by Rhea Regale
“That’s what I’ve been tellin’ him, but he’s seein’ Landon chasin’ tail of his new love interest and Rylan leanin’ toward that woman he rescued. Colt’s the last one standin’,” Brent said.
“I’ve gotta agree with Carter. It’s what I’ve been tellin’ you. The man upstairs definitely has a strange way of makin’ things work out,” Braden said, slinging an arm around Carter’s shoulders. “Five years to work this out, but it’s workin’ great now.”
* * * *
Summer chewed her lip, four hands steadying her after she stumbled over the uneven ground. Braden and Carter continued to lead her through the brutally cold night, taking care not to allow her to trip again. The blindfold hid everything from her, but she trusted her two men, and they didn’t disappoint her.
“Those sexy heels ain’t meant for walkin’ here,” Braden said quietly.
“Where are you takin’ me again?” she asked, cocking her head when she heard a soft click.
“It’s a surprise, baby.” Braden turned her off her path and brought her to pause.
“Careful with the step,” Carter said, taking her back under her elbow and leading her forward. “Up, angel. Don’t want you tripping.”
Summer toed the area in front of her, finding the ledge he mentioned, and stepped up. Braden came at her back, his hands lowering to her waist and urging her forward. Warmer air curled around her as she walked ahead, every step led by Braden’s guiding hands. The door closed behind them, and the click-click of cowboy boots ping-ponged round the area. The scent of fresh wood, dirt, and a hint of something sweeter filled her nostrils.
“Bring her over here,” Carter instructed. Braden angled her in a different direction and she moved, her hands out in front of her, feeling the air for any obstacles. “Okay. Turn around, sweetheart.”
“Which way?” Summer asked. Braden’s hands moved over her waist, twisting her to the right while setting her electrified nerves into a frenzy. Another set of hands came down on her waist and without warning, lifted her feet off the ground. She shrieked and grabbed hold of one set of thick shoulders as her ass hit the edge of something hard.
“Sit, baby,” Braden said. Summer pressed her lips together, her forehead pinched, and she settled on the surface of the object.
“Want to do the honors?” Carter asked.
“Sure,” Braden answered. A moment later, the blindfold lifted from her eyes.
Her heart nearly stopped in her chest as she drank in the surroundings. The glass wall across from her faced out to the snow-covered fields behind Carter’s house. Our house. Tables of different heights lined the walls. A small storage closet sat open in the corner, light shining down on the stack of pots and bags of potting soil on the floor, and various gardening tools hanging neatly along the wall. Lighting dangling from the ceiling, two fans spaced evenly apart.
Summer fisted her hands and brought them to her mouth. “Oh my God.”
“You’ve always talked about having a greenhouse so you can grow some of your own inventory.” Carter’s face lit when her eyes landed on him. His lips curled into a gorgeous smile, his handsome dimple a deep shadow in his left cheek. He rushed toward the slop sink at the end of the counter. “Bray and I still have to get the plumbing set up. We’ll have to wait until the ground thaws a bit more.”
“We’re still workin’ on it, but it should be ready for you to take over in the next couple weeks, weather permittin’,” Braden said. He brushed a finger along her jawline, bringing her attention to him. “This little flower house has heat and air, and a whole lot of lovin’ goin’ into it.”
“How have you two hidden this from me? It’s right in plain sight,” Summer asked, leaning forward to see through the wood-framed glass door. It was set back from the driveway, but she would have seen it coming up to the house. The back of her jaw stiffened, a knot tightening in her throat.
Braden slinked an arm around her waist and lowered her to her feet. “Amazin’ thing what some framework can hide when you’re not payin’ attention.” He angled her and pointed toward the barn. Despite the snow-capped ground and dark sky, she could make out the lighter planks of wood leaning against the side of the barn and briefly recalled men working on those frames. All to hide what was really being built behind it. “The boys’ll be fixin’ up the barn startin’ next week. They’ve been puttin’ it off while we finished up this cozy hut in time for Christmas.”
She turned and curled her fingers into his coat. Tears moistened her eyes, her chest cinching with abounding love. “I–I don’t know what to say. You two are gonna make me cry.”
Braden laughed quietly, the rough pad of his thumb caressing the delicate flesh below her eye. “Think we already have, baby, but I sure hope those are happy tears. There ain’t no reason for anythin’ but happiness now.”
“He’s right,” Carter said, stepping up behind her. He scooped up a few fat, honey brown curls and dipped his head, bringing the shiny strands to his nose. “I think we’ve all suffered long enough. Let this be the first Christmas of many for the three of us.”
“And what happens if three grows into more?” Summer asked before she could curb her thoughts. Braden’s arm tightened around her waist. Carter leaned into the side of her head, nuzzling her until his lips found her temple and rested a lingering kiss to her rapid pulse. “You both know I want kids.”
