Page 11 of Loving Decker

“Good shot.” Nash nodded.

“But she’s not into me.” With those words, Deck realized one of the sources of his itch to be out here straining his muscles. What if he pursued Faith and she turned him down? They’d been friends for years. She totally could have said or done something before now if she was interested. That sort of proved she wasn’t.

Nash snorted.

“What?”

“Nothing. I just never knew my big brother was afraid of a little rejection.”

Decker clenched his fists. “Why you trying to egg me on?”

Nash grinned. “Cool down, brother. I’m just trying to light a little fire where it belongs.”

Decker frowned. “I’m not sure I like you lighting fires. Maybe you should be thinking more about your own love life.” If Nash dated, they didn’t know about it. He was tightlipped and alone from what they all could tell.

“Whoa, brother.” Nash held up his hands. “All I’m saying is, you’re not gonna know how she feels until you try to date her and see.” He watched the next bale soar up to the loft. “So what if she turns you down? You’re not gonna lose her.”

But he could. Deck knew he could lose her friendship and respect if he made a move when she wasn’t ready.

Decker was done talking about this with Nash. “What are you gonna say to Mav about selling?”

“I don’t know.”

“Faith and I think we should call a town meeting and have everyone talk about it together.”

His brother didn’t say anything for long enough that Decker stopped working and turned to look at him.

Nash shrugged. “You think that’s a good idea?”

“I do. I think we should be talking about it. The fate of the town shouldn’t rest on one person, or family, or even a few.”

“That you talking or your concern for the lady on the abutting property?”

Decker pressed his lips together but then relaxed. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. But I don’t know what the difference is, me or her. We’re all in the same situation, aren’t we?”

Nash wiped his forehead. “Hers is a bit more desperate than ours. But besides that, consider the town. What if they say they don’t think we should all sell. Are they gonna pay our expenses then? They gonna pool all the money? They gonna convince all the good shopkeepers to stick around while the rest of us get old? This town might be dying right before our eyes.”

Decker hated to hear every word out of his brother’s mouth. “So you’re gonna tell Mav to sell?”

Nash shook his head. “I still don’t know.”

“Wish we could ask Dad.”

“Yep.” Nash threw the last bale. “Well, that was fun.”

Decker laughed and then approached his brother. “Thanks, man.”

“You’re all right.” Nash pushed at him. “But don’t bring your smells too close.”

“Hey, nothing wrong with a little bit of sweat, right? Isn’t that what someone used to say?”

“No one in our house.” Mama had always insisted that they wash up.

“I’m gonna talk to Mav about the town meeting.” Decker had half a mind to call a meeting even if his brothers didn’t think it was a good idea. They hadn’t been there when he was talking to Faith. It just seemed like the right thing to do.

“So I should get ready for some real arm wrestling?” Nash laughed.

“Or something. But Faith is coming to dinner.”

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