Arizona Cowboy Read Online Free PDF Page A

“She is.”
    “You two talking again?”
    He wished. Today he’d sent a note with Mitch, asking her to give him a call. For months the guilt over what they’d done, and the fact that she wouldn’t speak to him, had sickened him. He’d asked God’s forgiveness, even fessed up with the truth to his dad. Holden had never meant to hurt her.
    No one else knew. Not even Jake. Only Holden’s father, and he’d shown Holden in scripture how God had already forgiven him. But he’d wanted to tell Ava, to assure her of his love, to set a date for them to become husband and wife.
    But she’d run, and refused to talk to him or see him again.
    If only he could undo that night, that moment of weakness. Ugh. Seeing her, knowing she was so close, brought back the battle that had waged within him. He never wanted to forget that night, and yet he wished he could take it back.
    Holden looked at Jake and shook his head. “Not really.”
    “But you’d like to?”
    He shrugged. What good would lying do?
    “I guess it’s true you never get over your first love,” Jake said.
    Holden chuckled. “So, you still got a thing for Becca Fields from ninth grade? I think her husband and two kids might have something to say about that.”
    Jake huffed. “I fell in love long before ninth grade.”
    Holden bit the inside of his lip, trying to remember all the girls Jake had swooned over. For such an overgrown country guy, he’d fallen in love with one girl after another during their school years. Holden snapped his fingers. “Annie Jake. Sixth grade. You loved her last name.”
    Jake chortled as he pounded his chest with his fist. “My true love goes further back than middle school.”
    Holden crossed his arms. “You’ve got to be messing with me.”
    Jake shrugged.
    The door opened and Megan stepped inside. She still wore her uniform, and Holden knew she’d put in a long day at the nursing home. Jake’s expression fell and he stood up straighter. “How’s it going, Megan?”
    “Great.” She tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear. Vince rushed to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She kissed the top of his head. “Thanks so much. Vince loves this class.”
    Jake stepped toward them and patted Vince on the shoulder. “He’s a great kid.” He tousled the boy’s hair. “Be good for your mom now.”
    “I will.” Vince offered Jake another hug, and Holden noted the flush that spread up his best friend’s neck and onto his cheeks.
    Once Megan and Vince left, Holden nudged Jake’s arm. “I think I remember. It was kindergarten.”
    He pursed his lips.
    Holden continued, “And her name was Megan Fallows.”
    Jake pressed his index finger against his mouth. “Hush, man. The boys will hear you.”
    Holden laughed. “You need to ask her out.”
    Jake shrugged again.
    “Seriously. You’d be great together.”
    “You think so?”
    “I do.” Holden punched his arm.
    Jake rubbed the spot. “What was that for?”
    “We sound like a pair of women.”
    His friend laughed. “I think you’re right.”
    They leaned against the wall and crossed their arms while the boys continued to work on their cars. Holden glanced at Jake. “So, you gonna ask her?”
    Jake smacked his hands against his legs. “Fine. I’ll ask her.”

Chapter 4
    T ucked securely under her cowboy’s arm, Ava drank in the ever-shrinking yellow sphere as it made its way behind the White Tank Mountains. A pinkish-orange ring circled the sun and faded into a violet-blue August sky. Creosote bushes as well as saguaro and barrel cacti dotted the dry ground. A curve-billed thrasher flew from the top of one of the saguaro toward the sunset, probably to his home, so he could bed down for the night. The thought sent a shiver of fear and excitement down and back up Ava’s spine. Holden exhaled a contented breath, and she gazed up into the eyes of the man she loved. He gently cupped her chin with his hand. “I know it sounds corny, Ava—” Holden traced