by Chloe Lang
“Remember when I went away to that boarding school when I was sixteen? It wasn’t actually a boarding school. It was a home for unwed mothers.” She held nothing back. All the dirty secrets had been bottled up inside her for so long that the confession to her sister came out in a flood of words. Every detail she shared, no matter how heart-wrenching, caused tears to flow. And when she finally finished and looked over at Mary, her eyes were swollen from crying. “I’ve meant to tell you all of this for a very long time. Please forgive me.”
“Forgive you? Oh, Maude.” With her own tears streaming down her face, Mary reached across the table and grabbed her hands. “I wish I had known. I wish I had been there to help you.”
“You were only thirteen when I got raped and only fourteen when the baby was born. What could you have done?”
“I could’ve listened. I could’ve cried with you, like we are now.” Mary shook her head. “How could our parents do that to you?”
“I hated them for so long for what they did, but as I’ve gotten a little older I realize they were doing their best.”
“But their best isn’t good enough. They are selfish. I don’t care if I ever see or hear from them again. And neither should you.”
“It’s easier to say than do, Mary. They’re products of their upbringing. You don’t remember Mom’s mother, do you?”
“I don’t.”
“You were three and I was five when she came to visit a year before she died. Terrible woman. Much worse than mother. Much.”
“Don’t tell me you’ve forgiven them for what they did to you?”
“Some. Yes. Not totally. I’ve learned that we all do the best we can, even our parents. We’ve all made mistakes.”
“That’s true. I got engaged to Paul just to get out of their house.” Mary sighed. “That was a doozy of a mistake for me.”
“But look at you now. You made another choice. You left. God, you have so much courage, Mary. I wish I had half of what you have. Now, you have the love of three amazing men. The love of their entire family. I can see your future, and it looks so bright.” She closed her eyes. “I just wish I could find my daughter.”
Mary stood, came around the table, and gave her a hug. “We’ll find her together.”
“It’s not so simple. Like I told you. I’ve tried.”
“I know, but we’re not going to stop. Period. We won’t rest until we’ve turned over every rock, looked in every corner, and dug up every bit of dirt we find. We’ll find her. I promise.”
“I love you, sis. You never lose hope. But I’ve been searching for eight years. I just don’t know what else to do.” She hugged Mary. “I’m just glad to finally tell you everything.” Fresh tears began to well up in her eyes again.
“What’s wrong?” Mary asked softly.
“I’m just thinking about my date with Greg and Grant.”
Her sister’s eyes narrowed. “They were gentlemen, weren’t they?”
She smiled. “They were perfect. Too perfect.” Unable to hold back her emotions, the tears fell and she began to sob. “What should I do?”
“What should you do about what? Maude, what’s wrong?”
“Everything. They told me they care about me. I love those boys, and I have feelings for them.”
Mary shook her head. “I don’t understand. Shouldn’t that be a good thing? Carol has told me so much about Greg and Grant. I think they would be perfect for you.”
“There’s that word again. ‘Perfect.’ But it’s me that’s not perfect. I should be okay with being loved by two men. But I just don’t know how that would even work for me.”
“Look at me,” Mary said. “I don’t know either, and I have three guys who I am in a relationship with. For the first time in my life, I’m truly happy. I don’t know how this all works out, but I just know it will. You’ve got to trust your heart and not your head, Maude. This is about love, plain and simple. The rules we were taught do not apply here.”
“That’s for sure. But this whole thing just seems crazy to me.”
Carol walked into the kitchen. “Oh, I see you’re enjoying the cake. I wanted to have a piece myself. Is this sister talk or may I join you?”
“We would love you to join us,” Maude said. “Truthfully, I could use your advice, Mom. I’m very emotional right now. I had to share something with my sister I’ve been holding back from her for a very long time. I would like to share it with you, as well.”
Carol sat down beside her. “I’m here for you, sweetheart.”
She laid it all out, telling her everything about losing her baby, about how the date with Greg and Grant had gone, and about her fears of pursuing anything with them.
Carol wiped her eyes. “You poor thing. So much loss and hurt. No wonder you’re confused about what to do with my nephews.”
“I am confused.”
“I can’t imagine how you felt when they took your baby from you. You had so much to give to that precious little girl, but were never allowed to fulfill your desires as a mother. I pray she’s in a very good home.”
“I won’t stop searching for her, Mom. I can’t.”
“You’ll find her, sweetheart. You have a right to know where and how she is. And I’ll do everything in my power to help you.”
“I appreciate that so much.” She’d been looking for her daughter for so long on her own. It felt so great to have Carol and Mary joining in the search. She wasn’t alone anymore. “And on top of that, I don’t know what to do about Grant and Greg. I love their boys. They’ve stolen my heart, utterly.” She felt her eyes well up again. “Damn, I’m just so emotional right now. I’m not usually like this.”
Carol reached for her hand. “My guess is you’ve had to keep your feelings bottled up just to survive. Now that you feel safe to let them out, they won’t be held back.”
“Mom, you are right about everything,” Mary said. “We love you, sis. Just let it all out.”
She nodded. “The truth is I already have strong feelings for Grant and Greg.”
