by Chloe Lang
“Go. Have fun.”
She picked up the two little ones and followed Toby and Heath into the play area.
As he and Grant cleaned up, they kept their voices low.
“God, she takes my breath away, bro,” Grant confessed.
“You? I thought I was going to pass out from lack of oxygen during the entire meal. She’s the whole package. Looks. Brains. And most importantly, heart. God. So much heart.”
Hearing the boys and her laughing together was music to Greg’s ears.
“We must not screw this up,” he said, wiping off the table. “I want her. I want her forever.”
“Same here,” Grant said. “But we really don’t know what we’re doing. If I was on this date alone with her, I’d know exactly what to do. But I’m not. How do we proceed?”
“I haven’t a clue.” Which was the absolute truth. He and Grant were definitely in uncharted waters. “All I can suggest is that we take it slow and just do what feels natural.”
“Why don’t you go join her and the boys?” Grant brought out the pie with little chips of chocolate sprinkled on top of the thick layer of whipped cream. “I’ll put on a pot of coffee for us.”
“Don’t have to ask me twice.” He slapped his brother on the back and headed into the play area.
He found Toby on her back as she was playing “horsey.”
Heath was following behind. “My turn, Mama. My turn.”
“It’s Nate’s turn,” she said sweetly. “Then you can go next.”
“Maude, it seems you have more cowboys than horses.” He got down on all fours. “How about I help out? Climb on, Heath.”
Heath lit up and jumped on top of him, kicking him hard in the sides. “Giddyup, horsey.”
He and Maude gave all the boys rides until Toby yawned, signaling it was bedtime.
He straightened up off of all fours and onto his two legs. “Time for all little cowboys to get ready for bed.” He lifted Nate and Seth into his arms.
Toby said, “Mama, read us a story.”
“If it’s okay with your dads.”
“After they brush their teeth and get their pajamas on.”
“Okay, I’m gonna go real fast,” Heath said, darting off to the bathroom.
“Wait for me.” Toby chased after him.
With Maude’s help, he and Grant were able to get the boys put to bed. She read them a story, and in no time, they were all fast asleep.
The more time he and Grant spent with her, the more he wanted her as their own. He whispered, “Let’s go into the living room for Grant’s chocolate pie.”
He and Maude sat down on the sofa.
“Would you like wine or coffee with your pie?” Grant asked her.
“Coffee, please.”
“Cream or sugar?”
“Both.”
“Bro, what about you?”
“Coffee. Black, as usual.”
Grant nodded. “I’ll be back in a sec.”
“I can’t remember when I’ve had so much fun. Those boys of yours are wonderful.”
“I can tell they love you, Maude.”
“I love them, too. But I’m afraid that could be a problem.” She folded her hands in her lap and looked down. “They keep calling me “Mama.” I’m not sure they should. I’m going to be leaving soon. I don’t want to break their little hearts.”
He sensed there was more to what she was saying, but he didn’t know what it could be. He took her hand and squeezed it. “Why do you have to leave Wilde? What’s waiting for you outside?”
She turned to him and smiled. “I have a job back in Missouri.”
“A job, but not a career. Not something you’re passionate about, right?”
“It’s like you can read my mind, Mr. Greg Strong.”
Glancing down at him and Maude holding hands, Grant walked in carrying a tray with their dessert and coffee. “I keep telling my brother that he could make a career from his soothsaying, like Jean Dixon.”
He laughed. “You’ve never said that before. And I don’t see ghosts.”
“Oh really.” She squeezed his hand back, which thrilled him. “I bet you see much more than you’re telling us.”
“Maybe not ghosts, but he’s always been able to read people pretty well.” Grant sat down on the other side of Maude. “Much better than I ever could. Greg’s like our mom in that way.”
Maude took a bite of the pie and turned to Grant. “Oh my God. This is unbelievably delicious. Wow.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Like it? I love it.”
“I told you it would be good.” He took a bite of his brother’s offering. “This might be the best you’ve ever made.”
“I wanted it to be special for you, Maude.” Grant put his arm around her.
She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss. “Oh my goodness. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”
Grant pressed his lips to hers before she could finish her sentence. Watching his brother kiss her wasn’t as odd as Greg thought it would be. In fact, it made him feel happy, and it wasn’t awkward.
When they ended their kiss, he said, “I know I didn’t make the pie, Maude, but I was a good horsey.”
She laughed. “Yes, you were.” When she leaned into him, he enjoyed the sweetness of her lush lips.
“How about those steaks I made?” Grant smiled.
“Delicious,” she said, planting another kiss on him.
Playing along, Greg said, “I made a mean salad for us, didn’t I?”
“Yes, you did.” She offered him her lips again.
The kissing session seemed as natural to him as breathing. He and Grant took turns kissing her. Her passionate response to both of them only made him want her more. The more they kissed her, the more the heat to hold her and make love to her increased inside him. Sharing Maude with Grant was his heart’s desire. Not just for tonight, but forever. She was the one for them. For all of them. He and Grant and the boys.
Before long, he and Grant were kissing the sides of her neck simultaneously.
