Mercedes' Mountain

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

I've always known that there has to be opposition in all things, but the following evening, I learned with intensity, the pain of that simple truth. And with that lesson came a hurt unlike any I'd ever experienced.

The morning had been wonderful. Ethan unexpectedly arrived around ten, presenting me with a dozen red roses and an engagement ring. I tearfully admired it as he placed it on my finger. The marquis cut diamond was set on a platinum band and surrounded by small, round black onyx stones. It was truly beautiful and I told him so when I was finally able to stop crying enough to speak. I then rewarded him with a kiss that he told me left him weak and wanting me with a passion. If my skin was lighter, I probably would have turned beet red. We purposely kept the kisses shorter after that.

We spent the afternoon with Sonya and Wyatt and planned a small wedding. There were only a few people in Brooklyn, with the exception of my family, that I would consider inviting, but I doubted any of them would take the time to make the trip down. Ethan also only had a few people to invite, so our plans came together smoothly. We really didn't want a large crowd, anyway. Intimate and simple was our motto.

We decided three weeks would be enough time to get everything done. Besides, neither of us felt we could wait any longer than that. Our need to be bound to each other was great. And now that I had finally found the person I would share my life with, I didn't want to be away from him any longer than I had to.

Ethan decided we should all celebrate by going dancing at the local western club. This would also be a new experience for me, and I was excited about trying out the steps I'd learned.

The first hour we were there was filled with fun and laughter. Ethan said he was impressed with my dancing. We even participated in a few line dances. But the times I enjoyed most were the dances I shared with him. During the slower songs when he held me in his arms and sang the lyrics close to my ear, my eyes would immediately close as the rich sound of his voice sent shivers through me. At those times, it seemed like we were the only two people there. My mind tuned out everything and everyone but him.

It was after the third slow dance that the bottom began to fall out of my world.

Ethan and I were heading back to the table to join Wyatt and Sonya when we ran into an old friend of Ethan's. His name was Grant and he'd just arrived in town that day. After the two shared a hearty handshake, Ethan smiled, introduced us, and told Grant we were engaged..

I ignored the immediate arch of the stocky Indian's eyebrow and extended my hand. He shook it eagerly, a sly grin lighting his face. Cutting his eyes to Ethan slightly, he told me he was happy to meet me. I said I was glad to meet him as well. I really wasn't, but I wanted to be polite.

When Ethan asked him to join us, I smiled quickly, hoping to disguise my sudden discomfort. Even though I had only just met the man, I already felt a subtle dislike towards him. But I told myself to keep an open mind. After all, he was Ethan's friend. He couldn't be all that bad.

I was even more uncomfortable when, instead of taking the seat next to Ethan, he sat between Sonya and me, but I tried not to think too much about it.

Ethan introduced Grant to his father and sister. Then he told us about meeting him in college ten years ago. They hung out together quite a bit during those days and had remained friends through the years and kept in touch.

After the two reminisced for a few minutes, Grant smiled then lifted his mug to us and offered his congratulations on our upcoming marriage. It didn't seem very sincere to me. Still, I smiled and thanked him. It was a nice gesture. Feeling Ethan squeeze my hand gently, I turned to him and smiled, warmed by the complete love I saw in his eyes.