by Chloe Lang
Does he believe the lie I’m feeding him?
“If she contacts you, Maude, I expect you to let me know.”
“Oh, I will.”
They ended the call, and she slammed the receiver onto the cradle. “Not even when hell freezes over will I ever let you know where my sister is.”
* * * *
Grant Strong took the big diaper bag for the four boys to the van.
His twin brother, Greg, was getting the little guys dressed. It was always such an ordeal to go to town even for something as simple as lunch, but they definitely needed to get out of the house and off the ranch.
He and Greg had moved in together after the accident not only out of necessity but also to console each other. After losing their wives in a horrific car accident, they were completely lost and alone. With their parents passing years ago, they had no one but each other to turn to. They were so overwhelmed and had no idea how they were going to raise the boys and work the ranch. Moving in together was the best decision they’d ever settled on. He was certain that he and Greg wouldn’t have made it without each other.
Trying to keep the ranch afloat and the boys fed and cleaned took every bit of energy they had. They shared all the chores. One day, he would do all the ranching and Greg would take care of the boys. The next, they would switch, and he would be on diaper duty and Greg would tend to the cattle and whatever else needed to be cared for. And there was always something that needed to be done on their ranch.
“All ready to go.” Greg walked in with Nate and Seth in his arms, with Heath and Tobias following behind him on their little legs.
“Let’s get them loaded up.” He turned to Heath and Tobias. “Come here, boys.”
“Daddy.” Tobias held up both his hands, inviting him to lift him up in his arms.
He hoisted his nephew up with his left arm and Heath with his right, and the six of them headed out the door to the van.
Having spent so much time with his nephews, Tobias and Seth, Grant was as close to them as he was to his own sons, Heath and Nate. He knew that Greg felt the same way about all their boys, too. In both their hearts, there was absolutely no difference. Following in the Wilde tradition, they were teaching the four boys to call them both “daddy.” Funny, since he and Greg had never been in the typical Wilde family, which consisted of more than two parents, even though they were related to those that were. Their dad had no other siblings but had grown up with Jack, Tom, and Will Wilde, who were all like brothers to him.
“I am happy to finally get this break.” Greg opened the van door, placing Seth and Nate into their car seats. They’d modified the vehicle so that they were able to fit all the boys, side by side in the backseat. “It’s been over a week since we left the ranch. Too long.”
“I agree. Way too long. I know it’s just burgers, but we both need to talk to some other adults.” He buckled Heath and Tobias into their seats.
“Allie dropped by this morning with a roast,” Greg said, hopping into the passenger seat.
He got behind the wheel and started the engine. “How is your old high school girlfriend doing?”
“Determined but nice. And how about your Brenda?”
“That lemon cake on the counter is from her, but she’s not my Brenda. She’s just Brenda.”
“They are both very sweet, but I don’t feel that way about Allie and I’m pretty sure it’s the same with you for Brenda.”
He and Greg had talked about dating again, but there was no time. By the end of the day they were just ready to crawl into bed. “No matter what I say to Brenda, she just won’t give up. Did you know she brought a card with the cake?”
Greg shook his head. “Allie brought flowers. She keeps telling me that you and I need her help. She even offered to move in. It’s very sweet, but she’s made it clear she wants something I just won’t be able to give her.”
“Same with me for Brenda. One day I believe you and I will be ready to date again. This just isn’t the time with the boys so young.”
Greg laughed. “Hell, we’re only twenty-nine. We have plenty of time. Maybe when the boys go off to college.”
He grinned, driving through their ranch’s main gate. “I hope sooner than that.”
He and Greg had never dated the same woman since they each had slightly different tastes. He liked blondes and Greg brunettes. But when the Dalton sisters had arrived in town, he and Greg had fallen hard, going against their previous preferences. His amazing wife had long dark hair and Greg’s sported a short blonde hairstyle. Both were beautiful. You could see in each of the four boys a little of their mothers.
