by Chloe Lang
How was she going to keep things professional when her heart fluttered in her chest like a humming bird just being around them? Did the three of them want the same lifestyle as their parents? I better be careful.
She gazed at her reflection, deciding on her best course of action to get her story. “I need to interview them separately. That way, one-on-one, I won’t be at a disadvantage. They will. I will be able to get them to open up and share the good and bad of growing up in such an unusual home.”
Determined and with a ton of hope that things were turning around in her life, she returned to the table. Craig, Dan, and Dillon were finishing their lunch. They all stood, and Dan pulled out her chair.
How long had she talked with Maude? As she took a seat, she glanced at her watch and saw a half hour had passed since she’d left the three brothers to make the call. “I’m sorry I was gone so long.”
“Don’t think a thing about it,” Craig said. “You needed to talk with your sister. Is everything okay back home?”
No. Nothing back home is okay. “She’s fine. I just needed to let her know where I was staying.”
“You said Missouri is home,” Dan said. “The Show-Me State. Were you born there?”
“Yes. In Springfield.” She didn’t want to talk about herself. Too painful. “But enough about me. I really do want to get your story. I think it might be best for me to interview you each separately.”
“Whatever you want, Mary. That’s what I want,” Craig said. There was an intensity in him that both drew her in but also gave her a little pause. His gaze never faltered from her. What was he thinking?
“Good. Let’s set this up.” She turned to Dan. “How about you first?”
“Sure. When and where?”
“How about here? Tomorrow morning?”
He nodded.
She looked at Dillon. “What about you? When are you free?”
“I’ll pick you up at our parents’ house at four tomorrow afternoon. I know the perfect place for you to interview me.”
She wasn’t sure about what he had in mind, but she wanted this story. If Dillon wanted to play games, she would go along with it, for now.
“And you?” she asked Craig.
“Day after tomorrow. 7:00 p.m. Dinner. You and me.”
The command in his voice made her hesitate. He wasn’t asking. “I want to interview you, Craig. This can’t be a date, you understand? I won’t be in Wilde that long.”
“How long?” he asked, his tone deepening.
“A few days. Maybe a week. Just long enough to get your family’s story. That’s all.”
Chapter Five
Dan walked behind Mary. She was incredibly beautiful, unbelievably charming, and so wonderfully sweet. Craig had confessed that he thought she was the woman of their dreams. Was he right? So far all he’d seen and learned from her seemed to confirm his brother’s assessment.
Dillon and Craig flanked each side of Mary as they all walked to her car.
“That’s it.” She pointed. On the back of her left arm he spotted a huge bruise that was exposed when she had lifted her arm. “The silver Mercedes.”
“One of us can drive you to our parents’ ranch,” Dillon said. “The other two will follow in the mine’s truck.”
“I still can’t believe your folks own a ranch and a silver mine.”
“They are just common folk, Mary,” Craig said. “Down to earth.”
“I realized that when I walked into the diner.”
“I’ll drive you,” Dan said, wanting to get a little alone time with her.
“I really can drive myself.”
“Please. It would be my honor and pleasure. Since I’m your first interview it will give us time to get to know each other. Pre-questions. That kind of thing.”
“That isn’t a bad idea,” she said.
Dillon smiled. “Dan has good ideas from time to time. Actually, he might be the smartest of the three of us.”
Craig didn’t pop off with his usual wisecrack to Dillon’s statement, which wasn’t like him. Ever since walking in the diner he had been acting so different. The only explanation was Mary.
Once alone with her in the car, he turned to her. “I saw that bad bruise on your arm. How did you get it?”
She held up both her arms. “Which one?”
“The left one. On the back.”
She twisted it around. “I see it.” She frowned. “I had no idea I had that.”
“Did you bang into something?”
“I guess so.” Something in her tone told him she was starting to withdraw, which was the last thing he wanted from her.
He decided to change the subject. Later, when she was more comfortable with him, then he would press her to learn what or who had damaged her arm. “Where did you attend college?”
“Mizzou. University of Missouri. Did you and your brothers go to college?”
“University of Nevada. All three of us were double majors. Business and Agriculture.”
“Sounds like you always knew what you wanted.”
He grinned. “The family business is mining and ranching. It’s in our DNA.”
“What’s your favorite dessert?”
“What a strange question.” He glanced over at her and saw her gorgeous lips shaped into the prettiest smile he’d ever seen.
“You said we needed to get to know each other.”
He laughed. “To business it is then.” God, her smile drives me wild. “My favorite is apple pie.”
“Have you ever tried it with cheese?”
He shook his head. “Have you?”
“I almost did a couple of days ago. Apparently it’s really good if the pie is super sweet and loaded with cinnamon.”
“Would you like to try it with me sometime? It would be a real first for both of us.”
“Hard to turn down that offer.”
“Then don’t.” He liked the banter they were having. Mary wasn’t like any woman he’d ever known. She had an adventurous spirit, ready to try new things. And though she wasn’t from Wilde, she didn’t judge or condemn the unique lifestyles the community supported. In fact, she seemed intrigued by the idea and wanted to know more. He sensed it wasn’t just her article that had ramped up her curiosity.
