Her Wilde Bodyguards (12 page)

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.”

“Oh my God. Yes. Gya. Thank you.” Anna went back into the kitchen and turned in their ticket.

Kyle laughed. “You made Anna’s day, that’s for sure. She’s quite excited. Does this happen often?”

“Just part of the job. Stephanie and I came up with the disguises so I could go out in public without creating a scene.” She took a sip of water. “Oh my God, I forgot to call Stephanie and tell her about Scarpelli.”

Aaron handed her his cell.

She dialed Stephanie’s number.

“Hello, Aaron.”

“It’s Gya, Steph. I have good news.”

“I already heard. Scarpelli is no longer a threat, baby. What a relief.”

“How did you hear?”

“Sharon called me. She saw it on the news. I’m already getting calls from all the talk shows for you to appear. Apparently the media got a tip that he had several photos of you on the walls of his house in Chicago.”

“Not several. Hundreds.”

“Oh my God. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m not surprised Sharon called you so fast. She made it clear in Houston she wasn’t happy with us canceling the tour. I’m sure she’s chomping at the bit for me to get back on the road.”

“You’re right. That was the second thing out of her mouth.”

“No tour. Not this year.”

“Why, honey?”

“I’ll tell you all about it when you get here.” She turned to Aaron. “I can tell her now, right?”

He smiled and nodded.

“Stephanie, I’m in Wilde, Nevada.”

“I can’t wait to see you, Gya. Not knowing where you are has been hell for me. I’m so glad you’re safe.”

“Thanks to Aaron and Kyle. Take the plane. Please bring some clothes, my computer, and my phone with you.”

“I’ll be there tomorrow, honey.”

Anna walked to their table and placed two plates of food in front of Aaron and Kyle. “We’re making something special for you, Gya. A special spin on our King Cakes. It’ll be out in just a second. Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you talking on the phone.”

“It’s okay.”

“Did I just hear someone say ‘King Cake’?” Stephanie asked.

Gya grinned.
Oh boy. I’m in trouble now.

“I thought you said you were in Nevada. Sounds like you’re in Louisiana. I hope you’re not eating junk, Gya. Don’t forget you only have one body. It’s a temple.”

She laughed, listening to Stephanie go into her usual diatribe about healthy choices. “Are you there? Steph? Hello.”

Kyle handed her a forkful of his King Cakes.

“I’m here, Gya.”

“Must be a bad signal.” She took a bite of the delicious pancakes. “Yum. I mean…you…can’t…hello.” She clicked off the phone, ready to enjoy her meal with her two bodyguards. “I will pay for that when Stephanie gets here.”

Anna arrived back at their table, carrying the biggest plate of pancakes she’d ever seen. “I saw you on
Ellen
last year. You told her you were crazy about blueberries.”

“I am.”

“Then I hope you like this.” Anna placed the plate in front of her. “It’s King Cakes with blueberries and whipped cream.”

Gya looked down at the giant meal, covered in white sweetness with blueberries spelling out “Welcome Gya.” She grabbed Anna’s hand. “Thank you so much. I love this.”

The other customers cheered.

How many times had people given her their applause? Thousands of performances. But this wasn’t a performance.

She looked at all the people in the diner and then turned to Aaron and Kyle. This little town was different than any place she’d ever been, and this applause felt different, too.

Wilde felt like something she’d hoped for all her life. Wilde felt like home.

* * * *

The man handed the pilot his fake credentials. “Come on. Give a guy a break. I can stand over there with my camera. One little shot I can take back to my editor.”

“Sorry, fella. My passenger tomorrow isn’t Miss Gaynor.”

“Damn,” he said, though he already knew that. “But isn’t this her plane. Who else would you be taking?” He knew the answer to that question, too.

“Her agent.”

“You know about Scarpelli?”

“Who doesn’t?” the pilot answered.

“The entire country wants to know where Gya Gaynor is.” He pulled out a wad of bills, counting out five hundred dollars.

“I’ve been instructed to keep that private.”

He added another five hundred to the stack and handed it to the pilot. “You’re not telling me where she is. You’re only telling me where her agent is flying to. No harm. No foul.”

The pilot shoved the grand into his pocket. “I’m flying Ms. Parker to Wilde, Nevada.

He smiled and held out his hand.

The pilot shook his hand. “One question.”

He reached into his jacket ready to pull out his gun if the question turned out to be something he couldn’t answer. “Sure. What do you want to know?”

“Isn’t it difficult for you to be a photographer with a patch over your eye?”

“I’ve found that determination overcomes all obstacles. Nice doing business with you.”

“Keep my name out of the paper, okay?”

“Absolutely.”

Gya saw Stephanie walk into the Hotel Cactus’s lobby with two suitcases. She ran up to her, wrapping her arms around her. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Honey, are you okay?” Stephanie stepped back, her eyes wide.

“I’m great, now that you’re here.”

“Really?”

“Of course. I missed you.”

“I missed you, too, but you seem…different somehow.”

“I do?”

Kyle grinned. “Gya, she’s surprised that you hugged her. I’m betting that isn’t normal for you. It’s good to see you, Stephanie. Welcome to Wilde.”

They shook hands, and he took her luggage.

“Is that true, Steph? Do I seem different to you?”

“He’s right. You’re not one to give hugs.”

