A Match Made in Wilde (Wilde, Nevada Beginnings 2)

“Right on time.” Uncle Jack took off his cowboy hat and wiped his brow. “Good thing, because once I’m finished here, I’ve got to head to the mine. We have an inspection next week that I need to make sure we are prepared for.”

All three of his uncles were the hardest-working men he knew.

“When Aunt Carol called the house and said you had news about Maude’s child, I came as fast as I could. What more do we know, Uncle Jack?”

“I spoke with the governor early this morning. We have good news and bad news.”

He didn’t like the sound of that. “I’d like to hear the good news first.”

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“The governor is friends with Missouri’s attorney general, who has agreed to help with getting the adoption agency’s records for Maude’s child opened.”

“That’s great news. What’s the bad news?”

“The attorney general told the governor that the whole process could take a year or more, and even then, there are no guarantees.”

“Damn, Uncle Jack. We have to find Maude’s child. She’s been searching for her ever since she had to give her up. She hired a new private investigator, but we wonder if he’s just bilking her for money. She told us just this morning that she hasn’t heard a word from him.”

“Tell her to fire the bastard. We have the best on this mission now.”

“Can’t do that. Maude is unaware of the effort that is being put out to find her daughter. Greg and I decided that it was for the best to keep it that way, since we aren’t sure how long it will take us to find her little girl. So even though we don’t trust this guy, we sent him a check so she wouldn’t worry.”

Uncle Jack smiled. “Very protective of her, aren’t you and Greg?”

“We are. We love her.” He smiled. “And she loves us. She told us so last night.”

“Good for you, son.” Uncle Jack reached across the fence, and they shook hands. “She’s perfect for you and your brother, and those four little cowboys, too.”

“Yes, she is.” He sighed. “We really want to help her find her daughter, Uncle Jack. She needs to know that her little girl is in a good home. Greg and I hired the sheriff’s brother. Maybe he will have better luck.”

“Well, one thing’s for sure, we have lots of movers and shakers on this mission. I’m going to expect the outcome we all want. We’re going to find your sweet Maude’s child. You’ll see. I know one thing for sure that will take all our minds off of worrying.”

“What’s that?”

“My sons’ wedding. Oh, Carol wanted me to make sure you and Grant had picked up your tuxedos.”

“What would we do without Aunt Carol? The tuxes are hanging in the closet as we speak. Greg got them yesterday.”

“Since Maude is the maid of honor, you and Greg, as best men, will walk her down the aisle after the ceremony.” Uncle Jack winked. “Does that give you any ideas?”

“More than you know.”

Chapter Sixteen

Walking down the aisle in step to the music, Maude glanced at Greg and Grant, who were standing with the rest of the wedding party. She winked at them, and they smiled back. They looked so handsome in their tuxedos.

She still couldn’t believe how happy they had made her. She belonged to them, and they belonged to her. Her whole life she’d felt lesser, never good enough. Greg and Grant made her feel worthy and so very special. I love them so much.

The tiny chapel’s pews were filled with the citizens of Wilde. There were more people standing in all the free spaces along the walls. Rose petals littered the main aisle.

On the front row to her right was Pop Will, who had two of her precious boys, Toby and Heath, sitting on either side of him. To her left were Mom Carol and Dad Tom. They each held one of her other boys. Seth was asleep in Carol’s arms, and Nate was yawning in Dad Tom’s. Since her and Mary’s parents had refused to come, Carol had insisted on sitting on the bride’s side of the chapel.

When she got in place and turned around, Toby yelled, “There’s my mama.”

The crowd laughed.

Pop Will looked at him. “Shh.”