by Chloe Lang
“Maybe you should open your mind to new possibilities. Remember how upset I was when you had to leave when we were teenagers for that boarding school?”
A deep coldness swept through her body as she thought about that terrible time. Her sister still didn’t know her deep, dark secret. “I remember. But what does that have to do with me going on a date with the Strongs?”
“Just an example of how pushing past your own fears can be enlightening. I made it just fine after you left, and look how close we are.” Mary smiled. “Instead of giving into your own fears, why don’t you just live for today? For the moment? Two good-looking men want to have you over for dinner. Just enjoy yourself. We need to figure out what you are going to wear for your date.”
Date? Oh God. “I’m not sure I should have said ‘yes.’ I’m not like you, sis. I am really confused by all this.”
Carol grabbed her hand. “You know what will help you?
“What?”
“A plate of the peach cobbler I just made.”
“Carol, we just finished breakfast.”
“Does that matter? I say desert should be available at all hours of the day and night. And peach cobbler will give you plenty of energy. We can enjoy our special treat and hash out all your worries, honey. My boys are at the ranch and my husbands are at the mine. The house is all ours. We have all the privacy we need to talk freely. You know how much I love the gab sessions with you two girls.”
“And I love our talks too,” she confessed. “But some of my questions and concerns might be a little embarrassing.”
“Everything you ever wanted to know about the Wilde way of things will be revealed at my kitchen table. Nothing is off-limits.” Carol walked into the kitchen.
As they followed her, Mary said, “And I might have some answers, too, though I’m still figuring out things with my guys. Just know this. When Wilde men love a woman, they will do absolutely anything to make sure she’s happy.”
“Who said anything about love?” Maude sat down at the table. “But since it’s been brought up, how do you love more than one man? And how do they love you without getting jealous?”
“Not wanting to waste any time, are you? Getting straight to the point.” Carol brought over the cobbler and poured the coffee for all of them. Then she took the seat between her and Mary. “Eat up, girls.”
Her first bite of Carol’s cobbler was incredible. So sweet and flaky. Perfect in every way. “This is delicious.”
Mary nodded, taking a second bite.
“Have you ever thought about writing a cookbook, Carol?” She enjoyed another forkful of the desert. “God, if I could make something like this on my own, I think I would open up a bakery.”
“I wouldn’t know the first thing about writing a cookbook. Besides, everything I do in the kitchen is so easy. I’ll show you. But instead of talking about recipes, let’s get down to business.” Carol smiled. “You asked about how a woman can love more than one man. Just like this cobbler, it’s easier than you think when you meet the right guys. My three husbands are the very best. I can’t help but love them. I’m not originally from Wilde. This was all new to me, too. I know what you’re going through.”
“So how did everything change for you?” She had never looked up to anyone like she did Carol. Mary already called her “Mom,” which was so appropriate. Carol treated them both as if they were her daughters. It was a good feeling to Maude, having such a strained relationship with her own mother. “You ended up marrying three men, Carol. That’s just not normally done outside of this place. Can you tell us how that happened?”
“The three of us were spending so much time together in San Francisco. Jack had come back from the Korean War, and Tom and Will had arrived in the city to take him back to Wilde. I had the time of my life with them. We were inseparable. And before I knew it, and against everything I knew was acceptable in society, I fell in love with all three Wilde brothers. You can’t even imagine how conflicted I was.”
“I can, Mom,” Mary said. “I’m in love with your sons. All three of them. It wasn’t something I ever imagined was possible.”
Carol smiled. “Sweetheart, you’ve made my boys so happy.”
“And they’ve made me happy, too.”
Maude knew her sister had found a home. As strange as Wilde might be, this was where Mary belonged, with the three Wilde brothers. Could such a thing happen with me and Grant and Greg? What’s the matter with you, Maude? It’s just dinner.
Mary looked her in the eyes as if she were reading her mind. Then she turned to Carol. “Tell us more about how you and your men ended up together.”