Greg sighed. “But I don’t think I will ever find anyone who can fill my Kathy’s shoes.”
“Or my Kimberly’s either, but that doesn’t mean we both can’t find someone to love and to share our lives with. When we do start dating again, we’ll search for women who we feel chemistry and a real connection, just like we did with our beautiful wives.”
Once he did decide to settle down again, he wanted to do it for the right reason. For love.
Chapter Three
Maude gasped when her sister walked out of the dressing room. Mary was wearing jeans that fit her figure perfectly and a cute Western top, which was cut just right for her chest. One thing about her sister and her was they definitely didn’t lack in the breast department. God, Mary is gorgeous. And seems so happy.
“How does this look for my horseback riding date?” Mary asked her and Carol Wilde, the mother of the three cowboys who had swept her sister off her feet.
“You look beautiful,” Carol said. “I particularly love the Stetson you picked out.”
“I agree.” Maude wondered how in the world she was going to talk some sense into her sister. She’d been in town twenty-four hours, and she was still completely at a loss how to proceed. The Wilde brothers weren’t monsters. In fact, the three of them were quite nice and were complete gentlemen. After having gone through all the hell with Paul, it was very clear why Mary was so attracted to them. “Annie Oakley has nothing on you, Sis. Would you mind if I bought a pair of boots like those?”
“Sure. Would you like to learn to ride? Carol’s horse Rosie is a great teacher. So are Carol’s sons.”
“Don’t you mean your boyfriends?” Maude teased, hoping to get Mary to see how crazy this whole thing was. A date with three men at the same time. Completely nuts.
Not taking the bait, her sister didn’t respond.
After meeting the Wilde brothers and their parents, Carol and her three husbands, and seeing how charming the town was, Maude understood the spell her sister was under. She herself was feeling its tug on her own heart. But even though the natives of Wilde were able to form such unusual families, that didn’t mean that Mary was suited for the same.
Mary faced her and Carol. “I think I’d like to try on that blue top before I make my decision.”
“Of course, Mary.” Carol looked at her watch. “Oh my. I had no idea it was this late.” She turned to Maude. “Would you mind doing me a quick favor?”
“Sure,” she answered. “Anything.”
It was so easy to like the woman. Carol was so sweet. First she opened up her home to Mary. And now me.
Maude thought about her mother and how she would have reacted to two strange women showing up at her doorstep. There would be no way her mother would ever swing the front doors to her home open so freely.
Still, Maude didn’t understand how in the world Carol could be married to three men and had made it work for years. Crazy as it sounded, the four Wildes seemed totally in love with each other.
“I’ve ordered lunch to go for my husbands at the Horseshoe Bar & Grill just across the street. I need to run to the bank, or I would do it myself. Would you mind picking up my order?”
“I don’t mind at all.”
Leaving the Western clothing store, Maude headed across the street to the restaurant. When she got to the door, she heard crying. Turning to her left, sh
e saw a little boy sobbing by a bench.
She looked around to see any adult that was taking care of him. But there was not a soul around. She went to the little boy and got down to eye-level with him. Before she could say anything, he immediately wrapped his arms around her.
“It’s going to be okay, sweetheart. Where’s your mommy?”
“Daddies.” He pointed to the restaurant’s door.
She lifted him up in her arms, and he leaned his head against her chest. Her heart swelled for him. It was love at first sight. “Everything is going to be okay. What’s your name?”
He sniffled. “Toby.”
“Hi, Toby. I’m Maude.” She kissed him on the forehead. “Let’s go get your daddy.”
He smiled and wiped his eyes.
She opened the door and walked into the Horseshoe Bar & Grill.
She saw two men frantically looking under every table and chair. One of them held two infants and the other held another boy about the same age as Toby.
“Daddies. Daddies.” Toby held out his hand.
As the two men turned their direction with looks of relief on their handsome faces, she lowered the little boy who had stolen her heart to the wooden floor.
