Page 136 of The Promise Of Rain

With his love bolstering me, I could get through anything.

“You saw Grandma this morning?”Maria asked, her eyes lighting on the necklace.

I saw the moment recognition passed over her pinched features.

I should have tucked it under my neckline.

Her lips pursed.“Is that hers?”

Not knowing how to answer, I simply nodded.

Her face turned red, but she didn’t say anything further.

There were no more snide comments, veiled or otherwise, but when she brought dessert to the table, my offering remained in the kitchen.

It might have been a simple case of forgetting.

But I knew it wasn’t.

It reeked of dismissal.

And rejection.

What did I expect?

I dabbed my mouth with my napkin and pushed my chair back.“Everything was delicious, Maria.”Glancing around the table and ending with Deacon, I murmured, “Excuse me, please.”

“Second door on the left towards the front door,” Deacon stated as he stood.

Grasping my waist, he turned me toward him.“Okay?”

I jerked my chin down sharply, just once, not meeting his eyes.

If I looked at him, I might break down.And I refused to do that in front of them.

I patted his flat stomach and scooted away.

In the bathroom I ran the cold water over my hands and blotted my flushed cheeks.The woman who looked back at me in the mirror was miserable.

His parents would never accept me.

Stepping back into the hallway, the sight of my coat and boots tempted me to walk straight out the front door.

But it was a long walk to Moose Lake.

And I wasn’t about to create more drama.

Taking a deep breath, I padded back down the hall.

The sound of Deacon’s voice stopped me in my tracks.

“You’re being rude,” he accused.

“How?I’m trying to get to know her!”

“By asking questions that make her feel small, Mom?I expected better from you.”

“I’m sorry.I am trying to let go of the past.”