by Chloe Lang
“Tonight?”
Uncle Jack turned to him. “Greg, didn’t you tell her?”
“I was about to.”
“Tell me what?”
Greg kissed her tenderly. “You’re going to meet your daughter tomorrow.”
Chapter Seventeen
Grant walked on one side of the love of his life, and his brother, Greg, walked on the other side.
With his arm around Maude, he could feel her trembles. Because she was so nervous, Maude barely took any notice of how nice the home was—a modern ranch with perfectly groomed grounds. It was a gem, sitting on a hill with a spectacular view of the ocean.
“You ready, honey?” Greg asked her.
Taking a deep breath, she timidly rang the doorbell.
A very well-dressed couple opened the door. They looked to be in their late thirties. The man wore an expensive-looking suit, and the woman had on a soft blue dress. They both seemed as nervous as Maude.
“You must be Maude,” the woman said, extending her hand to her.
“I am,” she answered. “And you must be Dale and Tina.”
“We are,” the man answered. “Please. Come in.”
The inside of the home was just as beautiful as the outside, furnished with the finest décor. The file that Uncle Jack had shared last night with them had a lot of information on Dale and Tina. The couple owned several successful restaurants around San Diego.
“Please have a seat,” Tina said. “I’m sure you have many questions for us. And we have some things we’d like to share with you.”
Maude took a deep breath and sat. He and Greg took seats on either side of her.
“First of all,” Tina said, “we want to thank you very much for the little girl you gave us. I tried many years to have a child, but could not. She put happiness in our home.”
“Did you know that I didn’t want to give her up?” Maude asked. “I was so young. I had no choice.”
Dale didn’t say anything, and neither did he or Greg. Being men, they all seemed to know that the best course was to let these two mothers work things out.
“Maude, I wouldn’t have known at all, but when we picked up the baby, your letter was with her. The adoption agency did respect your request and gave it to us. I still have it. I will tell you, although I was so happy to have Kaylyn, my heart broke for your sacrifice. We immediately called the adoption agency and tried to find you. Your parents had the records sealed. So we never knew where you were. And now, eight years later, you have come into our lives, and I know you want to see our little girl. We want to grant you that because you gave us such a special gift. I only ask you don’t tell her who you are. I honestly don’t believe she’s old enough to know all of this. Can you agree to these terms if we let you see her?”
“I would never want to hurt her. I just wanted to know everything I could about her. Did she have good parents? Could they provide for her? Now I know.” Maude grabbed his and Greg’s hands and squeezed. “I won’t tell Kaylyn who I am, and I want to thank you for this opportunity that I never thought I would have.”
Tears streamed down both Tina’s and Maude’s eyes.
“I promise you,” Tina said, “I will keep you informed of everything that Kaylyn does for the rest of your life. Also, expect pictures, Maude. Because they will come.”
Maude and Tina stood and embraced each other.
Grant smiled, knowing that he, Greg, and Dale had just witnessed something quite special—two mothers coming together for the love of one little girl.
“Let’s go meet your daughter,” Tina said.
They all walked into the backyard.
The moment he saw Kaylyn, he recognized her as Maude’s daughter. They looked so much alike. The little girl was running around the lawn with a brown puppy.
“Kaylyn, come over here, sweetie,” Tina said. “I want you to meet some old friends.”
“Do they want to meet Duke?”
Maude got down on her knees. “Yes, I would love to meet him, Kaylyn.”
Kaylyn picked the puppy up and quickly brought him and sat him in Maude’s lap.
“He loves everybody, but he still pees in the house.”
“He’s still a baby.” Maude held Duke but her eyes never left Kaylyn.
“And I’m a good mommy,” Kaylyn said, turning to Tina. “Right, Mommy?”
“Very good, sweetheart,” Tina said.
Kaylyn smiled and turned back to Maude. “What’s your name?”
“I’m Maude.”
“Maude, that’s a funny name, but you’re really pretty.”
Maude laughed. “You’re right, sweetheart. My name is funny, but it fits me. I’m used to it.”