She moaned, which drove him even wilder. He was burning up inside with desire for her.
Suddenly, Maude sat up. “We have to stop this. Please.”
Damn. He leaned away. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
Chapter Eight
Still between Greg and Grant, Maude closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. Her pulse was racing, and she felt warm all over. She’d let things go too far with them.
A mistake. Another to add to her lifelong list.
“There’s not anything wrong with you two,” she told them. “It’s me. It’s all me. I’m just not ready for this. This whole lifestyle is brand new to me.”
“For us, too,” Grant said. “We have never found one woman we were both interested in until you. And we both care about you deeply.”
Greg grabbed her hand. “It may seem crazy since we only just met, but we absolutely know you’re the one for us.”
“I have feelings for you both. Yes, it’s completely nuts but true. So what? Do we just throw caution to the wind and see where it takes us? No. We can’t.”
“Why not, honey?” The confusion on Grant’s face could not be missed.
“What if things don’t work out between us? The fallout would be devastating, not just for us but also for those beautiful boys.” Tears rolled down her cheek. “I can’t hurt another child. Not again. I won’t. You must understand that.”
Greg wiped the tears from her face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I do know one thing for certain, sweetheart. You could never hurt a child. Ever.”
“But I have,” she confessed.
It seemed so easy to talk to Greg and Grant. They were open, warm, and so very kind. Holding back her deep, dark secret had been a struggle for so long. Now she had two wonderful men willing to listen. What would they think of her after hearing her terrible truth?
They need to know. Then they will understand wh
y I can’t be with them.
“What I’m about to tell you not even my sister knows. It has killed me to keep this from Mary, but I had no choice. My parents refused to let me tell Mary.”
Greg squeezed her hand. “Tell her what?”
“I was raped. God, I haven’t said those words for a very long time.”
Rage appeared on both their faces.
“Where is this bastard?” Grant’s tone left nothing to the imagination what he planned to do if he ever met up with her attacker.
“Dead. He died five years ago in prison of lung cancer. Maybe it’s cruel, but I’m glad he’s gone. It happened when I was just a teenager. My parents were hosting one of their many social events at our house. Mary was at a sleepover with one of her friends. The bastard was drunk and stumbled into our room. He was one of my parents’ important clients.” The horrific memory poured out of her. “It happened so fast. When I finally had the courage to tell my parents what had happened, they called the police. I actually was surprised. I hadn’t been sure if they would choose their practice over me. Still, their reaction at the news was so very cold. I wanted them to hold me and tell me everything was going to be okay. But they didn’t. That’s never been their way. The police officer, a complete stranger, who I gave my statement to, was warmer to me than my mother and father.”
Grant put his arm around her shoulder. “Go on, honey.”
“We’re here for you,” Greg said gently.
“After the asshole went to jail, I discovered I was pregnant. My parents shipped me off to a home for unwed mothers. Mary was told I was going to boarding school. I had the baby. I wanted to keep my little girl.” More tears fell. “I swear I did. But I was only sixteen when she was born. My parents would not support me keeping the baby. They made that very clear, saying it was in both our best interests that she be given up for adoption. Without my parents’ support, I had no way of caring for my baby. I never stopped begging and pleading with them to change their minds. They never budged. When I turned eighteen, I left and got a job. Every spare dime I’ve ever made has been to try to find my daughter. But the Clark & Thompson Adoption Agency in St. Louis keeps all their records confidential. None of the investigators I’ve hired have been able to find any leads. But I won’t stop. I can’t. I have to find her. I have to know she’s okay.”
Grant and Greg gave her a joint hug, and she sobbed in their embrace.
When she finally gained her composure again, she continued with her story. “I always wanted to tell Mary, but I never had the courage. I know I must tell her, but I have to wait for the right time.” She looked into their eyes and saw such compassion and understanding it melted her heart. “Now you know everything. As much as I wish I could take the leap of faith with you, I’m scared. I’m scared for the boys. If it was just the three of us exploring this unusual relationship, then it wouldn’t be an issue. But it’s not just us, is it? I’m not willing to take that risk, are you?”
“Sweetheart, there is no risk with us,” Grant said.
“He’s right,” Greg added. “We already know. You’re the one for us. There’s no doubt. I realize it’s a lot to ask you to come into our home and be a mother for four boys. But we knew right away at the Horseshoe when you brought Toby back to us. The way they took to you and the way you took to them—it was a perfect match.”
“I love them. I truly do. I would love being their mother. But how can I be sure about your feelings for me?”
“You’ve stolen my heart. There’s no other one for me but you.” Greg kissed her tenderly on the cheek. “Sweetheart, trust me, it’s not just about the boys with us, though their well-being is very important, too. But you’ve already proved how much you care for them.”
“And they are crazy for you. How can they not be?” Grant kissed her on the other cheek. “You’re the woman of my dreams.”
“My head is spinning.” She stood. “I need advice about all of this.”
Grant and Greg also stood. They had told her she was the woman of their dreams. They definitely were the men of her dreams, too.
