DEACON
"Deacon." She moved to the other side of the table as though she needed to have it between us for protection. That stung more than I cared to admit. "You're back."
"Yeah." I stuck my hands in my pockets, mostly to keep from reaching for her. "I just got here. I didn't have any idea about the party going on today, but I wanted to come to see Gram and Pop right away . . . what're you doing here, anyway?" It hadn't even occurred to me initially that it was strange for Emma to be at the farm. She seemed at home, familiar with the kitchen. Oddly, I felt like the one who didn't quite belong.
"Why shouldn't I be here?" She propped her hands on her hips and glared at me. "It just so happens that not everything stayed the same after you took off for Europe, Deacon. Your-Anna and Jimmy h
