Swept Away in Wilde (Wilde, Nevada Beginnings 1)

“Me, too. And Carol is the sweetest lady to let me stay here. When I first got here, she immediately started a pot of coffee and gave me a piece of the most delicious pie I’ve ever had.”

“What kind was it?”

“Peach.”

“I haven’t had that one, but her apple and chocolate cream are to die for.”

“I don’t like the sound of that. I can see me putting on twenty pounds while

I’m here.”

“Speaking of while you are here, you brought enough clothes to stay a month. Is that your real intention?”

Maude leaned forward and grabbed both her hands. “I’m going to stay as long as it takes to convince you to go on to California.”

She squeezed her sister’s hands. “I love you, Maude, and how much you care about me. But you will never convince me to leave. I’ve never felt at home anywhere until I came to Wilde. I know you don’t understand this lifestyle and quite frankly I don’t either. What I do know is I love all three brothers with all my heart. And they love me. Nothing can take that away from me.”

“So you intend to marry three men?” Maude shook her head. “That’s not even legal, Mary.”

“I told you I still don’t understand how it all works, but I know it does. Carol and her three husbands are living proof of that.”

“Well, I haven’t even met her three guys. I reserve my judgment on that matter until I meet them.”

“You’re going to have that opportunity at dinner. The only thing I ask you is that you be nice. They are wonderful people.”

Maude grinned. “Aren’t I always, sis?”

“Yes, but you are very outspoken.”

“I would never insult the people who opened up their home for me.”

“I know you wouldn’t. Just please look at this lovely family. It’s plain to see that Carol and her husbands are completely head over heels for each other. If you keep your mind open on this, you’ll see it just like I did.” She leaned back in her chair. “Maude, I can be happy here. With Dan, Dillon, and Craig. I know I can. I know I will.”

“I want you to be happy, sis. I do. But you left home and moved in with Paul. You thought that would make you happy, too. But it didn’t. I just want you to think about this.”

“You’re right. It didn’t make me happy. I really never loved Paul. At least my feelings for him don’t even compare with how I feel with my guys. I really only moved in with him to get as far away from home as I could. You know that. We talked about it. You’d been gone from home for over a year. I was so alone. Living with them. I just couldn’t take it anymore.”

“I feel guilty about the Paul thing, Mary. I should have had you move in with me.”

“Stop it. That’s all the past. I’m looking at the here and now. Besides, everything we have been through is for a reason. I would’ve never met the men of my dreams if I hadn’t left.”

“You seem stronger somehow, sis. Definitely more confident than I’ve ever seen you before.”

“And don’t forget happy, Maude. I’m so very happy. I hope you can see that, too.”

“Sis, this is difficult for me. I worry about you.”

“Just give it time. You’ll come around.” She stood. “And we both better be getting ready for dinner. I can’t wait for you to taste Mom’s cooking. When I told her that I’d only baked cookies, she promised to teach me anything I wanted to learn in the kitchen. Can you believe that?”

“After tasting her peach pie, maybe I should ask her for lessons, too.”

“Maybe you should.”

* * * *

Mary walked down the stairs with Maude. She could tell her sister was very uptight. More so than usual. But Maude looked absolutely beautiful, and she knew the Wildes would make her feel at home.

Dan, Dillon, Craig, and their dads were setting the table together.