Arizona Cowboy Read Free

away this time,” he stated.
    Pain laced through her. Once you find out the truth, you will.

Chapter 2
    A va took a deep breath as she pulled into the parking lot of Miller Physical Therapy Clinic. The contemporary-style building boasted all windows and a sleek glass door in front. Several of Arizona’s hardier bushes and cacti bedded in ornate gravel lined the front of the business. She stepped out of the air-conditioned car, and the hot air encouraged the butterflies in her stomach to flutter faster. Lifting her purse strap higher on her shoulder, she made her way to the door, then gasped when she read the names of the therapists etched into the glass. They’ve already added my name.
    She touched the letters. Her first real job since she finished her degree. She wouldn’t start seeing patients on her own for another week, and yet they’d already added her name. Excitement welled within her as she pushed open the door. She smiled at the petite brunette sitting behind the reception desk. “Hi, Katie.”
    Katie popped her gum and motioned Ava through the door leading to the back. “Mom’s waiting for you. Room 2.”
    “Thanks. How are your classes going?”
    The young woman groaned. “Why’d you have to say that? My anatomy class is gonna kill me.” She leaned closer to Ava and pointed toward the back rooms. “And if I don’t do well, they’re gonna kill me, too.”
    Ava laughed. “They will not. You’ve got the best parents in the world.”
    Katie popped her chewing gum again. “Not if I flunk that class.”
    “Then don’t flunk.”
    “Don’t flunk.” Katie moved a pile of papers from one side of the desk to the other. “Don’t flunk, she says. Do you know how many of my friends have had to drop that class? It’s known as the weed-out class.”
    “You can do it.” Ava tapped her hand before heading back to room 2. The girl was a bit on the flighty side, but she was young, only nineteen. Katie still had a lot of growing up to do. Just as I did. I was even younger when I met Holden. Ava knocked on the door.
    “Come on in,” Mary Miller called.
    Ava walked inside and smiled at the older version of Katie, who still looked young and vibrant. No one would ever guess the brown-eyed brunette had a nineteen-year-old daughter and fourteen-year-old twin sons. Ava nodded at the older gentleman who stood behind a straight-back chair.
    “Ava Herbert, this is Clyde Watkins. He’s one of our regulars.” Mary nudged the man’s arm.
    “Humph,” the man growled. “You’d think with all the money I’ve put into therapy, Mary here would find a way to fix my arthritis. I think she just likes seeing me.” A smile turned up his lips.
    “Well, Clyde, you’re going to be seeing a lot of Ava, as well. She’s our new therapist.”
    “Really?” His eyebrows rose. “Then maybe I don’t want to be fixed.”
    Mary laughed, and Ava couldn’t help but join her. Then the older woman shook her head. “Clyde, you are such a flirt. I’m telling your wife.”
    “Go ahead and tell her. You and I both know why she likes to see that young buck of a husband of yours.”
    “I heard that.”
    Ava jumped at the sound of a voice behind her. She turned, spying a silver-haired woman sitting in a chair to the side of the door, her eyes twinkling. “Don’t mind him, honey. We just like to tease the Millers.”
    Ava nodded, then watched intently while Mary finished the session with Clyde. She smiled at the sweet relationship the therapist had formed with her client, mentally noting how open, kind and yet firm she was with the older man.
    Mary finally patted his back. “What do you say, Clyde? Are you willing to give Ava a try for your next visit?”
    Ava smiled. “I’d be happy to work with you next week, Mr. Watkins.”
    The gentleman peered at her, then softened his expression and shrugged. “I suppose I’d be willing to give her a try.” He turned to Ava. “But I’m not going to be called Mr. Watkins. That was my