Page 75 of The Promise Of Rain

He smiled down at me.A gentle giant wrapped in heavy flannel and topped with a ridiculous knit hat boasting a giant pom-pom to rival his wife’s.

“Interesting hat you’ve got there,” I teased.

He laughed, mouth wide, eyes smiling into mine.“Maxine’s taken up knitting.”

I twinkled back at him.

I would always have a soft spot for Miller.At ten years old, he was my first, chaste kiss.After which we decided we were better off as friends.

At thirteen, he ran to the general store and bought me pads with his own money when I got my period for the first time in the middle of math class.

At fifteen, he pulled an older boy off me who didn’t understand the word no.

At twenty-five, he cried in my arms when he broke up with Maxine.I kicked his butt all the way back to the city.

And at twenty-eight, he saved me from my greatest fear.

He threw an arm around my neck and tugged my hat off before putting me in a headlock and shoving a bag of marshmallows into my hands.

“Thanks, buddy,” I snorted, fixing my hair and replacing my hat.

His smile slowly faded as his gaze wandered over my shoulder.

I spun around to find Deacon’s narrowed eyes trained on Miller’s face.

Miller stared back at him, a hard challenge on his face, a side of Miller I’d seen only once before.

He dipped his chin without taking his eyes off Deacon.“You let me and Maxine know if you need anything.”

“We’re still working through the rough spots,” I murmured.

His gaze swung to meet mine, his eyebrows flying up.“He still doesn’t believe you?”

I scuffed the toe of my boot into the hardened sand.“He knows there are things I’m keeping from him.”

Miller’s eyebrows rose.“You didn’t tell him about the—”

I shook my head sharply.

“What about that dick—”

“No,” I interrupted.“I don’t want to talk about it.Not yet.”

Miller shook his head and sighed.“No more secrets, Jenny.They only end up hurting you.”

I nodded as I headed back to Deacon.“I know.But the truth’s been no picnic either.”

Deacon watched me approach, hands tucked into his front pockets, dark head tilted to the side.“You seem to have a special relationship with Miller and Maxine.”

I stiffened.

Here we go.I can’t live under a shadow of constant suspicion.

“I’ve known Miller since I was in kindergarten.Maxine is one of my best friends.”

Oh my God.I have best friends.

“Why is he so protective of you?”