“Do you agree to this joining between your son, Sahale Connor, and Ellen Simmons?”
“We do.” They put Ellen’s hand in Sahale’s.
The Priestess turned to Jack’s parents. “And you agree to the joining of Ellen Simmons to your son, Jack Talisman?”
“We do.” They put Ellen’s other hand in Jack’s.
Both her men smiled down at her. With all the love and happiness in her heart, she was afraid she’d explode with joy.
All the parents had stepped back and went to seats in the front row. Ellen looked at Sahale and Jack. Sahale’s eyes were filled with love and warmth. Jack’s were, too, but his eyes also held the familiar teasing glint.
The Priestess raised her hands and spoke in a melodious, flowing language. She swayed back and forth, moving her hands from over Ellen’s head to both of the men’s. Although she didn’t understand the words, the music curled around her, giving her a sense of belonging to Sahale and Jack and their people. Ellen couldn’t resist. She raised up on her toes. Leaning to one side and then the other, she kissed Sahale and Jack and whispered, “I’ll love you for eternity.”
When the Priestess looked deep into her eyes, Ellen feared she’d made a big mistake. And then the woman smiled at her, a twinkle in her eye.
“You will make a good loving wife for Sahale and Jack. You and Sara and Morgan are friends. The three of you are a blessing to us all.”
“As you all are to us,” Ellen replied.
The Priestess took her hand and Sahale’s and began their vows, then repeated the same with Jack. It was all very much the same as any wedding vows she’d heard, except they were repeated with each man. At the end, Sahale and Jack presented the Priestess with their half of the wedding band. Two halves that made one wide gold band. After the Priestess blessed the rings, each man slipped his section on the ring finger of her right hand. Written in a swirling design across the top was the word love. Tiny diamonds were scattered around the letters.
“Put out your wrists,” the Priestess said. She placed Sahale’s hand on the bottom, then Ellen’s, and then Jack’s, and wrapped the cloth snuggly around their wrists. Clamping her hands on the top and bottom, she said, “Go forth, forever bound to each other.” She raised their hands and began to sing. Beautiful, flowing words soared around them as the guests joined in. When they finished, she unwrapped the cloth and put it around Ellen’s neck.
“You are the center, the one who holds the whole together.”
From behind them, a cheer rose and flower petals flew around them.
Sahale whispered, “Happy?”
“Gloriously.” She kissed him and Jack again, and the guests clapped.
* * * *
Cassandra sat in the back corner, beside her mother. Her heart had shattered when she heard Lang’s voice. She hadn’t heard him sing in years. Not since she left the community to go her own way. She’d made a terrible mistake, leaving. She hoped coming back wouldn’t be an even bigger one. She whispered to her mother and slipped outside the circle of trees. Her assistant would be looking for her to return soon. Thank goodness she had her shop to keep her busy.
* * * *
After the lovely wedding reception, they’d returned to their cabin, made love, and were preparing to leave for a honeymoon at a secluded villa by the seashore in Florida.
Jack took their suitcases and set them by the door. “Ethan is going to fly us there. He and Morgan are staying for a few nights somewhere in the vicinity, and then we’ll fly back together.”
“Sounds good to me,” Sahale said.
Both her men had dressed in new jeans, fancy cowboy shirts, and boots. It was hard to believe they were her husbands. When they got back there’d be the civil ceremony. It had been decided by her husbands—she didn’t want to make the decision—that she’d marry Jack at that service. He had met her first, although it was a short meeting. She glanced at her rings on her right hand. At the civil service, Jack would place a ring on her left hand, but it didn’t make any difference. They both held the same place in her heart.
Sahale stepped behind her and nuzzled her neck. “Happy?”
“Very.” She turned and took a deep breath. “You smell sumptuous.”
He raised his head and looked at Jack. “Do we have time to play?”
“Sorry to say no. Ethan and Morgan will be here in a few minutes.”
“Oh, I have to hurry then.” Ellen rushed back into the bedroom. She grabbed the two wrapped presents and hurried back to where she’d left Sahale and Jack.
“These are for you. This red package is yours, Jack, and the green is Sahale’s.”
“You didn’t need to get us anything, baby,” Jack said. “The gift of having you for our wife is more than enough.”
“Open them,” she said. Excitement filled her. She hoped they liked the bracelets. Neither wore any jewelry. She watched their expressions closely. Both looked surprised, and then they smiled.
Jack laughed. “My Audacious Knight?” He grinned. “I love it, and will wear the bracelet always. Here, put it on my wrist.” He held out his arm. When she slipped the bracelet on, he kissed her and said, “Thank you, my audacious wife.”
She glanced at Sahale. He stood quietly looking at his bracelet.
