Page 8 of Dashing for Love

“John, I’ll be right over,” I call, slowing my steps through the field to open the app.

John grunts and keeps moving.

Dawn

Hello

I stare at the simple word, wondering if that was all she was offered. Quirking a smile, I figure that’s as good an intro as anything.

James

Was “hello” the only choice you had, too?

She answers instantly.

Ha. Yes, it was. But it seems we’ve got the world at our fingertips now.

Indeed we do. Thanks for responding.

Is this your first match?

Definitely. You?

I watch the dots on the app, indicating she’s typing. I walk even slower, knowing that John will grow impatient but unable to tear my gaze away from my phone.

Tbh, I joined a year ago and never matched with anyone. I forgot about it. Had a whole existential crisis when the notification came through yesterday.

That explains the 24 hours you made me sweat.

Yeah I guess so.

“I got more to do than wait around on you, Matty!” John yells from the entrance into the horse barn.

“Coming!”

I’d like to keep chatting, but I’m at work. Can I text you later?

You work on Saturdays?

I wince. I don’t want to give too much away at first.

Sometimes.

After a minute, she answers.

Sure, text me later. Have fun at work!

Thanks.

Then, before I can spiral too much, I add a smiley emoji at the end of it.

I spend the next hour looking over the horses and giving them their scheduled vaccinations, John close by and watching me like a hawk, which is standard. The man is nothing if not thorough.

“You remember that little slip of a dog I told you about last month?”

“The chihuahua you found?” I clarify.

He nods and runs a hand over his gray beard. “I don’t think it’s going to work out here.”

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