Megan's Men by Tessie Bradford Page A

women have to stick together.” Megan heard the hum of speeder engines.
    A large chunk of dirt broke from the wall of the hole, knocking Leena off her perch on the rock, causing her to pull violently on the reins. Megan did her best to dig her toes and knees in the ground, but was still pulled until her head and shoulders dangled over the edge. The water was now up to the girl’s armpits.
    “Hurry, please hurry,” Megan whispered, clenching her teeth and willing herself to hold on.
    The engine noise got louder then cut off and was replaced with men’s shouts as the ground beneath her fell away, and she slid head first into the hole. Just when she thought she couldn’t hold her breath for one more second, she was jerked up and landed on her back on top of someone.
    “Let go of the bit, Megan, we’ve got you both.” It was Rork speaking.
    She coughed and choked while the bridle was untangled from her arms, and mud was wiped away from her eyes, nose and mouth.
    “You saved our daughter’s life. We are forever in your debt.”
    Megan opened her eyes to see Leena cradled in the embrace of two men seated on the ground less than a foot away.
    “Your daughter is a courageous young woman, be proud of her,” Megan responded in a shaky voice.
    “Thank you, Megan,” Leena said quietly, holding out her arms.
    Megan’s emotions took over. She hugged Leena tightly and rocked back and forth as tears of joy and relief rolled down her cheeks.
    “Ah, swaya, all is well now,” Rork whispered, stroking her back. Garfor and Loban were kneeling on either side, touching her soothingly.
    “Daylon, Sirak, your child needs to get warm and dry as does our Megan.” Rork gently eased her away from Leena. “When they’re both fully recovered, they’ll see each other again.”
    Megan watched as they stood. “Wait, her xander is injured and wandering and I don’t know where he went.”
    “We’ll find him, Megan. Please just take care of yourself.” Both men bowed before making their leave.
    “Does it feel as if you’re injured in any way?” Garfor stared at her, worry etched in his features.
    “No, I don’t think so,” she answered, moving a bit on Rork’s lap while carefully flexing her arms and legs.
    “Do you want to ride with one of us on the xander or on a speeder?” Loban asked.
    Megan adjusted her position so could gaze at each of them as a fresh wave of tears blossomed. “I love you. With all my heart, I love all of you.”
    “Swaya, you’re functioning on fear and adrenaline right now,” Rork said quietly.
    “No, well okay, probably, but that has absolutely nothing to do with what I’m saying!” She touched Rork’s cheek, Garfor’s shoulder then Loban’s chest. “I resigned my job yesterday. I got up early this morning and turned the solarium into a comfy love nest for my big reveal. I wanted to surprise you, have everything be perfect when I told you, and now you don’t believe me.” She started to cry so hard she couldn’t speak anymore.
    “Megan, please, please don’t cry, of course we believe you,” Loban pleaded.
    They wrapped their arms around her, kissing and caressing until her sobs reduced to hiccoughs and sniffles.

 
    Chapter Six
     
     
     
    “Megan, you should rest now,” Garfor said as he finished drying her legs. Rork and Loban had already taken care of the rest of her. They were all mud free after a long, hot shower.
    “I’m fine, really, I promise.”
    “You’re most definitely going to be sore later,” Rork said seriously. “How you held Leena, I have no idea.”
    “She stood on a rock. I wasn’t supporting her full weight,” Megan offered as explanation, choosing not to mention she wasn’t sure how she did it, either.
    “Using the bridle was a stroke of genius. You saved that child’s life. We’re so incredibly proud of you, swaya.” Garfor kissed her tenderly.
    “Anyone who found her would have done the same.”
    “Calling for assistance, yes I hope so, but