Upon arriving at the villa, they were greeted with the happy sounds of children playing in the yard and large barking dog who ran along side of the car, escorting them in. 

Tina looked out the window and watch the dog running beside them, “She’s friendly, I hope?”

“Oh, that’s just Brantly,” Anthony said.  “He’s harmless.  He’s all bark and no bite.”  Tina looked at Bette with a smile and a big sigh of relief.

Anthony pulled up to the front of the villa where Maria, his wife, stood waiting to greet them.  They stepped out of the car and Maria was there to give them both a hug before they even got to the chance to close the car door.

“We are so happy to welcome you both to our home!   My parents have told us so much about you.  I feel like I already know you.  Please come in and make yourselves at home.  I know you must be tired after your long flight, so I will show you to your room so you can rest and freshen up before dinner.”   Maria was so excited to see them and was talking so fast, the girls barely got a word in.  They just smiled and followed her to their room.  As she opened the door, they gasped. 

 There in the middle of the room was the bed.  It was a queen size four poster bed made of intricately carved olive wood with a lavender chiffon canopy.  Draped over the bed was a white coverlet embroidered with tiny purple and red flowers, turned down to reveal the purple satin sheets beneath it.  At the foot of the bed sat an old trunk, upon it which was nestled a large bouquet of freshly picked flowers of lavender and red.  As they let their eyes wander about the room, Maria continued to tell them about all that the room had to offer.  The exquisitely carved wood and marble fireplace stood out beautifully, with large floor to ceiling double doors on either side, which opened out onto a private patio. She then showed them the bathroom which had a sunken tub surrounded by brightly colored ceramic tile and a large mirror that hovered over it. Thick towels hung on a rack close by and behind the door were two white bath robes. Flowers were a comfort here, Tina thought.  They were everywhere. She held Bette’s hand as they walked around taking inventory.