Swept Away in Wilde (Wilde, Nevada Beginnings 1)

“No, sir,” Dillon said. “Craig just needs stitches.”

The sheriff smiled. “What happened this time? Craig, how many scars do you have?”

“Thirteen,” his brother said with pride. “The women love them.”

Chapter Three

Mary walked into the diner and was shocked to see every seat taken, including the stools at the lunch counter. At the table closest to the entry, a middle-aged blonde woman sat with two gentlemen. The woman looked at her and smiled.

Mary looked at her watch. Straight-up noon. No wonder the place was so full.

One of the waitresses came up to her. “As you can see we are packed. It might be another fifteen minutes before something opens up.”

“Is there somewhere else in town I could get something to eat?”

“Nonsense,” the woman at the table said. “We have a free chair right here.” She pointed at it. “We just sat down and haven’t ordered. We would love it if you would join us. I’m Carol, and this is Tom and Will.”

“I’m Mary,” she said. The trio looked harmless, and their smiles seemed genuine. “Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude.”

“You’re absolutely not intruding. My husbands and I love to meet new people. We don’t get visitors in Wilde very often.”

Husbands?

Tom stood and pulled out the chair next to Carol. “I know it’s lunchtime, but I recommend the King Cakes.”

She took a seat. “Thank you, but what are King Cakes?”

Will grinned. “Wilde may be small, but Elvis Presley actually came here. He ordered pancakes in this very diner. He loved them. Ever since they have been called ‘King Cakes.’ When we heard about his death three years ago, the whole town grieved his loss. Not only did we lose a great singer, but we also lost a great gentleman.”

Mary’s excitement grew. Did this town have the story she so desperately needed? “What else can you tell me about your town?”

Carol grinned. “I love your curiosity. I noticed the look on your face when I introduced Tom and Will as my husbands.”

Mary felt heat rush to her cheeks. “I am a writer and I am looking for a story. Can you tell me more?”

“Should we?” Will said with a wide grin. “Wilde is a well-kept secret. If the outside world learned what goes on here, only God knows what would happen.”

“Stop teasing the girl, Will,” Carol scolded. “It’s the worst-kept secret ever. People from as far away as Europe visit our town because of the nonjudgmental attitudes of our citizens.”

“If you’re going to write a story about the town, you better start with our family,” Tom said.

“Sure,” Mary said. “What can you tell me about your family?”

“First, the town’s name comes from us,” he said. “We are the Wilde family.”

“You and Will are brothers?”

“Hard to imagine, isn’t it?” Tom laughed. “I’m so much better looking than him.”

Will shook his head. “Mary isn’t blind, Tom. She can see I’m model material, not you.”

“Listen to my guys,” Carol said. “They are just as bad as our boys. We have three. Wilde men never fully grow up.”

Tom reached across the table and held Carol’s hand. “Honey, it’s not my fault I look like Rock Hudson. Who can blame me? Besides, I am married to the most beautiful woman in the world.”

“We both are,” Will said and grabbed her other hand.

Even though shocked by the news that Carol was married to both men, it was clear to Mary that these three were deeply in love. “How do you avoid getting jealous of each other?”