“We’ll see. Let’s wait until after your interview.”
“I promise to do my best. I really want us to try apple pie with cheese. I know it would be fun.” He watched Dillon pull the truck up to the gate. Craig got out and swung it wide.
“Can we get out a minute?” Mary said frantically.
“Is anything wrong?”
She shook her head and reached into her purse. When her hand came back out, it was holding a small camera. “I want to get a picture of the three of you under the sign.” She opened the passenger door. “For my article. Is that your family’s brand?”
He stared at the image he’d seen his whole life—a W inside a star. “My great-great grandmother designed it.”
“What’s going on?” Craig asked, his gaze back on Mary.
“She wants a photo of the three of us under the sign,” he said. “For her article.”
“Sure thing,” Dillon said. “What do you say, Craig?”
“Whatever she wants is fine with me.”
Dan still couldn’t believe how serious Craig was acting. Craig was completely blown away by Mary.
He turned and took another look at her. She was peering through her camera, trying to get the best angle for her photo. Her vibrancy and passion for her story captivated him, too. And Dillon? Always serious Dillon? He seemed just as enthralled by her.
“Okay, can you all stand close together?” she asked. “That’s it. A little to the left. Perfect. Craig, could you hook your hand in one of your belt loops for me? Excellent.” She continued giving direction until they were in a position that satisfied her. “Don’t move. Smile.” She clicked a couple of photos. She moved them around in different positions, snapping pictures every
time. The last was of the three of them sitting on the fence. “Thank you so much.”
Craig put his arm around her. “Our pleasure, Mary.”
She smiled so sweetly.
“We better get to the house before Mom sends our dads to come look for us,” Dillon said, always the sensible one.
“I think we should give her a quick tour so she can see our three houses,” Dan said. “It will only take a few more minutes.”
“Not possible for my place,” Craig said. “The road is washed out.”
She detected a hint of disappointment in his voice.
Dan grabbed her hand. “I would love to show off my house.”
“Me, too,” Dillon said. “But wouldn’t it be better for your story, Mary, to get photos of Dan and me in front of the houses we built? It could be part of the article.”
“I’d like to see all three of your houses if I could. Even Craig’s.”
Craig smiled. “Where there’s a will there’s a way. I know how to get you there if you’re game.”
“I am game.”
“Excellent,” Dan said. “Each of us will show you our handiwork during our interviews.”
“I love that plan,” she said. “This story about your family is practically writing itself.”
“It’s settled then. You’ll see our houses during our interviews. Besides, I’m sure Mom is dying to show you her house and especially your room,” Dan said.
“We better get going then.” She got back in the car.
“You heard the lady,” Dillon said. “Let’s go.”
When they drove up to the house he’d grown up in, Dan loved seeing the look of awe on her face. “Was it what you expected?” he asked, knowing full well it wasn’t.
“This is more like a mansion than a ranch house,” she said. “So beautiful.”
“Our dads built it for Mom soon after they married.” One day he, Dillon, and Craig would build a new home for their bride. Was Mary that woman? They’d only just met and Craig thought so. And crazy as it might be, he prayed his brother was right.
* * * *
Mary was stunned at how beautiful the Wilde’s home was. It was an antebellum mansion, pristine white with four two-story columns in front of a wraparound porch. It sat on a hill surrounded by trees.
Carrying her bags, Craig, Dan, and Dillon escorted her up to the two large double doors.
Carol opened one of them. “Welcome, Mary. I’m so glad you are here. My sons were gentlemen, weren’t they?”
“Perfectly.” She smiled.
Her heart skipped several beats when Craig put his arm around her shoulder again. “Shall we give you the tour?”
“Yes. Please.”
They walked inside to a massive foyer, which had a sweeping staircase. “This reminds me of Gone with the Wind. It’s my favorite movie.”
“Mine, too,” Carol said. “My three men knew that and decided to design the house after the one in the movie for me.”
“They did an amazing job.”
“Let me show you to your room. You’ll have plenty of time to freshen up before dinner. Boys, your fathers are over in the small pasture with the new calves. They could use your help.”
Dillon kissed her on the cheek. “Sure thing, Mom.”
Dan gave her a hug. “What time do you want us back here for dinner?”
“Seven.”
Craig didn’t budge, and his gaze remained fixed on Mary. She felt a warm tremble run up and down her spine.
Carol looked at him. “Son? Are you okay?”
He nodded and then kissed her forehead. “Can I bring anything?”
“You could take all Mary’s luggage up to the guest room.”
Without a word, the three handsome cowboys lifted her bags and went up the stairs, leaving her and Carol alone in the foyer.
“Your sons are quite helpful.”
Carol winked. “Yes they are, but especially with you here.”
She felt heat fill her cheeks.
The handsome trio returned.
“Anything else, Mom?” Dillon asked.
“I’ve got everything taken care of here. Help your dads. Clean up. Be back at seven sharp.”
