Page 13 of Loving Decker

“Look, Faith. It’s the truth. I think this is a good thing for our town. I think we’re dying off slowly. And if we don’t jump in now, we might lose our chance. And you? Honestly, Faith. You could use this. What’s keeping you tied to the land? It’s a major money maker and you could use a break.” His eyes were lit with sincerity. She knew he meant what he said. And her heart softened toward him.

“I know. I’m sorry, Randall. It’s just hard to think I’m letting down my family. What would Grandpa do? I don’t even know.” She sighed and leaned into him a little bit.

“Does it matter what he would do? He did what he wanted to do with the land when it was his, and now it’s yours. He had his time and made the best choices for his time. What are the best choices for now? Think about it. This is a good developer. We’re talking lovely neighborhoods, beautiful shopping, nice restaurants. The town will thrive. You will make enough money to do whatever you want. You could even stay here for the rest of your life.”

She nodded.

“And you can pay for your grandpa to have whatever he needs for the rest of his life.”

And that was the clincher really. Because, as it was, she was not going to have enough money to keep going, even with his insurance.

They stopped in front of her truck.

“Thanks, Randall. It really does mean a lot. I’m sorry if I seem stressed about it all.”

“Like I said, take your time. But I do hope you come around. Really and truly, for your sake.”

“It won’t hurt you either.” She studied him, wondering just how much of what he was saying was selfishly motivated.

“No, it won’t. I’d benefit from this as much as anyone. But that’s the thing. I hope we all benefit together. I want us to grow. And I want everyone to stay.”

She opened her truck door. “I know. I’ll get back to you soon.”

He looked like he might say more but just nodded. And then he stood and waved until she drove out of the parking lot.

Chapter Six

Decker helped his mom set the table.

“She’s a really special girl.”

“I know.”

“I’ve always thought so.”

He straightened the forks like he knew she liked. “Do you think I was blind all through high school not to see it?”

She laughed. “You saw it. You just weren’t ready to give your heart to someone.”

“How do you think she feels about me?”

Her hand waved for him to follow as she went back into the kitchen. “I think that’s something you’re going to need to discover.”

“But all this time? If she was interested in me, don’t you think she would have told me by now?”

She clucked her tongue. “Now that’s just not the way things work, son. She’s not gonna go telling you anything. Especially if it was so obvious that you didn’t see her as anything more than your buddy.”

He supposed she was right. “But do you think she might be interested now?”

“Honey, I told you. That’s something you’re gonna need to find out. And I bet you’re gonna have a lot of fun doing it.”

He took a platter from her and followed her back out to the oversized dining room table where they all ate. “I don’t know if it will be all that much fun. I kind of wonder if I’m going to be a mess.”

Her laugh filled the room. “And that’s part of the fun.”

He frowned. Fun for who? But he placed the food as directed and went back for more without responding.

Faith would be arriving any minute. Everyone knew not to be late for the Dawson family dinner. And she had said she was coming early.

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