Rachel was happy to be out in the sunshine. Colorado had the prettiest days. It was almost always sunny, the air was so fresh and clean, the sky so blue it almost hurt to look at it. It was still slightly cool out this morning, but it felt like it was going to be a warm day. They’d been so busy lately they hadn’t had any time outside in days. But things were starting to come together and not a moment too soon.

They would be leaving for Chelan in a little over a week for the bridal shower and dress fittings. Tony was going with them and he could hardly wait for the road trip. The first few hours would be easy, but after that he might get bored. They’d all been thinking about ways to keep him entertained for two days in the car. A tablet loaded with movies and games would go a long way, but they needed some other alternatives, too.

Her musings came to a halt when Beau and Alyssa turned into the trees. She and Adam followed them on a path and stopped their horses in a pretty little clearing. She could hear the river but couldn’t see it. Adam looked at her and mouthed camera so she quickly got it out of the bag.

Beau slid off his horse and the rest of them followed suit. He tied his horse to a nearby tree, so they did too. Then he walked a little further into the clearing.

Rachel started snapping pictures, assuming Adam knew what was going on.

“What is this?” Alyssa asked.

Beau looked at her and grinned. “My land to build a house on.”

Alyssa screeched. “Really? Our own house?” She clapped her hands together and then frowned. “Not that I mind living with your parents… but it’s so beautiful.”

“I think so. Each of us have a location on the property to build our own house. This lot’s big enough for a house, a garage and a small barn. Maybe a kitchen garden or flowers.” Beau went over to Alyssa and took her hand. “I wanted you to see it, so we can decide how soon we want to start building, or at least designing what we want.”

“Oh today, no yesterday! I’m so excited.” She started chattering about ideas and walked around pointing. Beau laughed, clearly delighted with her enthusiasm.

Rachel continued to document her happiness, while wondering where Adam’s house location was.

Adam walked up next to her. “Let’s go over by the river and give them a few minutes privacy.”

She nodded. “That’s an excellent idea.”

Beau and Alyssa were so caught up, she didn’t even think they noticed her and Adam walk into the trees, on the other side of the clearing.

When they got to the river Rachel took some pictures of it. “So where is your land?”

He pointed. “See that speck of red down there on the other side of the river bend. It’s behind that.”

Rachel used her telephoto lens to zoom in on the speck of red and saw it was some kind of bench. “What is a bench doing way out here?”

“It’s a swing. My grandmother loved that spot on the river, so Grandpa K built her a swing. When I was little I used to ride down here with her and sit on the swing and she would tell me stories. When she died a few years ago we put the cushions away, but we didn’t let it rust. I think we all check on it to make sure it’s sealed against the weather. Anyway, when we divvied up the land I picked that location.”

Rachel had a lump in her throat and couldn’t speak, so she took a couple of pictures to hide her emotions. When she could finally swallow she asked, “Is it close enough to walk to?”

“Yeah there’s a path between the two, actually there’s a path all along the river except when the beaver dams get in the way. Want to walk down?”

She looked back toward where Beau and Alyssa were, wondering if she should tell them they were going. But not wanting to interrupt.

“Don’t worry about those two, if they remember we were with them, they can always text us.”

“True. Yes, let’s walk down there.”

* * *

Adam wanted to show Rachel his land. He was proud of it and wanted to share it with her. He’d never shown anyone outside of the family his property. He’d thought a long time about what kind of house he wanted and where he planned to put it. But that’s all the further it had gone, oh he had some sketches drawn up but nothing concrete. It seemed silly to go to all the work to build, just for himself. But the idea had become more appealing as his brother had talked about building a house for Alyssa. Maybe he wouldn’t wait too long. He’d let Beau get his house built and then look into starting on his own. Although it might be easier and cheaper to do some of it in tandem, like running electricity. He’d have to look into things like that. All six of them were getting to be an age they might want to be moving out. It might be wise to run all the electricity and water at one time. He should talk to his dad about that.

Rachel interrupted his thoughts. “Have you or Beau thought about what you want to build?”

“I can’t say what Beau has planned, but I have put some thought into mine.”

“I would love to hear your ideas.” She hurried on, “Just for fun, of course.”

“Of course.” But he didn’t really like the sound of that. He liked that she was interested. “I’ve got some sketches back at the house. I’d be happy to hear your input. A woman has a different perspective than a man does.”

“That would be fun.”

They followed the path a little further and it turned to follow the river. There were trees in the way, as they went through a more densely forested area. When they came out of it, he drew back to watch her reaction.

She looked up and saw the swing, her face lit with joy and she gasped. “Oh, Adam this is so beautiful.” She paused to take several pictures of the pretty spot. The swing sat in a small clearing close to the river, wildflowers grew all over the ground, columbine, black eyed Susan’s, avalanche lilies, alpine buttercup. It was a profusion of color. And the swing sat in the middle of it with pine trees and aspen ringing the ground, the sunlight lighting the area.

After taking pictures, she hurried over and sat on the swing looking out at the river. He watched her face and saw her give a big sigh and smile serenely. He always felt pretty much the same way when he visited this land. It was pretty and peaceful. He went over and sat next to her on the swing. It wasn’t terribly comfortable without the cushions, but the surroundings made up for that.

Rachel whispered, “This is amazing. I could sit here forever.”

He nodded and took her hand. They sat there absorbing the peace, listening to the river rush past. He’d not sat on this swing with another person since his grandmother had died, but somehow this just felt right, sharing the space with Rachel.