Love Never-Ending Read Free Page B

was actually taken aback but Jade serenely approved the
separate account while privately wondering when the older children would think
to ask for their own accounts. With amusement, she acknowledged Falcon had
hidden depths she had missed until Samara pointed them out. That was the one
thing about having so many children—sometimes you didn’t notice the quiet ones.
    With her extra barter credits, Samara decided that
she would like to have her own home. She, too, was looking to the future. She
might not be eligible to have a bond mate or children but at twenty-six it was
time for her to establish her own dome.
    She quietly went to the Cowal dome to consult with Stefan,
the builder. When she left a little later, Stefan had a great deal more respect
for Samara. They agreed on a three-room dome with an additional bump-out domed
bath. Three skylights would provide additional light. Samara chose a soft gold
for her dome color. Stefan offered to survey a site in the vicinity of the path
to Broken Pine near the old Llewellyn cabin Eppie had recently taken as her own.
Content with her decisions, Samara went back to her parents’ home to inform
them of her plans.
    As she anticipated, it wasn’t a popular decision. Samara
sighed and gently pointed out, “Mama, I’m a grown woman now. It’s time for me
to have my own home.”
    “But Samara—”
    “No, Mama. I’m not sixteen now. I’m ten years older, old
enough to be on my own. You can’t protect me anymore.”
    “Samara!” Tears spilled over as Rebaccah fought the panic
that always seemed to ambush her when Samara was out of her sight.
    “Mama. I need to do this. Please.” Shakily, she gathered her
mother close in a tight embrace. “I have to grow up sometime. You have to let
me go.”
    After a time, when Rebaccah pulled away, Samara released
her. “Well,” Rebaccah observed as she brushed the last of her tears away, “we
need to make a list of the things you’ll need. You’ll have your promise chest
but there will be other things… We’ll make a list.” She gathered up linual sheets and writing sticks. “Now then, why don’t you make us some tea while I
start the list?”
    Samara heated the water while she assembled the tea things
with trembling fingers. “Mama, I don’t have a promise chest,” she whispered so
that Rebaccah wouldn’t hear the tears in her voice.
    “Of course you do,” Rebaccah replied absently. “The chest is
in the storage dome. And the linens and things are in my cedar chest in my
room. It’s a good thing that you reminded me. I’ll ask your papa to bring your
chest in so that we can clean and pack it for you.”
    Samara spun around to face her mother. “Why didn’t you ever
mention it before?”
    “I didn’t want to hurt you.”
    Samara clenched her fists at Rebaccah’s reluctant admission.
“Don’t you think it hurt to watch all the girls ooh and ahh when Elizabeth and
Qwenna were packing their promise chests? Knowing I didn’t deserve one? Did you
ever for a moment think how much pain that gave me?” She turned her back to
Rebaccah, unable to hold back the angry tears.
    With a heavy heart, Rebaccah went to wrap her arms around
Samara’s waist. “No, I didn’t think of that, Sammie. I’m sorry, honey. I was
trying to protect you and I hurt you worse.”
    After a moment, Samara grabbed the small kitchen drying
sheet from the rack and wiped her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she muttered,
“Right. Let’s get on with the list.” She damped the drying sheet with cold
water, wrung it dry and plopped it over her eyes. “Now my eyes will be all red
and I’ll look like I’ve been crying.”
    Her mother gasped in mock horror. “Oh, no! Quel tragedy !
Someone might find out that you’ve been crying!”
    A watery giggle escaped Samara. “All right, all right. Get
on with the list.”
    The two women settled down to making plans for Samara’s
move. When Samara’s father came home for dinner, they were finished with