Page 170 of The Promise Of Rain

I grinned.“At least I’m on my knees.”I dipped my head.“I love you, Jenny Davis.”

“Soon to be Jenny Raine,” she corrected, her eyes twinkling.“I guess a little rain’s not all bad.”

Tilting my head, I challenged, “You want a little Raine?One with your smile and my eyes?”

Her eyes widened, and she sucked in a breath.

Hope lit her eyes from the inside.

She smiled.“I could go for that.”

Rolling onto my back, I smacked her round ass.“Okay, pretty girl.We’ll make our own Raine.”

34

Epilogue

FourYearsLater–Jenny

I snuck away and sat down at the kitchen table, a thick slice of sourdough bread slathered with strawberry jam waiting for me.

Thank you, Deacon.

Picking up my pen, I began.

Dear Ansel,

You once said time waits for no one.How right you were.So let me catch you up.

If you’d been here, I would have had a traditional wedding just so you could walk me down the aisle.Without you, that held no appeal.Instead, Deacon whisked me away like a (grumpy) prince from a fairy tale.

We got married on the beach, just him and me.It was beautiful and romantic and exactly what I wanted.

Without telling me, Deacon sent a few pictures to his parents.His mom texted back immediately and said I made a beautiful bride.

That was the start of our new beginning.

They’ve been good to me.It still surprises me sometimes, but I think that may be on me more than them.

I see now why Deacon idolizes his father.His family is everything to him, but he holds his wife above all.I admit it took me a while to see it, but that’s how Deacon grew up.And I’m reaping the benefits.

Aaron’s health has improved with a new diet and less stress.That and a boatload of vitamins and tinctures Maria brings home every week.

He doesn’t argue.Much.

It took them a while to work through their pain, and the first few times we got together, it was awkward.

But they were kind.

And when Annie came along, the past melted away.

Speaking of, I set my pen down, stood up, and crossed to the fridge.I pulled out the lasagna Maria prepared for us for dinner tonight.All I had to do was put it in the oven.I turned the dial on the stove to pre-heat.

They were coming here tonight and were staying once we put Annie to bed so Deacon and I could meet the others at The Loose Moose.

Over the years we came to a mutual agreement that she would handle dinner when we got together, and I would handle bread and dessert.

Unless it was chili night.She loved my chili.