Arizona Cowboy Read Online Free Page B

needed to be done around the house.
    She walked into the dining area and sat down across from Mitch. They joined hands, and he prayed over their food. When she lifted her head, Mitch reached into his front pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. “Holden stopped by the shop today to pick up some supplies. Told me to give you this.”
    Ava opened the note and read, “Stop avoiding me.” He’d printed his number below.
    Mitch scooped a spoonful of rice onto his plate. “I don’t know why the guy doesn’t just move on. Half the eligible women in Surprise are after him.”
    “Now, Mitch,” Aunt Irene chided.
    “It’s true,” he continued. “Just in the few minutes Holden was in the store there was a woman ogling him like a dog would a bone.”
    Ava crunched the note. She took back her kind thoughts. Mitch needed to get out of her business and find himself a wife.
    * * *
    Holden folded the top piece of the cardboard box to create the windshield for the boxcar. He cut out the rectangle while four of the boys from his church group scurried around collecting paper plates for wheels, plastic cups for headlights, and paint, brushes and glue. Once he’d finished cutting, he taped the windshield in place. Pointing to the directions, he looked at the oldest boy in the group. “Sean, you understand how to finish?”
    “We know how to do it,” piped up six-year-old Zack. “My uncle and I have done it before.”
    “Bet mine and my dad’s would be better,” retorted his friend John.
    “Nuh-uh.” Zack shook his head, making his fiery-red curls bounce.
    “Now that’s enough, you two.” Holden stared at both of them, the whole time praying he wouldn’t burst into laughter.
    “We know how to finish,” Sean assured him.
    “We’re ready for you to cut out the windshield, Holden,” Vince called from the other side of the room.
    “Us, too,” said Ben.
    “Why don’t I help this group, and you help the other?”
    Holden turned at the sound of his best friend’s voice. “Thanks, Jake.”
    Jake dipped his chin. “No problem. I’ve missed these guys the last few weeks.”
    “I’d say they’ve missed you as well, right, guys?”
    “Yep.” Eight-year-old Vince wrapped his arms around Jake’s waist.
    Holden had a soft spot for Vince. His dad had left before he was born, so it was just Vince and his mom. She was young and nice, tried with everything in her to provide all her son needed. She did a good job, and there were times when Holden wondered if God wanted him to step in, maybe ask Megan out. The little guy needed a dad, and Holden really liked him. A lot.
    Once he and Jake had finished making windshields with box cutters, he stood beside his friend and watched as the boys created their team cars.
    “Sorry I’ve been avoiding ya,” said Jake.
    “It’s all right.”
    “No, it ain’t,” Jake retorted. “Jess got her head all wrapped around the idea of you and her together. She like to drove us all nuts. You know how she is when she wants something.”
    Oh, Holden knew. He had many memories of playing at Jake’s house as kids. Anytime his little sister wanted to play, or wanted their toys, she’d pitch a fit until the whole family decided she could have whatever it was she wanted. Most stubborn little thing he’d ever known. Which was why he’d never wanted to go out with her in the first place.
    “I think she’s decided to shift her sights onto Nate Yocum.”
    Poor guy. Nate was a great man, but he wouldn’t have the backbone to turn Jess away if she truly decided she wanted him. If Jake wouldn’t punch him in the gut, Holden would bet his friend that the two would be married in a year.
    “She said she saw you at the electronics store. And that Ava was there. Is that right?”
    Holden nodded. Zack and John started to fight over a paintbrush. Holden snapped his fingers, and Sean handed John a different brush.
    “I heard she’s working with the Millers.”
    Holden nodded once more.