Page 14 of Loving Decker

When everything was set up just right, Bailey called in from the front door. “We’re here!”

And then Grace swept in with a kiss for her grandma and wave at Decker. Maverick stood in the doorway. His brother had been asked to fill big shoes after Dad had died. None of them would ever be their dad. Tommy Dawson was a name unto himself. But Mav did a good job. He respected their mom and kept the family together.

Decker felt for the guy. He would have moved to New York long before now if he hadn’t felt like leaving would be deserting Maverick. But now things were different. Maybe.

“Brother,” Decker called over to him.

“Deck.” They clapped each other on the back and bumped shoulders, and Decker knew he respected this man and his decisions. If Mav thought they should sell, there was probably something to it.

And Faith was considering it.

He sighed.

“Hey now, this is the best day of the week, what’s this sighing?”

“Dude, I’m not sighing.”

“Oh, he’s sighing.” Nash sauntered in. “You should have seen him out in the barn.”

“Yeah?”

“Take a look at the hay in the loft. It’s organized into rows.”

Maverick’s eyebrows went up.

Then Dylan stepped into the room with Kate, and everyone turned to the new baby in her arms.

Dylan winked at his twin as if he knew he’d just rescued him.

And then a soft voice from the front room called out, and everyone turned to Faith. “Hey ya.” She waved.

The uproar in response was gratifying, Decker had to admit. The women swooped in and loved on her like she deserved. His brothers teased and cajoled and made her blush until Decker thought she’d never make it all the way into the dining room.

Then Mom stepped into the space, hugged her like she deserved to be hugged, and hushed everyone. “It’s time to eat, now everyone sit down.”

They obediently took their seats, and Mama held out her hands. “Let’s pray.” They took hands, Faith at his side with his mama on the other, and she led their prayer. “Thou art so good to us. We are humbled by your continuous care, by your hand that is stretched out always in your great mercy.”

Faith’s soft gasp beside him had him squeezing her hand a couple times. He’d love to know what was going on in her mind.

His mama continued for a bit more and then closed as she usually did. “We miss Dad. We miss his smile, but we feel his love as its tied into your love.” And then she closed.

They all repeated, “Amen.”

Faith may have wiped her eyes, but she was so quick he couldn’t be sure. And then Nash called out, “Pass those potatoes down here before I faint from hunger.”

“You’re never going to faint from hunger.” Bailey laughed but handed him the potatoes.

Kate pointed a fork at Nash. “He might, have you taken a look at him? The man eats like his stomach will never be full and still walks around as though nothing will stick to him.”

“Thank you for the potatoes. Now if you could all get your choice of meats and other goodies and then send them my way, I’d be much obliged.”

Everyone started digging in.

Faith was kind of quiet. They were waiting until the food would be passed down to their end.

“You okay?”

“Hm? Oh, totally.” She half smiled and looked away.

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