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As soon as her mama said the words, Sweetie knew they were true.It was so like Decker to put her happiness before his.And she had made it clear she wanted to go back to Nashville ...even when that was no longer true.
She drew back.“I don’t want to go back to Nashville, Mama.”It was a relief just to say the words.“I was never happy there.I love writing songs, but I’m not a singer.I want to stay right here in Wilder.Not just because I’m in love with Decker, but also because this is my home.Like Daddy said, we might not be able to hold on to this house or the ranch, but we can hold on to each other.”
Mama smiled.“Damn straight, we can.And I think there’s room in our family for one more person to hold on to.What do you think?”
Before she could answer, Cloe opened the door and peeked her head in.“Someone is here to see you, Sweetie.”
“If it’s another cowboy wanting me to marry him, you can send him packing.”
Cloe smiled and held open the door.“Actually, I think you’ll want to see this one.”
Decker stepped in.He was dressed in his starched sheriff’s shirt and jeans.His boots were polished and his hair combed back.In his hands he held a bouquet of pink tulips.As she looked into his sea-blue eyes, her heart swelled with love and she realized how stupid she’d been to think she could leave this man.
“I’m sorry, Sweets,” he said.“I had no business coming over here and acting like a jealous fool.I guess I just had a flashback to high school and all those times I wished I was in Jace’s boots sitting on the front porch swing with you.But that didn’t give me the right to act like I own you.I don’t own you.You belong to yourself.Not me.Or Jace.Just you.”
Before she could say anything, her mama got up.“I think I’ll let you two talk.”She patted Decker on the arm before she and Cloe left the room.
When they were gone, Decker held out the tulips.
“Thank you,” she said as she took them.“They’re my favorite.”
“I know.”
Of course he did.
“I can’t stay long,” he said.“I have to get to work, but I’d like to take you out tonight.”He hesitated.“To the Hellhole.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Deck.Folks haven’t forgiven me yet—Bobby Jay included.And they really won’t forgive me if I walk in with Jace’s cousin.They’ll think I’m going to do to their favorite sheriff what I did to their favorite quarterback.”
“Then it’s time they pulled their heads out of their asses.”
She studied him.“Is this why you’re taking me to the Hellhole?You’re going to bully the townsfolk into forgiving me?”
He didn’t deny it.“If I have to.”
She couldn’t help smiling.He would always be her hero.“It’s okay, Decker.I don’t need their forgiveness.”
His eyes turned sad.“Yes, you do.You might live elsewhere, but this will always be your home.”He paused as if he wanted to say more.Instead, he turned for the door.“I’ll pick you up at six.”
When she told her sisters where Decker was taking her, they voted unanimously to stay and go with her.As much as she would love to have them as backup, she refused.Facing the town was something she needed to do on her own.
Decker was fifteen minutes early to pick her up.She was twenty minutes late getting ready.She struggled to figure out what to wear.Once she decided on a short print dress that matched her red boots, she spent a good hour doing her makeup and hair.But Decker didn’t seem to be upset about the wait.When she came down the stairs, his eyes lit up.
“You’re beautiful, Sweets.”
She knew she would always feel that way with this man.
Even on a Monday night, the Hellhole was hopping.The band was loud and the conversation and laughter even louder.Although the last two toned down considerably when Decker and Sweetie walked in.As Decker led her to a table on the bar side, Sweetie could feel all eyes on them.Decker must have felt her tension because he gently squeezed her hand as he called out greetings.
“Hey, Dale!Heard your son was accepted at UT.Tell him congrats.”
“Hey, Carrie!How’s your mama after that bad case of the flu?”
“I saw your new truck, Joe.Nice!”
“Those ribs look delicious, Harvey.I might have to order me some.”He glanced at her.“What do you think, Sweets?You up for some ribs?”
She was so nervous all she could do was nod.When they reached the table, he pulled out her chair and then helped her scoot in before he excused himself.
