Page 134 of The Promise Of Rain

My heart panged with sympathy for so many reasons as her eyes rose to meet Deacon’s and filled.“I’m happy to see you, Son.”

He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her tightly.

Oh, God.

He’d missed her, of course, he’d missed her.

They’d always been close, probably in part because he was the baby.

And her, how did she stand it?

“I’m sure we can drop the Mr.and Mrs.and move onto first names,” Deacon stated smoothly.“Jenny, you remember my mom, Maria, and my dad, Aaron.Mom and Dad, I know you remember Jenny.I’m positive you don’t know how much she meant to me ten years ago, but in case you missed it, she’s everything.”

Hands shaking, I handed Maria a Buns and Biscuits box tied up with a bright pink bow.“I brought something for dessert.”

She accepted it with a nod and a murmured thanks.

I dipped my chin and removed my boots.

I needed to give her some grace for Deacon’s sake.She was a good mom.None of this was her fault.

She led us directly to the dining room.

Deacon helped her carry in the platters from the kitchen after she declined my offer.I was a guest, after all.

Which left me waiting at the formally dressed dining table with his father, an awkward silence hanging between us.

He cleared his throat.“How is Ansel?”

Deacon and his mother came through with the first round of platters.

Deacon caught my eye and raised his eyebrows.

I gave him a short nod.

My eyes flitted up to meet Aaron’s before dancing away.“We visited him and Darlene earlier.They’re both a bit worn from the virus they caught but are hopefully on the mend.”

“Yes,” he answered.“I saw my mother yesterday.”He paused, his eyes narrowing on the pendant on my chest before returning to mine, curious rather than angry.“She’s quite a fan of yours.”

Still, I wished I’d tucked it under my sweater.Would it look weird if I did it now?

“The feeling is mutual.”I offered a shaky smile and hazarded a glance in his direction.“It may also be that she just wants my brownies.”

His eyes warmed, and for a moment, I saw the man Deacon idolized.“Her sweet tooth is legendary.”

More platters hit the table, this time Deacon paused to rest a hand on my shoulder.“Come help with the last few.”He smiled at his father.“Mom outdid herself.”

Aaron nodded slowly.“She wants everything to be perfect.”

Grateful for the reprieve, I stood and followed Deacon into the kitchen.

His mother frowned when she saw me but smoothed her expression almost immediately and passed me a heavy bowl of whipped potatoes.

“These smell wonderful,” I commented.

“They’re potatoes,” she replied, meeting my eyes.“Nothing special.”

Deacon narrowed his gaze, his eyes flitting back and forth between us before coming to rest on his mother’s face.“Mashed potatoes are soul food, and they’re exactly what I need today.”