Richelle walks down the path, live oaks shading her from above. The plantation house lies before her and the river behind.
She passes the rows of live oaks, all 13 of them shading the walk as they have for more than four centuries.
He said that he would meet her here, with a great surprise. She felt a little apprehension as she left the bus behind her on River Road, but she decided to forge ahead, unsure, but full of anticipation of what lay ahead.
It was a hot August evening. The air lay still and thick, swallowing her as she moved forward. She made her way to the back of the house and he was no where in sight.
"Can I help you miss?" came a man's voice from within the garden.
Richelle turned and saw a tall figure a dozen yards away. It was not him.
"I was supposed to meet someone here, but I am not sure exactly where!" she said more as a question than an explanation.
"You must be Miss Richelle, we have been expecting' you. I didn't see you drive up."
"I came on the bus," she explained.
"Well we have a place all reserved for you, we can take the buggy over there back to your cottage." as he pointed to a golf cart.
They rode the cart to cottage number 3 and he lead her into through the door. It was cool inside the cottage and very cozy.
"I would have helped you with your luggage, but it looks like you are traveling pretty light."
She only had her purse with her and she was a little embarrassed, realizing that it looked very much like she was meeting someone for a tryst in a cheap hotel. Well, actually it was a romantic cottage.
Sensing her discomfort the man excused himself and she heard him drive away in the cart.
She found a package on the kitchen table. It was addressed to her. She held it in her hands, cradling it and wondering what it held inside. It was rather large, so maybe it was more than one thing.
She untied the ribbon and lifted the lid from the package. There was a red rose on top, laying on top of a note. She held the rose in her hand and picked up the note. She read the note quietly to herself.
"Darling, I will be there shortly. Please enjoy the bubbles and wear this when you are done. There is your favorite wine in the fridge. Love Rob"
She opened the fridge and there was a carafe sweet white wine. She poured herself a glass and went off into the bathroom. She started the bath in the deep claw footed tub. She added bubbles and watched them as they foamed near the rim of the tub.
She stripped naked, taking a moment to admire her body in the mirror. The cool air from the fan hardened her nipples.
She slid into the tub, the bubbles rose to her neck. She took a sip of wine and took some time to appreciate the solitude.
No noises in the back ground, save the sound of the crickets. The warm water held her, hiding in her own world beneath the bubbles.
She heard the door to the cottage open and recognized his footsteps as he moved across the floor. She heard him go into the bedroom and could hear faint sounds. Then it was quiet again, so she closed her eyes and drifted into her own world again.
She stepped from the tub and grabbed the towel from its hook. She dried off and slipped into her new silk robe and panties. She chuckled to herself, thinking that she shouldn't bother, she was going to be in them very long anyway.
She walked down the hallway, toward the golden glow coming from the bedroom. The room was lit with candles and he was lying in the bed. He smiled as she entered the room, and his eyes flickered in the candlelight.