Her sister’s eyes narrowed. “They were gentlemen, weren’t they?”
She smiled. “They were perfect. Too perfect.” Unable to hold back her emotions, the tears fell and she began to sob. “What should I do?”
“What should you do about what? Maude, what’s wrong?”
“Everything. They told me they care about me. I love those boys, and I have feelings for them.”
Mary shook her head. “I don’t understand. Shouldn’t that be a good thing? Carol has told me so much about Greg and Grant. I think they would be perfect for you.”
“There’s that word again. ‘Perfect.’ But it’s me that’s not perfect. I should be okay with being loved by two men. But I just don’t know how that would even work for me.”
“Look at me,” Mary said. “I don’t know either, and I have three guys who I am in a relationship with. For the first time in my life, I’m truly happy. I don’t know how this all works out, but I just know it will. You’ve got to trust your heart and not your head, Maude. This is about love, plain and simple. The rules we were taught do not apply here.”
“That’s for sure. But this whole thing just seems crazy to me.”
Carol walked into the kitchen. “Oh, I see you’re enjoying the cake. I wanted to have a piece myself. Is this sister talk or may I join you?”
“We would love you to join us,” Maude said. “Truthfully, I could use your advice, Mom. I’m very emotional right now. I had to share something with my sister I’ve been holding back from her for a very long time. I would like to share it with you, as well.”
Carol sat down beside her. “I’m here for you, sweetheart.”
She laid it all out, telling her everything about losing her baby, about how the date with Greg and Grant had gone, and about her fears of pursuing anything with them.
Carol wiped her eyes. “You poor thing. So much loss and hurt. No wonder you’re confused about what to do with my nephews.”
“I am confused.”
“I can’t imagine how you felt when they took your baby from you. You had so much to give to that precious little girl, but were never allowed to fulfill your desires as a mother. I pray she’s in a very good home.”
“I won’t stop searching for her, Mom. I can’t.”
“You’ll find her, sweetheart. You have a right to know where and how she is. And I’ll do everything in my power to help you.”
“I appreciate that so much.” She’d been looking for her daughter for so long on her own. It felt so great to have Carol and Mary joining in the search. She wasn’t alone anymore. “And on top of that, I don’t know what to do about Grant and Greg. I love their boys. They’ve stolen my heart, utterly.” She felt her eyes well up again. “Damn, I’m just so emotional right now. I’m not usually like this.”
Carol reached for her hand. “My guess is you’ve had to keep your feelings bottled up just to survive. Now that you feel safe to let them out, they won’t be held back.”
“Mom, you are right about everything,” Mary said. “We love you, sis. Just let it all out.”
She nodded. “The truth is I already have strong feelings for Grant and Greg.”
Carol smiled. “Now we’re getting somewhere.”
“Seeing how your three husbands treat you has made me think about what it might be like being in that kind of relationship with your nephews. But I have so many doubts. Sure, it would be wonderful at first. What woman wouldn’t love being their center of attention? Would I be enough for them? Would they be happy with just me? Carol, you are a super woman. So is Mary. I’m sure her future with your sons will be wonderful. I just don’t know if I could ever be like you two.”
“Young lady, you are underestimating yourself,” Carol said. “The very first moment I opened the door and saw you I thought to myself ‘what an amazing woman.’ You did not hesitate coming here to help your sister. All the things you had to do to prepare for a trip, you did in a very short amount of time. Why? Because of how much you love Mary and knew she needed you. You’re worried about if you could be enough for Grant and Greg. I can see them having trouble keeping up with you. I believe in my heart you are perfect for them and those precious little boys.”
“You really think so?”
“I know so, sweetheart.”
“Listen to Mom. She’s right. Don’t try to analyze everything, sis,” Mary said. “Just let it be. See where this path takes you. What did following our parents’ lessons ever get us? A life without happiness. A life without color and vibrancy. No more. I choose to be happy. I hope you will, too.”
Chapter Ten
Parked at the Wilde mansion, Greg and Grant got the boys out of their car seats. Out of the corner of his eye, Greg saw Aunt Carol and Uncles Jack, Tom, and Will rushing out of the house to help.
“Give me those precious angels,” Aunt Carol said. “I’ve got a big stack of pancakes waiting for them.”