Scout licked her nose.
“Thank you.”
Inside her parents’ kitchen, she set Scout on the wooden floor and shrugged out of her fleece vest. Cash still looked as amazing as she remembered. The only thing that had changed was that the good-looking boy had grown into a fine-looking man. The kind that knew how to make a woman feel special. Loved.
That is, until he was finished with her.
Like Brian.
Gooseflesh prickled down her arms.
I’m not totally heartless, darlin’.
She tossed her vest over a hook near the door, slumped into one of six straight-back chairs surrounding the oak table and rubbed the chill away.
If only her shame were so easy to erase.
Cool air infiltrated the room as her mother, Bonnie Purcell, swept through the door with several grocery sacks.
Taryn shoved to her feet. “Let me help you, Mom.”
“Oh, thank you, honey.”
She took the bags, settled them on the granite countertop—her mom’s big splurge when she had the kitchen remodeled last spring—and unloaded the items while her mother removed her jacket.
“I see there’s an SUV parked in front of Art’s house. I wonder if Cash has arrived.”
Scout’s nails clicked against the hand-scraped oak as she trotted across the kitchen to dance at her mom’s feet.
Taryn focused on emptying the bags. If she let on that she’d been next door, her mother would home in on that and assume Taryn still had a crush on Cash.
Her mom scooped up the dog, continuing toward Taryn and staring next door.
She followed her mother’s gaze. “Uh, yeah. I saw him go inside.” Not a lie, just not full disclosure.
“I bet Art is tickled to death.” Her mother turned her way, brushing her dark brown bangs to one side. “That boy has always held such a special place in his heart. I think he really believed Cash would end up in Ouray one day.”
“Didn’t he take over his father’s company or something?” Trying to act nonchalant, Taryn dumped a fresh bag of flour into the large glass canister on the counter.
“I don’t think he took it over, just stepped in to run things when his father got sick.”
Taryn had been too wrapped up in herself back then to remember what happened. “Sick how?”
“Cancer.”
She dared to meet her mother’s gaze. “Is he okay?”
“Oh, yes.” Her mom set Scout to the floor. “But it was touch and go for a while. They make livestock trailers, you know. Cattle, horses....” She wadded up the empty grocery bags and tucked them in the pantry. “From what I hear, the company has really grown with Cash at the helm. There aren’t many young men who would give up their own dreams to step in and help their father like that.”
Once again, Taryn’s gaze trailed to the house next door. Perhaps. But she knew all too well that a guy could live up to his family’s expectations and still be a heel. Her heart had the scars to prove it.
Turning, she concentrated on the rest of the groceries. Yep, the best thing she could do was steer clear of Cash Coble. Because no matter how enticing it might be to revisit childhood dreams, Cash was a heartbreak waiting to happen. And she had no intention of going through that ever again.
“I can hardly wait to see him,” her mother gushed. “Which is why I went ahead and invited them for dinner.”
Taryn halted, terror clipping through her veins. “Dinner? Tonight?”
“Why, yes. We agreed to move our family dinner to tonight since you’ll be at Blakely’s wedding rehearsal tomorrow.”
“I know that, but Cash isn’t family.”
“He’s just like family. And he’s only in town for a few days. Besides—” Her mother grabbed a package of toilet paper. Matchmaking mirth glinted in her gray-blue eyes as she started out of the room. “I hear he’s still single.”
Taryn cringed. “Mom, please don’t go there.” The last thing Taryn needed was a man. What she did need, however, was a life. Some semblance of a future. Twenty-seven years old and she still lived with her parents. How was that for pathetic?
Sure, she loved climbing and teaching people to overcome their fears, but she couldn’t live at home forever. She needed something to call her own. And since this morning’s chat with Mr. Ramsey at All Geared Up, Ouray’s one-stop shop for outdoor enthusiasts, she just might have a plan.
But first she had to make it through dinner.
Chapter Two
Cash let the cream-colored sheer curtain fall back into place and turned away from the window that overlooked the yard between Gramps’s house and the Purcells’. He still couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d said or done something to offend Taryn. But, for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out what.
She’d seemed so friendly initially. Then, suddenly, it was as if he’d slapped her. The hurt in those incredible blue eyes right before she charged out of the house had bothered him ever since.
“How about some pie?” Gramps called from the kitchen.
Cash shook his head, willing the crazy thoughts out of his mind. “Sure.” He bypassed the antique drop-leaf table that had been tucked against the dining room wall and joined his grandfather.
Taking a seat in one of the four green vinyl chairs, he pulled out his phone. “You have internet, Gramps?”
“Inter-what?”
“Internet. You know, the World Wide Web, computers...”
“No, sir.” Standing at the narrow strip of faux butcher-block counter between the refrigerator and the sink, the old man deposited a heaping mound of pie onto a plate. “Don’t intend to, either.”
Seriously? How could anyone live without the internet? Then again, this was Gramps.
Cash mentally kicked himself for not buying one of those mobile hot-spot devices that allowed him to connect to the internet anywhere. For now, he’d have to rely on his smart phone for email. But first thing tomorrow, he and his laptop would be tracking down the nearest Wi-Fi connection so he could get some work done.
