Page 72 of A Sweet Chat for the Cowboy

“Life is embarrassing,” Holden said.

She laughed. “So I was on a stupid dating app, and I’ve been talking with a guy. Like a lot. Yep, not even a real person. I never even met him, but man, I really had high hopes for him.” She looked at him. “Is it possible to fall in love with someone I’ve never seen?”

“That’s it?”

“Yeah, I told you it was stupid.”

“No, that’s not what I meant. I meant that I was still waiting for the embarrassing part. What app?”

She told him and then chuckled. “Why, you going to sign up?”

He laughed again. “I told you and your mother. I’m already married to the ranch.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“We were talking about you.”

“Oh yeah.” Having finished setting up, she straightened and stretched her lower back. “Not much more to say. I feel foolish, but he just sounded so awesome. I had let myself think he was the one.”

Holden was looking at her, his eyes asking her to go on.

“He was really smart, witty, charming, and just ... I don’t know. He just gave my soul a good feeling. I never even met him in real life, but I think I was falling for him.” Her last words came out like a whimper.

“Wynnie,” Holden said softly, “this doesn’t sound like a small thing. So what went wrong?”

“He transformed into a mega jerk this morning. Told me he was done talking to me.”

“What?” Holden sounded almost as surprised as she’d been. “And what did you say?”

“I didn’t say anything. I closed the app.”

“Good for you. Power move.”

She laughed. “Thanks.”

“But seriously ...” He laid a hand on her shoulder. “It’s not a small thing. Let it hurt so you can come out the other side of it.”

She nodded. “I’ll try. But first, let’s find a toad.”

“Atoad?” Holden said. “Let’s find ahundredtoads.”

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