“It was a whirlwind romance. But you have to remember it was the fifties. Things were much more conservative back then, especially outside of Wilde. To tell you the truth, I wasn’t sure which one of the three I was dating at the time. Sounds crazy, I know. They were complete gentlemen, and we were never apart for an entire month. Our last night in San Francisco, I was sick with a sinus infection and couldn’t hear a thing. I didn’t tell any of them because I knew they would insist that I go home and get in bed. I couldn’t let that happen, because I hated being apart from them. I was thinking to myself, how in the world could I choose which one I should be with? At a dance that night, Jack proposed. Then Tom and Will kissed me and said something, but I couldn’t hear them. I know now that all three of them proposed.” She laughed. “And I actually accepted, but it was at my wedding that I realized it when all three of my guys walked up and gave their vows.”
Mary gasped.
“Oh my God, are you serious?” Maude tried to imagine how such a thing could happen, but couldn’t. At least I know what I’m getting into with Grant and Greg. Or do I?
Carol told them the rest of her love story with Jack, Tom, and Will. “I’ve never regretted one second of my life with them. It’s been heaven.”
“Wow,” she said. “You’re a very lucky woman, and hearing your story makes me want to go on this date with Grant and Greg. But what if I’m like you and end up falling for them? I can’t imagine how such a relationship works in the bedroom.”
“Maude.” Mary’s face turned bright red.
“Well, I want to know.”
“Totally understandable,” Carol said. “I like how frank you are, honey. So I’ll be just as frank with you.”
“I’d like that.”
“Sex invokes the deepest emotions and the most intense intimacy a woman can have with her partners. There’s nothing better when you are in love. I was a virgin when we got married, so you can imagine how nervous I was. But the four of us have discovered the most amazing sex life together. Sometimes I make love with only one of my men. Sometimes all three. But whatever happens in our bedroom is always exciting and wonderful. We are all so deeply in love. That’s the key. All the rest works itself out. It’s so natural. All you have to do is open your heart.”
“That’s the most wonderful way of looking at love, Mom,” Mary said. “Don’t you agree, sis?”
“It was beautifully said.” Maude smiled. “I think Carol could sell ice to Eskimos. She’s making it hard for me to cancel the date with her two nephews.”
“So? Did my story work?” Carol’s eyes locked in on hers. “Are you going to join Grant and Greg for dinner?”
“How can I not after hearing your happily-ever-after story? Yes. I’m going. I sure hope this isn’t the biggest mistake of my life.”
“Maude, it’s only dinner,” Mary said. “Just enjoy the evening.”
“I’ll try.” I have until Saturday to cancel.
“Can we go to your room and help you pick out what to wear?” Carol asked.
She took the sweet woman’s hand. “Of course, Mom.”
Carol’s eyes welled up. “Just when I thought life couldn’t get any better, you two showed up on my doorstep. My two wonderful girls. I love you so much.”
They all embraced each other and headed up the stairs. She’d never felt so at home in her
entire life.
As she tried on various outfits for her date, images of Toby, Heath, Nate, and Seth appeared in her mind, and she thought about their two dads. With all her heart, she loved the four boys. Could she actually open her heart up enough for a chance at love with Grant and Greg? She wasn’t sure. Wilde was so foreign to everything she’d ever known. But after hearing Carol talk about how she’d fallen for her three men and the wonderful life she continued to live with her husbands, Maude felt hope grow inside her. She’d been so consumed with her past and all the regrets that she hadn’t actually been living. Could she find happiness and a future with those two cowboys?
You’re getting ahead of yourself again.
But deep inside, she wondered if it might turn into more. It had for her sister. It might for her, too.
Maude, it’s only dinner.
Chapter Seven
Greg threw the cherry tomatoes into the salad. “Maude should be here in less than five minutes.”
Grant nodded, bending down and looking through the glass door of the oven. “The baked potatoes will be done in fifteen.”
