“You can do that here,” Darian pointed out.
“I know.” She rubbed at a spot of dirt on the knees of her jeans. “But do I have the first part?” That was what scared her the most now that she’d made the leap of faith and left her home and everything she knew behind her.
The tapestry had forced her to choose fast—almost too fast. But she’d done the best she could, made the best choice possible for everyone, but especially for herself.
Jace rolled to his feet, towering over her. He was a big man. His bare torso gleamed and his shoulders and torso blocked her view of the sun. Muscles rippled in his arms and torso as he ripped his sword from his scabbard. The razor-sharp blade caught and reflected the sunlight. He flipped it around in a motion so fast she gasped. But he caught the flat of the blade and the hilt with both hands.
His expression was totally unreadable as he went down on one knee before her and held the sword out in front of him. “You are the heart that beats in this chest and in this home and if you would take me for husband I will give you my love, loyalty and devotion for as long as I live. With me, you gain the love, loyalty and devotion of my brother as well, who will be lover to you, and would also be your husband should I die before you. In return, I ask for your love, loyalty and devotion and any children that the gods see fit to gift us with.”
Sam’s heart skipped a beat. She recognized the words. It was the same pledge Darian had given her when she’d first arrived in his world. God, was that only three days ago? It seemed like a lifetime. And in some ways it was. The life that she knew was gone and a new one about to begin.
Darian knelt beside his brother and offered the same pledge again.
Sam swallowed back tears. “How can I choose? I love you both.” She whispered the words, her emotions raw and tender, but she wouldn’t hold back, not any longer. She was determined not to be a coward.
“You love me?” Jace asked. “Us?”
She nodded and gave him a watery grin as tears seeped from the corners of her eyes. “Yes.”
Jace tossed aside his sword and pulled her into his arms. “I love you, Sam. No man could love you more,” he paused, “save for Darian.” He kissed her temple and his words were fierce. “You will not regret this. I promise you. We will make you happy.”
She held him as tightly as she could, sensing he needed the embrace as much as she did. Then she lifted one arm and looked at Darian. He was smiling as he joined them. The three of them sat in the beautiful field with the water lapping at the shoreline while the flowers perfumed the air. The moment was perfect.
Darian cupped the back of her head and drew her close for a kiss. She let herself sink into it. Nothing else mattered but being with him and with Jace.
Before the kiss could get too intense, Jace tugged her away from Darian. “My turn.” Then Jace was kissing her, his tongue tangling with hers, their breath mingling.
“We should get back to Hunter Keep. Mother will be worried.” Darian stood and held out his hand to Sam.
Their mother. She’d forgotten all about their mother. She took Darian’s hand and let him pull her upright. Jace rose, grabbed his sword and sheathed it.
“But how will I chose?” That was the biggest worry she had about this entire situation. “I can’t pick one.”
Jace rubbed his thumb over her cheek. “You can and you will. It is a mere formality,” he reminded her. “What we do in the bedroom is our business. We will share equally.”
“Equally. I like that.”
“I think she should marry you.” Darian pointed at his brother. “You’re the eldest. Plus, I think you need the binding agreement more than I do. I am content as long as I have Sam’s love.” He grinned. “And of course hot sex.”
Sam knew Darian was right and loved him even more for the way he put his brother’s needs above his own.
Jace frowned at his brother and then turned to her. “What is your choice?”
“I choose you both, but I think Darian is right. I’ll marry you.”
Jace’s lips curved into a smile and he suddenly looked like a younger version of himself. It was as though the years and responsibilities had melted away. Sam knew she’d made the right choice.
He lifted her in his arms and began to walk toward Hunter Keep. Darian laughed and fell into step beside them. “Let me know when you grow tired and I will carry Sam for a while.” Sam could hear the teasing note in Darian’s voice and frowned at him over Jace’s shoulder.
