“I’ll be happy to get her settled in,” Kyle said. “Where are you going? Aren’t you tired from that long drive?”
She was glad Kyle had asked, because she wanted to know, too.
“I need to go talk to Sheriff Champion and Austin Wilde. We can use their eyes and ears while we’re in town.”
“That’s a good idea. Nothing goes on around here without one of them knowing. Ever.”
“I won’t be gone long.” Aaron turned to her. “Make yourself at home, Gya.” And then he left without another word.
“You’re with me, sweetheart.” Kyle offered her his hand. “You’re on the second floor.”
She took his hand. “Lead the way, Prince Charming.”
They walked up the stairs and into a gorgeously appointed bedroom that was just as inviting as the rest of the house. Against the far wall of the room was the most comfy-looking bed she’d ever seen.
Kyle squeezed her hand and warmth shot up her arm. “This okay for you? I know it’s not Houston’s Crystal Dream Hotel.”
She looked into his blue eyes. “It’s so much better.”
“I’m glad you like it.” Kyle bowed at the waist, pretending to be from another era, where ladies of leisure received all the attention. “There’s a bathroom through that door. It is for you alone and no one else, my dear.”
“Thank you, my lord. The accommodations are beyond my expectations.” Trying to keep from giggling, she continued the act. “I am forever in your debt. How in the world will I ever repay you for allowing me to stay in such a glorious and elegant castle?”
Kyle burst into laughter. “The Castle Strait. I love it. I think I’ll get a plaque made and put it on the front door.”
She fell on the bed in a fit of giggles.
After they finally were able to breathe normally again, Kyle said. “My dads built this place, Gya. For my mom.”
“Dads?”
“Yes.” He smiled and sat down next to her. “Dad Leon and Dad Gene. They were brothers and they both fell madly in love with my mom.”
“Oh my God. Seriously? How could she marry them both?”
He shrugged. “There’s something about Wilde Aaron and I should’ve told you. It’s not like anywhere else. Our hometown has many unique families. Have you ever heard of polyamorous relationships, Gya?”
She shook her head.
“It’
s a romantic relationship that involves more than two people, and in my family’s case it was between my two dads and mom. They’re all gone now, but they were crazy about each other.”
Does that mean I actually could have both Aaron and Kyle? Stop it, Gya. Don’t be ridiculous.
“The kind of family I grew up in, two dads and one mom, is the norm in Wilde, though there are a few of what the outside world calls ‘traditional’ living here.”
“Really? You’re serious?”
He nodded and brought out his cell phone. He clicked it a few times and then handed it to her. “That’s my mom and dads on their wedding day.”
She looked at the photo on the screen. She recognized the woman from the picture on the mantle. In this one she wore a bridal gown and stood between two men in military uniforms.
“Your mom and dads.” She didn’t look up but continued staring at Kyle’s and Aaron’s parents. They looked so happy. So in love. “This is so new to me. I would really like to know more about Wilde. Has it always been this way here?”
“Yes. Wilde is a mining town. Silver. Back in the eighteen hundreds, when it was founded, there weren’t very many women who ventured out this far. The first family, who were the namesakes of the town, began the tradition. Unlike so many other mining towns, which became ghost towns, ours continued. The original Wilde brothers married a lovely woman who had many children. So the mine remained in a single family, never being divided up to others.”
“So do you have a museum?”