Delicate Promises (Southern Bride 2)

“No, he is not,” Patty mumbled under her breath while fanning her face.

“You know what, it’s slow so I’m going to head on home,” I stated.

“Smart move. You should wash your hair,” Patty stated.

Stopping, I ran my fingers through my blonde hair. “What’s wrong with it?”

Patty shrugged, and my mother scrunched up her nose as she added her two cents. “I think maybe you’ve used the dry shampoo a day too many, sweetheart.”

My jaw fell open. “Dry shampoo? I don’t use dry shampoo.”

“Oh, that explains so much,” Patty said, looking at my mother.

Clenching my jaw, I walked past the two of them, back into my office and grabbed my purse. Instead of risking more unsolicited advice and hair care suggestions, I left through the back door.

Climbing into my truck, I shook my head, pulled down the small mirror on my visor and looked at myself. “Dry shampoo. Ugh.”

Miles pulled up right on time. My eyes drifted down the path that led to my folks’ house. I was holding my breath, expecting my mother and father to pop out any moment now. Mom was clearly thrilled about the idea of us dating. She had always adored Miles. Treated him like a son and part of our family. My father, on the other hand, I wasn’t so sure about. He liked Miles. Always had, but he also thought Miles was the reason I hadn’t moved on, and I was positive that unnerved him. I knew all he wanted was for me to be happy, and in his eyes, I was pining over a man who hadn’t put me first.

“And your father would be spot on,” I whispered to myself as I watched a very handsome-looking Miles climb out of his truck and make his way over to me. He smiled when he saw me, and I tried not to let it show on the outside how much my body was melting on the inside.

Lord. Help. Me.

Dressed in jeans that hugged his toned legs, a light blue T-shirt, and a baseball cap, thankfully not on backwards as that would have been my undoing, Miles strolled over like he had no idea how he was messing with my libido. My poor neglected body trembled with a want I had attempted to bury the morning he walked away from me. Yet again.

“Hey, Kyns. You look nice.”

“Thank you. Come on in while I grab my stuff and my phone.”

Miles followed me into my house. He looked around and smiled. “Damn, the last time I was in this place it was in need of some serious work.”

I smiled. “Daddy and I had fun remodeling it.”

Whiskey came around the corner and stopped in his tracks when he saw Miles.

“Finally, I get to meet you, Whiskey.” Miles leaned down to pet Whiskey and was met with a hiss and a slap on the hand.

“What the hell! Whiskey just got me with his claw!”

Bending down, I held out my hand as Whiskey ran to me. He rubbed against me and purred.

“That’s my sweet baby boy. It’s obvious he has a good sense for people.”

Miles rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the small slip of a smile. “He just has to get to know me better.”

I stood and shrugged. Whiskey looked at Miles again and hissed before turning and walking away. “Maybe.”

“Are you ready to head out?”

Reaching for my phone, I walked toward the door. Miles took my hand and waited for me to lock up. He placed his hand on my lower back as we made our way down the front porch steps. I tried hard to ignore how his touch made my body feel.

Before I had a chance to ask what we were doing, Rowdy, my Plymouth Rocks rooster, came running around the corner to check out the new visitor.

“Oh, no,” I said as I watched him get a lock on Miles. As far as Rowdy was concerned, Miles was a stranger, and he didn’t take well to strangers.

“Rowdy, no sir! No!” I called out.

Miles saw the rooster making a beeline toward him. I figured he would put his boot out and show the rooster who was boss. Instead, a high-pitched scream came from his mouth, and he took off running. Rowdy smelled the fear instantly and picked up his pace.

“Miles!” I called out. “Why are you running?”

“Help! Get him away! Mom!”

My hand came up to my mouth as I attempted not to laugh at this super-brave Marine running from a rooster…needless to say, I failed big time and was doubled-over in laughter. It only took me a moment to get my shit together and pull out my phone to record the whole scene, though. This was a golden opportunity and could be used as a negotiating tool.

“Kynslee! Get your demon-possessed chicken away from me!” Miles yelled as he ran by, Rowdy hot on his tail. I stepped off the porch and walked into the yard. I needed a better shot since they had both run out of sight.