“Are you sure you’re okay?” Carol asked.
Maude felt her heart pounding hard in her chest. “Did he hurt you?”
Mary hugged them both. “I’ve never been better. I swear. Did you see what my guys did?”
It was at that very moment Maude knew that her sister had found true love. Maybe it wasn’t the kind of love that she’d ever imagined for her sister, but it was definitely Mary’s destiny. No more would she try to convince her otherwise. She was completely on board with supporting the love that was shared between the men and her sister. The Wilde brothers had saved Mary not just from her ex but also from a gray existence that they both had experienced.
The sheriff placed Paul in handcuffs.
“You will pay for attacking me,” Paul screamed. “You’re arresting the wrong man, officer. I’m innocent.”
Maude saw that both the bastard’s eyes were swollen and his lip was bleeding. “You’re as guilty as they come, Paul Holstead. You beat my sister. Now you follow me to Wilde so that you can get to her? You don’t have a leg to stand on, asshole. These three men were rescuing her, Sheriff.”
“Thank you, miss. I was just down the street when I heard her scream.” The man turned to Mary and the three Wilde brothers. “I’ll need the four of you to come to my office to take down your statements.”
“Yes, sir,” Mary said. “My sister’s account of the facts is accurate. And there’s more I need to tell you about what happened back in Missouri to me.”
“I’m sure the judge will be happy to hear all you have to say.” The sheriff led Paul, who continued to grumble, to the jail.
Her sister looked at Greg. “And who is this, Maude?”
He held out his hand to Mary. “I’m Greg Strong, miss.”
“He’s our cousin,” Dan informed. “Where is Grant?”
“With the boys at the Horseshoe,” Greg said. “Maude came to our rescue.” He told them about Toby escaping out the door.
Carol gave her a big hug. “What did you think of our little guys?”
“They are the most beautiful boys I’ve ever seen.” Her heart skipped a beat as the memory of her own daughter filled her mind. “Carol, I forgot to get the meal you sent me to pick up.”
Carol shook her head. “What meal?”
“The lunch for your husbands at the Horseshoe.”
“Ah. Yes. The lunch.” Carol grinned and turned to Greg. “And I am glad you and Grant listened to me about the outing today.”
Maude laughed, knowing she’d been right about Mrs. Matchmaker. “You are a devil, Carol Wilde. I can see through you and this errand you sent me on.”
Carol grinned. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, honey.”
“Speaking of lunch,” Greg said. “Maude and I need to get back to Grant and the boys. She agreed to have lunch with us for rescuing Toby. Is that okay with everyone? We’ll make sure we get her home.”
“That’s very okay with me,” Carol said with a wink.
“With me, too,” Mary said, smiling.
“Besides, Maude, we all heard the sheriff.” Carol motioned to her three sons and to Mary. “These four need to give their statements. And I need to get back to my husbands. Have fun, dear. We will see you later.”
All of them left her and Greg standing in the street.
She looked into his big bright eyes. “They didn’t give us much of a choice in the matter, did they?”
Greg put his arm around her again. “I’m glad they didn’t. Let’s go fill in my brother. He’s got his face plastered to the window.”
Turning her attention to the Horseshoe, she saw he was right. Grant was standing at the big window with Nate and Seth in his arms. “We better go. I’m sure he needs our help with the boys.”
* * * *