“Never. I shall never tire of carrying Sam.” The truth of that struck her like a bolt of lightning. Sam knew both men would love her, now and always.
“Take me home.” She reached out a hand to Darian and linked fingers with them as the three of them made their way home.
* * * * *
Tim snapped several pictures on his phone and prayed they’d come out. Mary would never believe him otherwise. The wind swirled and grew stronger until it became difficult for him to stand upright. He tucked the phone in his pocket and linked his arm around the porch railing to keep from being swept away by the powerful force of the wind.
Sam’s voice reached him over the growing din. “Tim. Check the papers on my desk. And take care of Arrow.”
He tried to answer, but his voice was swallowed by a powerful gust. The world seemed to explode and he was knocked on his ass. When he sat up, choking on dust, the three of them were gone and so was the tapestry that had appeared out of nowhere.
He’d seen the whole damn thing with his own two eyes and still couldn’t quite believe what had happened. It was all true, everything Sam and the two boys had told him.
Sam was gone. Forever.
Tim climbed to his feet and rubbed his eyes, then spit the taste of dust from his mouth. He’d never see Sam again.
The door banged shut behind him when he entered the empty house. His boots felt heavy on the wood floor and seemed to echo. It was as though the house knew the last Calloway was gone for good.
He knew where the office was, had spent many an hour there with Sam’s father and brother. There was a small pile of papers sitting on the corner of the desk just as she’d said. He lifted them and started reading.
“Sam, what have you done?” She’d given the farm to him and Mary with instructions to do whatever he wanted with it. The only stipulation she made was they weren’t to sell it to George Rawlins. As if he’d give that low-down jackass the time of day.
He plucked his phone out of his pocket and went straight to his pictures. There were two good ones of Sam standing in the rain with Jace and Darian on either side of them. There was no denying the love and concern he saw in both men’s eyes.
Tim tucked his phone away and walked to a family picture sitting on the shelf. He lifted it and rubbed his thumb over the faded images. “Well, Cal, your little girl has grown up into a fine woman. She met a couple of men who will take good care of her.” Felt strange to be saying such a thing. He didn’t know how such a relationship could work, but who was he to judge.
“Sue,” he addressed Sam’s mother. “Your little girl will be just fine.” He set the picture back on the shelf. They were all gone now.
Tim suddenly had a deep need to hold his Mary in his arms. He pocketed the papers and walked through the house, pausing long enough to shut off the coffeepot. He’d deal with the legalities in a few days. It would be easy enough to spin a story about Sam running off to marry one of the Hunter brothers. No one would wonder about her wanting to leave the backbreaking work of farming and her family tragedies behind and start anew.
He shut the door behind him and breathed in the cooler air. A light rain pattered gently onto the ground. It was the perfect kind of rain for the crops. Tim foresaw a good harvest this year.
Plenty of time to figure out what he was going to do with two farms. He would need to talk to Mary about that. He pulled the door shut behind him and trudged to his truck. His heart was heavy. Sam was like a daughter to him and Mary, and they would miss and mourn he
r. They’d never see her children or know that she was okay.
Arrow appeared out of nowhere and twined around Tim’s feet. He stared down at the rather large feline. “Guess you better come with me, boy.” He lifted the large black cat and carried him to the truck. Arrow quickly made himself at home on the passenger seat. Tim shook his head, knowing the cat would be ruling his barn by this time tomorrow.
He started the truck and stared back at the yard where only moments ago Sam had stood. He’d have to have faith that she was happy and healthy. If the Hunter brothers had anything to do with it, she would be.
“Goodbye, Sam,” he whispered as he drove away.
Epilogue
Sam looked out over the crowd that had assembled to celebrate her joining with Jace. Personally, she looked at it as the three of them getting married. Both men knew that and seemed equally amused and pleased by her attitude.
The great hall was filled with music, conversation and laughter. Food and drink flowed freely. Sam couldn’t believe how quickly Edwina had organized the whole thing. You’d never think they’d had only had a few weeks to pull together a wedding feast for such a large group.