As they left, each of their eyes seemed to lock on hers for a brief moment. When the door shut, she turned to Carol. “Do you need any help in the kitchen?”
“Not at all. You’re our guest. Let me show you the house and then I’ll take you to your room.”
After the tour, Carol led her to the guest room.
“Your home is stunning. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Thank you, dear.” Carol opened the door.
“This isn’t a guest room. It’s an entire suite.” She glanced around the space. The colors were warm an inviting. The giant fluffy bed was filled with soft-looking pillows, white linens. A seating area was next to the large window with shelves filled with books. Several vases of fresh-cut flowers sat on the tables in the room.
“Your bathroom is through that door. The other is the door to your closet.”
Mary checked the bathroom first. Inside was a huge soaking tub, deeper than standard bathtubs. She could imagine immersing her whole body into warm water, soothing all the tension in her body. The massive double vanity with the long marble countertop and two large framed mirrors were impressive. This bathroom was more than two times the size of the one at hers and Paul’s apartment. Her stomach curled into knots as she thought about her ex.
“Everything okay, Mary?” Carol must’ve seen something on her face.
“Yes. I’m just a little tired from the drive today.”
“You didn’t drive straight through, did you? Missouri to Nevada is quite the trip.”
“I broke it up into two days.”
“Even so, that’s a long drive. Let me help you get unpacked. Then you can rest. If you’re not up to dinner, I can bring a plate to you.”
“I wouldn’t dare miss having dinner with your family, Carol.”
They went back into the other room. She opened her luggage. This is everything I own. In two bags. He can have the damn furniture.
“Let’s get the stuff that needs to be hung up put away first,” Carol said.
She nodded, grabbing several of her outfits. When she opened the closet door, her jaw dropped. “A walk-in for a guest bedroom. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
Carol smiled. “We like our guests to stay for as long as they like. That includes you.”
They finished unpacking the rest of her things.
“It’s great to have another woman in the house, Mary.” Carol smiled and left.
Chapter Six
Dillon, with the help of Pop Will, worked to get the calf free from the gate. The bawling from both it and its mother filled the air. The cow’s stomping on the other side of the fence was evidence of her anxiety for her calf.
“About two or three of these little guys always get their heads caught.” Pappy Jack shook his head. “‘Grass is greener on the other side of the fence’ definitely started with calves.”
“No doubt about that,” Dad Tom said.
Craig and Dan returned from checking all the water troughs.
Finally, he and Pop got the calf loose. It ran through the opening to its mother.
“Not so much as a ‘thank you,’” Pop said with a laugh. “Do you think it learned its lesson?”
“Not a chance,” Dan said. “We’ll be pulling its head out of fences for a long time.”
“Until its head is too big to go through,” Pappy said. “That means we have about six more months to go.”
“That little guy reminds me of you, Craig,” Dad said, grinning. “How are your stitches?”
“Doc fixed me up just right.”
“What time did your mother say dinner was?” Pappy asked, looking at his watch.
“Seven,” Dan answered.
“Good. That gives us just enough time to enjoy a beer before we have to go clean up.”
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br /> They all headed to the refrigerator in the barn that had both beer and sodas.
Pappy handed out the beers.
“None for me,” Craig said. “I’m on antibiotics. Pass me a Dr. Pepper.”
“When did being on antibiotics ever stop you from having a beer?” Dillon asked, surprised by Craig’s sudden change of demeanor.
“Never. Until now.”
Pappy laughed. “I know exactly why your brother is acting the way he is, Dillon. And her name is Miss Mary Kincaid.”
Pop grinned.
Dad said, “She is quite the looker.”
Craig nodded. “And Pappy is right. She is the reason I’m seeing everything differently. Mary is the woman of my dreams. She’s the one that my brothers and I are meant to marry and spend the rest of our lives with.”
“Did you hit your head in the mine?” Dillon asked. “We just met her.”
“I’m with Dillon on this,” Dan said. “There’s no need to rush into anything.”
“No need?” Craig frowned. “She’s only here for a few days. That’s all. If we let her leave without knowing how we feel, we could lose her.”
Dillon was shocked at his brother’s tone. So very intense and serious. “Craig, Mary isn’t from Wilde. She wants to write a story about our family because she finds our ways so strange. Besides, how can you possibly know she’s the one for us? It takes time to fall in love.”
“Hold on there, Dillon.” Pappy Jack held up his hand, silencing him. “That might be true for most, but it isn’t for everyone. It wasn’t true for me, Tom, and Will. The moment we met your mom, we all knew. Instantly. I remember the day I met her like it was yesterday. San Francisco, 1951.”
Dillon had heard the story several times since childhood, but never tired of hearing it again.
“I had returned from Korea,” Pappy said. “Tom and Will had come to take me back home. They were exhausted from the drive and slept in. We had planned on heading back the next morning. Having been in the military, I always rose early in the morning. I was sitting at the counter of a café. I finished my coffee and got up to leave when my eyes locked with Carol’s. She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Still is. I knew immediately she was the one we’d been searching for, the one Will, Tom, and I would spend the rest of our lives with.”