All Chapters of The Age Plus Billionaire Cowboy: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Three days later . . . It was two days before Thanksgiving, and Dax was a nervous wreck. He rode in the back of Uncle Jesse’s green Jeep Cherokee as Ava and his father rode upfront. Uncle Jesse let them borrow it for the afternoon. “You’re awfully quiet,” his dad said as he glanced in the rearview mirror. “Wouldn’t you be if you had an audience when you’re about to . . . you know,” Dax stammered. “Ask a girl out on a date as you present her with hearts and flowers,” Ava guessed. In this case, it was candy and flowers. “Son, do you really think Lana’s father is going to let you speak to her alone when you show up? Especially after the way you had treated her last year? And he probably won’t let you take her anywhere without some sort of guarantee concerning her . . . person. Trust me. You want your father with you in a circumstance like this,” Ray said. “For back up.” Dax eased out a breath.

It was Thanksgiving Day and Ava was working her ass off in the kitchen. Despite making the mashed potatoes, gravy, two pumpkin pies, an apple pie, and cranberry sauce the day before, she was still running around like a chicken with its head cut off. The turkey was still in the oven and she still had to bake the sweet potato casserole and the rolls. Per cooking tips from Mrs. Porter, Ava was cooking green beans in a crockpot and macaroni and cheese cooking in another crockpot. Luckily, there were already various crockpots in the kitchen. Two were smaller sizes. Ava had stuffing in the turkey but from what she gathered from the Steele men, they don’t like their stuffing baked in the turkey. So, Ava had a separate dish filled with homemade stuffing. She trotted over to the oven to check on the twenty-two pound turkey for the third time in two hours. The popper was finally out on it. She turned the oven off and closed the door. Instead of running to the den to get

In New York . . . Just like every year, Lester Bartholomew sat at the head of the dining table and whatever woman he was married to at the time sat at the other head. And as usual all twelve of his children were at the Thanksgiving table – minus one. Lester had fired the five private detectives he had hired to find Ava. Not one of them had a clue after five months of searching – or not searching. Lester believed at least three of the PIs were just cashing the checks and spending his money on other things. He had called Sheriff Wilson last week to see if he had turned up anything. He hadn’t but he had a suggestion. “Sir, why don’t you hire a PI that’s actually from and still lives in Montana? A guy from this great state would know all the small towns, cities, and hidey holes a person could get lost in.” “I have to admit it’s worth a try. I have also been thinking about slapping an award on Ava to anyone who has information of

Ava had snacks ready for Dax and Lana when Jesse had brought them to the ranch – with a date of his own surprisingly. Ava had served homemade Chex mix, homemade pizza bites, and cookies she had baked that morning. The teens – and Jesse and his date, Rhonda, gobbled it up like they hadn’t eaten in days. Now, they were ready to ride. Ava and Ray were going to accompany Dax and Lana on their little ride. Thankfully, Ray had gotten back from Radersburg in time to go with them. Jesse and Rhonda decided to tag along. Lana had a black vest in her bag. She put it on under her coat before they walked out the door.They all rode in Jesse’s Cherokee to the stables. Ray was already there and he had already saddled the horses. Ava was on Whisper like she was last time. She and the horse had developed a relationship. During the times she rode with Dax in the old Ford, practicing for his driver’s test in a couple of weeks, they had stopped by the stables. While there Ava had

A week later . . . Late afternoon, before the big game at Broadwater High School. Ava knocked on Ray’s study door. He had been in there all morning and this afternoon. He hadn’t even joined them for breakfast. Ava assumed he had gotten up before anyone else and fixed himself something to eat. “Yeah,” Ray answered. Ava opened the door. “Hey.” “Hey.” Ray was sitting in his office chair at his desk. He was wearing a wool turtleneck, charcoal sweater and denim pants. “Ray, I’m not going to mince words. Are you coming with us to the game tonight?” “I . . . don’t know.” “Ray, I think Dax is hoping you be there tonight.” “Did he say that?” “Not directly but he did hinted that . . . he needed the support of his family tonight.” Ray blew out as he glanced down. “Ray, I understand your pain and I definitely understand how memories can rush back in your