Delicate Promises (Southern Bride 2)

I wrapped my arms tightly around her. “I love you, Kynslee.”

“I love you, too.”

Kynslee

MILES AND I walked into the pasture hand in hand. Most of these people were friends we went to high school with. A few were new to me. Of course, Hunt wasn’t a very big town, and I was positive some of these folks had come in from Austin or San Antonio. Field parties weren’t something we did often anymore, but when they were thrown by the right people, word got out to the friends who had moved to the city and that always seemed to lure them back. Once word got out Miles was home, and the party was on his farm, no doubt people came simply out of curiosity.

“There’s Trey,” Miles said, nearly dragging me over to his former best friend. Trey barely turned when he went flying back and stumbled right to the ground. I gasped as I looked between him and Miles.

“You punched him!” I cried out.

Miles smiled and reached his hand out for Trey to take it. “You didn’t even try to make it a challenge.”

Trey wiped the blood from his mouth and laughed. “It’s all that damn special ops training you got, bro. You snuck up on me, asshole.”

Throwing his head back and laughing, Miles shook his head, then pulled Trey in for a quick bro hug.

I will never understand men. Ever.

Trey glanced at me and a wider grin appeared. “Damn, you haven’t changed since the last time I saw you, Kynslee. I would give you a hug, but I’m afraid your beast of a boyfriend might punch me again.”

He reached his hand out and shook mine as I said, “It’s good seeing you, Trey.”

With a nod, he focused back on Miles. “Dude, you’re finally home. How’s it feel to be a civilian?”

Miles wrapped his arm around my waist and looked directly into my eyes. “It feels good. Really good.”

I felt my cheeks heat because I knew what he was referring to.

“You don’t miss the Marines?” he asked.

Shrugging, Miles replied, “Sometimes, but nothing worth talking about. I’m home now and ready to start a new adventure. Build a future.”

Miles glanced back down to me and winked. I smiled.

Trey laughed. “Oh hell, that means marriage and kids are around the corner.”

My stomach dropped slightly. Not because I didn’t want to have kids, I wanted that very much, but I hadn’t realized how much until that moment.

I looked around, afraid that I had just sent out a signal to everyone in this pasture that I, Kynslee Maxwell, wanted to pop out a baby or two with the man currently holding onto me. And I wanted it more than I had ever dreamed possible.

Swallowing hard, I tried to remember how to breathe properly.

Miles leaned over and placed his mouth against my ear. “You okay, princess?”

I nodded. “It’s really hot out tonight.”

“Want a beer?” Miles asked.

“I would love one.”

“Beer?” Miles asked Trey.

“In the cooler next to the red Ford F-250.”

Miles gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be right back.”

I nodded and glanced around the party. I knew Rich and Lana wouldn’t be here. Rich had given up on this scene years ago, and Lana had just had a baby, so I’m sure a welcome home party outside in this heat wasn’t high on her list.

Heather and Patty, on the other hand, would be here. My eyes caught on a guy moving in my direction. He looked familiar, and I tried to place him. When he grew closer I wanted to groan.

“Lucas.”

“Hey Kynslee, how are you?”

I smiled politely. Lucas was a friend of a guy Heather had dated months back. She had begged me to go on a double date, and I had agreed. If you looked up the word redneck in the dictionary, this guy’s photo would be there. It was something he was damn proud of, too.

“I’m fine. How are you?”

“Good. Heather told James about this, and we had to come see how y’all in Hunt do a party in the country.”

I gave a fake laugh. “I’m sure no different than y’all in… Where are you from again?”

He grinned. “Bishop, down the road yonder.”

With a nod like I remembered that was where he was from, I replied, “Ah yes, that’s right. The town of Bishop, home of the best fishing in Texas.”

“In Bishop?” Miles asked, laughing. He handed me a beer and wrapped his arm around my waist.

I gave him a look that said please don’t go there, but Miles chose to ignore it.

“Bishop hardly has some of the best fishing,” Miles said, and I wanted to punch him because I knew he was doing it on purpose. Miles was looking to have a cock fight.

Lucas faced Miles and gave him a once over. As a matter of fact, both men were looking each other over.