She was still amazed how quickly she’d found a place here among the people of Hunter Keep. She loved working in the fields alongside the men. Though the men had a hard time watching her do hard physical labor—they were very protective of their women here—they accepted that she was good at it and it made her happy. Sam was constantly learning more about her new home each day and loved it.
And Edwina was the best mother-in-law a girl could ever have. Totally accepting, she encouraged Sam and supported her having a hand in the farming aspect of the keep. She knew she could go to Edwina for help or advice any time at all.
Sam rubbed her hand over the fancy dress she currently wore. The material had been dyed a soft yellow and was embroidered around the neckline and hem with beautiful flowers. Edwina had made it for her and it was obvious the other woman had a talent when it came to making clothing. They’d already put their heads together to plan a new wardrobe for Sam. Lots of pants and tunics, but a few skirts and dresses as well.
Currently her two men were chatting with some of the guests who’d come from across the land to help them celebrate. They were both incredibly handsome in their leather pants and embroidered tunics. They’d replaced their regular bronze-colored arm- and wristbands with ones made out of silver. Jace wore a silver torque around his neck, a symbol of his leadership and his rightful place as lord of Hunter Keep. Beside him, Darian was no less impressive.
Jace and Darian had sent word to the families of the other tapestry brides, inviting them to Hunter Keep. She knew they’d done it for her, knowing she’d want to talk to the other women who’d left their former lives behind to live in Javara.
Sam smiled when she saw Christina Garen and her husband. Jarek was a big man—as most of the men in this world seemed to be—and he doted on his wife. They’d brought their five children with them, but it was obvious all the brothers doted on their sister. The little girl—Allina—twirled in circles, the hem of her dress belling out around her while her two older brothers Baron and Derrick kept a watchful eye. Her two younger brothers played at their father’s feet.
Then there was Jane Bakra. The woman had a great sense of humor and was a font of information about how to deal with two overbearing warriors. Sam had a feeling she and Jane would be exchanging more than one letter in the coming months. Her husband Zaren Bakra was more than a little intimidating and his younger brother Bador wasn’t much different. They hovered around Jane as though they expected someone to try to steal her any second. Sam figured anyone dumb enough to try deserved what they got. They had twin boys who were a whirlwind of energy and seemed to be everywhere at once.
The younger Bakra brothers—Garrik and Jarmon—had shown up with their bride as well, but Genita was from this world. Sam liked Genny, as her husbands called her. Sam knew she was married to Jarmon, but she considered both men Genny’s husbands. She knew how she herself felt about Jace and Darian and figured the other women felt the same. Genny was pregnant and both men watched her like a hawk.
Sam smiled as Jarmon plucked Genny right off her feet and carried her to one of the chairs before the fire, plunking her down in the seat. She chuckled when Genny popped right back up and out of the chair.
“What are you laughing at?” Strong arms came around her from behind and she leaned back into Jace’s arms.
“Nothing, really. I’m happy.”
Jace rubbed his chin on the top of her head. “I’m glad.” He dropped a kiss on her neck and she sucked in a breath. Too much of that and they’d be deserting their guests early.
“Tell me about Kathryn and Marc Garen.” The two of them kept mostly to themselves or remained near Marc’s brother.
Jace rocked her lightly from side-to-side. “Kathryn is related to the original sorceress who created the tapestry.”
“Wow.”
“Hmm.” Jace brushed a kiss over her temple. “It is the only time in the time of the tapestry that two brothers have been allowed two wives. Some tried to take Kathryn from him and the sorceress appeared, ready to wreak havoc on us if that happened. We’d forgotten the most basic rule of the tapestry—it is always the woman’s choice.”
Magic was so accepted here. Sam couldn’t quite wrap her head around the entire idea of magic and sorceresses even though the tapestry had brought her here.
