Page 34 of Loving Decker

She brightened and nodded. “That’s right. We all love Nash.”

They pulled into the rodeo grounds early. Faith had things to do to prepare. “Hey, Grace, do you want to help me braid Electric’s mane?”

“Oh totally!”

“Thank you, I’ve got some ribbons and things in her stall. And come to think of it, we never had that talk we were supposed to on Sunday.”

They made their way to Electric’s stall, and Grace told her about her life. Faith had forgotten how complicated a middle schooler’s life could be. They laughed and hugged, and Faith stayed as long as she could. But as soon as Grace was working on the mane and tail, Faith went to change into her costume and tried to walk off her nervous energy. Something about the fringe hanging from her arms, the bright blue of her shirt, and the hat that fit just right on her head made her happy. She might have even thrown in a bit of swagger. She was back. The rodeo was going on, and she’d be out in the arena. Her smile grew. For a moment, it was like all of the worries in her life hit the pause button, and she was ready to linger here in this quiet for a time.

Except it wasn’t quiet, and that was something else perfectly wonderful about it. People were talking and shouting. Animals were being noisy, the announcer was testing the microphone, and the music was blaring through the place. No, the rodeo wasn’t quiet. It was beautifully comforting and loud. And the smells. She breathed in deeply. Cotton candy. Popcorn. Turkey legs. The smells were filling her with happiness. And so much nostalgia. She couldn’t help it. She loved the whole place.

“Is that the happiest thing I’ve seen in a long time?” Nash Dawson’s voice called to her from somewhere up ahead.

She squinted into the darkness. “Nash?”

“It is! It’s Faith Haws looking like she wants to compete in a rodeo.” He dipped his hat to her and stepped closer into the light.

“I’m glad to see you! What have you been up to?”

“Oh, I’ve been around. Just coming back into town for this.”

“You gonna ride?”

“Of course. It’s Dawson all hands on deck, did you hear?”

“I think I heard that, yes. We’ve got some orphans to help.”

“And a town to save.” He watched her. “Though we might be saving a new kind of Willow Creek for the future.”

“That’s probably true. At least as far as Decker and I can figure. We don’t see another way.”

“He hasn’t said as much to Mav. If you were to spend time at our house, you would think Maverick is trying to ruin our lives and Decker is trying to save us. Neither is speaking much to the other.”

“Ah, well, that’s just silly talk.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.”

“And where do you fit in that scenario? Who is ruining whose life?”

“Nah, that’s where they have it all wrong. We’re in this together. And I think we can have it all.”

His words made good sense to Faith; they were the words she hoped were true all this time. “Well now, you gonna be roping to save the town or are you riding?”

“Today? Riding. They needed someone on bareback.”

“Whoa. You done that much?”

“Now and then. Mama doesn’t like it. But I can hold my own, and at this point, we need someone, a Dawson, to win the bareback competition.”

“Sounds like you’re in the perfect event then, Nash Dawson.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He dipped his hat. “Can I walk you somewhere?”

“Oh no, I’m good, just getting out some jitters.”

“You’re gonna be beautiful.”

“Thank you.” That was rather nice of Nash.

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