Carol smiled. “Now we’re getting somewhere.”
“Seeing how your three husbands treat you has made me think about what it might be like being in that kind of relationship with your nephews. But I have so many doubts. Sure, it would be wonderful at first. What woman wouldn’t love being their center of attention? Would I be enough for them? Would they be happy with just me? Carol, you are a super woman. So is Mary. I’m sure her future with your sons will be wonderful. I just don’t know if I could ever be like you two.”
“Young lady, you are underestimating yourself,” Carol said. “The very first moment I opened the door and saw you I thought to myself ‘what an amazing woman.’ You did not hesitate coming here to help your sister. All the things you had to do to prepare for a trip, you did in a very short amount of time. Why? Because of how much you love Mary and knew she needed you. You’re worried about if you could be enough for Grant and Greg. I can see them having trouble keeping up with you. I believe in my heart you are perfect for them and those precious little boys.”
“You really think so?”
“I know so, sweetheart.”
“Listen to Mom. She’s right. Don’t try to analyze everything, sis,” Mary said. “Just let it be. See where this path takes you. What did following our parents’ lessons ever get us? A life without happiness. A life without color and vibrancy. No more. I choose to be happy. I hope you will, too.”
Chapter Ten
Parked at the Wilde mansion, Greg and Grant got the boys out of their car seats. Out of the corner of his eye, Greg saw Aunt Carol and Uncles Jack, Tom, and Will rushing out of the house to help.
“Give me those precious angels,” Aunt Carol said. “I’ve got a big stack of pancakes waiting for them.”
“Aunt Carol. Aunt Carol.” Toby held his hands out for her.
She lifted him into her arms.
Heath tugged on her skirt. “Me, too.”
Grant shook his head.
“One at a time, Heath.”
“I’m quite capable of lifting up both my sweet boys.” Aunt Carol kissed Toby on the forehead and bent down and lifted Heath up. Together the boys weighed over sixty pounds.
Greg smiled, never failing to be impressed by his wonderful aunt.
“I won’t be able to do this much longer the way you two are growing,” she said. “Now, let’s get inside. Be quiet, though. The girls and I stayed up all night talking. They are still asleep.”
He wondered what Maude had talked about with Aunt Carol and Mary. Had they discussed their date? Grant and I definitely need advice.
Uncle Jack took Nate, who lit up whenever he was in his arms. “You’re looking good, little cowboy.”
Uncle Tom carried Seth, following the rest of them into the kitchen.
They got the boys set up in their high chairs and booster seats.
“I’ve got this covered, boys,” Aunt Carol said. “After getting your call this morning, I filled up the coffee urn in the barn for your talk with your uncles.”
“Do you ever sleep?” Grant asked.
“Only when I need to,” she said with a grin. Aunt Carol taught biology at the high school. She was one of the favorite teachers there. He and Grant had loved taking her class, though she hadn’t been easy on them. She actually expected more from them, since they were her nephews. “I’m chaperoning the church dance tonight with your uncles, so I’m going to take a nap today.”
Uncle Will held up a basket. “My darling also made us some muffins to go with our coffee.”
“Those are for Grant and Greg, honey. You three have already had a big breakfast.”
Uncle Will put his arm around her. “I can’t resist your blueberry muffins.”
“None of us can,” Uncle Tom chimed in, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
Uncle Jack grabbed her hand. “We won’t be long. We’ll be back to help you with these boys.”
“Take as long as Grant and Greg need. Now, scoot. All of you.”
He and Grant followed their uncles out to the barn.
“We’ll be more comfortable in the ranch office,” Uncle Jack said.
The office was connected directly to the barn. The plush room had three desks, one for each of his uncles, and a big conference table in the center where a lot of business had been transacted. The wood-paneled walls warmed up the space nicely, and it was decorated by a famous artist who painted Western landscapes.
The Wilde Ranch was the biggest in the county. The Strong Ranch was the second. How his three uncles had been able to run the ranch before Dan, Dillon, and Craig got old enough to help was still a mystery to him. But somehow they had succeeded. He had always admired his three uncles.
After everyone got their coffee and one of Aunt Carol’s blueberry muffins, Uncle Tom said, “Although we love seeing you and those wonderful boys, we all know there is more to this visit. So tell us what’s on your mind.”
“We’re in love with the same woman,” he told their uncles. “And Grant and I don’t know what to do.”
Uncle Jack grinned. “You mean you haven’t heard about the birds and the bees yet, boys? I’m no expert, but since you’ve had four babies of your own, I would think you would know a little at least.”
They all laughed.
“Seriously, Uncle Jack,” Grant said. “We’ve both fallen in love with Maude. How do you…uh…take turns…or…you know what I mean.”
“I think you are getting the cart before the horse,” Uncle Will said. “Does she love you?”
“I don’t know for sure,” Grant said.
“She definitely loves the boys,” Greg said, hoping these three wise men could help him and his brother. “But she seems to be afraid.”
“That shouldn’t surprise you two.” Uncle Tom grabbed another muffin.
“We know she told you about her baby she had to give up last night,” Uncle Jack said. “Carol told us about it this morning. We’re all going to help her find that little girl. I’m going to call Handley to get the ball rolling.”
