Hattie: Ryland! Guess who I ran into in town?
Ryland: That could be hundreds of different people.
Hattie: No, this was close to home.
Ryland: I don’t know, Hattie. Who?
Hattie: Aubree and Wyatt! Together. Right there. Walking close together. Looking all chummy. OMG, do you think something is going on between them?
Ryland: Possibly. I didn’t say anything last night because I was tired as shit and thought I was making something out of nothing, but I caught them talking in the kitchen. He draped his arm over her chair several times at dinner. At the end of the night, he said that he was going to walk her back to her place.
Hattie: STAHPP! Ryland, that is vital information. You should have told me immediately. What is wrong with you?
Ryland: I have a four-year-old to take care of who has a weird obsession with a horse named Chewy Charles. The storylines I have to keep straight about that horse, it’s exhausting. And now there’s Chewy Chonda too.
Hattie: LOL. Understandable, but oh my God, this is huge, Ryland. What if she likes him? Do you think she likes him? I thought she was angry that he owned the land. When would they have even talked to have formed a relationship? Is that what it is? A relationship?
Ryland: I see where Mac has been picking up on all of the incessant questions.
Hattie: I’m being serious. This could be great for Aubree. Wyatt seems fun and could bring Aubree out from her shell, you know?
Ryland: Yeah, I like Wyatt. He’s a good guy. It would be good for her, but you never know with Aubree. She’s a wild card.
Hattie: She is, but you should have seen them. Something was definitely there.
Ryland: Something was there last night too.
Hattie: Why don’t you ask her?
Ryland: And put myself at risk of getting hurt by the snarly beast? No thanks. I have three sisters. I know when not to poke the bear. And I have a kid to watch over.
Hattie: Use the kid as a human shield.
Ryland: That’s really great, Hattie. Throw your niece to the fanged monster.
Hattie: Not like an actual human shield. Use her as a way for Aubree not to freak out at you, meaning bring up Wyatt and her possible love connection when Mac is there. That way she can’t hurt you.
Ryland: It will just be delayed hurt. I’m not willing to risk it.
Hattie: Are you really going to be a baby about this?
Ryland: Yes, yes, I am.
Hattie: You’re going to make me ask, aren’t you?
Ryland: You’re the one who’s more invested in her love life than I am. I’m just trying to make it day to day.
Hattie: Fine, I’ll ask her.
Ryland: Tread carefully.
Hattie: I will. Just know, I’m doing this for the family.
Ryland: Don’t try to act all cavalier about it. You and I both know this is for your own personal curiosity.
Hattie: Can’t you let me have my moment?
Ryland: Fine, you’re doing this for the family.
Hattie: Thank you.
