. I’m just being silly.”

“Hey, you’re talking to me.” I sensed I was missing something but couldn’t figure out what. “Just tell me.”

“It’s stupid. I’ll be thrilled no matter how it happens.”

“But?”

Robyn let out a long sigh. “You know Blake, she likes to make grand gestures.”

I nodded and smiled. “The bigger the better.”

“Yeah.”

I snapped my fingers. “I get it. You think she’s going to do something in front of the entire group.”

“Or worse, wait until the dedication ceremony when half of Madison will be here.” She laughed and shook her head. “Okay, that’s an exaggeration. See, I told you, I’m being ridiculous. Can we change the subject, please?”

“Of course.” I put my arm around her. “This conversation never happened. How about you take me out to visit Millie?”

I tossed the ball for what must have been the twentieth time. Millie dashed after it but skidded to a stop, turned, and ran back toward me.

“Millie, the ball is that way.” I pointed toward where it bounced on the ground.

Millie darted past me, so I turned. Blake.

A huge smile spread across Blake’s face as she pushed open the gate. “Look here. My three favorite women together. She bent and scratched Millie’s ear before she jogged across the lawn.

I ran toward her and wrapped her in a bear hug when we met. She squeezed me so tight that air escaped my lungs.

“Don’t break her,” Robyn said from behind me.

“But I’ve missed my big sister.” Blake continued to hug me.

Just like Robyn, the smell of outdoors clung to her.

I took in a big whiff, having grown to love the smell.

It had been two months since I’d last seen Blake.

Last month, I’d had to cancel sister time because I’d come down with COVID. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

“Me too. Have you seen the others yet?”

Blake released me, and before she answered, she took Robyn’s hand and gave her a kiss. “I’ve missed you, too.”

“Goofball. You saw me five hours ago.” Robyn playfully slapped Blake’s arm.

“Then that was five hours too long.”

Robyn shook her head and looked at me. “Has she always had such corny lines?”

“Afraid so, but you chose her.”

Robyn wrapped her arm around Blake’s waist. “Oh, well, I guess I’ll keep her.”

Blake beamed. “To answer your question. I saw Annie, but I was in my truck, heading to the cabins, so I didn’t get a chance to talk to her. Earlier, I had lunch with Helena and Katlynn.”

“You didn’t tell me that,” Robyn said.

“That’s because I haven’t seen you for five long hours.” Blake smirked and winked at me.

“Remember the good old days when she had a stick lodged up her ass?” I said to Robyn.

Blake glowered, and Robyn and I laughed.

“Do you have hanging around the firepit on our agenda?” I asked.

“Of course. Wait until you see the improvements we’ve made to the villas,” Blake said.

“Will they be ready for guests soon?” I asked.

“The first group arrives in two weeks. All forty-eight rooms are booked.”

“Congratulations. I bet Vera is over the moon.”

Blake held up her hand. “Wait, that’s not all. The lodge is also fully booked for the rest of the summer. All that’s left is finishing the cabin remodeling. I’m thinking about adding a few more.”

“Don’t forget to tell her about the new program,” Robyn said.

I cocked my head and looked at Blake. “New program?”

Blake’s cheeks reddened. “It was her idea.” Blake tilted her head toward Robyn.

“So what is it?” I looked between the two.

When Blake remained silent, Robyn said, “She did so much to help her villa mates with their finances, I convinced her she should offer it to others. She’s already run a couple of trial classes at Lift Our Voices, and they’ve been an enormous hit.”

“So she convinced me it should be an offering at the retreat.” Blake sighed. “I’ll only have two students show up.”

Robyn shook her head as she pulled Blake against her. “For a badass equities trader, she sure worries a lot. I keep telling her whether she helps one person or one hundred, it’s all worth it.”

“Yeah. Yeah.” Blake stood up taller and jutted out her chest. “Enough of that. We need to go upstairs and freshen up for the party tonight.”

“I promise I’ll be out of your hair after today,” Robyn said. “So you can have sister time.”

“Nonsense. You need to stay, too.” I looked at Blake.

Blake glanced at Robyn and raised her eyebrows. “Please.”

Robyn looked between us and finally responded, “Okay. I don’t think I’ll win this argument.”

“Five-day slumber party,” I said. “Imagine all the sharing we can do.” I raised my hand toward Robyn, who took my cue and gave me a high five. “Perhaps we can do another silent conversation.”

Blake groaned, but I saw the twinkle in her eyes.

When we’d returned to the suite, Blake and Robyn went into the primary bedroom together to get ready for the party. I’d wanted to quiz her on her proposal, but I’d not gotten her alone.

I’d finished getting ready and had been standing at the window, enjoying the view, when they emerged.

I couldn’t help but smile. Robyn wore a casual blue and white sundress that highlighted her femininity, while Blake wore a pair of white cargo shorts with a tight ribbed V-neck shirt that showed off her strength.

“Well, look at you,” I said. “You two look amazing together.”

Blake grinned and pulled Robyn in for a kiss. “That’s what happens when you find the love of your life. She makes me look better.”

Robyn pulled back and squeezed Blake’s butt cheek. “And all the running she’s been doing has firmed everything up.”

Blake opened her mouth and feigned shock. “Hey now, that’s my sister.”

“My bad.” Robyn held up her hands. “I won’t touch you again tonight.”

Blake pulled Robyn against her. “On second thought, grab away.”

My heart filled. They were too stinking cute together. Blake deserved all this happiness and more. I couldn’t believe the transformation. Despite everything going on at the resort, she didn’t have worry lines across her forehead, which I’d become accustomed to when she was at Fortitude.

“Oh, shoot, I need to go get my keys,” Blake said and hurried toward the bedroom.

“Can’t we just walk?” Robyn asked.

Blake called over her shoulder, “Nah, let’s take the truck. Emma doesn’t get the chance to ride in my truck very often.” She ducked into the bedroom before Robyn could protest.

“I can’t believe how obsessed she is with that truck,” I said. After she’d returned to Madison, she’d bought herself a pickup truck. A black one.

“You caused it.” Robyn laughed and leaned toward me. “Don’t tell her, but I think it’s sexy.”

The campfire crackled and danced. It was a beautiful, clear night. My stomach was as full as my heart. Robyn had grilled steaks and salmon with sides of sweet corn and potatoes.

I put my hands on my distended stomach. “Why didn’t someone tell me not to eat four ears of corn?”

“Um, I think I did,” Blake said.

“I don’t remember that.” I groaned.