Page 6 of Loving Decker

When they had only a few fries left, which Faith casually dipped in her shake now and then, he knew it was time to switch back to tougher subjects. “What do you think I should tell Mav?”

She exhaled for a long time before she lifted her eyes to see his face.

Again he was struck by her, this time by the depth he saw in her expression, by her caring. She tossed the last fry back on her plate. “I don’t know. It’s the same as the answer to my own question. What should I tell Randall?” She leaned forward. “And what I don’t know is why this is all on our heads. Why do you have to decide the fate of Willow Creek? Why do I? We both know that if the bulk of our land were to go to developers, the whole town would change.”

She was right. It felt like a burden they’d always borne. The original settlers had made most of the decisions for this town. But it didn’t have to be that way. “Why are we burdened with something that everyone should be able to chime in on?” He smiled, hoping this was a good idea instead of a terrible one. “Why don’t we call a meeting and let everyone talk it through?”

“Everyone?”

“Yeah, like all the original landholders, or all the landholders above 25 acres. More voices has to be a good thing here, more ideas.”

“Or more fights.” She winced. “Do you really think we should open up that can of worms?”

“Sure. I’ll mention it to Mav. I think it would have to come from the Dawsons and the Haws. If we called a meeting together, I’m willing to bet everyone would come.” He liked the idea more and more.

Faith did not look convinced, but she nodded. “I trust you. But we have to move quickly. I think Randall is trying to avoid meetings like this; he’s pushing for an early response. I guess some of us are getting better deals than others.”

Decker frowned and shook his head. “Which is how he keeps us divided. Nope. I think this is a full town decision.”

“If you say so.” She smiled. “It is nice to know I’m not alone. I can’t tell you how good that feels.”

“You should have never felt alone. We’ve been friends since third grade. I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you.”

“Life gets busy. I’ve been distracted too. And we don’t always have time for childhood friends.”

He studied her, and he knew he wanted a new definition of what they could be, but now was not the time. “Hey, at least you’re coming for dinner.”

They continued more lighthearted conversation. He tried to make her laugh. And every time a smile lit her face, he was gratified. And every time, he wished he could push the conversation in a different direction. When they’d watched the other customers come and go twice, they finally picked up their mess and made their way to the door.

“Deck, this is exactly what I needed. I’m not sure how you knew, but today was the perfect day to see you.” She sighed. The burdens she bore were more visible all of a sudden.

“You’re looking at the new Deck where you’re concerned. I’m here. Every day, any time.”

He opened the door to his truck.

She stepped by him to climb in. Was she closer than she needed to be? Did she pause for a minute right in front of him? Her murmured, “thank you,” was way more subdued than the usual Faith.

Everything about the two of them was outside their norm.

But he could work with a new norm, especially if it included Faith and him spending more time together.

Chapter Three

Decker held the door, and when she walked past, his soap, his clean shirt, even the smell of his shampoo washed over her, and she smiled. She might never get over this man. And here he was, being all nice to her, paying attention, and being surprisingly supportive of her tough position and opportunity to sell. She didn’t think in a million years that Decker Dawson would have anything but fighting words for a person who would sell out to developers.

They walked together down the sidewalk of Willow Creek’s main street. “This really is a charming place.”

He pointed up ahead. “Doug Johnson, he’s been cutting hair at that barber shop since I was a kid.”

She laughed. “Every man in this town gets their hair cut by Doug, or their wives take to them with clippers.”

Decker laughed. “None of his sons seem inclined to continue the family business.”

“No, they don’t, do they?” Every one of them had gone to college and left Willow Creek. “And Mabel’s? Who’s gonna make the town’s donuts when she finally decides she can retire?” She pointed to the best baker she’d ever been to. Nothing was as good as Mabel’s.

“Oh, that will be a sad day when I can’t pop in for one of her maple bars.”

“Or the sugar. I just love the ones coated in sugar.” She laughed. “I sound like I’m ten.”

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