Page 37 of Loving Decker

“Congratulations, Faith Haws.” Maverick then moved on to announcing the next rider. But Decker just grinned and returned to Champ. They’d best be heading down to the other side where they’d be launching out onto the soft sand after a calf.

Event after event, Decker smiled through it all. And when he finished roping his calves, he circled twice around the inside of the arena just to look at Faith. The last time, he dipped his head close to where they sat in the stands.

She blew him a kiss that he pretended to catch, and then he yelped to the crowd, waving his hat around in the air. Life was good in the small pause going on around them.

Faith met him at Champ’s stall. She must have took off running to get there. “That was some riding, cowboy.”

“I could say the same about you, record breaker.” He closed the stall door behind Champ, watching her.

“I wish we could do that every day.” She sighed.

He took her hand, though he wanted to drag her back in with Champ and kiss her soundly. He tried to be casual. “I could get used to this real quick.”

“Which part?”

He winked. “The part where we ride and then you’re here waiting for me.”

“I’ll admit, that sounds real nice.”

They walked toward their seats, taking their time. “You know, I don’t think I’ve been on a date with a championship barrel racer before.”

“Oh, you haven’t?”

“No, I haven’t. Do you know how I could rectify that situation?”

“I happen to know one…”

“As it turns out, so do I.” He stopped in front of her. “Faithy Haws, it’s about time I tried to win you over. Will you let me try? Starting Saturday night?”

She stepped closer, her smile growing. “You have your work cut out for you, Mr. Decker Dawson.”

“I’m not afraid of a little work.”

“Mostly ’cause it took you so long to try.” She winked. “But I’m free Saturday, so let’s move from there.”

He dipped his hat. “Saturday it is. I’ll come at eight in the morning.”

“What on earth? Eight?”

“Well, if you’re giving me the day, I want to make use of it.”

She laughed. “Okay then. I’ll be ready.”

Two days later, Decker made his way to the Haws homestead, his mind going through everything over and over again.

The rodeo events had been fun. They brought on a wave of nostalgia. But to Decker, they were a reminder of days past, not future days. Nash was literally jumping in his boots to get back out there competing. But not Deck. If he was jumping in his boots for anything, it was to take them off, don a suit and tie, and work in New York City for a while.

But he knew that dream was for another time. His family needed him. They needed to figure out the future, make a plan, and move forward. Once that was taken care of, maybe he could pursue another direction.

His worry now was could he convince Faith to come with him?

He turned down her drive. He didn’t know the answer to that question. But he did know that if he wanted to have Faith in his life, he had to start acting like it.

She stood on the porch in a sundress, waiting for him.

The yellow of her dress, her hair shining in the sun, her big smile had him running from his truck. “Hello, beautiful.” He swooped her up into his arms and spun her around. “You ready for some fun?”

“You know it!” She clung to his neck as he spun. And then he put her down. “We’re gonna need a swimsuit for some of this, maybe. And those cute little jean shorts you have.”

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