Swept Away in Wilde (Wilde, Nevada Beginnings 1)

“Thank you, Mom,” she said. “Maude, follow me.”

* * * *

Craig watched Mary walk out of the kitchen with her sister. He wished he could be a fly on the wall to listen in on their conversation upstairs. The last thing he wanted was for Maude to put doubts into Mary’s mind about him and his brothers. “That didn’t go well.”

“Not at all,” Dillon said.

“Sit down, boys,” their mom said. “We have a little bit of time to talk before we start dinner. And I believe we have as much to talk about as those two lovely girls.”

They all sat down at the kitchen table.

Dan sighed. “I guess we won’t have our date tonight with Mary since Maude is here.”

“I’m not worried just about the date, bro,” Craig said, feeling his gut tighten. “Mary’s only real family is her sister. They are so close.”

“I’m not surprised.” Dillon sat down at the table. “They both grew up with self-centered parents who showed them no love.”

“In fact, she really is her only family since her parents nearly disowned her for moving in with her ex,” he said. “I can understand why she did. Obviously she wanted to get out of her parents’ cold home.”

He looked over at his mom and saw her eyes were welling up. “Mom, are you okay?”

“Mary has been through so much. Her fiancé abused her.”

“We know, Mom,” Dillon said, grabbing her hand.

She smiled. “For a woman to share such a thing with anyone, especially a man, is very difficult. There must be trust. She does love you boys.”

“But is that going to be enough, Mom?” Dan asked. “She’s not from Wilde. Can you imagine how her parents will react when they learn she’s in love with three men? You saw how her sister just reacted to the news.”

“Poor things,” their mom said. “Growing up in such a home must’ve been very lonely. No wonder they cling to each other. But don’t worry about Maude changing Mary’s mind. I can tell that she’s stronger than any of us can imagine.”

“I agree.” Craig grinned. “And I’m a Wilde. No matter what happens, I know Mary is the one for me and my brothers. I won’t let anything or anyone keep me from marrying her.”

“You sound just like your dads, son.” She smiled. “Don’t you think Maude is a beautiful woman, too? She seems very strong. It’s clear to me that she only wants the best for her sister.”

“She’s pretty and feisty,” Dillon said.

“I have a plan for Maude that I’m positive will turn her around. Plus, if it works out the way I think it will, you three will be able to take Mary on that date tomorrow night.”

“What plan?” Dan asked.

His mom smiled and stood. “Leave that to me. I don’t want you teasing me about this idea.”

“Teasing you?” Craig wondered what his mother was up to.

She ignored the question. “Now, I do need my sweet boys’ help to get dinner ready. Shall we? I have a bunch of potatoes that need peeling.”

Chapter Fifteen

Mary grinned as she placed the last of Maude’s outfits on a hanger in the closet, which was slightly larger than any of the ones in their parents’ home. Good thing, since it looked like her sister had brought enough to stay a month or more even though she had said she would only be staying a couple of days.

This guest bedroom was just as nice as the one she was staying in, though the colors were more muted. Hers had a more feminine styling than this room, which could accommodate either a male or female guest.

She took a seat in one of the two chairs by the large window, waiting for Maude to finish her shower. How do I convince her I know what I’m doing? She’d never been able to convince Maude of anything, so she guessed her sister would have to see for herself.

“That was just what I needed, Mary.” Maude stepped out of the bathroom wearing a white terry cloth robe with her long hair wrapped up in a towel to dry. She came and sat down in the other chair next to her.

“God, I’ve missed you, sis,” she said. “I really am so glad you are here.”