You Belong To Me (15 page)

“Have fun love birds.”

As Danielle and Mitch stood outside the cabin, she held her ear to the door.

“What are you doing Danielle?”

“Shush, I want to hear what’s going on.”

“No you will not eavesdrop on our friends come on,” he said and grinned
as he gently tugged her arm leading her away.

“Okay, okay, I'm just so excited for her, I can't wait to talk to her about it Mitch.”

“I know and you will soon enough, we'll stay gone for about an hour and then head on back, I've got my cell so if Jason needs more time, he'll let me know.”

“Well then, nothing we can do but keep ourselves occupied for an hour or so,” Danielle said, taking his hand in hers.

Whatever shall we do with our time?”

“Hmm I wonder,” Mitch winked. “Come on,” he said leading her towar
ds the dock.

Danielle and Mitch weren’t the only ones outside this night. Using the darkness for cover, Ethan lie in wait for the couple to pass by him. He hadn’t planned on them coming outside tonight. His plan was to simply watch and hope to get a glanc
e of Danielle through the bedroom window. But tonight for some reason as he stood in the woods, silent and waiting, they came out and he was glad about that. Ethan planned on getting as close as possible to the couple so that he would be able to hear each and every word that came out of their mouths

Sitting in front of the roaring fireplace, Jason gazed into Shayla’s eyes.
  He marveled at how the light from the fire cast a warm glow all around her. “Shayla, you are so beautiful.”

“Jason, I love you, come si
t down here next to me.”

“As you wish my lady.”

With his back against the sofa, Shayla shifted positions and was soon in between his legs with her head resting against his chest. With one arm wrapped around her, Jason held the small box in his hand.

“Shayl
a, we've been together for four years, we've had our ups and downs, our good times and bad times, but babe, through it all we've been there for each other.”

“Jason? Are you breaking up with me?” Shayla asked and turned to look into his eyes.

“Absolutely not Shay, I love you and what I'm trying to say is that I want you to spend the rest of your life with me. You’re my rock and my life is complete with you in it.” Getting up on bended knee, Jason cleared his throat and opened up the box to reveal the gorgeous diamond ring. He then said, “Shayla Ann Randall, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?”

Before he even opened the small box, Shayla had tears streaming down her face.

“Tears of joy I hope?” Asked Jason.

“Oh Jason, I love you.”

“I love you too Shay, are you going to answer my question baby?”

“Oh, of course, Yes! Oh my god baby, yes!” She shouted exuberantly.

Sliding the ring on her finger, Jason kissed Shayla while the fireplace crackled and the warm glow surrounded them both.

“I love you Jason Collins and I can't wait to be your wife!” She giggled excitedly.

Sitting next to each other on the dock and letting their feet dangle along the edge, Mitch and Danielle sipped champagne and enjoyed each other’s company.
Stopping every once in a while to kiss, the two felt a very strong connection to one another.

“Mitch, this was a wonderful idea, it's so nice being out here with you, and it's such a gorgeous night.
  The breeze coming off the lake is perfect, the company is perfect, this place is perfect,” she sighed happily.

“Danielle you make it all perfect, this is the first time that I have ever brought someone here and I want you to know that I'm so very glad I brought you. I could spend a lot more than just a weeke
nd here with you.”

“I could too Mitch,” she said while gently squeezing his hand.

“Babe, can I ask you a question?”

“Sure Mitch, anything.”

“Are you at all upset about Jason proposing to Shayla?”

“What? Of course not, I know what you’re probably thinking
Mitch and that’s not me. Sure I want to get married, but I pretty much figure if it was meant to be, it will be you know? Mitch, Jason and Shayla have been together for almost four years and to be perfectly honest, I am just thankful that I met you and that I fall more and more in love with you each day.  I don’t want you to feel pressured or nervous or anything like that. If you asked me that question because you think I would be upset or jealous honey your wrong, I am content with falling in love with you.  Now that doesn't mean I don't want you to propose to me, just not right now. I'm enjoying getting to know and love you.

Why just today the talk we had about your family, your brother in particular, that’s the kind of thing that I love doing. Just talki
ng and getting to know everything about each other Mitch. But... I'm not getting any younger so just keep that in mind!” She said, poking him in his side.

“Danielle you are an amazing woman and I'm a fool for even asking you if you were upset.”

“You’re no fool Mitch, you were just curious and I hope that I answered your question without seeming so damn sure that I'm the one you intend on asking to marry.”

