Page 17 of Loving Decker

Loud, happy talking led her to their meeting room. And as she suspected, it was packed. She smiled and waved as various people called out to her. What a town. What a lovely, friendly, family-like town.

Shortly after she arrived, Maverick Dawson stood up in the front of the room.

She got surprisingly emotional thinking of his dad, their mayor for many years. She missed Papa Dawson. Her eyes found Mrs. Dawson, and the woman was already watching her. Their eyes connected, and her warm expression comforted Faith somewhat. She’d already seen Decker when she walked in. He was at the back of the room, leaning against the wall. But she didn’t look at him now. She needed to be levelheaded and clear-thinking for this meeting. It was time to make some decisions. Or at least it was time to listen, to brainstorm, and to be assertive.

Maverick joked with everyone for a moment, and then he said, “We’ve all heard stories of the first group of people to tame this land. We know the first member of our family to buy Willow Creek land, we have heard the stories. And for many of us, the land is a part of them, a part of our family, and worth a great deal indeed.”

A low rumble of appreciation moved through the group.

Maverick was talking like he was going to keep the land. Faith’s heart sank. It was going to be a lot more difficult to sell if she did so alone.

He continued, “However, as we consider them and their great sacrifices, we sometimes forget that what they did was new, revolutionary, different. They were brave enough to step outside the norm and venture into the frontier, to be the first to own land here, to settle. That takes courage. And that is just what we might be asked to do now.”

The rumbling continued, this time less pleasant.

“I ask you to consider those first settlers. If given the option to sell now, would they take it?”

And that was the very answer Faith hoped Grandpa could tell her.

A voice from the back filled the room. “I say they would!” Randall walked down the aisle and in between chairs pushed together here and there. He smiled at everyone and seemed perfectly comfortable in front of them all.

This was something she had not predicted. What was Randall doing there? She felt almost a bit guilty that she’d secretly hoped Randall would never know about the meeting.

“Maverick, do you mind if I take a minute?”

“Everyone will have time to say something. You can be first if you like.” Maverick seemed a bit more annoyed than Faith would have expected him to be. If Maverick wanted to sell, wouldn’t Randall be his favorite person? “We have a time limit. I’ll figure out what that is while you’re talking.”

“Understood. Now I know for some of you, I’m an unwelcome presence. There might even be a few who hoped I wouldn’t hear about this meeting.”

Did his eyes flick to hers? She felt her chest tighten.

“But I’m a member of this community just like the rest of you, and I’ve lived here my whole life. What I have to offer you is the best deal you’re gonna get for your land.”

The rumbling grew louder.

“This developer is also the best news for this town in a long time. They have a master plan, which I’ve shown each of you, in your homes, that will ensure the beauty of Willow Creek is preserved. They are bringing in conveniences. Ladies, do you enjoy driving thirty minutes to get good shopping? Do you ever wish we could just see a movie right here? And what about a hotel? A nice upscale hotel for our guests to stay in?”

The rumbling calmed, and people started to listen.

“What about a gym or a recreational facility? A large grocery store?”

Someone called from the back, “What about our bakery? Feed Store? Tractor Supply?”

He nodded. “You’re concerned about the stores that already exist, about the livelihood of the people already here.”

“Yes, what about Doug and Judy?” The people started calling out other store owners, and Faith’s throat tightened. She loved them too. She loved every single part of this town. But she also loved her grandpa. And she had to live on something.

“You can support all those establishments. You can still have Doug cut your hair. Eat Judy’s burgers, and buy donuts from Mabel. But the new folks might not appreciate our older traditions, and they would be shopping at the newer establishments. What I suggest, what this developer brings to the table is quite literally the best of both worlds. The master plan encourages a quaint and vibrant main street, a historic district. And all of our staples would contribute to that feel and vibe and, happily for us, also enable us to stay in business.” He kept talking, and the more he said, the more hopeful Faith felt. Selling wasn’t going to destroy her home; it was going to make it better. All those additions sounded like improvements to her, and no matter what they built, they couldn’t take away the beautiful hills or the big blue skies. Not all of the property would be gone, not in her lifetime.

By the time Randall finished talking, most people in the room had hopeful expressions. He finished on one final thought, “No matter what you decide, it’s always a good thing to hype up the energy in the town, to get some national news, to win some more rodeos. The more appealing the place is, the more people will come.” He smiled, this time a more sincere expression, and then left through the door.

The room was quiet for a time, and then Decker called out from the back, “I say we bring back the festival. What this town needs is another Willow Creek Rodeo.”

“Amen to that!” Dylan supported his twin from the front row.

Everyone’s positive responses to that idea were heartwarming. But Faith was feeling unsettled. She stood. “Might I say something?”

Maverick gave her the floor.

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