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For the re her plate rather than asking any lanced cautiously at her father "Did I do good, Deacon?" Her voice quavered a little as she waited for praise I wondered why she didn’t call hi up to

At her question, Deacon’s gruff expression o take your plate and rinse it off"

As Willow started for the sink, aze locked on Deacon’s

"I know I , but she was prettythe situation Willow had lived in with her ree that she needs to eat her vegetables and she needs to show you respect My father asked the sae" I offered him a smile "I think maybe your delivery could use just a bit of work, but other than that, you’re doing very well"

A smirk curved across his lips "Thank you, Miss Evans"

"You’re welcoht, boys It’s tiroans echoed around the table "At least let me do the dishes since you were so kind to invite me to dinner"

Beth shed at Bishop’s aggravated grunt and Deacon’s roll of his eyes "No, I wouldn’t want to do that at all"

"You gonna read me my bedtime story, Uncle Rev?" Willow asked

Before he could reply, I said, "You knohat? I bet your daddy would love to read you a story tonight"

Deacon’s eyes narrowed at my comment while Willoidened in surprise "Really? You want to read to me, Deacon?" she asked

"Yeah, sure, kid Why not?"

A beao brush et nore his glare, I turned to Beth "Thank you again for dinner"

"You’re more than welco invitation every night," Beth said

"That’s very sweet of you"

As I started to the foyer, Deacon stepped in front of me "I’ll walk you back to your car"

I couldn’t hide esture Of course, I also hoped he wasn’t going to go off on estion "Um, thank you," I muarette lighter lit the way for us in the dark The sound of Deacon’s boots clo across the floorboards filled the silence between us After we pounded down the stairs, Deacon turned to o for Rev"

"Excuse me?" I questioned in surprise After all, that was the last thing I’d expected out of hi business when it comes to me andon his cigarette "He’s into you--I can tell"

Cocking ht you cao off on me about what I did with Willow, not to playabout so"

"You sure about that?" I teased

"Yeah, I’d be a dick to yell at you for just suggesting I read to my kid I mean, that’s what parents do Well, that’s at least what ivenabout what Deacon was like as a little boy I’d since learned that he was an adopted son of Beth’s I was certainly curious about his life before he came to live with the Malloys

After silence stretched lad to hear you say that"