Swept Away in Wilde (Wilde, Nevada Beginnings 1)

“Come on, Rosie,” she said, patting the sweet horse on the neck. “Next stop—The Wilde Mansion.”

The ride home wasn’t long, but every foot she grew more and more excited.

Dillon was on his walkie-talkie with one of their ranch hands. “Come to the front of my parents’ house, Max. We need you to put our horses away. We have big news for Mom that can’t wait. Thanks.”

She was surrounded by the Wilde brothers. “I hope you will all continue to ride with me. I really love it.”

“You are definitely the woman for us,” Dan said. “No doubt about it, sweetheart.”

“The transportation to our date tonight will be on horseback, angel,” Dillon said. “We have a special place we all want to show you.”

“But you’ve each already shown me special places. There is more?”

Craig smiled. “One more, sweetheart.”

“We saved the best for last,” Dan said, grinning.

“What are we going to do on our date?” she asked. “I’ve never been on a double date, let alone a triple date. Wait, that’s not quite right. What would a date with three guys and one woman be called?”

“Heaven,” Craig answered. “When it’s with the right woman. Mary, you are most certainly the right woman for us. You’re the only one for us.”

They arrived at their parents’ home.

Max was by the steps.

“Hey, buddy,” Dillon said. “Thanks for this.”

“No problem, boss.” The ranch hand took the reins of all the horses and led them into the barn.

“Come on. I can’t wait to tell Mom.” Mary bolted up the steps. Dan, Dillon, and Craig ran with her. “Mom. Mom. I came to tell you I’m in lov—” Her jaw dropped when she saw Maude sitting at the table with Carol.

“Hello, sis.” Her sister jumped up from the chair and ran to her.

They hugged each other.

“I’m so glad you are here,” she said, holding her sister tight. “I have wonderful news. You need to sit down, Maude. And you, too, Mom. These are my three guys, and I love them very much. I’m staying in Wilde for the rest of my life with them.”

Mom smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I am so happy. This is the most wonderful news. Exactly what I wanted.” Then the dear woman gave each of her boys a kiss before sitting back down.

Still standing, Maude frowned. “Don’t tell me they’ve proposed already?”

“Not exactly.”

Dillon put his arm around her and turned to Maude. “But we all know what we want. We want your sister for our wife. We all love her.”

Maude shook her head. “I don’t understand any of this. Three husbands? How is that possible?”

“I don’t understand it either, sis, but I do understand how much I love them. The rest we’ll work out together.”

“I think you are just on the rebound. Do these guys know about your engagement to Paul?”

“They know. What you do not know is that I haven’t had feelings for Paul for months. I was trying to figure a way out of that mess for a very long time.”

“No offense to any of you,” Maude said, “but this lifestyle isn’t for me and Mary.”

She folded her arms over her chest. “That’s not your decision, Maude. I know you are only trying to protect me and have my best interest in mind. But this is my life and I’ve made up my mind. Nothing you can say is going to change it.”

“Mary, why don’t you take your sister upstairs?” Carol smiled. It was clear she was trying to give them a chance to be alone and hash all this out with each other. “Maude’s room is the one across from yours. My boys and I will get supper started.”