“Well, I do now. So both of you get used to it.”

Stephanie smiled. “I like them.” And she gave her a hug back. “Where is your brother, Kyle?”

“He’s meeting with Sheriff Champion.”

“This is a beautiful place,” Stephanie said. “I’m surprised a grand hotel like this is in such a small town. How old is it?”

“About a year old,” Kyle said. “I used to work at the original Cactus, which burned. It was over a hundred years old. My Aunt Maude owned it and wanted to restore it to its original glory. It’s identical in every way.”

Stephanie nodded her approval. “Well, it’s definitely impressive.”

Maude was behind the counter. “I’ve got your room ready, Miss Parker. I hope you will be comfortable during your stay here. Kyle, would you mind taking her luggage up to the Presidential Suite?”

“Not at all. It’s like old times when I worked for you.”

Stephanie smiled. “There are five more in the rental car outside that have Gya’s clothes.”

“Five? You must’ve brought my entire closet.”

“I wanted you to be prepared for anything and have plenty of choices, honey. I also brought your vitamins and a detox that I bet you need.”

Gya turned to Kyle. “Told you I would be in trouble when she got here.”

“Yes, you did.”

“I just want to make sure my girl is healthy, Mr. Strait. That’s all.”

She always liked when Stephanie called her “my girl.” It made her feel special and loved.

“I know you care about her. We all do. Let me get these up to your room, Stephanie, and then I’ll take the other five back to our house. It’s within walking distance, and I’m sure I could juggle them.” He flexed his biceps and then smiled. “But I think I’ll drive instead.”

She and Stephanie laughed.

“I have no doubt you could with those muscles,” Stephanie said with a grin.

He shrugged. “I’m sure you and Gya have a lot of catching up to do. Aaron and I would like to take you to dinner this evening.”

“I would like that very much. You’ve taken care of my girl. She’s safe because of you and your brother.”

They got Stephanie settled into her suite, which was as beautiful as any five-star hotel Gya had ever stayed in.

Kyle leaned over and gave Gya a kiss. “Aaron and I will be back in a couple of hours to retrieve you both for dinner. If you need anything, just call.”

“Thank you again,” Stephanie said. “I’m not sure how I can ever repay you.”

“You don’t have to.” He put his arm around Gya. “She’s more than worth it.”

“And so are you.” She tilted her head and he gave her another kiss. “Bye.”

He winked and left.

Stephanie took a seat on the side of the bed. “I can see things are working out nicely for you with Kyle, honey. How’s it going with Aaron?”

“I’m falling for both of them.” She told Stephanie about Aaron’s cancer and how he’d finally agreed to treatment. “We’re going to Denver next week for his appointment with a physician who is one of the best at treating Hodgkin’s disease. That’s why, despite Sharon’s insistence, I can’t go back out on tour. I won’t. Not until Aaron is finished with all his treatments. I’ve never put my career on hold before, but this is just too important.”

“Sweetheart, I’ll handle Sharon. Don’t you worry about that. You do what you have to do. Aaron is your priority now. Take as long as you need. Forever even. You have more money than you can ever spend. Your records will continue to sell for many years whether you put out a new one or not.”

She gazed at the woman who had never failed her, had always wanted the best for her, had helped her believe in family. “Thank you.”

Stephanie gave her another hug. “I’m so glad you have found happiness. You deserve it more than anyone I know.”

“So do you, Mom. So do you.”

Stephanie released her. “Mom? You’ve never called me that.”

“But that’s who you are to me. I hope you don’t mind if I call you that.”

Tears rolled down her agent’s cheeks. “Mind? I dreamed you would call me that one day. You’ve made me so happy. You are my daughter, Gya. You have been ever since you came to live with me.”

* * * *

Aaron looked at the full moon hanging low in the sky above the mountains. It was good to be back in Wilde, good to be home—especially with Gya. Sitting between him and Kyle on their mom’s swing, she wore jeans and a cotton top, both accenting her curves perfectly.

“That was a great dinner at the Horseshoe, tonight.” Kyle grinned. “Sweetheart, did you enjoy your salad?”

“I did, but didn’t I tell you how Stephanie is about food?” She laughed. “She knows so much about healthy eating, but she can go a little overboard when it comes to me.”

“Overboard or not, it’s clear to me that she cares deeply for you, baby.” Aaron squeezed her hand. “Besides, you devoured our leftovers when we got home.”

“I’m not a rabbit.”

He stroked her silky hair. “I want to talk to you about something, Gya.”

“Sounds serious.” She leaned forward. “What about? Is this about your treatments, because if you are thinking about backing out, I will not—”

He placed his fingertip to her lips. “I’m still going to Denver next week.”

“We are all going to Denver next week.”

“No arguments about that, but before we go you need to know something about me and Kyle.”

“Sounds very serious.”

“It is.” Gazing at her eyes, he saw the future he wanted reflected there. Never had he wanted anyone more in his life than Gya. “This may be a little soon to talk about this with you, but under the circumstances, I feel it is important. You’re putting your career on hold for me. I want you to know what you’re getting into.”

She turned to Kyle. “Do you know what this is about?”

He nodded. “Aaron and I talked while you were at the hotel with Stephanie. We’re in agreement we should put all our cards on the table. No secrets.”