she was inside, she saw
a large sign with the class schedules on it. Fortunately a yoga and stress
reduction class was beginning in fifteen minutes. She changed into a pair of
yoga pants and a T-shirt in the restroom and walked down the hall towards the room
where the yoga class was going to be taught. She walked into the room and put
$15 in a donation jar located near the entrance to the room. Around
fifty people filled the large, airy room. Orchids, a small fountain, and
lighted candles were tastefully arranged in the front of the room, creating a
backdrop for the large man who sat facing the class on a yoga mat. As she was
placing her mat on the floor at the back of the room, she heard a booming voice
behind her say, “Kelly, you weren’t kidding when you said you wanted to come
out for a class. It’s good to see you here and I know you’ll be in good hands
with my brother. Luke’s leading the class today. Remember, I told you he had
come here to live with me,” Scott said, kneeling down next to her. He smiled at
her and waved to a number of other students in the room. “Enjoy the class. I
was just walking to my office when I looked in the room and saw you. Better go.
Luke’s giving me a nod that he wants to start the class.” Scott walked out of
the room, softly closing the door behind him.
Even though it had been
almost a year since Kelly had taken a yoga class, it felt like it was only
yesterday. The familiar music, the incense, and the different poses Luke led
the class through completely relaxed her mind and body. The class concluded
with Luke guiding the students in a breathing meditation for fifteen minutes,
and then he lightly rang a small hand-held bell, indicating the end of class.
The students opened their eyes and stood up, preparing to leave.
I feel 100% better. Why do
I always forget how good I feel when I leave here? What I probably need to do
is put a weekly yoga class in red on my schedule and simply make time for it.
She walked out of the old
mansion and paused for a moment, admiring the sweeping ocean view. The
lumber baron who original built this mansion sure made a wise choice when he
picked this spot for his home , she thought. She walked to her car, feeling
the peace and tranquility that a visit to the always left her with.
CHAPTER 15
When Kelly returned home, she
carefully hung her wedding dress in the back of her closet. She knew it was an
old wives’ tale, but she wasn’t going to risk losing Mike because he’d seen her
wedding dress before the wedding. She knew she’d be looking in the closet from
time to time just to admire it. Having the wedding dress made her pending
marriage to Mike seem all so real.
She told Mike about the
wedding dress she’d bought, Marcy and Gabe in Portland, and taking a yoga class
at the retreat center, then she decided to do nothing for the rest of the
evening except catch up on some of the food magazines she subscribed to, but
never had time to read. At ten that night, she stood up and said, “Mike, I
can’t make it any longer. I’m tired and I’m off to bed. You’re on your own.
Even though it doesn’t sound like I did much today, it was a tiring day for me.
Night.”
“Night, sweetheart. Sleep
well. I’ll join you as soon as this movie I’m watching is over. I have to find
out who did it. Probably the sheriff in me.”
*****
She rolled over the next morning and
saw Mike looking at her. She put her arms around him and kissed him. “Mike, I’m
so glad we found each other. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier. I can’t wait
until I’m your wife, although to tell you a secret, after nights like last
night, I’d probably let you live with me anyway!”
“Kelly,” he said, his arms
tightening around her. “You are absolutely the best thing that’s ever happened
to me. You know, we never talked about a honeymoon. Is there some place special
you’d like to go?”
“No. I just want to be
your wife. We
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