Swept Away in Wilde (Wilde, Nevada Beginnings 1)
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They all sat down, and the conversation and delicious food worked magic on her sister. By the time dessert was served, she seemed completely at home with the Wildes, just as she had been her first night here.
Carol said, “Maude, I’d love to show you and Mary around Wilde tomorrow.”
“That sounds great to me.”
“Don’t forget, Mom, we’re taking Mary on a date tomorrow night,” Craig said.
“I’m sorry, guys, but my sister is here. I can’t go horseback riding with you.”
“No, Mary,” Maude said with a devilish grin. “Go on your date. See how it turns out.”
“That’s wonderful. Maude, you and I can spend some time together,” Carol said. “That is if you don’t make other plans.”
Carol and Maude were cut from the same cloth.
“Are you sure, sis?” she asked Maude.
“Very sure. Have fun.”
She looked at Dan, Dillon, and Craig, who were all smiling broadly. “I’m sure I will have fun with these three.”
Chapter Sixteen
Mary walked out of the dressing room. “How does this look for my horseback riding date tonight?”
“You look beautiful,” Carol said. “I particularly love the Stetson you picked out.”
Maude nodded. “I agree. Annie Oakley has nothing on you, sis. Would you mind if I bought a pair of boots like those?”
“Sure. Would you like to learn to ride? Carol’s horse Rosie is a g
reat teacher. So are her sons.”
“Don’t you mean your boyfriends?” Maude teased.
“I think I’d like to try on that blue top before I make my decision.”
“Of course, Mary.” Carol looked at her watch. “Oh my. I had no idea it was this late.” She turned to Maude. “Would you mind doing me a quick favor?”
“Sure. Anything.”
“I’ve ordered lunch to-go for my husbands at the Horseshoe Bar & Grill just across the street. I need to run to the bank, or I would do it myself. Would you mind picking up my order?”
“I don’t mind at all.”
Carol pulled out some money from her purse and handed it to Maude. “Mary, you try on anything else you like.” She sent her a little wink. What was she up to? “Maude and I will meet you back here in a few minutes before my boys show up to drive us back to the house.”
“Sounds good to me,” she said.
When her shopping buddies left the store, she tried on the blue top but decided to stick with the red one, which had a better fit. She walked back out of the dressing room, and to her shock, she spotted the last person on earth she expected to see in Wilde. Paul, her ex.
He grabbed her arm tightly. “Thought you could get away from me so easily, M.”
She hated when he called her that. “Let go of me before I scream.”
“No one here to hear you, baby. The clerk just stepped out back for a smoke break.” He pulled her to the door. “You’re coming home with me now.”
She tried to break free of his hold. “How did you find me?”