“The Craddock brothers don’t seem too friendly.” The men kept to themselves, but Sam had found their wife, Roxanne, much friendlier.
“They have not had an easy life. Suffice to say their elder brothers were not good men. They are not like their brothers, but many have a hard time accepting that. Roxanne’s life was not an easy one before she arrived here.”
Sam had heard bits and pieces about Roxanne running from an abusive ex-husband. But she seemed happy enough with her two men and her one-year-old baby boy.
Darian strode over to stand beside them. He leaned down and kissed Sam and she eagerly returned the caress. “What are you two talking about? You both look so serious.”
“Sam wanted to know more about our guests.”
“What about Audrey?” she asked. “Your mother told me that she’s only been here a year.”
“Audrey appeared in the middle of a storm and almost died before Heroc and Abrah found her.” Jace’s arms tightened around her. “In fact it was Carn that found her.”
Sam had seen Carn and wasn’t quite sure the creature was really a dog. The enormous wolfhound was always alert and always by Audrey’s side.
“We have something for you.” Darian’s eyes twinkled with delight.
“What? I don’t need presents.” She knew the fact that they weren’t as well off as some of their friends and neighbors rankled her men’s pride. But according to Edwina, Hunter Keep had been on the verge of total collapse when her sons had taken over. In a few short years they were well on their way to being prosperous once again.
Sam knew the feeling well and understood Jace and Darian. And she was determined to help them rebuild Hunter Keep into the vision they had. It would be something to pass on to their children.
She placed a hand on her stomach and swallowed hard. Kids. She’d almost given up hope of ever having any, but that dream was now a reality. She’d missed her period since she’d been here. Maybe it was the excitement of planning a wedding. Maybe not. Her breasts were tender and, though she couldn’t really explain it, she felt pregnant. She hoped to have good news to share with her men soon.
“What troubles you, Sam?” Jace tilted her head back until she was looking up at him.
“I don’t need presents.” The concern in his face eased.
“I know you do not, but you will like this one.”
“It’s not just for you,” Darian piped up. “It’s really for all of us.”
“Okay, what is it?”
“Not what, but who.” After makin
g his pronouncement, Darian disappeared through a doorway and reappeared moments later with a rather large puppy.
“Oh, he’s adorable.” Sam immediately reached for him. She missed Arrow, but knew Tim would take care of the irascible cat.
The puppy wiggled and threw his paws around her shoulders, licking her face until she laughed. His head and paws were huge and she knew he would be an enormous animal. His gray coloring looked very familiar.
Sam stared over at Carn who was watching her intently. “He’s going to be the size of a small horse, isn’t he?”
Darian laughed. “The Dannon brothers rarely part with any of their pups, but they made an exception this time when we told them we wanted it as a wedding gift for you. When he’s grown, we hope the pup with sire offspring with our strongest dogs so we can build our own line of hunting and guard dogs.”
“But mostly, he is your companion, your protector.” Jace rubbed the dog’s head and the pup whined in ecstasy.
“Thank you.” Tears pricked her eyes as emotion filled her. Only two months ago she was alone on her farm with little hope and not much of a future. Today she’d officially married to Jace—unofficially to both men—and the future looked bright.
“No, it is we who thank you.” Jace kissed her, claiming her mouth. Heat and love surrounded her and she accidentally squeezed the pup too tight. They broke apart when the pup gave a little whine.
“I’m sorry, puppy,” she crooned. The dog immediately forgave her and started licking her chin again.
“What will you call him?” Darian asked.
Sam thought about it for a moment. “Texas, Tex for short.” It was a reminder of her old home blended with her new one.
Darian plucked Tex from her arms. Before she could object, Jace scooped her into his arms. All eyes in the room turned toward them. “Thank you all for coming to Hunter Keep to join in our happiness. Enjoy the feast and the music. It is time for us to retire. Sam is tired from the festivities.”
Strands of Love Page 17
