Heath lit up and jumped on top of him, kicking him hard in the sides. “Giddyup, horsey.”
He and Maude gave all the boys rides until Toby yawned, signaling it was bedtime.
He straightened up off of all fours and onto his two legs. “Time for all little cowboys to get ready for bed.” He lifted Nate and Seth into his arms.
Toby said, “Mama, read us a story.”
“If it’s okay with your dads.”
“After they brush their teeth and get their pajamas on.”
“Okay, I’m gonna go real fast,” Heath said, darting off to the bathroom.
“Wait for me.” Toby chased after him.
With Maude’s help, he and Grant were able to get the boys put to bed. She read them a story, and in no time, they were all fast asleep.
The more time he and Grant spent with her, the more he wanted her as their own. He whispered, “Let’s go into the living room for Grant’s chocolate pie.”
He and Maude sat down on the sofa.
“Would you like wine or coffee with your pie?” Grant asked her.
“Coffee, please.”
“Cream or sugar?”
“Both.”
“Bro, what about you?”
“Coffee. Black, as usual.”
Grant nodded. “I’ll be back in a sec.”
“I can’t remember when I’ve had so much fun. Those boys of yours are wonderful.”
“I can tell they love you, Maude.”
“I love them, too. But I’m afraid that could be a problem.” She folded her hands in her lap and looked down. “They keep calling me “Mama.” I’m not sure they should. I’m going to be leaving soon. I don’t want to break their little hearts.”
He sensed there was more to what she was saying, but he didn’t know what it could be. He took her hand and squeezed it. “Why do you have to leave Wilde? What’s waiting for you outside?”
She turned to him and smiled. “I have a job back in Missouri.”
“A job, but not a career. Not something you’re passionate about, right?”
“It’s like you can read my mind, Mr. Greg Strong.”
Glancing down at him and Maude holding hands, Grant walked in carrying a tray with their dessert and coffee. “I keep telling my brother that he could make a career from his soothsaying, like Jean Dixon.”
He laughed. “You’ve never said that before. And I don’t see ghosts.”
“Oh really.” She squeezed his hand back, which thrilled him. “I bet you see much more than you’re telling us.”
“Maybe not ghosts, but he’s always been able to read people pretty well.” Grant sat down on the other side of Maude. “Much better than I ever could. Greg’s like our mom in that way.”
Maude took a bite of the pie and turned to Grant. “Oh my God. This is unbelievably delicious. Wow.”