Page 26 of Loving Decker

And then Decker had to follow Randall back to the kitchen, acting like nothing was wrong even though he felt like they’d entered some sort of DEFCON 5.

“Have you had her scones? They are the best I’ve ever tried.” Randall turned to say these foreign words to Decker, words he’d like to erase from the air that caught them.

“No, I haven’t.”

The satisfaction and victorious glint that lit his eyes were almost more than Decker could handle at the moment. What was wrong with him? If Dylan saw him like this, he’d be sending him out to wrestle the pigs or something. He took two breaths and followed the no-good Randall back into Faith’s kitchen.

“I’ll just grab myself a napkin.” He moved into the pantry. “Wow, you’ve really organized things in here.”

The more Randall talked, the more Decker wanted to go sit on the back porch until he left. But then he’d be leaving Randall alone in the kitchen with Faith.

So instead of overreacting or leaving, he leaned back against the far counter, crossed his arms and waited.

They talked. They laughed. Randall ate treats, and then right when Decker thought for sure the man would leave, Faith started packing stuff into baskets and bags. “Let’s get this stuff ready. It’s time to make our deliveries.”

“Wait, Randall’s coming?” The words left his mouth before he could stop them, and he immediately regretted them as a smile filled the interloper’s face, a weaselly self-satisfied smile. But the words were said, and now he had to deal with it.

“Yes. He’s still an important part of the town, no matter what.” She nodded at Decker and flashed him some kind of warning look.

So he was going to have to do this? With Randall and Faith. And be happy about it. Time to put on his big boy pants, as Maverick would say.

He clapped his hands once and rubbed them together. “Of course he is. Randall’s been around since the very beginning. I have pictures with this guy in the fourth grade. Time to get moving. Let’s get this going.”

And he did. He lugged the many baskets and bags of goodies that Faith and Randall packed up out to his truck.

When it was all in the back, he opened the door for Faith to climb in, but Randall nodded and scooted in first.

Faith followed with an apologetic look, and, suspiciously, she looked like she might burst out laughing any minute.

Decker closed the truck door a little louder than was probably necessary and then moved around to the other side. He’d have to pretend like this was no big deal. He had already given Randall all kinds of satisfaction. So he laughed to himself when he climbed in and then turned on the air. “This good for you two?”

Faith’s eyes widened, and Randall smirked.

“Let’s see if we can find a good station, something slow and nice, romantic maybe?” He kept his face blank and searched through the stations to the elevator music one. “Perfect. Let me know if you two need something different.” He turned to Faith. “Now, where is your first stop?”

Faith’s face was a satisfying shade of pink. Decker laughed to himself and avoided making eye contact. Maybe she’d have something to say to him after. But joking about this was making him feel a whole lot better.

Chapter Eleven

Faith kind of wanted to dump water on Decker’s head. But she had to hand it to him. He was funny.

And Randall was not able to pull any more of his comments. She knew he was trying to rub Decker wrong. And she was secretly pleased it was working.

But did Randall have an interest in her otherwise? She’d never really thought so before today.

And the possibility made her uncomfortable.

Deliveries had gone really well. She loved to see their faces light up when they answered the door. It had been a rewarding afternoon. She, Decker, and Randall stopped at the last house. It belonged to a sweet older woman who’d been in their town for multiple generations. She opened the door before they even hopped out of the truck. Mrs. Walton waved and stepped out on the porch. “Is that you, Decker?”

He ran around to the other side, grabbing Faith’s door before climbing the steps up to see Mrs. Walton.

“Yes it is, ma’am. Faithy’s brought you some treats.”

“Oh, I always knew you two would get back together.” She patted his cheek. “She’s a real special lady, Decker. Glad you finally wised up.”

His mouth dropped open, but he laughed. “Oh, Mrs. Walton, you are so right. She’s more special every day.”

Faith tripped coming up the stairs but caught herself.

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