The morning arrived with the sounds of birds singing and a gentle breeze blowing in through the window. Rance opened his eyes noticing an empty bed beside him, realising that Ria was across the room looking out over the valley. "Everything ok?"
Ria turned around wearing a wide smile. "Everything is great."
She walked back over to the bed and gave Rance a good morning kiss. "This is a new look." He said as he admired her womanly attire.
All Rance had known of Ria was hiking pants, boots and waterproof clothing. She now wore a pale peach satin nightdress and matching robe. "Well we have company downstairs so I didn't want to be naked in front of them. I have another surprise for you later too."
"I'm not a big fan of surprises." He told her with a faux sad look on his lips.
"Tough, because I'm not telling you what it is."
She pulled him out of bed. "Get dressed, There's coffee on downstairs. It's not Henry coffee yet but it'll wake you up. I've also done a fruity breakfast for everyone. I'm sure we could do with some healthy food after last night's drinking." She walked out and down the stairs as he watched her feminine form disappear.
Ria knocked gently on the guest room door. "Come in." Came Len's voice.
She opened the door to see Len and Kelly spooned and she smiled as she saw them in her favourite sleeping position with Rance. "There's coffee and breakfast downstairs when you're ready."
"Cheers Ria. We'll be down shortly." Len yawned.
Kelly just smiled as she looked at Ria, who instinctively knew what she was saying. She'd had the same look on her face the first time she woke up next to Rance the morning after her rescue. Ria left and went down to the kitchen. She poured a coffee and stood looking out over the valley. She heard movement behind her and the gentle knocking of a mug on the counter before liquid being poured in. A few seconds later an arm slid around her and Rance's face appeared over her shoulder. "This view was the prettiest thing I had in my life until I found you."
Ria let her head tilt against his. "You're not so bad looking yourself."
They stood together admiring the valley as the sun began to pour its light over the lip of the left hill, illuminating the trees at the top of the hill on the right. Len and Kelly appeared and poured themselves coffee. "Morning you two." Len greeted Rance and Ria.
"Morning yourselves." Rance greeted them both in return. "Help yourselves to breakfast. I'm not exactly sure what we have in as I've been away." He chuckled.
Len and Kelly joined them watching as the sun slowly rose and the rays slowly sank towards the valley floor like thick molasses moving down the side of a bowl. "Wow." Offered Kelly as she stood in awe of the scene before her. "That is one spectacular sight."
"Helen and I used to come up here in the mornings before she died, just to watch this happen. We used to sit on a rock where the kitchen counter is now and watch the sun as it slowly progressed into the valley. It's why I had the house built here."
Ria put her right hand up to his face and stroked his rough, unshaven cheek. The talk of Helen didn't bother her, it just made her realise how loving he was. It was the first time he'd mentioned her name without becoming emotional. The dream of her must have been his way of letting go of his grief. She knew he would always think of her but it would now be in fondness of her memory, not in sadness at her loss.
"Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. Whatever route that journey takes us, I'm glad to have you all in it!" Rance told them all."
"And us you mate." Added Len.
"What shall we do today? Asked Rance.
"Whatever we do we can't be back later than four." Ria said as she looked to Len and Kelly who were standing in a similar position to her and Rance.
"What's happening at four?" Rance enquired.
"We need to be home to shower and get ready." Ria told him, but withholding the reason.
Rance accepted that she wasn't going to tell him. He kissed her cheek and moved away to refill his mug. "Let's go to Grand Rapids for the day. Do some shopping, eat some food and relax."
"Oh, I need to work." Kelly answered sullenly. "I've had too much time off recently to help Ria so I can't take the day."
"Unfortunately I need to get my arse into gear and write a piece for Nat Geo. I've been slacking recently and the deadline is tomorrow. We'll see you both later on though." Len admitted.
"Just you and me then baby." Ria said to Rance. "I'll make sure it's a good day."
They all sat around the breakfast bar eating fruit and cereal, making fun of each other and giving playful little jibes at their respective relationships. It was clear to see that Len and Kelly had a strong connection, and Ria wondered how long it would be before they admitted it and stopped fooling around.
Len and Kelly left together, leaving Rance and Ria to think about their day together. "We could go and find a nice spot somewhere and take a picnic." Ria suggested.
"Ok. I'll let you lead. I've discovered a lot of stuff around here and know it well, so rather than me show you I'll let you discover it for yourself."
Finishing their coffee and breakfast they got ready for the day. Rance packed a rucksack with anything they might need while Ria made sandwiches and packed other tasty snacks.
Leaving the house at 10am they walked up the road the way they'd gone the night before but rather than turn into the copse they carried on along the quiet lane for some distance. To the left was the river valley, to the right was the peak of the hill. A narrow path appeared which Ria chose to take bringing them closer to the summit. The lane was tree lined causing the sun to cast shadows onto the ground in an intricate network of light and shadow. The quiet stillness of the day was only broken by the odd bird tweeting and the distant sounds of cattle.
Rance followed Ria, knowing the destination but allowing her little adventure. As the trees cleared, the path opened to a view down to the town nestled in the steep valley and the plain in the distance divided up into neat little squares of farmland. It had turned out to be a beautiful day but even if it had been the worst day Ria and Rance would have found it to be perfect.
They sat eating the food Ria had prepared and talked about plans for their wedding. Where they wanted it, when, and who would attend. It was only at that moment that Ria realised that she'd had no contact with any of her friends back in Burlington. "I need to make some phone calls when we get home."
Rance felt a warm blanket wrap around him as she said the word 'home', like she'd accepted The Falls as her place of being now. He did agree that she needed to get her life in order. She decided that at the weekend they should fly to Burlington, take care of some things during a week and get her house on the market. The wedding could wait. There was no rush, they'd made their commitment to each other and a piece of paper wouldn't make the slightest difference.
After their food and conversation they headed back towards town via a different route as Rance guided her. It followed a cute little stream that bubbled and whispered as it made its way down to the river valley. The land was steep in places so Rance held Ria's hand as she made her way down. Her leg was better now, stronger due to a lot of miles she'd walked in her month at The Falls but it still gave her some pain. Rance was still very sore too but between them they managed to get each other home.
As if planned they reached the front door within minutes of their four o'clock deadline, entering the house, removing their muddy shoes before moving up to the bathroom. Rance still had no idea what to expect as his surprise. "What should I wear?"
"Something smart. A suit and a nice shirt." Ria called as they finished showering.
Rance looked in his closet, choosing a grey suit that he hadn't worn in quite some time, and a lilac coloured shirt. He put on his matching socks and slipped into his shoes and left the bedroom. Ria finished drying herself and went to the bedroom expecting to see Rance waiting for her. She was almost put out by his disappearance but thought it was a good opportunity to get dressed in the red dress Kelly had bought for her.
She buckled up her shoes and made her way down the stairs to join Rance. As they saw each other they mirrored each other's comments. "Wow, you look amazing!"
As Ria walked over to Rance the dress flowed from side to side almost hypnotically. "I thought you looked good this morning in your nightdress and robe but this is beautiful. You're like a dream made corporeal, for all eyes to see, not just the dreamer's."
She grinned at him. "Such a charmer. Shall we?"
He walked to her giving his arm to her. She linked and they walked out to the car. "You drive." He said. "My shoulder is still too tender."
She took the key, entered the car, starting it as Rance got in. She backed it up and then made her way into town. They stopped outside the hotel. "Why are we here?"
"You'll see." She said full of cheer.
