Chapter 12
Three weeks had passed since Holden started going to physical therapy. Ava had lightened up, and they’d enjoyed many conversations. She’d shared some of the interesting experiences she’d had during college and training, and he told her things he’d learned on the ranch.
Today she’d opened up about her dream to go on a mission trip to help people who might never have the chance to have therapy. Her words had resonated in his heart. “It’s funny, Holden. I don’t even know where I’d go.” She’d touched her chest. “I just feel like I’m supposed to.”
He leaned against the wall in the church classroom now. She’s finally opening up to me again. He wanted to ask her out, but had to make sure she was ready.
“You ready, man?”
Jake tapped his arm, and Holden stood up straight. He glanced at the clock on the wall. Five minutes past time to start, and all the regular boys had already made their way into the room. He scratched his jaw. “Guess I better start paying closer attention.”
Holden sat down beside the old felt storyboard his teachers had used when he was a kid growing up in the church. He picked up the package containing the felt pieces for the Jonah tale. “Hey, guys, who remembers what story we’re going to talk about today?”
Zack jumped up. “You know I’m seven now.”
Holden nodded as he motioned for the boy to sit back down. “Yes. I was at your party, remember?”
Zack jutted out his chin. “I’m older than John.”
John crossed his arms in front of his chest and let out a huff.
“Zack, I asked about the story. What story from the Bible are we going to talk about today?” asked Holden.
Zack shrugged as he plopped back in his chair.
Vince raised his hand. “We’re going to talk about Jonah.”
Jake patted Vince’s shoulder then lifted his chin. Holden grinned at the pride his friend felt for Megan’s son.
“That’s right,” said Holden. He pulled out the Jonah felt piece and stuck it onto the board. “Jonah was a man of God during his time. He was a prophet.” Holden furrowed his brows and scratched his chin. “What is a prophet?”
Zack hopped back up. “It’s when you make more money than you spend.”
Holden shook his head. “No...well, actually, yes. That is the definition of profit, but I’m talking about when a prophet is a person.”
While Jake nudged Zack to sit down again, Sean raised his hand. “It’s someone who tells what God is about to do.”
Holden nodded. “That’s exactly right, and I love the way you described him.” He pointed to the board. “God told Jonah to tell the Ninevites to stop being bad and follow God’s ways.”
He stuck up a felt piece showing a group of people with angry faces. “But Jonah had a problem. Does anyone know what that was?”
“He didn’t like the Ninevites,” said John. Then he stuck out his tongue at Zack. Zack stuck out his tongue as well, and Jake plopped a chair between them and sat down.
“Yep,” Jake said. “He didn’t like the Ninevites, so he got on a boat and tried to run away.”
Holden placed a boat on the board and stuck Jonah on top of it. “But you know what?”
“You can’t run from God,” said Zack. “It’s like trying to run from the cops. They’re gonna catch up with you eventually. My uncle, he found that out the hard way.”
Holden almost laughed out loud. His dad would have called that curly haired redhead a little whippersnapper, and Holden wouldn’t have been able to argue. The child never failed to say something completely unexpected.
Deciding not to respond to Zack’s comment, he continued, “While Jonah was on the ship, God sent a terrible storm. It was so bad the crew was afraid the ship would rip in two. Jonah knew the storm was his fault, so you know what he did?”
“Told them to throw him overboard,” said Vince.
“Yep.” Holden moved Jonah out of the boat.
Zack scrunched up his face. “That’s the craziest thing I ever heard. Just ’cause I do something bad doesn’t mean I’m gonna tell my mom to throw me out the window.”
Holden said, “But the Bible tells us that Jonah did tell the sailors to throw him overboard. Do you know what happened after that?”
“God sent a great big fish to swallow Jonah,” said Sean.
Holden placed a fish on the board and then put Jonah on top of it. “That’s right, and Jonah stayed in the belly of the fish for three days, praying to God.”
“Then the fish spit Jonah onto the shore,” said John.
Holden nodded, and Zack jumped up again. “Now wait a minute. Let’s think about this.” The boy scratched his head. “Jonah would have been covered in fish slime and guts and blood.” His face brightened. “That is so cool.” Then he scrunched up his nose and waved his hand in front of it. “Except the smell. Fish smell disgusting.”
Trying to stay on track, Holden motioned for Zack to sit down again. “But you know what Jonah did? He obeyed God, and he went and told the Ninevites they needed to stop being bad and follow God’s ways. And what do you think happened?”
“They did what Jonah said,” replied Vince.
Holden switched the piece with angry people to one of a group of happy people. “So when Jonah stopped running from God, and did what he was supposed to do, a whole lot of people started following God.”
“What does this story teach us?” asked Jake.
“That you better not get in a boat if you’re gonna run from God, ’cause you don’t want to get all covered in guts and smell like fish!” Zack declared.
“Or,” Jake said with emphasis, “you should just do what God says to begin with.”
The boy shrugged, as if that option would be all right, as well.
