Page 172 of The Promise Of Rain

We see Baxter and Maggie a lot along with Miller and Maxine and the rest of them.Maxine is still my champion.And my best friend.Though I love Maggie, Vera, and Julie just as much.

Deacon is good with all of them, though I still see a pain in his eyes sometimes when he looks at Baxter.

A regret.

I see it in Baxter, too.

Perhaps it’s something they understand in each other.

The front door opened.A few seconds later, Deacon’s big boots hit the floor, and he swung into the kitchen.

His eyes lit up when he saw me.“Hi, pretty girl.”

I tipped my chin back.“Hi, pretty boy.”

He growled and dropped a kiss to my mouth.“Did you talk to Bax about finishing the basement?”

I nodded.“All set.I met him at the hardware store and picked out my paint and trim.”

He nodded, a small frown on his face.“Good.”

I smiled up at him.“Grumpy bear.”

He growled playfully and kissed me once more.

“Daddy?”Annie called from somewhere in our small house.

He grinned at me and stroked my cheek with his finger before going to find her.

I sighed, those butterflies never failing to show up when my husband came home.

I twirled my pen through my fingers and continued.

We bought the house Deacon showed you, and we live there still.It’s plenty big for the three of us, and I have no wish to move.

Ever.

We’re getting ready to finish the basement into a giant playroom.I wanted it to be a mancave for Deacon, but he insisted on a playroom.

Though he does plan on a big screen TV for when he’s ‘stuck down there playing Barbies.’

That’s a sight I wish you could see.

My cell phone lit up with a call.Checking the display, I picked it up.“Hey, Libby.”

“Hi, Jenny,” she answered shyly.“I have a request.”

A quiet girl, just out of high school, she was a whiz in the bakery.

“Shoot,” I replied.

“Would it be okay to stay past three?Not for overtime,” she rushed to explain.“There’s a recipe I wanted to try, and, well, it’s just easier to do it here than upstairs.And I’ll reimburse you for the ingredients.”

“Go for it,” I replied.“And don’t worry about the ingredients.Just be sure to lock the front door and put the closed sign up.”

“Will do.Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”