"You'd be the only one. When I met you my heart skipped a beat, that's never happened to me before. Thi
s may sound stupid but I knew when we met that you were the one Danielle.”

She let out a relived chuckle. “Mitch, that doesn't sound stupid at all. I felt the same way but until I was sure of your feelings I didn't want to jinx anything, I didn't want to s
care you away. I mean let's face it, people usually head for the hills once someone tells them they are having strong feelings for them, especially after a first or second date, wouldn’t you agree?” She said matter of factly.

“Yes I do Danielle, one hundr
ed percent, but we were meant to be, this I truly believe.”

“I believe it too," she said and gave him a kiss.

“Danielle, no one ever comes to this cabin but me, what would you say if we made it our special place huh? We can come up here anytime we like just you and me.”

“Mitch I’d like that, I’d like that very much,” she said kissing him deeply. Just then a loud rustling sound coming from the woods caused them to both turn their heads. “What was that?” She asked alarmed. “Probably an animal, nothing to wor
ry about,” he whispered in her ear. “I’ll protect you.”

Just then, he felt his pocket vibrate.

“Oh that must be Jason, yup; they want us to come back.”

“Ooh I'm so excited, hurry up let's go, and don’t forget the champagne,” she said as she quickly forgot
about the sound that came from the woods.

Ethan sat crouched in the woods as he watched the couple run by him, and head back towards the cabin. “Oh isn’t that sweet, your special place!” He murmured. I’ll have to remember that Neanderthal. And I couldn’t t
hink of a better place for you to sit and watch your Mitchy-poo die Danielle, can you? Your every wish is my command Danielle. And once Mitch is out of the picture, you’ll be all mine.

Running up to the path to the front door, Danielle and Mitch were gree
ted by a happily shrieking Shayla shoving her newly engaged hand in their faces.

“Oh my god Shayla, congratulations!” Danielle and Mitch said elated!

“It's beautiful Shay, absolutely gorgeous!”

The couples gazed at Shayla's ring
and exclaimed their excitement.

“So, have you set a date?” Danielle asked.

“Well, we were thinking a spring wedding in May; you know a year from now.”

“Oh that's beautiful Shay.”

“Yes it is and Danielle you have to help me plan, after all, your to be my maid of honor.”

“Oh Shayla, are you sure?”

“Danielle you're my best friend, and we love you, of course I want you as my maid of honor!”

“Well then Shayla, I’d be honored.” Hugging, both women had tears in their eyes.

“Well while those two cry the night away buddy, I’d like to ask you if you'd be my best man.”

“Of course Jason, but I gotta ask the same thing Danielle did, I mean you sure?”

“Yes I am I'm an only child, I've got more acquaintances than friends and I consider you a friend, now I'm done getting all mushy and sappy Mitch, yes or no?”

“Well gee Jason, when you put it that way, yes I will be your best man.” Shaking hands and giving each other that half shake half man hug the two started to laugh.

I should have run them completely off the road
, thought Ethan as he lies in his bed in the small bungalow.
But if I did I wouldn’t have been privy to that wonderfully romantic conversation that you and Mitch had at the dock Danielle. And besides, I would never want to see you get hurt my love.

“I’ve got lots
of things planned for the two of us and I need you healthy for all of them,” he sighed as he stroked himself. "So enjoy your weekend Danielle, enjoy it while you can."

Still flying high from her proposal, Shayla made them all stay up late into the night t
alking about wedding plans, gown's, reception's, invitations, everything.

“Shay, you've pretty much just planned your whole wedding in a matter of hours,” said Danielle.

“Well let's just say this is not the first time I have thought about it Dee. Not the who I was going to marry mind you, I've always known it would be Jason. I just loved daydreaming about the where and what of it all.”

“Well your dream came true Shay and I'm so very happy for you guys, you both deserve every and all happiness and I mean tha
t from the bottom of my heart.”

“Oh thanks Dee, you know what this means right Shayla?”

“What Danielle?”

“You are going to have to have a huge engagement party!”

“Yes, an engagement party, a romantic summer masquerade ball!” Shayla cheered.

“Anything you w
ant Shayla, just promise me one thing,” Jason said grabbing her by the waist and sitting her on his lap.”

“What?”

“Please don’t turn into a bridezilla!”

“I can't make any promises but I'll try not to be a bitch!”

“Oh don't worry Jason,” said Danielle. I'll keep her in check, or at least I'll try.” They all started to laugh as Danielle and Shayla made silly faces at each other.

“Guys I am exhausted,” Danielle said while trying to fight back a yawn.