He tapped the mail icon and waited for the page to load. Since he’d turned off the volume, it vibrated in his hand, indicating he had mail.
He scrolled to the top of the page. A distributor wanted a quote.
“Here you go.” Gramps set a loaded plate in front of him, along with a fork.
“Thanks.” Maybe Cash could calculate the quote later this evening and email it via his phone. That way, the customer would have it by morning.
The next message was from his sister.
Subject: Have a good time.
Enjoy your time in Ouray, big brother. You have no idea how jealous I am, but the doctor refuses to let me travel. Just as well. I feel like a beached whale. I still can’t believe I’m having twins.
Hug Gramps for me and give him my love.
Cash smiled. Prepregnancy, his little sister didn’t weigh a hundred pounds soaking wet. Now, based on the pictures his mother had shown him, she looked as if she’d swallowed a blimp.
Gramps took a seat across from him.
“Megan sends her love.”
The old man looked confused. “When did you talk to your sister?”
“Just now.” He turned the screen so his grandfather could see. “She sent me an email.”
“You gonna stare at that contraption the whole time you’re here?” Gramps pointed with his fork. “Folks seem practically glued to those things these days.”
“They do make staying in touch a lot easier. Email, text messaging—”
“What about a good old-fashioned phone call?”
Cash cleared his throat, fearful the comment had been directed at him. “They can do that, too. Hey, maybe we can FaceTime with Megan while I’m here. You’d be able to see her
while you’re talking to her.”
The old man’s bushy white brows shot up. “Is that a fact?”
“Yes, sir.” Cash tucked his phone away, eyeing the fruit-filled pastry on his plate. “So, I take it Taryn does a lot of baking for you.”
Gramps swallowed his first bite. “She bakes for everybody. Says it’s therapeutic.”
“In that case—” Cash lifted his loaded fork “—I’m all for therapy.” The sweet, tart flavors burst onto his tongue. “Mmm... This is good.” He stabbed another bite. “Forgive me for saying this, but didn’t she used to be kind of a brat?”
His grandfather chuckled. “Taryn was a little too big for her britches, all right.”
“I recall her brothers complaining that she always got her way.”
“Well, she is the only girl.” Gramps rested his fork on his plate. “And a pretty one, at that. In case you hadn’t noticed.”
“Oh, I noticed.” A guy would have to be dead not to. “Didn’t I hear something about her leaving Ouray for a while?”
Nodding, Gramps cut another bite of pie with his fork. “Took off for college while the ink was still drying on her high school diploma.”
Cash grabbed a napkin from the owl-shaped holder on the table. Wiped his mouth. “Where’d she go?”
“Texas.”
“No kidding.”
“Finished her first semester, then told her folks she was taking some time off to think about what she wanted to do with her life.”
Cash hiked up the sleeves of his Henley a notch and grabbed another forkful. “That’s not unusual. Lots of kids get confused once they get to college.”
“I suppose.” Gramps studied his pie as if looking for answers. “’Cept Phil and Bonnie never knew where she was. About worried themselves sick.”
“You mean, she didn’t stay in touch?”
He shrugged. “On occasion. But anytime they offered to come see her or send money, she’d refuse.”
Cash immediately thought of the drugs so often prevalent in college towns. Then again, most druggies wouldn’t turn down a handout. They’d simply put it toward their next fix.
“Then one day, out of the blue, Taryn showed up back here.” Gramps shook his head. “Never said a word about what went on. Just that Ouray was where she belonged.”
“How long was she gone?”
The old man shrugged, going after another bite. “A year or so.”
That left a big gap of time. “And you don’t have any idea what happened to her?”
“None. And I don’t think her parents do, either.” Gramps pushed his half-empty plate aside then leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. His gaze bore into Cash. “But I do know that Taryn is no longer the self-absorbed girl we all remember. She’s a Godly woman.” Leaning back, he picked up his fork again. “One of the best mountain guides in town, too.”
“Mountain guide?”
“Hiking, rock climbing, ice climbing...” He wagged his fork through the air. “That’s her forte, you know.”
Cash absently rubbed his knee. All things he’d never be able to enjoy again.
Gramps scooped up another bite of pie. “She’s also on the Mountain Rescue Team.”
“What’s that?”
“A search and rescue team trained for our unique setting.” The old man grinned. “I even had the privilege of joining them on a mission last summer. One of our local boys fell into Chief Ouray Mine.”
Cash smiled at the old miner. “Let me guess, you had to navigate them through the mine?”
“Didn’t know that going out, but I went along, just in case.”
“Was the kid okay?” Cash finished his pie.
“A few scrapes and bruises.”
He picked up his empty plate and started toward the sink. “Sounds like Taryn’s an integral part of the community.” Which made him wonder why she had been so eager to leave in the first place. She’d obviously decided the big city wasn’t all glitz and glamour. But why had she stayed away so long?
Rinsing the dish, he contemplated his interaction with her. The way she seemed to bristle every time he said something that would flatter most women. And he wanted to know why.
