Commando Cowboys Entice Their Beauty [Wyoming Warriors 6] (21 page)

“Let’s go. I’m interested in seeing her workshop. Aleron and Raoul assured me the home they build will include an area for me to paint.” She got in the car beside Rae. “They want children right away. I’ve been hesitant, mainly for fear of not being able to continue with my painting. They’ve reassured me I can.”

Rae headed away from the main part of the ranch. “All of our men understand we have talents we want to continue to pursue. Cassie and I have our decorating business, and she continues with her shop and jewelry.”

“I know. I’m anxious to see how they integrated her space with the rest of the house.”

“They built a beautiful home in a private spot.”

Jewel had met Cassie briefly before. Cassie warmly welcomed them into her house. Jewel glanced all around the beautiful great room.

“I love the eagle on the fireplace. It’s a lovely piece of work. Did you do it?”

Cassie grinned. “Thank you for not immediately assuming it’s Cad’s work as most people do. But I have to give him credit for teaching me. Yes, it’s one of the few sculptures I’ve done. But Lang and Nick have promised to build a separate place out back so I can do more.”

“Can I see where you work on your jewelry?”

“Sure, come this way.”

She took them down a hall and through a bedroom. “This will be a room for more of our future children. Right now, my son keeps me busy enough. He has the front bedroom, and he’s taking a nap. I love being a mom, but I want a year or two in between my children.”

“You still find time to do your work?” Jewel asked.

“Yes, I do. I’ve heard you are a talented painter. Rae told me. You’re worried about not being free to continue to paint?”

“I am. But Aleron and Raoul have promised I’ll have help with the house and children, and they’re going to build me a studio. That’s why I wanted to see yours.”

They walked through another large room. “This is a playroom, and”—she swung open the double doors to the right—“this is my playroom.”

Jewel walked all around. “It has everything, even a sitting room to the side.”

“And from there I can go right into my bedroom.”

“It’s perfect. Would you mind if I had an area built on our house similar to yours?” Jewel asked.

“Not at all. Nick is the architect for our people. I’ll ask him to draw up some plans to show you.”

“Well, that makes me feel much better to actually have an idea of how we can design our home. Thank you. Even if you don’t have any jewelry for them, the trip here was worth it.”

“I believe I can find something you’ll like. Both your men are shifters?”

“They are. But jewelry falls off of them along with their clothes as they shift. They shift so fast all anyone sees is their clothing and jewelry left behind and the animal in front of them. Something made of metal won’t break when it drops to the ground.”

“Then you have a choice. I have some rings, bracelets, and some gold chains with blank medallions. I can etch whatever you want on them or the bracelets. I gave my husbands the necklaces.”

“I like the medallions.” Jewel picked up a yellow-gold one and a white-gold one. “Can you put an eagle on the yellow-gold and a wolf on the white-gold one?” she asked.

“Yes, what do you want on the front side?”

“An infinity design with my name over the center and theirs on either side. But that’s a lot of work for a short length of time.”

“I’ll call the lady who helps me with my son on my busy workdays. She’ll take care of him, and I can work steady on your medallions. I may have to slip them to you at the reception after your wedding.”

“No problem. What do I owe you?”

Cassie told her an amount. “That doesn’t seem enough for a hurried job.” She pulled her checkbook out of her pocket and wrote a check for a third more.

“This is too much.”

“No, it isn’t. I hate to rush, but I have to see Sara and Elle about the rest of the arrangements.”

Rae drove her quickly back to the ranch house. I’ll go in with you and assist where I can with the plans.” She grinned at Jewel. “In less than twenty-four hours, you’ll be a married lady.”

* * * *

Jewel stepped onto the white satin runway leading to the circle of trees. It was amazing what all the women had done to help her have her wedding this morning. She smoothed her hands down over the rose-red gown. When she entered the circle of trees it was still dark. She heard the rustle of people. They hadn’t been able to accommodate all of the ones from the three tribes who had wanted to attend, but they’d all be at the reception.

Rae came to her side and handed her a bouquet of yellow roses. “From your men,” she whispered.

Aleron’s parents, who she’d met briefly the night before, and Raoul’s mother came to stand behind her. At that moment, the sun came across the horizon and voices joined in a joyful song.

Startled birds flew into the sky from the treetops.

Jewel saw the white pavilion at the end of the long aisle. It gleamed in the light, and it had been decorated in flowers of yellow, white, and red. Elle wore her red-and-gold gown, a symbol of happiness and prosperity for the wedding threesome.

Jewel’s father and mother walked beside her down the aisle as the flute and guitar players sent soft music soaring into the air. Jewel’s heart felt so full she feared it might burst with happiness.

Aleron and Raoul wore dark blue suits and stood on either side of the Priestess. They both smiled at her as she walked toward them.

“Jewel Camilius, have you come to be joined with Aleron Alois and Raoul Sherwyn?” Elle asked.

“Yes,” Jewel said in a shaky voice. Suddenly, her nerves had made her legs weak. It was really happening. This was a major change in her life.

Elle smiled at her reassuringly, and both of her men moved close, where she felt their heat and love radiating toward her. When she glanced up at them, her heart steadied. She knew this was right and where she wanted to be.

Her parents placed one of her hands in each of her men’s hands. The Priestess looked at all the parents.

“Do all of you agree to this joining?”

“We do,” they said.

The Priestess raised her hands and spoke in their lovely ancient language while she swayed back and forth in front of the threesome and moved her hands over their heads.

The beauty and sanctity of the moment seeped into Jewel, reassuring her. For the first time she felt completely a part of the tribes and not an abnormality to be hidden away. She was free to love and be herself. Without looking, she knew her father, who was now sitting in the front row behind her, was smiling and sending his blessing to their union.

