# Rocky Mountain Times (Chapter 7)

Author: SrA havenofimage
Tags: Character Development, Ermine, Fox, Love, Snow, Snow Leopard, Story Series, mountains

#7 of Rocky Mountain Times

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A week later, Jen stood in the middle of a small group of friends and local acquaintances.&nbsp; She, like all the others, was holding a glass of wine, enjoying food, and talking happily.&nbsp; They were all in the small office Jen had leased to serve as her new studio and gallery.&nbsp; Sam had put together the party as a surprise to celebrate its opening.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Earlier that evening, Sam had called Jen at home and asked her to come down to the new place to see something.&nbsp; Jen had finished putting the last few things in a box and headed out.&nbsp; The studio was above a tuning shop down town.&nbsp; The only entrance was a small glass door opening on to the narrow stairs going to the second floor.&nbsp; The door had been bare but as Jen walked up, she saw that it had something on it.&nbsp; Sam smiled as she approached.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "It's official now," said Sam pointing to the door.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jen examined it.&nbsp; In gold block text, someone had painted "Jenifer Losch Professional Jeweler.&nbsp; Next to the text was the small, logo Jen had sketched for her business.&nbsp; It was a replica of one of her spots which looked remarkably like a J.&nbsp; As far as Jen knew however, she hadn't shown it to anyone.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Where did you find that?" asked Jen, gesturing to the image.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I was up in your studio while I was putting this together and found your sketch book lying out.&nbsp; It's not a problem is it?" Sam asked, almost nervously.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "No, I love it."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She embraced Sam, with tears in her eyes.&nbsp; Sam couldn't possibly know how much this meant to Jen, how much she meant to Jen.&nbsp; Jen looked back at the door.&nbsp; A sense of accomplishment filled her as she read those words again.&nbsp; She had her own business.&nbsp; She gave Sam another quick hug.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Thanks."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Alright alright," said Sam, pushing her away and acting embarrassed.&nbsp; "Why don't you show me around the place?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "There's not much to see, I haven't moved anything in."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Oh, come on."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; So Jen unlocked the door and lead her inside.&nbsp; As soon as her head rose over the railing, the lights came on and the group of people who had been standing silently at the back of the room started cheering.&nbsp; Jen looked back as Sam, who was wearing her mischievous grin, which always meant that she had been up to something.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Did you do all this?" Jen asked.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "With help."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jen finished the accent to greet every one.&nbsp; Ryan met her at the top of the stairs.&nbsp; She kissed him affectionately.&nbsp; Someone in the crowd whistled.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Shut up Jim!" Ryan laughed.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The night had carried on nicely; the crowd was comprised of the small group of friends that Jen had met during her month here.&nbsp; Ryan left her after a while to talk to a few of his ski instructor pals.&nbsp; The crowd milled about, and Jen was allowed a moment alone in the back.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sam walked up as a single tear rolled down Jen's face.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Is something wrong?" asked Sam concerned.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "No," said Jen, grinning and fighting back more tears.&nbsp; "This means so much to me."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "It was nothing," replied Sam modestly.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "No it wasn't.&nbsp; I was having a lot of problems before I moved out here.&nbsp; I was afraid they would follow me.&nbsp; But you, you've done so much for me.&nbsp; You've been a greater friend than anyone could possible hope for."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sam held her for a minute.&nbsp; Jen finally stepped back and whipped her face.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Thanks," said Jen, smiling.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "That's what friends are for," said Sam, then, grinning, she slapped Jen gently on the back, "Go enjoy the party!"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That she did.&nbsp; Jen joined Ryan and spent the rest of the night happily talking, eating and drinking.&nbsp; Around eleven, couples and individuals began asking their leave, and the room began to empty.&nbsp; A few scattered conversations continued, but after a while only Jen, Sam and Ryan were left.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Thanks again guys," Jen said to both of them, receiving smiles in return.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ryan looked at them both, "You guys to come back to my place for a beer or something?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Sure, sounds good," replied Jen.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I don't think I will," said Sam yawning, "I'm feeling tired.&nbsp; I think I'll go to bed."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jen turned towards her.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sam smiled and pretended to straighten Jen's shirt. "Don't worry darling, you look great," she joked.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; They were all close friends now and used to this sort of banter.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ryan laughed, "I'll bring her back safely."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; They walked out together. &nbsp;Jen said goodnight to Sam and climbed into Ryan's truck.&nbsp; She had been to Ryan's home before.&nbsp; It was a nice place he had inherited, located up on the slope side of the valley, near the base of the Snowflake lift.&nbsp; It was pretty nice to stay there on the weekends for ski-in ski-out mountain access.&nbsp; Somehow though, this night seemed different.&nbsp; Jen couldn't quite place it.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ryan quickly joined her inside, after parking.&nbsp; Jen was flipping through the channels on his TV.&nbsp; She watched as he hung up is jacket and walked to the kitchen.&nbsp; He opened the fridge, grabbed a pair of Bud Lights and tossed one to Jen.&nbsp; She caught it.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Light," she added in mock exasperation, "are you calling me fat?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ryan laughed as he popped off the cap of his with a bottle opener.&nbsp; He raised the tool, offering it to Jen.&nbsp; She extended one of her long claws and used it to pry of the top.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Show off," chided Ryan.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He joined her on the couch and kissed her.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "It's amazing that you have your own place now.&nbsp; I'm so proud of you."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He tried to kiss her again, but Jen stopped him with two fingers on his chest.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You never answered my question," she purred "are, you calling, me fat?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Never," whispered Ryan kissing her nose.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jen bent her head back so their lips met again.&nbsp; As they lay there on the couch, Jen knew that Ryan wanted her.&nbsp; She also knew that he would get her, but, she smiled to herself, nothing was free.&nbsp; She kissed him passionately and was returned in kind.&nbsp; Her hands slid over the taught muscles of Ryan's back.&nbsp; Jen inhaled deeply, the scent of his fur filling her lungs.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Then a new thought filled Jen's head.&nbsp; A though which had only visited her before in her deepest, unremembered dreams.&nbsp; It was the fact that she could think of it now that made her pull away from Ryan more than anything else.&nbsp; What would Sam feel like, pulled against her in a kiss?

