A Moment to Breathe

The heat had been relentless for days.

By late afternoon, the air felt heavy enough to hold in her hands. Even the shade offered little relief, and every faint breeze seemed to disappear before it ever reached her skin.

So she escaped.

Hidden beyond the trees was a little waterfall she had discovered years ago—a quiet place of dark stone, rushing water, and blessedly cool air. She didn't care that she was still dressed. She didn't bother removing her jewelry or worrying about her hair.

She simply stepped beneath the falling water.

The first icy splash stole her breath.

Then she laughed.

Within seconds, her clothes were soaked, her hair clung wildly around her face, and cool water streamed over her shoulders. She lowered herself against the smooth wet rocks and closed her eyes, listening to nothing but the roar of the waterfall.

For the first time all day, she wasn't thinking about the unbearable heat.

She wasn't thinking about how she looked, where she needed to be, or what tomorrow might bring.

She was simply enjoying the cold water against her skin and the wonderful feeling of finally being able to breathe again.

Sometimes paradise isn't a distant tropical beach or an expensive vacation.

Sometimes it's just a hidden waterfall on an unbearably hot summer afternoon...

and a beautiful woman smart enough to stand beneath it.