Chapter 5: Love in the Rain Forrest
Rachel stood on the cabin balcony frozen in time. Instinctively she knew deep inside the person standing outside her cabin door was Ross. Slowly she crossed the needed path to the cabin door. While slowly approaching her fate, she found herself becoming more and more excited, causing her heart to palpitate more and more erratically. Placing her hand on the doorknob she noticed how sweaty her palms had become. Gradually, she slid the door open. She relaxed…it was Ross!
Ross looked up, "Uh…Rachel, I was concerned about you last night, so decided it was time to come and check to see how you were doing?"
"Rachel embarrassed by her previous evening's actions looked downward, "Uh...I just had a tad bit too much champagne. A good night's sleep took care of that", Rachel replied, her enthusiasm covering up the real reason for the past evening's inebriated state. "Would you care to come in, perhaps we could share a cup of coffee together on the balcony?" Rachel replied while pointing to the coffee caftan on the dresser.
Ross pleased, accepted her invitation and stepped inside the cabin. Rachel's cabin appeared organized. Clothes neatly hung beside one another in the closet. The vanity was cleared with the exception of the ship's daily activity sheets neatly stacked against an expensive leather case. That quality about Rachel surprised Ross. He still related back to the spoiled dependent girl he had the huge crush years back.
"Oh...Listen Ross, I need to get dressed. Why don't you pour us each a cup of coffee and I'll join you out on the balcony in a few minutes", Rachel turned, pulled her outfit for the day from the closet and headed into the bathroom to dress. She closed the door and stood back somewhat surprised at the somewhat disheveled person's reflection in the mirror. Not a very positive feature when you're attempting to impress someone.
Ross placed their two cups of freshly poured coffee on the balcony table just as the Ms. Zuiderdam pulled into the Ketchikan Harbor. Fifteen minutes later, Rachel immersed from the bathroom fully dressed. Ross mesmerized with her appearance couldn't help staring. Age had certainly blossomed her natural beauty. The mesmerizing Deep blue eyes captured his attention. Rachel's complete look had been neatly blended together centered by a colorful fall wind suit matched with a matching tie holding her ponytail in place. She didn't require any jewelry; her skin appeared flawless.
Ross looked out over the harbor. "Did you realize Ketchikan's name supposedly comes from the native term "Katch Kanna", which roughly translates: "spread wings of a thundering eagle"?
Rachel again impressed with Ross' knowledge suddenly spotted one such eagle, "Oh…look over at the far harbor, there sets a bald eagle. I never realized they were such beautiful birds."
Ross realizing he wanted to spend more time with Rachel inquired, "Do you have any previous plans scheduled today?"
Rachel pleased, answered back immediately, "Not really, in fact my whole day is free."
"Would you like to tour Ketchikan together?" Rachel had not heard the word "together" for such a long time replied, "Sure, let's do it!"
"Great, what time?"
Ross again his impulsiveness slipping out, "How about now?"
Rachel and Ross presented their "Sea Passes" to the Ship's Attendant. After clearance, they stepped out onto the plank making their way downward onto a rustic boardwalk. Curious, they followed the winding boardwalk, which follows Ketchikan creek, to the famous Creek Street. The area, known as the former red-light district, is now a row of painted buildings perched on pilings. After poking through Souvenir Shops they walked across a wooden bridge, leaned over watching as the salmon gracefully swam by. Looking upward they noticed a rail car making it's way straight up Deer Creek Mountain to a rustic inn at the top. "Are you brave enough to ride the rail car that far up?" Rachel asked Ross.
"Well….I guess so. Let's do it!"
As the rail car neared the topside of the mountain Rachel began feeling somewhat frightened. Looking out the window, she seen only mountainside with the city appearing miles downward. She snuggled closer to Ross. To comfort her fear, he placed his arm around her.
Ross and Rachel opened the door to the Rustic Inn. The Inn's interior had natural wooden walls. A large stone-decorated working-fireplace centered the lobby. An authentic white bear skin rug had been spread in front of the fireplace. Rachel, feeling a need to relax from the mountain ride, walked over and took a seat on the overstuffed couch facing the fireplace. Ross ordered two Cognacs from the bar then joined her on the couch. With repeated sounds and warmth from the crackling fire, the cognacs and Ross beside her, Rachel slowly began to relax. The atmosphere surrounding her appeared pure and natural. Rachel relaxing even more leaned her head over on Ross' shoulder. Feeling his strong muscles against her skin heightened her desire. Her imagination began to wander…looking at the bear skin rug she soon began picturing them lying together on the rug making passionate love.
Ross sat beside Rachel feeling motionless. Rachel setting this close to him was more than he could handle. Every part of her captured him. He was indeed in love with her and at this moment he so wanted to express that emotion to her. Trying to drown out the desire he put the glass to his lips, taking a quick long drink of the Cognac.
Ross still unable to suppress his desire knew he needed some distance, "Are you ready to leave?"
Rachel confused by his sudden request nodded in agreement as they left the inn. Sadly she looked back. What was wrong with Ross anyway…she had been captured with the romantically created atmosphere.
At the same time they stepped outside the inn, a song "With or Without You" by U2 began blasting over the inn's outside speakers.
See the stone set in your eyesSee the thorn twist in your side
I wait for you
Sleight of hand and twist of fate
On a bed of nails you make me wait
And I wait without you
With or Without You
With or Without You
Through the storm we reach the shore
You give it all but I want more
And I'm waiting for you
With or without you
With or without you
I can't live
With or without you
And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you give
And you giveAnd you give yourself away
My hands are tied
My body bruised, she's got me with
Nothing to win and
Nothing left to lose
And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you give
And you give
Your self away….
Ross grabbed Rachel's hand. They ran down a boarded stairway into the rain forest. He backed her up against a tree, putting his body whole over her's feeling imagining and feeling every piece of her existence. Rachel feeling his passion, returned it by wrapping her arms around him, kissing every part of this perfect man's body she could find while the last verse of the song played through the speakers…
With or without you
I can't live
With or with out you.
to be continued
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Since, Ketchikan has been by far my favorite stop in Alaska, I had to save it for their first passionate moments together.
A kind of unique experience happened on my second visit. While visiting a shop on Creek Street, a clerk informed us an important person would coming into the harbor on a cruise ship within the next few hours. Shortly after, we headed back to our ship. On the way back we noticed a cruise ship, docked about 150 feet off the main harbor. After lunch, we headed to the sports deck for a few games of table tennis. While there, I noticed the ship was now docked right next to ours. Looking downward at their port, I noticed several people gathered around the plank. Later on we found out this famous person had rented that ship for the whole week and belonged to the Crystal Line which is an expensive line. Not only was this person on the ship, so was Cher, Robin Williams and The Rolling Stones. This famous person was none other than the richest person in the world, Mr. Microsoft himself, Bill Gates.