It was the most beautiful spot in all of Virginia. The sun rose above the tree line spreading golden light over the little lake hidden on top of a mountain. I had found this amazing spot quite by accident. I have been hiking the various trails through the Blue Ridge Mountains near my home for years, but had never come across anything this beautiful.
I came huffing over a huge ridge, sweat glistening in the early afternoon sun. Finally, the sun had burst through the overcast clouds hanging over the mountain. It was hot! I know, women don't sweat but they perspire, but honestly, I was sweating! At the top of the ridge, while catching my breath, a shimmering light caught my eye. I jogged down the slight incline, avoiding tripping over outstretched roots and found myself at the beach of a beautiful little lake. Feeling like a little girl left in a candy store by herself, I threw myself down on the beach, stripping my hiking boots and socks off, giggling. Nothing is more refreshing to a tired sweaty body than standing in cold mountain water up to your short line.
My eyes were closed, enjoying the sounds of nature around me when I heard a noise not native to the Virginian Woods, a guitar. A guitar? My eyes flew open, as I strained to hear the soft serenading coming from the shady woods. My keen ears picked out someone strumming a guitar, and somewhat singing along. Somewhat put off for having someone else interfere in my meditative solitude, I turned to wade out of the lake. This lake, like every other one in this state is covered with a nice slimy film of algae on the rocky bottom. I gracefully turned, slipped, and landed ungracefully into the water with a loud curse and splash.
I guess my splash and scream alerted my musician in the woods. When I emerged from under the green water, and unceremoniously swung my hair out of my face while uttering bawdy curses under my breath, I noticed someone standing on the shore, guitar strapped on his back, and a concerned look on his face. I walked out of the water looking like a drowned rat that had eaten some bad cheese. He offered me his hand to help me the rest of the way out of the water. A bold of electricity shot through my hand as he warmly grasped mine and pulled me out of the water. I looked up at him with a genuine look of surprise, seeing if he felt the same thing I did. His eyes read something totally different.
I looked into his deep blue eyes and was immediately lost in their depths. He kind of stuttered something about me catching cold, and I snapped out of my hypnosis. I looked down at my feet, and my attire caught my eye. No wonder he was looking at me like I was a piece of juicy steak, and he was a starving man. My white tank top had become see-through due to my dunk, leaving most of my charms exposed for his perusal.
He quickly turned around, a look of lust flashing over his face before he did. A quiet and very male voice broke our uncomfortable silence.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine thanks, just a little cold and wet now. Sun should fix that soon enough, I hope." I replied.
He quickly made his way to a pile of clothes hastily dropped on the beach when he came to my rescue. He picked up a large sweatshirt and brought it back to me. He sheepishly looked down in my eyes, smiled and handed it to me.
"Here, put this on, its too chilly out here to go around soppin' wet. Its gonna rain soon anyway." This man's voice was like velvet on my skin. "Thank you…."
"The name's Jason"
"Thanks, I'm Brenda," I stole a glance at my watch. "Damn, if it's going to rain, I need to get going, I have a few hours hike to get back to my car. You going my way?" Breathless, praying that he is. "Actually, I'm not. I have a cabin up here; only fifteen minutes walk from here if you'd rather do that? I don't want it on my conscience that you're out here walking the woods in the middle of a storm."
I was debating my predicament, when the first drops of rain fell, sealing my decision. I threw on my boots and replied. "Lead the way."
We walked along in companionable silence. Why didn't I ever take anyone hiking with me? This was really nice.
Well, by the time we had finally reached his tiny little cabin, I was shivering uncontrollably. He ushered me inside, a concerned look on his face, and pushed me inside the tiny bathroom and ordered me to strip, and give him my clothes. I don't ask twice when a good-looking guy like that asks me to strip. I bent over and started to undo the laces on my boots. He graciously backed out the door, and closed it.
A moment later a knock sounded on the door. "I have some dry clothes for you to put on when you're done. They're sitting outside the door. I'll be out on the front porch when you're done," Came the muffled velvet voice from outside the door.
