Page 20 of Season of Mercy
“Thank you.” Mercy smoothed out her silky knee-length dress and licked her lips as she sat down. Was she nervous? If so, why? The azure color of her dress made her eyes stand out even more.
He could lose himself in her eyes. “That’s a beautiful dress. You look radiant tonight.”
Mercy blushed as she buried her face in the menu. “The dress is a thrift store find. I already told you, you don’t need to use your skills on me.”
Ethan frowned. His reputation worked against him. “It’s not that. You fascinate me.”
She looked up and hid behind the menu again.
He meant every word.
The last few years, he was used to seeing her in T-shirts and worn-out jeans. Though Mercy was pretty no matter what she wore, he was mesmerized by her new look. Her curly hair was swept up, with several curls framing her lovely face. Long, oval earrings sparkled in the dim light. And yes, the dress showcased her long, shapely legs usually hidden by baggy jeans. But the main thing, there was a new glow about her as if something wonderful had happened in her life.
The way she’d glanced at him several times from lowered eyelashes... He knew that look. Mercy was developing feelings for him, and it filled him with more elation than he’d felt in years.
But after being deceived by Cole so many times, would she evertrusta man again?
The waitress appeared near the table with drinks, soda for him and iced tea for Mercy, plus a basket of tortillas chips and a bowl of salsa. “Are you ready to order?”
“Whatever they order is on the house!” Mamá Rosa’s voice loomed from the direction of the kitchen. Even though technically she was his aunt, he’d gotten used to calling her Mamá Rosa because everybody else called her that.
Ethan braced himself. Moments later, he was crushed in a bear hug.
Mamá Rosa gave hugs like she meant it. “Mi hijo!It’s about time I get introduced to this girl I heard you married.”
In the same way, he got used to his aunt calling himmi hijo(my son) though he wasn’t her son. Sometime later he’d explain it all to Mercy.
Mercy lifted herself from the chair, a puzzled look on her face. Maybe he should’ve prepared her for his aunt, who was large, loud, and bursting with hospitality.
He started, “Mamá Rosa, this is Mercy, my wife. Mercy, this is my aunt...”
“Mi hija, just call me Mamá.” She grabbed Mercy in a hug and, after releasing her, turned to Ethan. “Es hermosa. You need to put some meat on those bones,mi hija. But you’re in the right place for that.La comida es sabrosa aqui.”
Mercy sank back into a chair. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
Ethan’s aunt placed her hands on her ample hips. “Notma’am. Mamá. You’re part of the family now.”
“My aunt says you’re beautiful. And the food here is delicious,” Ethan hurried to translate before his aunt said anything else.
“We need to give you a proper wedding. My seven sons are scattered around the U.S. and the world, but they’ll get here for such an occasion. They can’t wait to meet you, too.” Mamá Rosa smiled.
“Seven?” Mercy squeaked.
“Sí. I had asmallfamily. How many children are you going to have?” His aunt pinned Mercy with her gaze.
Ethan did what he hadn’t done in years. He squirmed in his chair. “We haven’t thought that far.”
Mercy visibly swallowed. “I have a little boy from a previous marriage. And I haven’t thought yet about more children. Definitely not seven.”
“Eight, then?” His aunt turned to him and whispered loud enough for three tables away to hear her, not to mention Mercy. “I like her. Good choice,mi hijo. Much better than the girls you dated before. Especially that stuck-up Leah. Talk about—”
Ethan winced. “Um, you said something about food.”
“Oh, yeah.” His aunt perked up. “I recommendmenudoandtaquitos con bistec. Though menudo is an acquired taste...”
“I likemenudo. I’ll order that andtaquitos con bistec.” Mercy handed the menu to the waitress.
“Me, too.” He gave the menu to the girl.