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jen took a gasping breath.&nbsp; Her head cleared.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Sorry," she replied to Ryan's look of confusion, "I had a little too much to drink."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She smiled and pulled his head back down to hers.&nbsp; She closed her eyes and felt the heat from Ryan's body.&nbsp; Her thoughts began to drift again as she ran her fingers though his short hair.&nbsp; How would Sam's smooth hair feel in her under her touch?&nbsp; What would her lips taste like, pressed against her own?&nbsp; How would Sam's soft hands feel sliding beneath her shirt along her back and...

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jen's eyes snapped open and she grabbed Ryan's arm that was doing just this.&nbsp; It wasn't that she didn't want Ryan to do it.&nbsp; No, it was that she couldn't be with Ryan, while having these thoughts about Sam.&nbsp; Jen climbed awkwardly off the couch and stood up panting.&nbsp; Ryan looked up at her inquisitively, almost hurt.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What's wrong?" Ryan asked, confusion etched on his face.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I... It's just... I'm sorry."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She looked it too.&nbsp; Tears began to fill her eyes and her face bore an expression of worry, almost fear.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I have to go."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Well, do you want me to drive you back?" inquired Ryan, standing up.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "No, I need to go."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jen didn't even grab her jacket as she stumbled out the door, tears now falling from her face.&nbsp; Then she ran.&nbsp; She ran down the street, and towards town.&nbsp; She passed through town, only a few bar goers now speckling the lit streets.&nbsp; The cold froze the tears to her fur, but she didn't feel it.&nbsp; Jen finally reached her own door, panting.&nbsp; What was wrong with her?&nbsp; She collapsed into the snow along the sidewalk.&nbsp; She stared up at the stars, the clear air and altitude filling the sky with more than she had ever seen.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jen must have fallen asleep out there because when she came too, the stars were beginning to fade as the eastern horizon began to lighten from black to gray.&nbsp; Not wanting to wake Sam, Jen walked around the house, and climbed onto their back deck.&nbsp; She pulled herself onto the rail and sat there watching the sky turn to navy.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Perhaps nothing was wrong with her.&nbsp; Had society influenced her so much that she had ignored these feelings because Sam was a girl?&nbsp; Hadn't Jen said it last night?&nbsp; It had always been Sam who was there for her, who helped her, who encouraged her, who inspired her.&nbsp; Sam, who she loved.&nbsp; As that revelation hit Jen, the sun broke over the mountains, coloring the world before her.

Source: https://sofurry.com/s/V1Y6O92e
Part of the series Rocky Mountain Times
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