Page 7 of Loving Decker

“But it’s true. They’re good. I’ve never had a better donut.”

“Your mom sells her berry pies in there, doesn’t she?”

“Yeah, when she’s not at the fair.”

They walked all the way to the corner, to the feedstore. “Isn’t that your Mom right there, and Grace?”

Mama Dawson had her back to them, but Grace waved. “Deck!”

When Mama turned, her face lit. “Is that Faithy Haws?”

Faith had to giggle. It was the only response to such joy written all over Mama Dawson’s face. “Hey there, Mrs. Dawson.”

They approached, and before Faith could do anything else, Mrs. Dawson had her in a warm, soft embrace. “I’ve missed you. How come we don’t see you on Sundays anymore?”

“Oh, I fixed that already.” Decker leaned in and kissed his mom on the cheek. “She’s coming this week.”

“That’s a good choice, son. We will do all our catching up then, but tell me, how is your grandpa. He might not see the flowers I bring, but they’re the ones that grow all over the hillside. It will take him right out there on the land I know he loves so much.” Her eyes were warm and full of caring.

Faith tried not to tear up, but her gesture was just so perfect she couldn’t help but feel the warmth rise up inside like a beautiful sermon on Sunday. “You are one special lady, Mrs. Dawson.” Faith impulsively kissed her on the cheek. “I’m sure he can smell them if he can’t see them.” She hoped so. Faith hoped she’d be able to see her grandpa’s eyes opened again.

But that squeeze of his fingers. She wiped at her eyes. That was special. “He likes to think about the smells of things.” She might have to be satisfied with only that.

Mrs. Dawson patted Decker on the arm. “This boy. He’s my softy. Did you know? Of all the boys, Decker used to be the one to cry about selling off the calves or the baby pigs.”

His face immediately turned red, and Faith couldn’t help but be equally charmed and amused. “Aw, that’s the cutest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“I’m glad I’ve amused and charmed you all with my inner sensitivity.”

“It’s darling. And I’d be shocked at a young boy who didn’t feel sad when he learned what happens to the animals.” She clucked. “I’ve cried plenty. When they sent my Belle to the butcher, I didn’t think I’d ever get over it.”

Grace shook her head. “All you had to do was name it after a family member.” She laughed. “Here, Nash! Come here, Nashy boy!”

Decker shook his head. “Oh, don’t even get me started with that spoilt pig.”

Grace just laughed. “Nash is the best thing that ever happened to our family, and you know it.”

“He’s an overstuffed, spoilt waste of space in the barn.” Decker would have said more—he obviously had feelings about Nash the pig—but Mrs. Dawson was having none of it.

“Decker.” Mrs. Dawson shook her head. “He is not. And as long as our Gracie here loves that animal, he will have an honored place in my barn.”

“Nash, the pig?” The youngest brother had a pig named after him. She laughed. “That’s something.”

“Yeah, Nash eats it up.”

Grace linked her arm with Faith’s. “Are you really coming for dinner?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Good! I need someone to talk to.”

“You do?” Deck leaned in to smile into her face with an exaggerated wiggle of his eyebrows. “What’s wrong with your uncle Decker, I’d like to know?”

“Nothing’s wrong. You’re just…” Grace turned a pretty shade of pink.

“Oh, you stop, Deck. Sometimes girls need to talk about girl stuff, and that’s just how it is.” Faith pulled Grace closer. “Am I right?”

Grace looked relieved and nodded.

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