“I like you, and so does Duke. Are you staying for dinner? Daddy and I made chocolate chip cookies for dessert.”
“That’s so sweet of you, Kaylyn, but we can’t stay,” Maude said, her voice shaking just a little. She turned to him and Greg. “This is Grant and Greg. They brought me here to meet you.”
Kaylyn smiled and stepped in front of them. “Pleased to meet you.” Then she turned to Tina. “Did I do it right, Mommy?”
“Yes, you did, sweetie. Perfect. A little lady.”
“We have to leave, sweetheart. I’m so glad to meet you and Duke.” Maude smiled. “Could I have a hug?”
Kaylyn wrapped her arms around her, and Maude held her tight. When they released each other, Grant saw tears in Maude’s eyes.
“Why are you crying, Maude?” Kaylyn asked.
“Because you are just so beautiful and sweet. I’ve never met such a wonderful little girl in my life.”
* * * *
Sitting between her guys in the car the entire trip from San Diego, Maude hadn’t stopped looking at the photos of Kaylyn that Tina had given her.
Now that she knew her little girl had been placed in such a loving home, the crushing weight she’d been carrying for so long was gone. Tina and Dale had promised to keep her informed of all that happened in Kaylyn’s life. When they thought Kaylyn was ready to know the truth about her, they would tell Kaylyn. One day, she would hug her again. Until then, she knew her little girl was being taken care of by two loving parents.
Grant and Greg had given her so much, but the best gift had been reuniting her with her daughter.
“Almost there,” Grant said, sitting behind the steering wheel.
“I can’t wait to see the boys.” Maude looked out the windshield and saw the Wilde mansion come into view.
Her sister was on her honeymoon in the Caribbean. She was so anxious to tell her everything.
Mom Carol, Pappy Jack, Dad Tom, and Pop Will had been thrilled to take care of the four boys while they went to San Diego.
Grant parked the car.
“Let me out,” she said excitedly.
Greg smiled and stepped out.
She got out of the car and ran straight into the house. “Boys. Boys. Where are you?”
“They’re in here, sweetheart,” Mom Carol said from the living room.
Maude rushed to them. They were all playing on the floor by the dear woman’s feet.
“Mama,” Toby and Heath said, holding out their little arms for her.
She got down on the floor and hugged them tight. “I missed you so much.”
“Mama,” Nate babbled sweetly, imitating his brothers.
She scooped up Nate and Seth, squeezing them. Tears of joy streamed down her face.
Grant and Greg came up behind her, and then each of them got down on one knee.
“I think it’s time we made this legal, honey,” Grant said, touching her cheek. “Will you marry me?”
“And will you marry me?” Greg asked, stroking her hair.
Her heart swelled in her chest. “Of course. Yes.”
She kissed them both.
Mom Carol wiped her eyes. “It’s about time you got engaged. I thought you boys would never ask her.”
“Mom.” Maude couldn’t help but grin at the sweet woman. “We’ve on
ly known each other a little over a week. I’d call that pretty fast.”
“Maybe so.” Mom Carol hugged her, and then yelled. “Jack, bring the champagne. Tom, you get the glasses. Will, hurry up and get in here. We have another wedding to plan for.”
Maude gazed into the eyes of the two men she loved with all her heart. Grant and Greg had given her everything she’d ever dreamed of. She was going to marry them and would become the mother of her four little precious cowboys. She was finally home.
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chloe Lang began devouring romance novels during summers between college semesters as a respite to the rigors of her studies. Soon, her lifelong addiction was born, and to this day, she typically reads three or four books every week.
For years, the very shy Chloe tried her hand at writing romance stories, but shared them with no one. After many months of prodding by an author friend, Sophie Oak, she finally relented and let Sophie read one. As the prodding turned to gentle shoves, Chloe ultimately did submit something to Siren-BookStrand. The thrill of a life happened for her when she got the word that her book would be published.
For all titles by Chloe Lang, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/chloe-lang
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
