Her Wilde Marines (Wilde, Nevada 4)

They walked around the home that was perfect in every way. Andrea and Autumn would have their own rooms, which were each double the size of the one they shared in North Dakota. The Master had a sitting room and a giant en suite with separate shower and garden tub.

Maude turned to her after showing her the backyard, which was lined with stunning red rose bushes. “So, Em? What do you think? Will this work for you?”

“Maude, it’s amazing. I wouldn’t change anything. It’s my style in every way. The colors. The layout. Everything. It’s just not going to fit my budget. Maybe later. But for now I should probably get an apartment at Wilde Oaks.”

“I always wait for the right person to rent my houses to, Em. I want someone I know I can trust. When I first found out that you needed a home, I knew that would be you.” Maude reached in her purse and pulled out some paperwork and a set of keys. “Money doesn’t concern me one bit, young lady. Here’s the lease. Will this fit your budget?”

Emma looked at the agreement. Maude had already typed in her name and a price that was about the same as she was paying for the two-bedroom apartment in North Dakota. “Maude, this is too low. I just couldn’t.”

“Oh yes you can. Now sign.” Maude pulled out a pen and handed it to her. “I know you love it.”

Adam put his arm around her shoulders. “I think you’ve been overruled, Em.”

She signed the lease and hugged Maude. “I don’t know what to say, but thank you so much.”

“No. I’m thanking you. I can sleep at night knowing my house is well taken care of. Who knows, you might want to buy it someday for you and the girls.” Maude grinned and looked over at Bane and Adam. “It’s big enough for an entire family, you know.”

Emma loved the dear woman, but she made her blush.

Maude turned back to her. “Here are the keys. I’ve got to get back to my grandson and my daughter-in-law. Doc is releasing them in an hour and I want to be there.”

Emma took the keys. “The lease doesn’t start until the first of next month.”

“Don’t start with me, young lady. It’s yours. Lock up when you leave.” Maude addressed Bane and Adam. “Take good care of my renter, boys. Bye.”

After her sweet landlady walked out the door, Emma turned to Bane and Adam. “I’ve just got to walk around this house one more time, guys. Do you mind? I just can’t believe this is mine.” She felt better than she had all day. Things were looking up again.

As they walked around with her, she told them how she would decorate each room. “My mother’s buffet would look wonderful on this wall. I’m just so excited. I can’t wait to get my girls here and start our new life. Are you guys hungry? Do you mind if we grab a bite before we go shopping?”

“My sentiments exactly,” Bane said. “We haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

“How about we go to the steakhouse?” Adam asked.

“I didn’t know there was a steakhouse in Wilde.”

“We’ve all been away too long, Em.” Bane pulled her in close. “But Shelby told us the food at Reno Steakhouse is mouthwatering. It’s on the highway five miles north of The Masters’ Chambers.”

* * * *

“I can’t remember when I had so much fun.” Bane held Emma’s hand as they walked into the Hotel Cactus.

“Me either,” she said. “I love spending someone else’s money.”

“I never cared for shopping before, but you made it fun, Em.” Adam laughed. “I especially liked the onesie you tried on for Shelby.”

Emma smiled. “She’s going to love the selfie we took of the three of us in pajamas.”

“How many stores did you run us through?” Bane wiped his brow, overemphasizing his fatigue. “You wore us out.”

She shrugged. “How many stores are in the county?”

“We saw them all.” Bane wanted to spend more time with this amazing woman. Much more time. He grinned. “It’s going to take a week to work out these knots in my calves.”

“And you call yourself Marines? You should see me around Christmastime. This was just a little sprint compared to that marathon.”

“Haven’t you ever heard of online shopping?” Adam shook his head and slumped into one of the sofas in the lobby. “If you ever want to try out basic training, sweetheart, I’m sure you would pass with flying colors.”

“Most mothers of two teenagers would.” Emma laughed, a sound he wanted to hear again and again and again. She landed next to Adam on the sofa.