“Perfect. The grill is ready for the steaks we picked out. We can give her a glass of wine when she gets here, and we can be at the table with the meal in less than a half hour.” He hadn’t been this excited about a dinner guest in a very long time. “Can you believe that her sister is engaged to our cousins?”
“A whirlwind romance, that’s for sure. Dan, Dillon, and Craig are lucky to have found such a wonderful woman in Mary.” Grant took a deep breath. “I hope Maude will be open to the Wilde way, too.”
“She should. They are sisters. More importantly, I hope she sees something in us that makes her want to stay in Wilde.” He glanced at the boys, who were all in the play area. Grant had dressed Toby and Heath in their little suits that Aunt Carol had bought them. Heath’s shirt was untucked, and Toby’s left shoe was off. Nate and Seth were crawling on the floor wearing matching outfits, but they also had kicked off their shoes. Boys will be boys.
Grant was putting together a plate of cheese, fruit, and crackers for hors d'oeuvres.
Hearing a car turn up their driveway to the ranch, he said, “You got that?”
His brother nodded. “Go greet her. I’ll get our four cowboys re-dressed and ready to receive her.”
He smiled and walked out of the house. Seeing her blue Chevy Impala approaching, he waved at her.
Quickly, he rushed to open her car door. “Welcome to Strong Ranch and to our home.”
She took his hand, stepped out of the car, and looked all around. “It looks beautiful.”
As she continued scanning the place, the only thing his eyes wanted more of was the ravishing image in front of him. Maude wore her hair down, allowing her thick locks to cascade to her shoulders. She had on a sleeveless, pale-green shirt and jeans that clung to her figure perfectly. She had the highest heels he’d ever seen in his life, which showed off her beautiful ankles and legs.
“You look absolutely stunning, Maude.” He gave her a hug, though what he really wanted to do was kiss her. But he didn’t, sensing she wasn’t quite ready for their lips to meet. God knew he was more than ready. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her since they’d met.
“You look very handsome yourself.”
“Let me get you inside. Grant and the boys are anxious to see you.”
As soon as he opened the door, Heath and Toby ran to her.
“Mama, Mama,” they said in unison.
“Hi, Maude,” Grant said from the kitchen.
“Hello, Grant.” She knelt down and wrapped her arms around Heath and Toby. “Where are your brothers? I’m dying to see them again.”
Heath and Toby each took one of her hands and led her to the play area.
“What kind of wine do you prefer?” Grant asked her.
“White. The sweeter the better.” She removed her shoes.
“And how about your steak? How do you like it cooked?”
“Medium. Thank you.” She got down on the floor and started playing with the boys.
Grant said with a smile, “So much for the wine. Our boys seem to be controlling all of Maude’s attention.”
“Can’t say as I blame them. Can you, bro? Our boys have great taste.”
His brother nodded, his gaze fixed on Maude, who was rolling on the floor with Seth and Nate. “Very great taste. I’ll get the steaks on the grill.”
After a few minutes, Greg walked into the play area with a glass of wine, which he handed to their beautiful dinner guest. “Toby and Heath, I want you to show Maude what big boys you are. Go wash your hands for dinner.”
“Come on, Mama,” Toby said, reaching for Maude. “Come watch us wash our hands.”
“I would love to.” She handed the glass back. “Greg, me and these big boys of yours won’t be long.”
As she walked with Heath and Toby to the bathroom, he shook his head. Foiled again. Cleaning Nate and Seth’s hands and faces with a washcloth, he turned to Grant, who had just walked back inside. “Our little cowboys are taking over this dinner.”
“Where did they take her?”
“They wanted to show her how they could wash their own hands.”
Grant laughed. “We may not get any time with her until those four boys are in bed. I went ahead and put the steaks on the grill.”
“She’s so good with them.”
“I believe she could charm anyone. She sure has me.” His brother pulled out the baked potatoes from the oven.
