Access All Areas

Chapter Twenty Three

Just the drive alone to Echo Lakes was scenically a dream for me. Although at some exhausted point, I did end up falling asleep in Rhys's lap. All the travelling by plane and by car, eventually did catch up with me. One minute he was thoughtfully stroking my hair, the next, I was awoken by a bump in the road. But during the times that I was awake, I snuggled up close against him with our hands lovingly interlocked and enjoyed the long journey to his cabin.

Rhys told me that our journey could have been a lot less if we had flown, but thought I would appreciate the more scenic and longer route. And he was right. Driving through many parts of California and being introduced to the mountainous region of Sierra Nevada and then travelling deeper into the El Dorado National Forest was simply breathtaking. However, nothing could have prepared me for the natural beauty that was to be my home for the next two weeks.

"What do you think?" Rhys cuddles me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder as his arms come sweetly around my stomach.

"It's absolutely perfect." No words seem to do this beautiful place justice. Echo Lake is peaceful, picturesque and paradise.

I just need a silent moment, a silent moment to soak up the view before me—the bluest of blue water, the greenest of green forest, glorious granite mountains that look like they have had snow lightly sifted just over the top of them—it's a natural heaven.

Pushing the back of my head against Rhys's chest, I quietly say. "I can see why you come here to unwind, it's absolutely wonderful." My eyes look out at the private dock that has a small boat tied to it. "Is that your boat?" My arms hold onto his that are still wrapped tightly around my stomach.

Rhys nods on my shoulder. "It sure is."

Turning around to face him, my excitement is obvious. "I've never been in a boat. Yours is soooo cute."

Chuckling, his hands lower themselves down to my hips. "Then I shall take you out in my cute boat, lots." Leaving me with one of his gorgeous smiles, he takes my hand. "Enough about the boat, what do you think of the cabin?"

When he turns to look at it, so do I.

Again, I totally fall in love with what I am shown. It's an adorable log cabin that is merely feet away from the lakeshore. Nestled in amongst the white cedars, the balsam firs, the black spruce and the paper birch trees; it is quaint and inviting. "Rhys, it's just so..."

Interrupting me with the broadest of smiles. "Cute?" Rhys then jovially pulls me towards it.

"It is cute." I tell him with a smirk.

Ascending the few wooden steps to the lakefront decking area of the sweet little cabin, I am beyond eager to get inside as the evening is just starting to draw in and it's beginning to feel chilly. My delighted words ecstatically just slip from out of my mouth no sooner than I am inside. "Oh Rhys, it's just so beautiful in here." My bright and wide eyes roam the exquisite knotty pine interior. I can't believe I am going to be staying in such a precious place as this. It's cosy and warm with it's open plan timber design. The living area looks especially welcoming with its roaring log fire and the squishiest looking sofa that has the fluffiest blankets spread neatly across the back of it. The kitchen is small with a beautiful wood-burning stove and all the other mod cons that make for a comfortable stay.

Squeezing my hand, Rhys smiles. "The bedroom and the bathroom is up here." He leads me up the wooden stairs that impressively overlook the open plan living area and kitchen. With slow strides, he shows me what is left to see of the stunning cabin—and it's just as perfect as everywhere else. An impressive timber bed that's blanketed in a richly coloured chenille duvet with stripes of red, green, brown and tan. The warmest of lighting that gives the wooden room a glorious glow. A large bedroom window to enjoy more of the fantastic views that the cabin so beautifully has to offer and a charming bathroom that has a jacuzzi tub and a farmhouse sink that is surrounded by log walls and ceilings.

"It really is beautiful." I find myself quietly saying with my soft gaze roaming all over the rustic allure of the bedroom and bathroom.

Pulling me against him, Rhys holds me close as he looks down into my eyes with such happiness being held within his own. "It's a whole lot more beautiful with you in it." Then he cuddles me, cuddling me with a long and drawn out sigh. Pulling back slightly, he smiles. "The driver will bring all of our things inside and then leave us be, what do you want to do once he's gone?"

Content yet tired, I slowly lift my head. "I just want more of this." Then I snuggle deeper into him, knowing that as beautiful as Echo Lake and the cabin truly are, nothing is more beautiful than how I feel right now.

Kissing the top of my head, Rhys mumbles against my hair. "That sounds perfect to me."