“Is it all right?”
He raised his head and she saw the gleam of unshed tears. “It’s more than all right. You have touched me here, my love.” He put his hand over his heart. “You are a true mate for your Gifted Falcon. You flatter me.”
“No words can do either of you justice. Let me place the bracelet around your wrist.” Sahale put out his arm and she slipped the bracelet on.
“I, too, will wear your gift always.” He pulled her close and kissed her.
“We’ll properly thank you at the villa,” Jack said, a twinkle in his eyes.
“Promises, promises,” she teased as they went out the door.
Jack gave her backside a quick pat. They were all laughing as they joined Ethan and Morgan in the car to go to the airfield.
“Honeymoon, here we come,” Sahale whispered in her ear and gave her earlobe a quick nip as they took off.
Epilogue
Nine months later
Jack and Ellen were ready to leave when Sahale pulled up in his truck. He’d gone to the animal hospital to check on his patients before they left on a weekend trip to visit Nanna and visit Sahale’s cabin. They were also looking for a larger piece of property near Nanna where they’d build a big cabin, as a retreat for all three of them.
Ellen squeezed in between her two husbands. “I talked with Sara. They are all ecstatic about their new baby boy, but it’s taking Caitlin longer to get used to the new addition. She’s a bit jealous. They’re working on her.”
“She’ll come around. I was jealous of my younger brother at first,” Jack said. “But it passes once you realize your parents don’t feel any different about you.” Sahale nodded in agreement.
“It’s a lovely day, a bit cold, but sunny.” Ellen smiled at her men and put one hand on each muscled thigh.
“Watch that, sweetheart, or we might have to make a stop on the way.”
“I wouldn’t mind as long as the spot was secluded, but Nanna will be watching for us at a certain time.”
“True, but keep that thought. We might stop tomorrow when we’re out looking for property,” Sahale said.
“Great idea, Sahale. Let’s plan on it.” Jack grinned down at Ellen. “See what you started.”
“Hmm, I can hardly wait.” She licked her lips and saw Jack’s eyes darken.
“You aren’t playing fair, darlin’. You know we can’t do anything right this minute.”
She laughed. “I do love to tease you two.”
“Torment us, she means,” Sahale said. Laughter filled the truck. “Oh, I almost forgot. I ran into Mitch. He’d just heard that the Garralogas and their cohorts in Washington had been indicted. They’re going to jail for a very long time, maybe for life.”
“
I’m glad. Poor Pat, she’s all alone except for her children. Her family disowned her when she testified at the grand jury against her husband and father-in-law,” Ellen said. “You know I’m keeping in touch with her through letters.”
“You have a big heart, darlin’.” Jack brushed a kiss over her mouth.
“Is it all settled? Are all the bad guys jailed?” she asked.
“Mitch said there are some groups overseas that have to be cleaned up. He and his group will be heading out in a few weeks after the plans are drawn up. I’ll be going,” Sahale said. “I do special reconnaissance overseas, and sometimes stateside. I’ll be leaving in around a week.”
“Oh, I was enjoying having Jack back from his job and having all three of us at home together. I suppose I’ll get used to this sometime in the next ten years or so.” She smiled at them, seeing their concern reflected in their eyes when they glanced her way. “I’m all right. Just a little sad, but I love the homecomings.” She saw them take a sigh of relief. They hated seeing her sad about anything.
Nanna was waiting on the porch as they expected. She held her arms open and gave first Ellen and then her boys a hug.
“You all look well and happy.”
“We are, Nanna,” Sahale and Jack said in unison.
Ellen grinned. “I am, too.”
“Come in and have tea with me, dear,” she said to Ellen. She pulled a paper out of her pocket. “Here is a list of jobs I need done,” she said to Sahale and Jack. “You can join us when you’re finished.” Nanna put her arm around Ellen’s waist and walked with her inside to the kitchen.
She filled her teapot with water, and then sat to face Ellen while the water heated. “I understand you have all decided to build a house close to me. A big house.”
“Yes. Sahale and Jack each want their own side, so Jack can be as messy as he wants and Sahale doesn’t have to look at it. Jack calls it his organized mess.” She and Nanna laughed.
“He will never change, thank goodness. He is already too lovable. He’d be close to perfect if he was neat.”
“Too true. Sahale is neat and lovable. On his side, he is almost too neat. They balance each other out,” Ellen added.
“Very true, they always have and will. When do you plan to tell them?”
“You know?”
“I had a vision, and I see the signs.”
“The signs?”
“An increased luster to your skin, a softness in your eyes, the glide of your walk.”
