Page 2 of Loving Decker

“And being your granddaughter, I’m determined to try and like that smell, but hmm…it’s pretty sour, isn’t it?”

His hand squeezed her own, the briefest pressure, but it was intentional. And she knew it.

“A lot of people love that horse smell, so you’re in good company.” She smiled. Was he hearing her? She pressed on, desperate to share her burden. “But the biggest thing I want to talk about is Randall. He wants me to sell.” She breathed out every last bit of breath and watched her grandpa. “He says the whole town is selling if we do, except the Dawsons. He says it’s the chance of a lifetime with a high paying developer.”

He didn’t move. He didn’t say anything. His hand did not squeeze in response. Nothing.

Her lungs felt tight, her head longed for air. With her intake of breath, she tried to fight tears of disappointment. But they came. What was she expecting? That he’d suddenly awake from this coma and tell her the answers to her problems?

She sighed. Why had she felt so compelled to come? “I’m just not sure what to do. I love this town. I love our land. I know the stories. The first Haws came over from England and bought one thousand acres of prime soil in Willow Creek. Jed Haws, George Dawson, and the others, they settled this land and created this town. I know, Grandpa.” She closed her eyes. “But I’m alone now. And I don’t have any money.”

With his hand still in her own, she gazed out the window. She tried not to think about the fact that every precious heartbeat monitored on the hospital machines was costing more than they could afford to pay.

Randall’s offer had come exactly at the right time. Hadn’t it?

Then why wasn’t she jumping at the chance?

His hand is stretched out still.What a comforting response. But not really a direction. She tried to grasp onto the patience that was required. No matter what happened, she knew God was with her. The warmth from her prayer still lingered. She reached for those feelings, hoping to cling forever to the love she knew was always there.

But she still needed to make a decision.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. She assumed it was a nurse, so she turned slowly, watching a patch of birds dive down and land in a tree outside the window.

When no one entered the room, she lifted her gaze toward the doorway and almost jumped to her feet. “Decker?” Man, he always looked great. Today he was newly shaved where he sometimes let his scruff linger along his jawline. His shirt was tucked in. His shoulders as broad as ever. He basically filled the doorway.

“Hey there, Faithy Haws.”

She smiled. He always called her that. She loved it. His voice rumbled through her in happy waves. “Hey, Deck. Whatcha doing here?”

He stepped in. “Well, I just wanted to visit my favorite grandpa.”

“You did?” She swallowed, some really strong emotions making it impossible to speak.

“Yeah, it’s a good place to think.”

She nodded. “Do you…come often?”

He shrugged and grabbed the back of a chair. “Mind if I sit down?”

“No, go right ahead.”

He sat across from her on the other side of Grandpa’s bed. “He looks so peaceful.”

She nodded, not sure what to think about this visit—about anything really. Her mind had completely ceased to function.

Then, after a few more seconds of silence, he sighed. “Mav wants to sell.”

She squeezed her grandfather’s hand like it would give her sustenance. Maverick Dawson was thinking of selling! She couldn’t think of anything more shocking.

“He said we can sell off the upper pasture land and keep what’s closer to the house and still have a working ranch, but that we would never make what they’re offering, not in another decade of crops and cattle, if we keep it. The money is worth way more to us than the land at this point.” Decker cleared his throat. “At least that’s what Mav says.” Decker wasn’t looking at her. He was watching her grandpa.

After a moment, he shrugged. “And here I am, hoping your grandpa will tell me what to do.” He laughed and then turned to her. His eyes held so many questions, and for another second she didn’t know what to say. The great, strong Decker who always had all the answers was not sure how to proceed?

“What are you gonna do?”

He sat back in his chair, drumming his thumbs against his thighs. “I don’t know.”

“Randall left the paperwork on my kitchen table.”

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