While Holden got their snack ready, Jake took out the box of puppets and the boys reenacted the story with each other. When class ended, Megan joined them in picking up the trash and putting the puppets away.
Watching his best friend interact with his fiancée and soon-to-be stepson, Holden realized he wanted that with Ava. Everyone around him seemed to be finding their spouses. Even his dad had fallen for someone. Holden wanted what they had, but just as Jonah ran from God, the woman he loved still ran from him.
* * *
Ava stood beside Clyde as he held the back of the chair and bent his knees. “Great job. Let’s count to five.”
“One, two, three, four, five,” he muttered, before he straightened his legs. “You’re killing me, Ava.”
His words tugged at her heartstrings. She could tell he didn’t feel well today, and not from the usual grumpiness. He’d been sick with bronchitis the last week and hadn’t been able to move around as much as he needed to. As a result, his joints were stiffer than usual. “One more time.”
He groaned.
“For me.” She grabbed the other chair and placed it beside his. “I’ll do it with you.”
The corner of Clyde’s mouth lifted just a bit as he nodded. They bent together, counted to five and then straightened their knees again.
She picked up his chart off the counter, then walked him back to the lobby. “Clyde, be sure to do your exercises this week. I know they’re going to hurt, but you need to keep trying.”
He growled as he waited for Katie to arrange his next appointment. “You young people think you can tell me what to do.”
“You’re right about that,” the teen piped, before she handed him an appointment card. “And what would you do without us?”
He curled his lip, but not before Ava noted the quick glimmer of amusement in his eyes. She waved to him. “Take care, Clyde.”
He grumbled as he and his wife walked out the door. Ava saw Holden and motioned for him to come on back.
“He seeme
d happy,” said Holden.
“Don’t let him fool you. He’s a total sweetheart.”
Holden sat in the chair, then took off his boots and socks. His ankle was no longer swollen or bruised, and he walked on it with ease. Even though he didn’t need to keep coming, she knew he would for the full six weeks. And really, she didn’t want to stop seeing him. She’d enjoyed getting to know him again.
During his last visit he’d told her about some of the dates he’d gone on since she’d left Surprise. Though the fact that he’d dumped a plate of spaghetti on a girl’s lap was funny, Ava had still felt a niggling of jealousy. She’d been able to share the story of only one foiled date of her own when his body language had made it clear he didn’t want to think about her dating other people. She liked that he was jealous.
“How does your ankle feel?” she asked.
“Still a little tender.”
“Hmm.” She lifted his foot and massaged around the joint. No swelling. No tension that she could feel. “Okay, go ahead and start with the alphabet.”
While Holden completed his exercises, he told her about the crazy antics of the little redheaded boy who’d gone to lunch with them. The kid was quite a character, and Holden’s feelings for the boy were evident, but she wished he’d talk about something else.
A knock sounded, then Rick opened the door. “Hope I’m not disturbing you.” He nodded toward Holden.
Ava shook her head. “That’s okay. Do you need me?”
He stepped inside the room, then pulled two baseball tickets out of his jacket pocket. “I have these Arizona Diamondbacks tickets for tomorrow night’s game against the Chicago White Sox, and none of us are able to go. I wondered if you might want them.”
Ava furrowed her brow. “That’s really nice of you, but I don’t watch baseball, and I’d hate for you not to give them to someone...”
Rick leaned against the counter. “You don’t have to be a big fan of the game. Everyone should go at least once, just for the experience.”
“Well, I...”
“I can even let you off an hour early.” He flipped the tickets. “I just hate to see them go to waste.”
Ava blinked. “I...I’m not sure who I would take. I guess...”
“I’ll go with you.” Holden grinned wider than the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland. Then he pursed his lips. “I mean, I can if you need someone, at the last minute like this.”
Ava narrowed her gaze. “Since when do you like baseball?”
Holden lifted his palms. “It’s like your boss said. I can go just for the experience.”
Ava took the tickets from Rick. “I guess it’s settled. Thanks for thinking of me.”
Her boss opened the door. “Just glad they’re not going to waste.”
They finished the session, then she guided Holden back to the lobby. “I guess I’ll pick you up tomorrow after I get off work.”
“You don’t have to do that,” he said. “I can drive. Just call me when you’re ready.”
She crossed her arms and cocked her head. “I’m kinda wondering if you set this up.”
Holden lifted his hands. “That’s the first time I’ve seen your boss. I promise.”
“Okay.” Ava chuckled at his pleading expression. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
He walked out the door. Once it closed, Katie burst out laughing beside her. Ava turned toward her young friend and gasped. “It was you. You set that up.”
Katie smacked the arm of the chair. “It was miserable, watching the two of you make goo-goo eyes every time he came in, yet neither of you asked the other out.”
Ava swatted her. “Katie!”
“Are you saying you don’t want to go with him?”
Ava lifted her right shoulder. “I didn’t say that.”
Katie pointed at her. “See? You do want to go out with him. Just let the past go and move on. You two are adorable together.”
Ava pulled the tickets out of her pocket and tapped them against her palm. She was putting the past behind her. Each session with Holden had proved more enjoyable than the one before.
