Arizona Cowboy by Jennifer Collins Johnson Page A

shoulder and laughed. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
    Holden bit the inside of his cheek and watched as his father baited the hook and cast the line. He never thought he’d see the day, either. Irene was a terrific woman, and he was glad Dad had found someone to care about, but the whole thing still seemed strange. Even though his mother had been gone since Holden was knee-high to Dad, and she’d passed away not too many years after that, the thought of his dad and dating had never gone together in his mind.
    “Never thought I would, either.” After sitting down, Dad shoved a piece of licorice in his mouth. “Expected to grow old alone.”
    Jake whistled. “Hmm. Are you saying you don’t plan to grow old alone now? Are you thinking long-term?”
    Dad shrugged as a silly sideways grin spread his lips. Holden looked across the lake. Parents and grandparents were setting up all around them, with children of various ages and sizes. A young man and a very pregnant woman walked a small terrier on the dog trail that went around part of the lake.
    Though it was early in the morning, the air was already warm. Supposed to be ninety degrees by afternoon. He lifted his cowboy hat and wiped perspiration from his forehead with the back of his hand. He was tired of thinking about happy couples and families and kids.
    His dad spat on the ground. “What are you teasing me for, Jakey boy? I believe you have a love interest, as well.”
    Jake smiled as he folded his hands together behind his head. “That I do.”
    “You and Megan getting serious?” he asked.
    Holden touched his pole, then looked at Jake’s and his dad’s. Couldn’t just one fish latch on to one of their baits so they could stop talking about women? Jake was determined to keep up tradition, but to Holden’s recollection the yearly fishing trip to Surprise Lake the day before Easter never included discussions about girls. In fact, when they were younger the mention of the female population had been expressly forbidden.
    “I’d reckon,” responded Jake. “We’re getting married.”
    Holden and his dad sat forward and looked at him at the same time. “What?” they said in unison.
    Jake laughed as he smacked the top of his knee. “You heard me right. She’s agreed to marry me.”
    Holden furrowed his brows. “What about Jess and her wedding?”
    “I don’t suppose me getting married has anything to do with my sister.”
    “But you said your mom and sister were going nuts with plans for Jess’s wedding. Your mom’ll be fit to be tied.” Holden recalled Jake’s mother from when they were kids. The woman went berserk anytime something unexpected or overwhelming happened. Holden especially remembered the time Jake ran into the house, his head bleeding all over the place because he’d fallen out of a tree, and his mom had fainted. Literally passed out flat on the floor. Holden and Jess had to clean Jake up before their mom finally came to.
    “Well, we’re not getting married at the same time. In fact, Megan and I decided not to have a formal gathering. We’re just going to have Vince and our immediate families at the church to exchange vows. No reception or nothing.”
    “So your parents don’t mind that the two of you are getting married so close together? Your mom especially?” asked Dad.
    Holden didn’t look at his father; he’d burst out laughing if he did. Dad knew Jake’s mom to be a little tightly wound. She’d had a conniption fit once when he and Jake got into a tussle when they were boys. Nobody was hurt, and both of them faced discipline from their daddies, but Jake’s mom had had a hard time getting past the incident.
    “Why, they’re happier than a rooster in a henhouse. They’ve already taken Vince on as their grandson and are hinting for us to add a few more as soon as possible.”
    Holden swallowed back the shock. Jake and Jess were getting married, and Jake was even talking about babies.
    Dad stood, walked over to