AFTER EXPLORING NOEL’S huge home in more detail, Elise pushed the iron handle of the front door and it swung outward. Light spilled into the entryway and she shielded her eyes from the afternoon glare. The heavy scent of moist earth, thick moss and jungle leaves drifted to her and she inhaled deeply.
Standing at the threshold for a moment, she simply took in the sight of the groves of trees filling her vision on every side. She had been to the mountains before, but this was far different than anything she or Matt had ever seen. It was a primitive high country where nature reigned supreme.
As Noel had told her, his people lived in harmony with nature; they didn’t fight against it. Here there were no ever-present reminders of civilization to rob the wilderness of its true meaning. Here one
