Page 12 of Her Cowboy Blind Date

He nodded. “In May, I think Cindy said.”

“Early June is the plan.” She’d be packing up her life in Gilead in less than five months.

“What are your plans for when you return home?”

“I’m not sure.” She’d think about it when she returned to Sydney. No point worrying now. Mum and Dad would provide accommodation for as long as she needed, and it wasn’t like her childhood home was small.

“Sam, I’m curious.” The question trapped in her throat needed to be asked. “Why are we here tonight?”

He drank his tea, taking his time to answer. “What’s your expectation? Why are you here?”

“Cindy’s a good friend and your cousin. I didn’t want to disappoint her.” There. She’d said it. A favor for Cindy was her reason. What was his?

His lips twitched into a smile that could be hiding a snicker. “I appreciate your honesty.”

“No worries. Why did you agree to this blind date?”

His eyes widened a fraction. “It’s complicated. One reason was to get Cindy off my case.”

She raised her mug. “We can agree on that.”

“That’s a start.”

A start for what? His face was open and friendly. Cindy had said he wasn’t looking for a romantic relationship. Her curiosity was in overdrive. What was his story?

She held his gaze. “Also, I’ve never been on a blind date and didn’t know what to expect.”

“Me either. I’m not very good at first dates, let alone blind dates.”

“What do you mean?”

“How many first dates have you been on that didn’t lead to a second date?”

“Are we counting horrible first dates I never wanted to repeat?”

“No. Only dates where you were interested, and the other person ghosted you.”

“Let me think.” She’d mostly dated guys from church social circles, and they’d mutually agreed that being friends was the best option. “One, maybe two.”

“I’ve been on three disastrous first dates in the last six months.”

“Ouch. That’s not fun. What went wrong?”

He shrugged. “I was too quiet, maybe. I was nervous.”

“You’re not being quiet tonight.”

“Good to know. I have a question.”

“Sure.” Why the serious tone?

“Are you interested in being friends who hang out together?”

“I’m not sure what you’re asking. If you’re catching up with Cindy, I’m happy to tag along.”

“I need a plus-one for a wedding I have to go to on Easter Saturday.”

“Cindy could do that.”

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