“I want to talk to Mary.” Now that she’d finally opened up about losing her child, she knew she could finally open up to her sister about everything. It would be hard, but the load that she’d been carrying for so long would finally be lifted. “Can you understand that?”
“Of course we can,” Grant said.
Greg nodded. “Take all the time you need, sweetheart. We don’t mind waiting for you.”
* * * *
Grant stood next to Greg, watching Maude drive away. “Did we screw everything up with her, bro?”
“I don’t think so,” his brother answered. “We just need to give her time and space.”
“I agree. I could use a drink.”
“Took the words right out of my mouth.”
They went back inside and got out their favorite bottle of Scotch. They always cracked it open when they needed to talk with each other about anything serious. And winning Maude was the most serious endeavor they’d ever faced together.
He and Greg sat silently for a few minutes, allowing the warm, gold liquid to do its magic and relax them.
Greg broke the silence first. “Maude needs advice from her sister, and I think we could use some advice of our own.”
“This is still very new to us. Let’s call our uncles.”
“Before we do that, I want to hire the best private investigator money can buy. We need to find Maude’s daughter for her.”
“And you say you can’t read minds, but you just did mine. The sheriff’s brother in Reno is a PI, and a damn good one from what I’ve heard.”
They made the call and had everything set up with the sheriff’s brother in less than an hour.
“That’s right,” Grant told the man on the other end of the line. “It’s the Clark & Thompson Adoption Agency in St. Louis. The adoption took place about eight years ago.”
“Excellent,” the PI said. “I just want to make sure you know how difficult it is to get this kind of information. I’ll do my best, but there is no guarantee.”
“We understand. When can we expect to hear from you?”
“If I discover anything, I’ll give you a call. If I don’t, I’ll be sure to check in at least twice a month. Be patient. Typically these things take a lot of time.”
“Do your best.” He ended the call.
Greg poured them each another drink. “What a night.”
“You can say that again.” Grant could still taste Maude’s lips on his own. “I thought it would be awkward. It wasn’t, was it?”
“Not at all,” his brother answered. “The Wilde way might be new to us, but it seemed so natural.”
“Like we’ve been in love with her our whole lives.” He took another slug from his glass.
“We can’t fuck this up,” Greg said.
He placed his hand on the shoulder of his brother, the only man he would be willing to share Maude with. “We won’t.”
Chapter Nine
Maude walked into the Wilde mansion at midnight. Carol had left a note for her on the kitchen table.
Dear daughter Maude,
I hope you had a nice time with my nephews Greg and Grant. I can’t wait to hear about it all in the morning. I made two pineapple upside-down cakes, one to take to the church dance tomorrow night and one for the house. Feel free to have a slice. The one on the left is for church. The one on the right is for us.
Sweet dreams.
Love,
Carol
The woman was even sweeter than her amazing desserts.
Maude looked at the cake, which seemed scrumptious. She thought about the chocolate pie she’d just eaten at the Strong brothers’ home. One little sliver won’t kill me, but if I keep eating like this I’m not going to be able to fit into my clothes.
Maude tiptoed to Mary’s door. She hated to disturb her sister’s sleep. Mary had just accepted the Wilde brothers’ proposal Friday night. And since t
hey’d all decided on one of the shortest engagements in history—seven days—Mary had much to do to pull off the wedding. Despite her fiancés’ grumblings, her sister had decided to spend the week at their parents’ home, alone. Even though Mary was marrying three men, which was quite unconventional, she still held to some time-honored traditions.
When Maude got to Mary’s door, she knocked quietly.
Less than a minute later, Mary appeared, wearing her robe. She looked stunning, more than ever before. Being in love enhanced her sister’s beauty.
“Hey,” Mary said, smiling.
“I’m sorry to wake you up, but I really need to talk to you.” All her insides seemed to be churning. She knew it was going to be difficult to get the words out. But she had to.
“I was still awake, sis. Waiting on you. I want to hear all about your date tonight.” Mary gave her a hug. “You okay? You don’t seem quite yourself.”
“I’m not.”
“You know what Mom Carol says about that. Dessert time before talk time.”
She grinned. “Great idea. Carol left me a note. There’s a pineapple upside-down cake that I’m dying to get a fork into.”
“Lead the way.”
“Here we are again,” Maude said to Mary ten minutes later, taking another bite of the delicious dessert, “at Carol’s kitchen table eating another one of her amazing creations. How does she have time to bake and still teach biology at the high school?”
Her sister smiled. “I have no idea, but I’m glad she does. Now, tell me all about your date with your two sexy cowboys.”
“They were wonderful, but that’s not all I want to talk to you about.” She sighed. The invisible weight inside her got even heavier. “I’m not sure where to begin. It’s something I’ve been keeping from you for a very long time.”
“You kept something from me?” Mary nodded. “I didn’t tell you what was happening with Paul back home.”
“I wish you would have told me right away. I would have helped you get out of that mess with that asshole.”
“I know you would. And I would do the same for you. Maude, there’s nothing you can say that will change how I feel about you. We’re sisters. I have your back and you have mine. Always. Tell me.”