Katie had taken her advice, and all had gone well for her and Corey. Ava would take Katie’s advice in turn. Forget the past and move on.
Your past had an effect on Holden, and he doesn’t even know it.
Ava pushed the thought away. She’d go out with him and have a terrific time. He wouldn’t want to know everything, anyway.
Chapter 13
Holden took Ava’s hand as he led her up the stairs to the seat numbers printed on the tickets. They sat behind third base, not terribly high up, and were able to see the oversize screen behind home plate with ease. He supposed they were good seats, though he’d never even watched a full baseball game on television, let alone viewed one in person.
Out of habit, he reached to pull down the brim of his cowboy hat against the sun, then remembered he’d put it away for the day. He was thankful for his sunglasses, but the hat would have offered additional shade from the hot Arizona sun.
People of all ages and sizes filled the seats around them. Some were decked out in red-and-black Diamondback attire, and were already overly excited from their choice of drink. The smells of popcorn and roasted peanuts filled the air, and he might have enjoyed the aroma if he didn’t already feel as if he was on sensory overload from the sight and sounds of the crowd.
He glanced at Ava. She looked especially adorable in a white-and-red jersey, with her hair pulled back in a Diamondbacks cap. He pointed to the number. “Who’s the player?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s Katie’s. She told me to wear it.”
Holden chuckled. “Would you like a drink or snack?”
“Maybe in a minute.” She looked around. “Let’s wait until everyone gets settled into their seats.”
He had a feeling there wouldn’t be much more settling. He enjoyed wide-open spaces with cattle grazing. A packed church was about as crowded as he preferred to be. Noting two heavyset men sporting cut-up red-and-black T-shirts and red painted faces, he couldn’t deny he’d never been much of a sports guy.
People continued to file up and down the steps. Ava looked as overwhelmed as he felt, and with the never-ending noise around them, he decided to wait to try to talk with her.
A man walked onto the field with a microphone, and the crowd burst into wild applause and cheers. They stood when a young boy, who apparently performed well on some television competition, sang the national anthem. A couple teenage girls a few seats below them swooned and then squealed at ear-piercing decibels when the kid finished. If it was possible, the crowd seemed louder and more obnoxious when the guy announced that the game was about to start.
It was soon under way, and the fans screamed or booed as one player after another went up to bat. Holden tried to enjoy himself, and maybe the whole experience wouldn’t have been so bad if he wasn’t sitting so close to a guy who was every bit as big as him. His personal bubble, as his dad called it, was being invaded, and Holden didn’t like it one bit.
A player walked out to home plate. The crowd burst into wild applause. Holden leaned toward Ava. “That’s your guy?”
She frowned. “Huh?”
He pointed to her shirt. “You’re wearing his number.”
“Oh.” She shifted in her seat. “I hope he’s good.”
The guy hit a home run, and everyone around them jumped to their feet, hollering and waving red-and-black hand towels. Holden gave her a thumbs-up, then mouthed, “I guess he is.”
Once most of the people sat back down, Ava tapped his shoulder. “I’ll be right back.”
He shifted to allow her to get out, and watched as she walked down the stairs. When a teen walked by selling roasted peanuts, he bought a bag, then popped one in his mouth. Se
veral minutes went by and Ava still hadn’t come back. He hoped she hadn’t forgotten where they were seated. He checked his phone, but hadn’t received any texts from her.
After eating more peanuts, he ended up buying a large soft drink, as well. The inning ended and Ava still hadn’t returned. Worried, he glanced at his phone again. No text. Deciding to check on her, he made his way down the stairs, then spotted her standing near the entrance. “Hey. You okay?”
She touched the bill of her cap. “I’m sorry, Holden. I don’t want to ruin this for you, but I just couldn’t take all the noise.” She fanned her face. “And everyone was just so...”
“Close.”
“Yes.”
Holden smiled. “I was trying to hang in there for you. Baseball games are definitely not for me.”
Ava grinned with obvious relief. “You mean it?”
“Definitely.”
She exhaled. “I was trying so hard to be a good sport and not ruin it for you, but when the woman sitting beside me squealed that ear-piercing scream with the last home run...” Ava shook her head. “I just had to get some air.”
“Why don’t we head out of here and get something to eat?”
She tapped her hat. “A fancy restaurant is definitely out.”
“You look really cute in that hat.”
Ava huffed. “Please.” She flipped the bottom of the jersey. “I feel like a boy.”
“You definitely don’t look like one.”
Her cheeks bloomed pink, and Holden grabbed her elbow and guided her out of the stadium. “How about some pizza?”
“That sounds great.” She puckered her lips. “What should I tell Rick about the game? I don’t want to seem ungrateful, but I definitely don’t want any more free tickets.”
“Tell him you were able to experience a baseball game just as he said everyone should.”
Once at the truck, he opened the door and helped her into the cab. She grinned at him. “You still like bacon and pineapple?”
“I never liked bacon and pineapple. That was your favorite.”
Arizona Cowboy Page 9