When the chanting stopped, the Priestess began the regular ceremony much like any other except the words were repeated with each man. At the end of the vows, Aleron and Raoul removed their halves of her ring from their pockets.

The Priestess blessed the rings before they slipped their sections on her right hand. Once both halves were together the rings formed one wide band. On the top, diamonds formed an unbroken circle. In tiny letters on one side the word
love
,
and on the other
forever
, were etched.

Aleron and Raoul raised her hand and kissed her finger, then they put out their hands, Aleron’s on top, Jewel’s in the middle, and Raoul’s on the bottom. The Priestess from the third tribe stepped onto the pavilion, and Elle moved back. This Priestess also wore the traditional gown. She carried the gold cloth.

She wrapped the cloth snugly around their wrists and then clamped her hands on the top and bottom of theirs. “Go forth forever bound to each other.” She raised their hands, and she and Elle sang more of the beautiful flowing words. The audience joined with them. When they were finished, the third tribe’s Priestess unwrapped the cloth and hung it around Jewel’s neck.

Elle stepped forward, and they both said, “
You are the center, the one who holds the whole together
.”

Dozens of flower petals flew into the air, and the guests cheered.

Aleron, Jewel, and Raoul turned to greet their family and friends. Then they hurried back down the aisle with petals clinging to their hair and clothes. Outside a loud cheer rang when they came through the trees. All three tribes were waiting for the reception, and all were enthusiastic with their well wishes.

Jewel blushed and was slightly overwhelmed by the mass of people. Aleron and Raoul held her close between them. As people greeted them, her husbands introduced her to more of their friends and people of the third tribe.

Raoul found her a place to sit at the front of the crowd and stayed with her while Aleron got food and drink for them. At one point in the festivities fireworks lit the early morning sky.

Finally, Mitch, Daren, Garth, and Lann walked onto the temporary stage built for the meeting. The crowd quieted with all eyes on the leaders.

“We want to welcome the third tribe to our ranch. We can all be proud that together we have vanquished our enemies,” Mitch said. A cheer went up. He waited and then spoke again.

“I know Garth and Lann have spoken to you about living here in Wyoming with us. At least the ones of you who want to make the change from New Mexico. You have a choice. We decided the only fair way to do this is by taking a vote with all three tribes together. We’ll have you raise your hands. If it is close, we’ll do a written ballot. Garth and Lann, do you want to add anything?” Mitch turned to them.

Lann came to the microphone. “I want to thank the other two tribes for treating us so well and working hand in hand to defeat our foe. To my people, I say vote as your heart tells you. We will talk more about logistics after the vote. Does anyone have questions?”

“Who will lead the group who stays in New Mexico?” a man called out.

“That will be determined. Garth and I will probably move back and forth between the two places for now.” He waited a moment more before Mitch joined him, and they asked for a vote.

A huge cheer went up with their hands. There was no doubt almost everyone agreed with the move to Wyoming.

Daren and Garth joined the other two on the front of the stage. Daren spoke in the microphone and asked Nick to come up.

“Nick will explain about building cabins, permanent homes for all of you.”

Nick took the mike from Daren. “Greetings, everyone.” Another cheer. He laughed. “From my understanding the third tribe will be living on the new property we have just purchased. Your leaders, Garth and Lann, are buying the property for you.

“There’s plenty of land. In the next few days you’ll all have a chance to see the area and talk with your leaders about the plans I’ve drawn up to develop your ranch. We’ll put as many of our men as we can spare and all of yours to work on building the homes. We’re going to have to get them up this summer. When winter comes you need to be out of the tents.”

“Yes,” a number of women shouted.

“Today we celebrate a wedding and a new beginning for our three tribes. Tomorrow, we get to work.” Nick waved and walked off the stage.

“When can we get out of here and head for Oregon?” Raoul whispered to Jewel.

“We have to stay a little longer, and then we’ll tiptoe out,” Jewel said.

“I’ll check with Mitch and be sure the jet is ready for takeoff.” Aleron left them and moved through the crowd to find Mitch.

Cassie waved to Jewel from the back door of the ranch house. “I want to speak with Cassie,” Jewel told Raoul. “I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll walk to the door with you to make sure this crowd doesn’t swallow you up.” He put his arm snug around her and with his other arm he cleared a path. “I’ll wait right here,” he said as she joined Cassie inside.

Cassie handed Jewel two small wrapped packages. “I went ahead and wrapped them. If there is anything you want different when you see them, let me know.”

“Thank you so much. I have my suitcase here ready for our trip. I’ll just put them inside.” She unzipped her smaller case and hid the gifts. She hugged Cassie.

“By the way, I spoke to Nick. He’s already drawing up plans for your house. He’s in his element and so excited about all the homes to be built,” Cassie said. “He’ll probably have your sketches ready when you return. Have a wonderful honeymoon.”

“Thanks for everything. See you soon,” Jewel said. She went back out the door to join Raoul before he got too curious. Aleron had just walked up.

“We can be on our way. No one in this crowd will miss us, and the jet is ready to go. Our friends know we’re leaving.”

“The suitcases are packed and right inside the bedroom where I dressed for the wedding.” Jewel opened the door and led them inside. “Here’s mine, and yours are by the other door.”

Aleron and Raoul grabbed the cases. “Lead the way, pretty lady. We can’t wait to get you alone in that cabin,” Raoul said.

Within thirty minutes they were in the air. Jewel looked down at the vast territory below. It was home to her now in a way it had never been before.

Raoul whispered in her ear, “I don’t guess we could start our loving now then continue at the cabin.” He gave her his tantalizing smile. Aleron grinned from the other seat beside her.