Page 39 of Loving Decker

“It’s still early.”

“You saying not everyone wakes up at eight in the morning on a Saturday?”

“Oh, you know they do. They are all probably still doing chores, though.”

“Good point.”

They hurried to Joe’s to get the sandwiches, and then Grace called to them. She sat at her own booth, surrounded by pieces of pottery.

“Grace?” Faith ran over to her. “Are you selling your pottery now?”

“First time at the farmer’s market. I’m just trying it out. If people like it, I can start marketing my online shop.”

“This is incredible. Let’s see what you have here.” Faith picked up the first piece.

And Decker, watching the pleased glow on Grace’s face, wanted to kiss Faith right there.

Faith looked at piece after piece, complimenting glazes and shapes and sizes until Decker thought his eyes might cross, but finally she lifted a bowl. “This is the one. Can I buy this one?”

“Yes, you can. I can bring it home if you like, and you can pick it up tomorrow at Sunday dinner.”

“Perfect.” Her small smile made Decker happy, and he hoped it meant she was pleased to be an automatic addition to Dawson Sunday dinners.

They grabbed the pie, Mama Dawson as happy as she ever was, and then a bag of peaches. “Okay, let’s go. If we stay here any longer, we’re gonna be hiking in the hot sun.”

“Gotcha.” Faith paused. “But wait, just one more thing.”

He followed her, shaking his head, but loving every minute while she examined a whole row of t-shirts and finally came away with two. “How about these?”

She held up matching shirts that said, “This ain’t my first rodeo.”

He laughed. “Those for us?”

“Of course! If we want this to be as epic as you say, at some point we have to have matching shirts.”

“You got it.”

They drove up to the trailhead. “I heard the water’s really high, so we might have some pretty falls as well up there.” He parked, and no one else was at the trailhead. A good sign. He shifted the food into his backpack, Faith pulled her shorts on under her skirt, changing into her hiking outfit. Once the skirt was off, she looked ready to try out the rope swing as well.

The trail started wide and easy, and he knew it would stay that way for much of the walk.

“So, tell me, Faith. What is your favorite memory of high school?”

She looked back over her shoulder at him then walked a moment without answering. When he thought she was going to ignore the question altogether, she finally said. “I think my answer has changed over time. At graduation, I would have said senior prom for sure.”

He grinned. “That was a dang good time. I’ll give you that.”

“But now, I think I’d have to say I really loved all the 4-H stuff and the service projects. Remember when we helped Mrs. Walton start her therapy with horses program? That was so wonderful. Those kids. I’ve never seen happier kids, waving their hands and smiling.”

“It’s real special when they can’t speak, but they’re trying to let you know they’re having fun. It’s the best sort of expression.”

“Yes, right now, that is one of my favorite memories.”

He thought for a moment. “I have this one image in my head. It’s you laughing and clapping in response to Esther, remember her?”

“I do! How could I forget Esther? She was such a joy. And she really responded. I heard the program helped her gain more control over her arms, better than ever before.”

“Yes, and she really loved you. The way she would follow what you were doing and tried to respond. You really looked happy, I can see why you would remember it like you do.”

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