“I am certainly agreeable to children,” Braden said, tucking a curl behind her ear. He dipped his head and caught her bottom lip gently between his teeth. The tip of his tongue brushed her lip before he released her and kissed the corner of her mouth. His fingers toyed with the hem of her dress, teasing her, making her wet for much more.
“We have plenty of room to grow here, sweetheart. Plenty of room to build a world of happiness,” Carter murmured against the side of her forehead. Her eyelids grew heavy, her body weakened by the low, gravelly purr from Carter and sexy husk from Braden. When Braden caught Carter’s chin between his thumb and forefinger and brought him in for a kiss that exploded with heat and passion, Summer moaned. Watching her two men share a deep love she knew they felt toward her lit her on fire. No amount of ice or snow could snuff out the blaze rising within her, especially sandwiched so nicely between their hard, taut bodies, thick cocks prodding her front and back.
Summer reached up and grabbed Carter and Braden’s chins and whispered, “Enough.” She caught both of their mouths, greedy for their combined kiss, their furious unleashing of hunger and wild desire.
Carter broke the kiss before she was anywhere near ready for it to end. Braden cleared his throat. Summer groaned.
“You two can be such teases,” Summer grumbled.
“There’s one more thing before we get carried away,” Carter said. He shared a silent glance with Braden and took her hand. Carter led her to the far end of the greenhouse, Braden urging her forward with a hand on her lower back. They stopped in front of a single pot half filled with dirt. An unlabeled seed envelope rested against it.
Carter picked up the envelope and tore open the package at the top. He slipped it carefully between Summer’s fingers, his hand not dropping from hers. Braden’s hand folded over theirs.
“Bray and I thought it would be appropriate to plant the first seed to our new beginning together. I must say, I agree. We hope you do too,” Carter said.
“Go ahead, Summer,” Braden said.
Summer made a small indentation in the center of the dirt and angled the package to pour the seeds into the pot. She felt it roll out of the envelope, watched it fall, a stark, shimmering contrast against the dark dirt. For a long moment, she stared at the seed, or what should’ve been a seed, until she realized the significance behind Carter’s words.
Silently, she reached forward and plucked the sparkling ring from the dirt. No words came to her lips as she tilted the ring, the diamonds glowing with a rainbow of colors beneath the lights. She couldn’t speak, even if she wanted to. A thick knot swelled in her throat. Her e
yes stung.
Braden took the ring from her and spread her left hand over his palm. “Carter and I went in together to get this for you, but after many discussions, we believe it’s best if you take Carter’s name.”
She looked from Braden to Carter. Carter took the ring from Braden and held it at the tip of her ring finger. “I told you once I wanted to make this permanent. I am here to stay, angel. I want you as my wife and I want the three of us to enjoy our lives together. Tonight, let us plant our new beginnings here, a promise between you, Braden, and myself. This ring signifies more than love. It signifies every hardship you endured, every wound you suffered, and every moment of rebuilding to obtain the happiness we have now. This is your Purple Heart, Summer. We had it etched with a heart that you can see in the right lighting.”
Summer chewed her lower lip to stave off the pressure of a sob threatening to dislodge from her throat. Small tremors left her weak.
“You two did this together?” Summer asked. Braden and Carter nodded. Summer nodded, scrambling to hold onto the elation that would soon be overcome by sobs of joy.
“Will you take us as we are, Summer? To love you without end?” Braden asked. “And love us in return?”
“How can I not?” Summer asked, her voice thick with emotion. She held Braden’s gaze for a long moment before turning it to Carter. “Yes. Of course. I’m sure about everything, and mostly, I’m sure about my love for you both.”
Carter’s lips twitched before they curled into a smile as he slid the ring onto her finger. Summer let out a short sob mixed in with a laugh. She wiped the tears that crested her eyelids and held a hand over her mouth. Carter tugged her into his arms and kissed her briefly. Braden’s hands skimmed down her back and curled over her rear, giving her a playful squeeze. He leaned into her, pressing her tightly to Carter.
“Think we should head inside where we can plant a different kinda seed and make this night unforgettable,” Braden suggested.
“Sounds like a plan,” Carter agreed, tipping her chin up to him. “What do you say, sweetheart?”
Summer licked her lips and smiled through the shed of happy tears. “I say I’m over waitin’ for these clothes to come off and for you two to show me just how badly you want me to be your wife.”
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Growing up, I was always the quiet girl who knew everyone but never quite fit in. I kept busy with dance, cheerleading, and numerous other activities. I was an overachiever, a hard worker, and very dedicated to anything I pursued. When I decided that I loved writing enough to follow along the writer’s career path, nothing deterred me from reaching my goals. I didn’t go to college straight out of high school, but rather focused all my free time and energy into my stories. Negativity could not steer me off the path of my dreams. It only made me more determined to succeed as a writer. Now, with a loving family, I continue to do what I love most: write from my heart and share my stories with the world.
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