Augusta Moore never had a dad or granddad—just a strong mother, and that was enough. She never thought she needed a man… until she fell for a “Frannie’s” boy, Clayton Briggs, and he fell for her. Their romance stayed secret—until he left town when she was pregnant. Her little girl mended her broken heart.
Now, Gus is floored when Clayton walks into the Chicken Sisters. She makes it clear she’s in control—and that she doesn’t want anything from him. She tells him that he’s only here to meet Mae.
At church, Bo preaches forgiveness, but Frank Jr. isn’t buying it.
Mae and Shawna nudge Amanda toward dating again. Amanda admits her last date was 17 years ago. When Eddie asks her out, she reluctantly says yes.
Meanwhile, Gus is quietly wrestling with old feelings for Clayton.
Tensions spike when Frank Jr. arrives and sees everyone hanging out together like one big family. He calls Nancy by her first name and announces he doesn’t need any of them. Bo checks in with Nancy on their planned trip. Nancy is excited… and secretly hesitant.
Linzey grumbles about spending time with Frankie and Dudley. Sabrina counsels her that life’s troubles make you more interesting.
Mayor Carson apologizes to Nancy about the broken train arm—then challenges her to get 300 petition signatures if she wants it fixed.
Later, Clayton ends up in Mae’s section at the restaurant. Nervous, he blurts out that he’s her dad. Mae’s jaw drops.
Nancy spots a closet at Gus’s place crammed with junk. Gus brushes it off.
Mae wants to know more about Clayton’s life and asks if she has siblings. He says no—and compliments her “Gussie” sense of style. Mae learns her mother used to love getting “gussied up,” and that Gus was the one who called him back for the wedding. He’ll stay as long as she wants. She hugs him.
At the Cluckery, Frank Jr. warns his lone employee about “no traitors,” while Christian refuses to change the franchise rules for him.
Nancy notices Gus is unsettled. Gus confesses she invited Mae’s dad to town. Nancy comforts her.
Amanda tells Frankie about her date. Frankie asks for kissing advice. Amanda says she’ll just know when she’s ready. Frankie offers her mom outfit tips.
Gus and Nancy tackle the junk closet, finding an old photo album—including shots of Nancy as Miss Merinac County. Nancy reveals she never got to take her prize trip to D.C., but Bo’s invited her on a months-long trip now. Gus is stunned.
Amanda steps out for her date, stunning Eddie into silence.
Frankie shows Linzey a secret social account she started featuring Amanda’s art. She admits things with Dudley are “weird” because they haven’t kissed. Linzey vows to help make it happen.
Nancy apologizes to Gus for not mentioning the trip sooner. Gus tries to be supportive, then opens up about her past secret romance with Clayton and how he left town when she was pregnant.
At the dance, Eddie tries to reminisce about their childhood, but Amanda keeps steering the conversation to Frankie and Frank Jr. Eddie gets a call from the station and leaves abruptly.
As Amanda’s leaving, Sergio arrives for takeout. She invites him for a drink.
While Gus and Nancy finish clearing the closet, Nancy asks if Gus still has feelings for Clayton. Gus insists she told him she doesn’t want to see him. Nancy says that’s probably for the best.
At the Cluckery, Frank Jr. experiments with a new fried chicken recipe.
Nancy tells Bo she’s nervous about being “the newcomer” on their trip—she wants to be more than just the woman behind the man.
Linzey drags Amanda to Dudley’s to encourage Frankie’s big moment. Dudley answers the door, and the timing is perfect for Frankie’s first kiss.
Amanda and Sergio share an easy, warm dinner.
Later, Linzey asks Frankie how the kiss was. Frankie seems unsure but says it was good.
Amanda and Sergio say goodnight with a lingering hug—no kiss.
Mae visits Gus to thank her for bringing her dad to town and they share a nice moment.
Nancy flips through the old photo album again, clearly inspired to step up in her own life.
As Gus winds down for the night, Clayton knocks on her door. He apologizes for leaving and explains that when he came back, he saw she was pregnant and thought she’d moved on. He regrets shutting the door on them and admits he’s missed her ever since.
It’s exactly what Gus needed to hear—but she says nothing as he leaves.
Nancy asks if she’s okay. Gus is not.