Page 171 of The Promise Of Rain

I sat back down and looked back over my letter before continuing.

You would love Annie.It’s impossible not to.

She looks like a little princess but swears like a sailor.You should see Darlene’s face when we take her to visit.

Last time we were there, she threatened to paddle Deacon’s ass.Those were her exact words.

She’s getting a little frail, Ansel.Deacon worries about her, but she says she’s ready to go.Says she’s got a threesome situation she needs to work out.Deacon’s ears turned pitch red.It was hilarious.

No need to tell you that Abby and Hannah adore Annie.They still talk about you all the time.And they still give me trouble for racing Darlene’s wheelchair down the hallway.

Annie is fascinated with Darlene, and we visit often.

And I always bring her favourite cookies for you.

We named Annie after you, well, as close as we could get.

Deacon calls her Babycakes, says she’s the sweetest thing I ever made.

And get this, her best friend is Baxter and Maggie’s little guy, Bennett.

Who would ever have thought?

A blood-curdling scream pierced my eardrum.It was closely followed by frantic barking and the padding of little feet.

“Momma!Her’s getting mine samwitch!”Annie burst through the kitchen door, her dark curls bouncing around her heart-shaped face.

With Deacon’s dark hair and my blue eyes, she was a miniature fairy princess.

Until she opened her mouth.

Miller thought it was a hoot.

Baxter was frantic because Maggie was mortified.

Bennett kept telling them to ‘fucking get a room’ every time he saw them kissing.He heard Deacon say it once.One time.Their older son, Corwin, loves it.I had no doubt he encouraged it.

Probably practiced with him when Maggie wasn’t looking.

Turning to frown at our dog, Annie muttered, “Bloody hell, Herb.Mine samwitch!”

I snickered though I should have corrected her and watched as she took a bite then tore off a piece for Herb.

She took off running once more and the screaming recommenced.

I returned to my letter.

We got a dog!

She’s a cute little thing, spotty and scruffy and Annie’s best friend.

Turns out Baxter and Maggie’s dog Jeff wasn’t gaining weight, she was growing puppies.She had a small litter of four puppies, and we got the only girl.

Needless to say, she’s now fixed.

Baxter named our puppy Herb, and Annie wouldn’t let us change it.

Baxter laughs every time he sees her.