“Shay, I know your excited but you've gotta be getting a little tired right?”

“I am Dee, I am. Come on babe, let's go to bed,” Shayla said tugging Jason from his chair.

“Good night guys and congratulations again, see you in the morning.”

Once Shayla and Jason were in their bedroom with
the door closed, Mitch stoked the fire then refilled their glasses with champagne and turned the radio on. He knew that Danielle loved to listen to the music of yesteryear, so he turned the radio to an all oldies station. And with Sarah Vaughn playing softly on the radio, Mitch held out his hand to Danielle and asked, “May I have this dance?” Smiling and getting up from her chair, Danielle let Mitch hold her tightly in his arms, and she rested her head on his shoulder as they swayed gently to the music.

The
rest of the weekend was spent talking, laughing, enjoying home cooked meals, and each other’s company. Before they knew it, it was time to get packed up and head back home to Vermont. On Sunday evening, while helping Danielle pack up in the bedroom, Mitch sensed there was something on Danielle's mind. “Hey babe, what’s wrong? Everything okay?”

“Yeah, it's just something that's been bothering me ever since our little incident with the other car the other night.”

“What is it babe, come sit here and tell me.”

“Well it's just that the car that tried to hit us or run us off the road or whatever...”

“Yeah babe, what about it?”

“It looked familiar Mitch.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well early Friday morning, I thought I was going to be sick again so I went to the bathro
om and I saw a reflection in the window and as I looked out, I saw a dark colored car, same as the one who tried to run us off the road, turning around in the driveway.”

“What? Are you sure it was the same car?”

“Well no, not positive but I just got a feeling you know? I found it odd that someone would turn around in this long driveway but then I figured it's quite possible someone could mistake it for a road so I paid it no mind, until the other night of course.”

“Danielle, why didn't you tell me?”

“Mitch, I didn't want to think about it anymore and I didn't want you guys to think I was

crazy.”

“Danielle, we would never think that. Honey I don't know if it was a coincidence or not but I wish you would have told me sooner, we're leaving tomorrow and there's not much I can do.”

“I know babe, I know. It's just, what if that asshole had followed us Mitch?”

“Babe, he doesn't drive an SUV and how would he know where we were? We are in a different state and the police are keeping an eye on his place so rest assured, it wasn't him.”

“I know Mitch, it's just that this weekend has been like a dream, everything was so perfect and I guess I am not looking forward to going back.”

“I know you’re stressed about that, but remember, I'm here with you and you live with me now. I am not about to let any harm come to you Danielle.”

“I know you won't honey, I just want this whole thing to be over you know?”

“I know you do and let me take care of it and try not to worry. I'm going to check in with the police when we get back and see if any progress has been made and then we'll take it from there, so don't worry babe, everything is going to be alright.”

“I hope so Mitch, I really hope so.”

“Everyone all packed and ready?” Mitch yelled early Monday morning.  “We're all packed hun, but not ready to go, that's for sure.”

“I know what you mean but we gotta hit the road so we don't run into crazy traffic. Alright, let's go everybody.”

Jason and Shayla came out of the cabin with their arms wrapped around each other. “I'm gonna miss this place, it's where you proposed.”

“I know Shay, but luckily our good friend Mitch here said we can come back anytime and I intend to hold him to it.”

“He's right Shayla, anytime you guys want to come up alone or as a group you're more than welcome.”

“Mitch that is so sweet of you, we appreciate it so very much.”

“Don't mention it guys now get in the car, I want to beat the traffic!”

“So they're leaving today,” Ethan whispered to himself. He had checked out of his bungalow last night and had spent the
night in his car parked across the lake where he could see the comings and goings of Danielle and the others.
I'm at a disadvantage this morning,
he thought to himself.
It's daylight and they may recognize my car. I'll leave now, go ahead of them, get back before they do. I already know where she is staying anyway. It's better this way, and besides, I need to get everything together, the big day is almost here Danielle we won't have to wait much longer.

“Mitch, old friend, old pal of mine, can we just stop
in town before we go? I just want to pick up a few souvenirs,” Shayla pleaded.

“That's a great idea Shayla,” said Danielle. “I'd like to pick up a quilt I saw in a shop the other day when we went to dinner. Please Mitch can we?”
  She said as she kissed him on the cheek.

“Well, since you asked so nicely, I suppose we could head on over there real quick.”

“Thanks baby.”

Little did they know that their stop into town would give Ethan his chance of beating them home and finishing up his plans; plans that invol
ved getting closer to Danielle.