Page 41 of Loving Decker

“I do think it would be fun. Is it working?”

She tugged the rope away from him. “Maybe.” She tested its weight, grabbing the highest knot, and took the branch at a run. “But I’m going by myself.” Then she leapt out, swinging high and long and peaking over the blue of the water. She let go and splashed in.

The rope came sailing back, and he had to lean out with a stick to grab it and bring it back to him. He returned the stick to the place someone had made for it, and then grabbed the rope himself, ran along the branch, and jumped out into the open air. The rope took him to the water as it had Faith, and he dropped in.

The cool water felt brisk enough that he was refreshed and happy to climb out. He shook his head to get the water out of his hair and lifted himself up to sit on the rocks that lined the watering hole.

Faith came and sat beside him. “They have it way better than we did, don’t they?”

“This rope?” He turned to look at it, hanging by a branch so it was reachable for the next people.

“Yeah, remember that frayed thing we used?”

“True. I suppose we could have replaced it any time.” He shrugged.

“Ah yes. Well, then they just have cooler adults in their lives.” She nudged him. “Like you.” She smiled. “I know you put this rope up, Decker Dawson.”

“Oh, you do? And how do you know that?”

“It has your name written all over it.” She dipped her hand and sprinkled water at him. “We gonna eat? I’m starved now.”

“Yes! Let’s climb up to the ledge.”

There was a perfect space to sit, higher and to the right of the falls. It was out of its spray but with a perfect view of everything. He shouldered the backpack again, and they scrambled up the rocks together.

When they were comfortable, blanket spread and food out, Decker wanted to do something, anything, to turn the conversation to something more meaningful. But his mind went blank.

So they talked of the food, of Mama Dawson’s pie, of Grace’s pottery, of everything but the important things.

She held up a grape. “Can you still catch these?”

“Oh yeah. I will never give up my title.”

“What was it again? Champion grape catcher?”

“Sure, that works.” He opened his mouth. “Come on.”

So she tossed him grape after grape, which he caught no matter how much she tried to trick him.

Then he held up a strawberry. “These though, need to be appreciated one bite at a time.” He leaned closer and held it up to her mouth.

She eyed him for a moment but then took the first bite. “Mm. This is so good.” She reached down for another. “Your turn.”

He opened his mouth, and she pressed the strawberry against his lips; but as soon as he moved to bite it, she took it and popped it in her own mouth instead. “Oops.”

“Oh no you don’t.” He reached for one himself.

But she shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’ll do it this time.” She held it to her own mouth and pretended to eat it but then just ran it across her lower lip.

His eyes were glued to the softness and the red berry trailing along the pink of her mouth until she lifted it and placed it in his own mouth instead. He immediately grabbed another, took a bite and then ran the redness of the sweet juice along her mouth. She licked her lips.

“Here, let me help you with that.”

“Mm?” She lifted her gorgeous eyes to his.

He touched the berry to her mouth again and then leaned closer to kiss it off, but a loud horn sounded out across the swimming hole. There were shouts and splashing and someone called out, “Hey, is that Deck?”

He groaned. And Faith looked away.

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