Free Three Men and a Bride by Opal Carew

 
    “You look nervous?”  Marie’s new husband, Drake, glanced at her as he sped along the highway toward their new home.
    “A little,” she responded.
    Her stomach fluttered.  Of course she was nervous.
    She and Drake had had a whirlwind romance while on a singles’ tour in Costa Rica and, throwing caution to the wind, had gotten married.  It was the craziest thing she’d ever done.  Not that she had any doubt that she loved Drake.  Truly and deeply.  Sometimes you just knew when it was right.
    And this was right.
    Drake reached for her hand.  “Everything will be fine.”
    But now came the reality of life.
    They had just gotten off the plane an hour ago and now they were going home. But to his house which she’d never seen.  They had discussed it and it made sense that she move into his two-storey, four bedroom house rather than her tiny one bedroom apartment.  He had offered to go back to her place first so she could pick up some things, maybe even stay overnight tonight so she’d feel more settled, but they were both tired after a day of travel so she just wanted to settle in.  And she’d been excited to see her new home.
    Now she wondered if she should have taken him up on his offer.  Spending a night in her own place would have allowed her to get acclimatized to being back in Toronto again.
    Too late now.  And she was sure she would love his place and feel right at home.  As long as she was by Drake’s side she would be happy.
    “Craig and Abel will probably call this evening to come over and meet you.  If you’re not up to it, I’ll defer.”
    She nodded.  “Tomorrow would be better.”
    Drake had told her about his brothers and she was intrigued.  She had never met triplets before.  She couldn’t imagine talking to three men who looked exactly alike, especially when they all looked like her husband.  It would be a strange experience.
    Drake took an off ramp and about ten minutes later, turned onto a quiet, tree-lined street.  She peered out the window at the lovely homes along the road.  Most of the yards had mature trees, professional landscaping, and brilliant displays of flowers.  He turned into a wide driveway with its two-car garage and she gazed at the large brick house with the stone path leading through an array of blossoming plants to a welcoming front door.
    “It’s beautiful.”
    He smiled as he leaned in to give her a kiss.
    “You stay right there while I get the car door.”    He got out of the car and opened her door, then took her hand.  As soon as she was standing, he scooped her into his arms.
    She laughed.  “Hey, I can walk you know.”
    But he carried her along the stone path.  “And deprive me of carrying my bride over the threshold?”
    She gazed at his rugged face, his square jaw lightly shadowed, his blue eyes twinkling, and she stroked his raspy cheek.
    “You’re such a romantic.”
    A chuckle rumbled from deep in his chest.  “And that’s why you love me, right?”
    She leaned in and nuzzled his neck, remembering how for their first date, he’d set up a romantic candlelit dinner on a secluded beach, and once they’d started seeing each other, he’d brought her a beautiful blossom for her hair every night.  And the first time they’d made love, he’d arranged a romantic setting by filling the room with candles and vases of lovely, fragrant  flowers, had soft music playing, and chilled champagne at the ready.
    Not that she’d needed any of that.  After three days of his attentive courting, she’d been so hot for him she could barely stop herself from ripping off his clothes as soon as they’d stepped into the room that night.
    And her anticipation had been worth it.
    “Well, my sweet man, there are a great number of reasons why I love you.”  She nipped his skin between her teeth, feeling that same desire rushing through her.  “And I’m hoping you’ll treat me to my favorite one as soon as we get inside.”
    He growled