Page 28 of Loving Decker

Randall rested a leg on his knee. “She’s going to sell.”

Decker nodded, not wanting to give him the pleasure of asking more about it. His jaw twitched. Bless dear Deck. He was really holding it together, and today must have been a rough day.

“Her kids all want her to sell. And her house and property is next to where the new movie theater is going up. It’s not a residential place over here.”

Faith felt a sick feeling rise in her gut. This whole beautiful stretch of land, a movie theater? A strip mall? Mrs. Walton was right. Faith couldn’t even imagine it. She looked out over the green fields, lined with white picket fences. The Waltons had been horse people. Mr. Walton had created the most talked about horse breeding program in the area. Walton horses were champions. But they were mostly gone now except for a slew of older winners that Mr. Walton had promised could live out their days in retirement.

Mrs. Walton joined Faith at her side. She pointed out to the fields. “You looking for Candy Striper?”

Decker turned in the direction she pointed. “Where is that rascal?”

“He finally went home to our Lord, after all those years of winning and building up the Walton name, he left this good earth to be with our maker.” She rested a hand on her heart. “He lived a good life.”

“Oh absolutely. Candy Striper is a legend.”

She clucked. “Not just that. You know the work he did here with the children.”

“Yes, he was a real gentlemen when he needed to be, wasn’t he?”

“What will the program do without him?” Faith set the pitcher and tray down on the table.

“Oh, I’m sure they’ll find some others. Those horses out there could do it, but nobody is as gentle and trustworthy as our Candy Striper came to be.” She sat and pulled a thick album onto her lap. “While Faith pours you some tea, I’m going to find the pictures you need to see.”

They sat together, their threesome more comfortable now that they’d spent the better part of the afternoon delivering treats to the citizens of Willow Creek.

Mrs. Walton had partnered with a local program that used horses for therapy. It was helping children and making great strides in their development.

Faith shook her head. This was all too much sometimes. Couldn’t they have all that was good about Willow Creek without the town going bankrupt?

“You alright?” Decker scooted closer on their shared couch and his mumbled question sent a wave of comfort through her. Sometimes it was helpful just to be seen.

“I don’t know.” She shrugged.

He reached for her hand. And the gesture felt like old times and new times mixed in one. She clung to the familiarity and thrilled at the new potential.

Randall eyed the two of them but didn’t say anything.

“I wanted to show you these pictures.” Mrs. Walton opened up a thick picture album.

Everyone leaned toward her.

“Here are the original settlers.” She pointed. “There’s Dawson, Haws, Walton, and…” She pointed a finger at Randall. “McKinney.”

Randall snorted. “Didn’t really work out for the McKinneys though, did it?”

“I don’t know. I think it might have worked out how it was supposed to in the end. But most people don’t know your family was right there in the beginning.”

“I’m pretty sure my dad likes it that way.”

“What would you like?” Mrs. Walton watched him with a clarity and intensity she didn’t often see in the woman.

But Randall didn’t seem disturbed by her direct questions. He brushed something off his pant leg and then he rotated his shoulders. “I think it’s time for Willow Creek residents to do what the McKinneys did. Sell the land. Use the funds in their families. Take this chance while it’s good so we don’t lose the town forever.”

She waved her hand. “Tosh. That’s your sales pitch. What do you, Randall McKinney, want?”

He sighed, his mouth working and his face pained for a moment before it cleared. “I think I want a condo on the beach in Florida.” He grinned.

Mrs. Walton studied him for a moment more and then nodded. Was she going to give up? Let Randall avoid her questions? Faith frowned. “Just like that?”

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