Toby ran to the two men, and they lifted him up between them.
“Oh my God, Toby,” the one in the dark shirt said, kissing him on the cheeks. “We were so worried.”
“Are you okay?” the other one asked, clinging to him.
Toby nodded and pointed her direction. “Mama found me.”
“Thank you so much…miss?” Dark shirt had the sexiest eyes she’d ever seen in her life, as did the other guy. In fact, their eyes were exactly the same, as were their square jaws and full lips. It was obvious to her that they were twins—twin smoking-hot cowboys. But that didn’t mean a thing to her being as angry as she was at the moment.
She placed her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes. “My name is Maude, and how could you let this beautiful little boy out of your sight and into the streets? I bet Toby’s mommy is going to be very angry at you when she hears about this.”
Chapter Four
Greg couldn’t take his eyes off the gorgeous creature in front of him and Grant.
“Mama.” Toby held out his tiny hands to her.
“I’m Maude, sweetheart.” She stepped forward, turning her attention to him and Grant. “Do you two dads mind if I hold him again?” Her tone had softened—but only a little.
He liked her fire. Liked it very much.
“Not at all.” He handed his son to his rescuer with the big, beautiful eyes.
Toby kissed her on the cheek. “My mama.”
He saw her cheeks turn the prettiest shade of pink.
“I think he’s confusing ‘Maude’ with ‘mama,’ guys.”
Grant laughed, and he joined in.
“Where is Toby’s mama? It’s obvious you have your hands full with four little boys.”
“You’re right about that,” he said. “We’re trying to learn to be good dads. My name is Greg Strong, and this is my brother, Grant.”
She shook their hands, and he loved the feel of her delicate fingers. “Twins, right?”
He and Grant nodded.
“We would like to buy you lunch, Maude.” He pulled out a chair at their table. “That’s the least we could do for you.”
“I guess that will be okay while I’m waiting for my friend’s order. But I want to sit by these beautiful boys.”
“You got a deal.” Grant placed the booster seats for Heath and Toby on the chairs next to her. And then he pulled the high chairs for Seth and Nate at the end of the table closest to Maude’s seat.
She grinned, melting his heart. “Thank you. Plus, this lunch will give me a chance to educate you on how to keep track of your boys. So you won’t get in trouble with their mother.”
“You sound like an expert.” Grant smiled. “You have kids of your own?”
For a blink of an eye, he saw a sadness come over her, and just as fast it vanished.
She shook her head. “None of my own.” She turned to Heath. “Who is this handsome young man?”
“Heath,” Toby answered. “My brother.”
“I’m Heath, Mama.” He held out his arms, inviting her to pick him up.
Without hesitating, she pulled him in close. Holding both Toby and Heath, she smiled. “I’ve never seen such beautiful boys in my whole life. Are these two your baby brothers?”
Toby nodded. “That’s Nate.”
“He’s Seth,” Heath chimed in, kissing Maude on the cheek.
“They’re beautiful, too,” she said, the edge in her tone completely gone. “Now, you boys need to sit back down in your big boy seats. She lovingly helped them get settled. “I bet your mommy is gorgeous.”
“Their mothers were both beautiful,” Grant told her gently. “Just like our boys.”
“I’ve learned how most relationships in Wilde work—one woman with multiple husbands. Is it possible that some families have more than one wife, too? Do you two share two wives?” She shook her head. “The more I learn about Wilde, the more confused I get. Wait. You said ‘were beautiful.’ Oh my God, I’m so sorry. No wonder you were having trouble keeping up with your boys.”
The waitress came out from the kitchen. The second she spotted Toby, she came over. “Thank God. I see you found Toby.”
“We didn’t, Diana,” Grant said. “This lovely lady did. She found him outside.”
Diana smiled. “That’s wonderful. We were all so worried.”
“I’m actually picking up Carol Wilde’s lunch order,” Maude told her.
“It should be ready in ten minutes.”
