Page 159 of The Promise Of Rain

“Fuck, I’m here, it’s going to be okay,” he whispered fervently.“You’re going to be okay, I fucking promise, baby.”

My head fell back as I dragged in a shuddering breath.I curled into him, my hands clutching his shoulders as he rocked me back and forth until I stilled.

Exhausted.

My legs dropped from his hips and dangled above the floor.

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t here,” he whispered fervently.

Drawing back to meet my bleary eyes, he explained, “I was at my parents’ place, then I went to the bank, and then I had an appointment in Mistlevale.That’s where I was when I found out, and I came as soon as I heard.”

“How did you hear?”I asked shakily, relieved clear down to the soles of my feet to have him close.

“Not from you.”His eyes darkened.“That’s an issue we’ll address when this is all over.”

“I wanted to give you time,” I explained with a sniff.

“Later,” he answered gruffly.

He set me down but kept me close as he walked us back to my friends, my family.

The girls all stared back at me with watery eyes, all four of them clinging to their husbands for comfort.

When Deacon’s gaze landed on Baxter, his eyes sobered.“Thank you for tracking me down.”

Maggie turned and tucked her face into Baxter’s neck, her back heaving.

Baxter circled his arms around her and dipped his chin to Deacon in acknowledgement.“I figured you’d pick up my call out of curiosity if nothing else.”

Deacon nodded.“I saw your name and knew there was something wrong.Thank you.”

Baxter shook his head.“No thanks necessary.We’re a family.We look out for one another.”

“Aw, fuck,” John griped.“Are we gonna hug again?”

“Asswipe,” Miller stated, shaking his head.“There’s nothing wrong with a good hug.”With a smirk, he looked at Deacon and tilted his head to the side.“You need a hug, Deac?”

“You need a trip to the hospital, Miller?”Deacon answered drily.

I began to laugh.

“Okay, okay, big man, settle down,” Eric cajoled before turning to Miller.“He just needs a little more time.”

It started small and grew until it rumbled up from my tummy.

“There’s never gonna be enough time,” John grumbled.

My girls began to laugh with me.

My girls.

“Assholes,” Deacon growled, turning his back on their banter to look down at me with concern.

“I really think he’s warming up to us,” Miller declared.

I shook my head, my smile wide.

Fighting a smile, Deacon cupped my head in his hands and tipped my face up to his.“Are you okay?”