Considering he was only in Ouray for a few days, unraveling the mystery of the girl next door seemed nearly impossible. Then again, it wasn’t like him to back down from a challenge. Especially one as intriguing as Taryn Purcell.
“Maybe that’ll give you two something to discuss tonight.”
He jerked his head toward his grandfather. “What’s tonight?”
“Bonnie and Phil Purcell invited us for dinner. Apparently the whole family is looking forward to seeing you.”
A gust of wind rattled the windows, drawing their attention outside.
“Looks like that front’s finally arrived.” Gramps stood with his plate. “Things are s’posed to turn mighty chilly.”
Given Taryn’s abrupt exit, Cash was certain of it.
* * *
Taryn paused at the front door, her hand on the antique bronze knob, while Scout barked behind her.
Cash is not Brian. And he is not interested in you. He’s a family friend. Just like his grandfather. Though considerably more handsome.
He called you darlin’.
She squeezed her eyes shut. Lord, please help me to be kind to Cash. I realize he did nothing wrong. That it’s my past with Brian that is causing me to behave so horribly.
“Are you going to open it, or let our guests freeze to death on the front porch?” Her big brother, Randy, stared down at her.
Since when did he pull himself away from the sports channel for anything but food?
“I’m warning you, Randy. If you say one thing to embarrass me...”
“Nah. I’ll leave that to Mom.” He nudged Taryn away from the door and turned the knob. “By the way, you look really nice tonight.”
Peering down at the soft blue, ultrafeminine sweater, she wished she’d gone with the bulky cable knit. She glared back at Randy with half a mind to wallop him. But their mother would never stand for it. After all, appearances were everything in Bonnie Purcell’s world.
Instead, Taryn picked up her dog, leaving her big brother to do the honors of greeting their guests while she made her way to the kitchen to help her mother and her sister-in-law, Amanda.
At least she’d bought herself a little time before she had to face Cash again. Strange to think that there was a time when she wouldn’t have felt the least bit guilty for treating someone so ugly. But she wasn’t that person anymore. And God had been prodding her all afternoon, letting her know what He required of her.
Still, she didn’t have to apologize in front of everyone. She’d wait for just the right opportunity. Even if it took all night.
“Yes. Absolutely you need to meet Cash.” Taryn’s mother motioned for Randy’s wife to follow and nearly plowed into Taryn at the kitchen door. “Where are you going?”
“The kitchen?”
Her mother whirled her back around. “Not until you’ve greeted our guests, you don’t. Now, go.” She all but shoved Taryn across the wooden flooring in the foyer.
Taryn hugged Scout a little closer. And so it begins.
“My goodness, Cash...” Her mom’s arms went wide as she approached. “It’s so good to see you again.”
Taryn kind of felt sorry for the guy when her mother embraced him like a long-lost son. She had to hand it to him, though. Cash didn’t look the least bit taken aback by the welcome. “It’s nice to be here. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Nonsense.” Her mom released him. “You’re like family.”
“How’s it going, Cash?” Her father stepped forward to shake his hand.
“Just fine, sir. Thank you.”
; “There’s Gage,” her mom continued.
Taryn’s second brother waved from the adjacent living room, then gestured to the four-year-old in his arms. “This is my daughter, Emma, and—” he pointed to the golden-haired girl who had already latched onto Mr. Jenkins’s hand “—that’s Cassidy over there.”
Cash acknowledged them with a smile and a nod. “Girls.”
Randy snagged Amanda around the waist and inched her closer. “This is my wife, Amanda.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you.” She held out her hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Cash took hold. “All good, I hope.”
“For the most part.” Amanda and Randy exchanged a playful, loving glance. One that always made Taryn wonder if there was someone in this world who could love her like that. Completely and unconditionally. As though she was the only one who mattered.
“This is our son, Steven.” Randy hoisted the five-year-old into his arms.
“Hey there, champ.” Cash held up a high-five and Taryn’s nephew smacked it.
Everyone laughed, drowning out the basketball action blaring from the fifty-inch flat-screen in the living room.
Her mom grabbed Cash’s arm, turning him ever so slightly. “And here’s our little Taryn, all grown up.”
Everyone standing in front of her parted like the Red Sea, adding to her mortification.
Repeatedly stroking Scout’s wiry fur, she fought the urge to run screaming from the room as all eyes shifted to her. Including Cash’s.
His knee-buckling smile made it impossible to move, though. “Yes, we met earlier.”
Heat singed her cheeks, a rare occurrence for someone with her olive complexion. Still, she would bet that her cheeks were as red as the cherry jelly beans she’d bought to give to her nieces and nephew on Valentine’s Day.
“Oh...?” Interest sparked in her mother’s eyes. No way the woman with a penchant for matchmaking was letting that one sail by unnoticed.
“She brought some desserts over for Gramps. Which—” his attention shifted back to Taryn “—were really good.”
Mr. Jenkins cleared his throat. “Speaking of food, it sure smells good in here.” He shot Taryn a stealthy wink. At least someone had her back.
Rescuing the Texan's Heart Page 2