“Make it twenty,” Grant said. “We want to buy Maude’s lunch today.”
Diana smiled. “Sure thing. What can I get all of you?”
They gave her their order, and she headed back into the kitchen.
“I’m stunned that you know our Aunt Carol,” Grant said. “Wilde is a small town, and I thought I knew everyone she knew.”
“Are you serious? Carol is your aunt?”
“Her husbands and our dad were cousins, but we’ve always called them our aunt and uncles.” Greg saw the corners of her mouth turn up into a beautiful smile. “Dad didn’t have any brothers, but he and our three uncles were just like brothers.” Then something crossed his mind that didn’t sit right with him at all. Could she be a new love interest for Carol’s three sons—Dan, Dillon, and Craig? “Would you mind me asking how you know our aunt?”
“My sister and I are staying with her and her husbands,” she stated with a grin. “Your aunt is a bit of a devil, isn’t she?”
“Why would you say that?” Grant asked.
“I may have only known your aunt for a day, but it’s obvious to me that Carol is a hopeless romantic. My sister, Mary, is completely enamored with her three sons, and Carol and her husbands are thrilled to death with that.”
Every word that came from Maude’s lips was like honey to his ears. He loved the sound of her voice and the passion behind every syllable. “That still doesn’t make our aunt a devil, does it?”
“Oh no? I’m betting that this little favor to pick up her food was just a ruse. Did she know you two were going to be here at lunchtime?”
He and Grant nodded.
“Actually, Aunt Carol suggested this outing to us last night,” he told Maude. “She reminded us how long it had been since we’d left our ranch. In fact, she insisted we take this break.”
“See. I knew it.” Maude sighed. “I believe she might be trying to play matchmaker with us.”
He smiled, more glad to have such a wonderful aunt. “If that was her intention, she’s doing a damn good job. At least I think so. What about you, Grant? Do you agree?”
“Absolutely, I agree. Wholeheartedly, I agree. Totally. Without a doubt, I agree.”
She laughed. “I get it. We all get it. You agree.” Maude opened a package of crackers from a basket on the
table and gave one each to Heath and Toby. “I really hate to ask this, but how in the world did you two lose track of Toby?”
“It’s a fair question,” he said, looking across the table at his brother. It was clear as a sunny day that Grant was attracted to Maude as much as he was. “I was feeding Nate and Seth, and Grant was changing Heath’s diaper. I guess Toby followed someone out when we were not looking.”
“That’s very understandable, but one of you has to be watching the boys at all times, especially away from home. All of your boys are so cute and personable. What if I had been a kidnapper?”
He loved how direct she was. “You’re absolutely right.”
Grant nodded. “This has never happened before, and I promise you it will never happen again.”
“I believe you, but it seems to me you could use a little help—like a nanny or something.”
“You’re right again,” he said. “Are you looking for a new career and have your resume handy?”
“Sorry, guys. I have a job. But if I were looking, I promise you I would take you up on the offer. I absolutely am crazy about your boys.” She leaned over and kissed Toby on the top of his head. “They are the cutest young men I’ve ever seen in my life.”
“I love you, Mama,” Toby said.
Maude didn’t correct him. “I love you, too. And I love you, Heath.” She grabbed Seth and Nate’s tiny hands. “And I love these two precious babies.”
Seth and Nate smiled at her.
“They always like everyone, Maude,” he confessed, “but I’ve never seen them take to anyone like they have to you.”
“Little ones always know when someone genuinely loves them. And it was love at first sight for me with these little charmers.” She looked at each of the boys and then turned to him and Grant. “I really can’t stay long. I need to get back to Mrs. Wilde and my sister.” She looked out the window and her eyes went wide as the color drained out of her face.
He reached across the table. “What’s the matter, Maude?”
“Oh my God. That’s my sister and her ex. Your cousins have him on the ground. What has Paul done to her?” She jumped up from the chair and rushed to the door.
