A Wilde Wedding Night (The Brothers of Wilde, Nevada 0.50)

“Are those roses?” Carol asked.

“They are. Mom insisted I plant four bushes. All red. Told me it was important to spend time on the outside as I had on the inside. Made it more homey and appealing.”

“Roses are my favorite flower, and red is my favorite color.”

He smiled. “Mom knows best.”

“Sweetheart, are you ready to go in?” Tom asked Carol.

She nodded.

Jack placed his arm around her shoulders, leading the way. When he got to the front steps, he lifted her up in his arms.

She gasped. “What are you doing, Jack?”

“It’s tradition, sweetheart. A bride is supposed to be carried over the threshold. Or did I get that wrong?”

The smile that spread across her face pleased him. It was the first time she seemed to relax since the wedding.

“You’re right, of course.” She leaned her head into him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

He carried her into his cabin and gently lowered her down to her feet.

She looked around the main room. “This is amazing. You built this?”

“I did.”

She walked over to the rock fireplace and touched the stone. “This, too?”

“All me, sweetheart,” he confessed.

Will interjected, “You think this is something, wait until you see my place, honey.”

She grinned and turned back to Jack. “It’s so neat and orderly. I like that.”

Tom cringed. Apparently, his brother’s old messy habits hadn’t changed while Jack had been away in Korea. Everything here was just like Jack had left it before beginning his tour. Since there wasn’t any dust, he knew his mother must’ve been there and given it the once-over to welcome him home.

Jack grabbed Carol’s hand and squeezed. “But it definitely needs a woman’s touch.”

“So, is this where you want me to live?” she asked meekly.

Tom placed his arm around her waist. “You can choose here, my house, or Will’s, doll, for now. But we’re going to build you a new house any way you wish. We want it to be your dream home.”

“Would you like to see the rest of my place, sweetheart?” Jack asked.

“Yes, please.”

He led her to the little kitchen, and she opened several cabinets. She was making herself at home, and that thrilled him.

Next, he showed her the back porch.

“Jack, this view is amazing.”

He agreed. The mountains were beautifully lit by the full moon.

She sighed. “I bet this is a great place to enjoy coffee in the morning.”

“It would be my pleasure to keep your cup full, honey.” Jack would sit back there with her for as long as she liked. His dads had written him in Korea that once he got back to town, they wanted him working in the family business, the Wilde Silver Mine. But if Carol wanted a long breakfast on his back porch, he might be late to work every day.