“I only found out for certain myself yesterday. I sneaked in the back way to Dr. Mullins’s office. She checked me and said we’d have a baby in about seven months. I’ve always had irregular periods, so Sahale and Jack hadn’t noticed yet, but they will soon. They’re very astute. I haven’t been sick, either.”
“You will have a beautiful baby girl. I will teach her our ways and give her my recipes.”
“What if she isn’t interested?”
Nanna smiled, a secret smile filled with love. “I already feel her here.” She touched her heart. “She will be interested.”
Ellen slipped from her chair and knelt at Nanna’s feet. She put her arms around the tiny woman. “I love you, Nanna, but don’t tell me any more. Leave me some surprises.”
“Oh, I will.” Her eyes twinkled. “But you didn’t answer my question. When will you tell your husbands?”
“Tell us what?” Sahale and Jack stood in the doorway.
Nanna got up and poured tea for them. “I will take my tea out on the porch and watch the deer.” She left them. Jack and Sahale looked at Ellen. “What is this about?”
“I believe Nanna asked us to stop here today so she could be a part of this moment. She’s always right. You two know that. She told me I’d give you children. I didn’t believe her, but I hoped.”
Their faces lit up with joy. “We’re going to have a baby.”
They all three had tears of joy in their eyes. Sahale and Jack hugged her tight.
“We’d thought there was a good possibility. You distrusted your husband pretty soon after you wed. The body has amazing ways. It rejected him, the same as your mind did, even before you realized it,” Sahale said. “We are all in harmony, in love, and your body opened to us.” He kissed her, and then Jack did.
“Nanna,” Sahale called. “Come celebrate with us.”
Jack twirled Ellen around the room. “How long do we have to wait?” She told him her expected due date.
“If we hurry and find the right property, we might have time to finish the new house before our baby is born.”
“Lang and Nick love building houses. They’ll get it done for us,” Sahale said.
“I thought your brother Lang was the foreman on the ranch? I know he sings beautifully, and now I learn he builds houses, too?”
“He is the foreman, honey. But his best friend, Nick, got a degree in architecture before deciding to return home to the ranch, and Lang loves to do the fine woodwork inside the houses they decide to build. They’re a good team,” Sahale said.
“You were with me when Nick gave me some plans for a house shortly after our wedding,” Jack reminded Ellen. “We weren’t ready to start building a new home at that time.” Jack hugged her again and grinned. “Now we are. The crew that does all the building on the ranch will do the major work from the house plans Nick drew up for us, under his supervision,” Jack added. “Then Nick and Lang will take care of the finer details.”
They’ll use every off minute they can to finish our new home. It’s like a hobby for them. Are you pleased, Nanna?” Sahale asked when she joined them.
“Why wouldn’t I be? I’ll have you three and my great-grandbabies close by. You have let your tea get cold. I’ll warm the water and cut my spice cake.”
“Having Nanna’s spice cake is definitely a celebration,” Jack said, and winked at Nanna.
Ellen sat back and let the light and love in the room fill every particle of her body. She’d been seduced to love and open her heart. She was rewarded every day for her decision to let go of fear and let love inside. She walked to the window and looked out. Two deer drank from the river. They raised their heads, sniffed the air, and went back to drinking. Sahale and Jack came to her and each put an arm around her waist.
“We’ll love you and our babies forever.”
“I know.” She kissed first one, and then the other. She touched her stomach. “We love you, too.”
THE END
WWW.PAIGECAMERON.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born in Florida, Paige Cameron’s early dreams included being a movie star. Of course, it didn’t happen. Later, she escaped into daydreams full of fascinating stories. Her friends had to endure her reading those tales to them when she began to put them to paper.
There were detours in her life for marriage, children, and traveling to foreign countries where her husband’s job took her. She continued to be an avid reader and dream of the day she’d have a book published. She finally got started writing and divorce sidetracked her.
Now, happily married to her hero, with grown children, she decided to pursue her dream career, writing.
Also by Paige Cameron
Siren Classic: The Earl’s Intriguing Imposter
Siren Classic: Scandalous Seduction
Everlasting Classic: The Duke’s Blind Temptation
Siren Classic: Propositioned by a Lady
Everlasting Classic: Wives for the Western Billionaires 1:
The Billionaire Cowboy Takes a Wife
Everlasting Classic: Wives for the Western Billionaires 2:
The Billionaire Rancher Buys a Wife
Everlasting Classic: Wives for the Western Billionaires 3:
The Billionaire Maverick Bargains for a Wife
Everlasting Polyromance: Wyoming Warriors 1:
Commando Cowboys Capture Their Mate
Everlasting Polyromance: Wyoming Warriors 2:
Command Cowboys Rescue Their Bride
Availab
le at
BOOKSTRAND.COM
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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