Page 56 of Loving Decker

“Deck, out with it.”

“Couples therapy.”

The silence on the other end made him laugh. “Which I realize now sounds even weirder than I thought it was gonna be, but hear me out. Mama said that Pastor John is running a new class for couples who just need to work on some things, or talk things through, and they are low on numbers. She said the pastor was asking around for couples, any couples, to help round out the group.”

“Okaaay.” She sounded like she was moving around.

“What are you doing over there?”

“Oh, just cleaning out the barn.”

He shook his head. “I’ll be right over.”

“You don’t have to do that. But I wouldn’t mind seeing you.”

“Say no more. I’ll come over the fence.”

“Great. We can ride after.”

“After. It’s gonna take all week to clean out that barn.” He laughed. “In fact, I’m calling in the brothers.”

“Come take a look first.”

“You want some time alone in the barn with your new boyfriend?” He held his breath.

“Are you asking me to be your girlfriend, Decker Dawson?”

“Maybe. Should I wait until I get there to ask you properly?”

“See you soon, cowboy.”

He passed by his mom in the kitchen. “Faith and I are in. And we’re gonna need some help cleaning out her barn.”

“Right now?”

“Give us an hour.” He winked and she swatted at him with her kitchen towel.

“You be a gentleman, son.”

“Always.”

He snatched up one of her cookies and headed out the door, texting Dylan on his way. “Can we get some help cleaning out Faith’s barn in an hour or so?”

“Yep.”

And Decker knew it would be done.

As his horse leapt over the fence between their properties, he whooped out into the air around him. Today was gonna be a good day.

He tied up his horse to the post outside the barn and peered inside.

Faith had a bandana around her hair, and she was lugging what looked like junk out of the back tack room.

“Well, this is better than I thought.”

She dropped an old tire rim, and a smile lit her face. “Deck.” She ran to him and pulled him into a hug. “Good to see you.”

He cradled her close, and then when she looked up into his face, he hungrily covered her lips with his own. Everything lit inside, and the sweetness he found was more than he thought possible.

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