“And we both fell in love with her. Neither one of us would ever give her up.”
Greg interjected, “It took some convincing to get her on board with the idea, but we finally succeeded.”
Maude raised an eyebrow. “You wore me down.”
Grant pulled her into him. “And had a ball doing it, too.”
“Hush up.” Maude looked more like a schoolgirl at the moment than what her actual years were.
Jessie could sense the intense love and respect between Maude and her men. She longed for the life Maude and Mrs. Wilde had. Would she ever have it?
Mrs. Wilde rounded the corner with her three husbands following. “Jessie, Austin is awake and wants to see you. He’s back to normal.”
“His normal? Grumpy and bossy?” Jackson joked.
“You got it, son,” his dad, Daniel, answered.
She stood, and so did Dallas and Denver.
Mary Wilde shook her head. “Alone, boys. They need to talk.”
“Mom, we’re not letting her out of our sight. We’ve agreed that one of us will be with her at all times until the killer is found, whoever it is.”
“Fine. Go with Jessie, but stay outside the door.”
“But—”
His dad Dillion put his hand on Denver’s shoulder. “Alone. Remember, we men are better at protecting the body, and our women are better at protecting the heart.”
Craig Wilde, their other dad, nodded. “Guard the door. One of you can go outside and watch the window if you want, son.”
“We definitely want,” Dallas answered.
“Good.” Craig smiled broadly, looking a lot like Jackson.
Mary interjected, “But you both know that Jessie needs a private moment with Austin. For her and your brother, give it to them.”
“Okay. Five minutes,” Denver informed.
Jessie’s impatience to see Austin got the best of her. “You and your damn timekeeping, Denver.”
Maude laughed. “She knows him all right. The boy can’t go by a clock without looking at it.”
Thankful that their aunt had lightened the moment, Jessie looked straight into Denver’s eyes. “Let me have whatever time I want. You two bruisers can make sure no one comes in or out of the room while I’m with Austin. Not even nurses or doctors.”
Denver shook his head. “I can’t win. Take all the time you need, sweetheart.” He turned to Dallas. “You got the outside, bro?”
“Check. You cover the door.”
“Will do. Aunt Maude, if we’re not back when Phoenix and Jackson show up with the goodies, tell—”
“Tell them where y’all went.” She saluted the two cowboys. “Check.”
Jessie took Denver’s arm, and they walked to Austin’s room.
Just as they got to the door, a nurse came out. She smiled. “He’s all yours.”
“Thank you.” Jessie turned to Denver.