As they were taking their seats, Gya heard the jukebox come on with one of her hits. “Oh my God, they weren’t kidding. I do have fans here.”
Kyle grinned. “I told you so.”
A middle-aged woman came through the front door.
Aaron leaned in. “Gya, that’s Maude.”
“Where is Gya Gaynor? I want to see her.” Before anyone answered, Maude turned their direction. “There you are.” The woman beelined her way to them.
Gya stood up to greet her.
“I’m so happy to finally get to meet you, young lady.” Maude gave her a big hug, and like with Anna, Gya didn’t feel her usual discomfort. What was it about the people in this town that was having such an effect on her? She looked at Aaron and Kyle, the two citizens having the biggest impact on her.
“I am, too. I’ve heard so much about you from these guys.”
The woman smiled broadly. “I love them very much. Just like my own sons.”
“She has six of them.” Kyle laughed. “That would make Aaron and I numbers seven and eight.”
“So? I have a heart big enough for all my boys.”
“How did you hear Gya was at the diner?” Aaron asked.
“The whole town knows, young man. The second you walked through those doors, my phone started ringing. I was at the ranch instead of the hotel. My husbands wanted to show me a new foal that was born early this morning.”
“How are Uncle Greg and Uncle Grant?” Aaron asked.
Gya realized the Wilde way of things, the poly way, included Maude’s family.
“They’re both ornery as heck. You better go see them while you’re in town. But we can talk about that later.” Maude took Gya’s hands and squeezed them. “We have a special guest in our town. Gya, I came as fast as I could. Hey, my guys want me to name the foal. I’m going to name her Sunny after my favorite song of yours.” Maude began singing Gya’s very first hit song. “You’re sunny, even in the dark times. You make me smile—” She stopped suddenly, realizing the whole diner was listening. “Well, you know it better than I do, don’t you.”
Gya laughed and then sang the chorus.
The crowd went wild.
Maude wiped her eyes. “I’m so glad you’re here, Gya. You’re good for my boys.”
She liked Maude very much. “I want to thank you for all the information you put together. We feel so much better since we read it.”
Maude’s eyes welled up. She turned to Aaron. “What about you? How do you feel about my folder?”
He stood, towering over the woman. He placed his hands on her shoulder. “I surrender. I’m going to keep the appointment you set up for me next week with the doctor Alex recommended.”
“That’s my boy.” Maude hugged him and then turned to her. “You know, Gya, I’ve raised eight boys. And every single one of them is stubborn. Sometimes you just have to push them a little bit.”
“Would you like to join us for dinner?” Gya asked her. “I’m going to have some delicious King Cakes.”
“Thank you, but I need to run. I’ve got to start dinner for my guys.” Maude gave her another hug. “I hope you can come over for coffee sometime. I want you to meet them. They’re rough around the edges, just old cowboys, but their hearts are made of gold.”
“I would love to.”
After Maude left, Anna came and took their orders. “Anything else?”
“That’s all,” Aaron said.
“I still can’t believe you’re here, Miss Gaynor.”
“Call me Gya, Anna. Please.”