Free Three Men and a Bride by Opal Carew Page B

chairs.  Craig followed them a beer in his hand.  She sat on the couch and the brothers sat in the two armchairs facing her.
    “So it must have been great getting married in Costa Rica,” Craig said.
    She nodded.  “It was.  The setting was idyllic.”  She sipped her drink, not feeling particularly chatty.
    “We’re sorry we couldn’t fly down,” Abel said.
    “Oh, no, we understand.”  She sipped her drink again, feeling like she was seeing double with the two identical Drake’s sitting in front of her.
    “Did any of your family come?” Abel asked.
    “No.  My parents are divorced so I didn’t really ask them.  It would have been awkward.  I would have liked my best friend, Lori to come, but she wasn’t able to.”  She turned on her phone and pulled up her favorite picture of her and Lori.  “That’s her.”  She handed the phone to Abel.
    “Very pretty.”  He handed the phone to Craig.
    Craig glanced at the picture, then his focus intensified.
    A sound in the entryway signaled that Drake had come in with the luggage.
    “Hey, layabouts.”  Drake popped his head in the doorway.  “Some help here?”
    Marie stood up, but Drake chuckled.  “Not you, sweetheart.  I mean my lazy brothers.”
    “Who’s lazy?  Didn’t we come and make dinner for you and you new bride?” Craig said, a big smile on his face.
    “And cut the grass while you were gone.  Plus watering all those flowers of yours,” Abel added.
    “And I am most appreciative.  Now maybe you wouldn’t mind carrying a few bags upstairs, so my new bride can settle in a little sooner.”
    Craig slapped Drake’s shoulder as he passed.  “Admit it, man.  You just want to get back to your beautiful new wife.”
    He grinned.  “Well, can you blame me?”
    “Sit, bro,” Abel said as he headed down the hallway.  “We’ve got this covered.”
    Drake disappeared for a moment, then returned with a beer in his hand.  He sat down beside her and she slid her hand into his.
    “Miss me?” he asked.
    She nodded.
    “Hey, what’s wrong?”  His relaxed expression turned to one of concern.
    “Oh, nothing.  I’m just really tired.  I’m really happy to meet your brothers, but…”  What could she say?  Send them away?
    “Do you want me to ask the guys to leave?”
    “I… uh… well, Craig made dinner and all.”
    “Okay, quick dinner, then I’ll tell them I’m beat.  They’ll understand.”
    She smiled, tightening her hand around his.  “I would like to get out of this dress.”
    His lips turned up in a lascivious grin.  “And I would like to help you do just that.”
    He pulled her close and captured her lips.  Her tongue met his and slid into his warm mouth.  Her body responded to him as it always did.  Melting heat and raging desire.
    “Well, clearly the honeymoon is not over.”  From the khaki pants he wore, she knew it was Abel.
    “Maybe we should leave these two lovebirds alone,” Craig said.
    “Nonsense.  You made dinner for us.  Let’s enjoy it together.”  Drake stood up.  “In fact, I’m starving.  Why don’t we eat now?”
    He held out his hand to Marie and led her toward the kitchen.
    “I’ll serve it up,” Abel offered.
    Craig grabbed cutlery from the drawer set it on the table in the eating area while Abel scooped the steaming chili into bowls.
    “Smells great, Craig.  As usual.”
    She sat down at the table and Drake settled beside her.
    While they ate, the brothers talked about sports and made some tentative plans to visit their family cottage together.  She ate in silence, totally overwhelmed by the sight of three copies of her husband chatting animatedly together.
    Drake cleared the empty bowls from the table and the three men had the kitchen cleaned up before she had a chance to offer help.
    Drake’s arm slid around her.  “We really appreciate the reception, guys, but we’re both tired after the trip.”
    “We can take a hint.”  Craig grabbed Drake in a big