“The governor? Governor Handley?” Grant smiled.
“The one and only.” Uncle Jack had served with William Handley in Korea. They were close friends. “He has more connections than anyone else I know.”
“I think we’re getting off topic slightly here,” Uncle Will said. “We’re supposed to be talking about the brand-new relationship between Maude and these two boys.”
“But it all works together,” Uncle Jack said. “I believe that’s a big part of her fears.”
“I agree, but we have to remember that sweet girl isn’t from Wilde,” Uncle Tom said. “This is all new to her.”
“Tom, it’s all new to these boys, too,” Uncle Jack said. “They grew up with one mom and one dad. And when they did marry, they each married different women.”
“Well, of course we knew that, Jack,” Uncle Tom said. “But unlike Maude, they’ve always been around Wilde families like ours. It’s not as foreign to them as it is to her, being an outsider.”
Uncle Will sat down his coffee cup. “That didn’t stop us with our beautiful Carol, did it? And our three boys swept her sister off her feet, too.”
“I’m not saying they should not try to win Maude’s heart.” Uncle Tom leaned forward in his chair. “In fact, if they love her, they should pursue her. It’s the way they pursue her that I’m talking about.”
He and Grant smiled. Over the years they’d seen their three uncles get into serious discussions that to some might appear as arguing. But they knew it wasn’t. These men were passionate. How many difficulties and challenges had they helped others in town, including their own father, tackle? Too many to count.
“What else did Maude say on your date last night?” Uncle Jack asked.
“She’s worried that if things don’t work out between us the boys will get hurt.” Greg felt there was much more to her fears than that.
Uncle Will’s eyebrow shot up. “And what about you two? What are you afraid of? Dig deep.”
Greg closed his eyes and thought hard. “Honestly, I think we might lose Maude before we even get a chance to show her how much she means to us.”
“Same here,” Grant said. “I can’t imagine a life without her in it. I never thought I would ever fall in love again. But damn it, I’m completely nuts about her. What can we do?”
“I think you should follow your cousins’ example,” Uncle Jack said.
“You sure that’s a good idea?” Uncle Tom said.
“Like I told you at breakfast, I think it’s the best idea for these three lovebirds.”
It was obvious the three of them had already talked about their situation before he and Grant had arrived this morning.
Uncle Tom nodded. “It worked for our boys with Mary.”
“And it will work for these two, too,” Uncle Will said, turning to him and Grant. “If you want her bad enough, you will make sure it does.”
“We want her to be ours more than you can imagine,” he said. “But I’m not sure I’m following what you are suggesting for me and Grant to do. What about our cousins’ example? What do you mean, Uncle Jack?”
“Each of you take her on a date. One at a time. That’ll give you time to get to know one another. It’s familiar to all three of you to be a couple on a date, not a threesome. After that, the three of you go on a date together.”
“Think of it like putting your toe in the water before jumping in,” Uncle Will said. “It’s not what the three of us did with your aunt, but those were different times. And like Tom said, it worked for your cousins with Mary. I’m betting it will work with her sister, too.”
“It has to,” Grant said. “I can’t live without her.”
“Me either,” he said. “She’s all I think about.”
Uncle Jack grabbed his shoulder. “Then you two better make sure she falls madly in love with you. Now, who’s going to take her on a date first?”
He and Grant both said in unison, “I w
ill.”
All three of their uncles laughed.
“Yep,” Uncle Jack said. “You’re in love. No doubt about that.”
“But we have a problem,” Uncle Will added. “How to determine who gets to take sweet Maude on a date first?”
“Arm wrestling won’t work,” Uncle Tom said. “We’d be here all day.”
“We could have them draw straws,” Uncle Jack said. “Or we could use the old and trusted standby—‘Rock, paper, scissors.’ We three will be the witnesses.”
“I’m game,” Greg said, narrowing his eyes and staring into his brother’s. “What about you?”
Grant leaned forward. “You know I’m the champ when it comes to that game.”
Uncle Jack raised his hands. “Ready. Set. Go.”
It took six times for them to choose differently.
Grant won, pulling out a rock to his scissors. “I hope she says yes.”
“Hope?” Uncle Jack laughed. “Bring out that Strong charm of yours and she won’t be able to refuse.”
He and Grant asked more questions about how things worked sharing one woman. The advice that their uncles gave them put them at ease and took away all their concerns.
“Good luck, boys,” Uncle Will said. “We know you won’t fail that girl. You three belong together, that’s for sure.”
As they headed back to the house, Greg thought about Uncle Jack’s words. “You two better make sure she falls madly in love with you.”
That’s exactly what we will do. Whatever it takes.
Chapter Eleven
Getting ready for her date with Grant, Maude looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror. Grant planned on taking her swimming, which was one of her favorite things to do.
Her green bikini still fit perfectly. Thankfully, all of Carol’s desserts she’d been enjoying hadn’t impacted her figure.
She still couldn’t believe that she’d agreed to go out with Grant, knowing she would still be obligated to go out with Greg tomorrow. What if it doesn’t work out with Grant? Then what do I do?