Placing the two little ones in their high chairs, he and Grant finished setting the table.
Maude returned with Toby and Heath. “Show your daddies your hands.”
They held them up for inspection.
“All clean, Daddy,” Toby said to him.
Maude winked, which looked so incredibly sweet to him.
“Very good job, Toby.”
Heath moved in front of Toby with his hands held high. “Mama dried our hands, Daddy.”
“Looking good, young man,” he said, sending a wink back to Maude.
“Steaks should be ready,” Grant said, heading out the back door.
“Okay, boys. Get in your chairs.” He pulled out the two with their booster seats.
“But, Daddy, I want to sit by Mama,” Toby said.
“I want to sit by Mama, too,” Heath added.
Foiled again. “Do you mind?” he asked her.
“Of course not. I would love to sit between these handsome boys.”
He moved the seats around to accommodate Toby and Heath’s wishes. And without being prompted, they got into the seats. He filled the boys’ plates with macaroni and cheese, peas, and fish sticks.
Maude sat down just as Grant returned with the steaks. “Everything looks and smells delicious. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Let’s dig in,” he said.
She grinned. “That must be a saying in Wilde. That’s what Carol always says before a meal.”
“That’s probably where we got it,” Grant said, passing her the platter of steaks. “They’re all cooked medium like you like your steak. So any of them you want will be fine.”
“In that case, I’ll take them all.” She grinned.
“No you don’t,” Grant said, smiling. “Greg and I need one each, too. We have to keep up our energy.”
“I bet you do.” She took the smallest steak and passed it back. “How long have you had this ranch?”
“It’s been in our family for three generations,” Grant said, placing one of the steaks on his plate and then passing it to him.
“Would you like to see more of the ranch?” he asked, taking the last T-bone. “It’s the most beautiful place in the entire state, in my humble opinion.”
“Yes, I would love to see more.”
“Have you ever been on a horse before?” Grant asked her.
“Once, as a kid.” She loaded up her baked potato with sour cream, cheese, and bacon bits. “Why?”
“To get the best view of the ranch, some spots can only be reached on horseback.”
“Mama, I need more ketchup,” Toby said to her.
He looked at his son. “What do you say, young man?”
“Please, Mama. Ketchup.”
“That’s better.”
“Me, too,” Heath chimed in, though his plate was still covered in the red stuff. “Please, Mama.”
Maude grinned and squirted more ketchup on each of their plates.
“Look, Mama, what I can do.” Toby picked up his glass of milk and drank all of it.
“Mama, look at me,” Heath said, stuffing an entire fish stick into his mouth.
Before he had a chance to correct the boys, Maude said, “That’s absolutely fabulous, boys. But let’s slow down and enjoy our meal together. We want Nate and Seth to see what big boys you can be.”
And like magic, the boys settled completely down.
Giving the boys their chocolate pudding, the three of them finished their meal, learning more about each other.
“That was wonderful,” she said, placing her fork on the plate. “Thank you.”
“Our pleasure,” Grant said, clearing the table. “But I hope you saved room for dessert. We have chocolate pie for the adults. Aunt Carol’s recipe, though I’m sure it won’t be as good as hers.”
“Don’t let him kid you,” Greg said, cleaning off the two little ones. As usual, they’d gotten as much of their meals on their trays and the floor as they had in their mouths. “Grant makes an incredible chocolate pie.”
“I believe you. Chocolate anything is always my favorite.” Maude was wiping off Toby and Heath’s faces.
“Mama, let’s go play,” Heath said. “I want you to see Buttermilk.”
“Buttermilk?”
“Yeah. Come on. Come on, Toby.” Heath slid out of his chair and onto the floor.
“I need to help your daddies with the dishes, and then I can play.”
“Go ahead,” Grant said, turning to him. “Greg and I can manage.”
“If you’re sure, I would love to play with the boys.” The light in her eyes and the smile on her face were something to behold. She seemed just as excited as they were.
