Cash strolled past shops, checking out the old buildings and window displays. Red hearts seemed to be everywhere. Then he remembered it was February. Valentine’s Day. Cards, chocolate, flowers...
He shoved his hands into his pockets. Kind of lame, if you asked him. If you loved someone, shouldn’t you celebrate it all the time? Not just on some fabricated holiday?
Yvette had always insisted he take her out to dinner on the few Valentine’s Days they’d spent together. And he’d always done so, only more out of obligation than enthusiasm.
Spotting his destination, he crossed at the next intersection. Most of the streets had been plowed, so snow was piled high at the corners.
He eyed the display All Geared Up had in their window. Looked as if they had some pretty nice stuff. Shoving open the heavy wood-and-glass door, he stepped inside, taking in the racks of jackets and other clothing, walls of footwear and displays of climbing gear. This place was like a candy store for outdoor enthusiasts.
But he didn’t see Taryn anywhere.
“May I help you?” A man Cash guessed to be in his late fifties smiled behind the U-shaped counter.
Should he say he was looking for Taryn? Nah. “I’m just looking around. Thank you.”
“No problem. Let me know if you need anything.”
Cash wandered through the various sections of the store. They sure managed to get a lot of stuff into what some would consider a small space. Yet it wasn’t cramped or crowded.
A black jacket caught his eye. He picked it up. Definitely more stylish than Gramps’s old coat. Since he was the only one in the store, he snagged the man’s attention. “Would this be suitable for ice climbing?”
“Cash?”
He jerked his head in the direction of Taryn’s voice as she emerged from what appeared to be a stockroom. His pulse kicked up a notch.
“Hey, there.” He couldn’t help smiling. He really was glad to see her.
“What are you doing here?” She moved toward him.
“Thought I’d check things out.” He held the jacket in front of him. “What do you think?”
She nodded. “Looks good.”
“Would it be suitable for ice climbing?”
Her brow lifted. “When are you planning to climb?”
“I don’t know. But if the opportunity should present itself, I’d like to be prepared.”
“I see.” Humor danced in her pale blue eyes. “Well, then—” She took a step closer, retrieved a second jacket in navy blue. “That one is good, but this one would probably be better. Just as warm but with a little less bulk.”
He liked the sound of that. Depositing his selection back on the rack, he shrugged out of his grandfather’s parka. “Mind holding this?”
She draped it over her arm as he took her recommendation off the hanger.
“Feels lighter.”
“A little bit. Yes.”
He slipped it on. “Very comfortable.”
“It’s one of our most popular brands.”
“Well, you folks certainly know more about winter clothing than I do.” He stepped in front of a nearby mirror. Looked as good as it felt.
Taryn peered around him. “That’s a good color for you.”
Her approval did strange things to him. But even if she hadn’t said anything, he was sold. “I’ll take it.”
“Boy, you’re easy.”
“Not really.” He removed the coat, his gaze fixed on Taryn’s. “I simply found what I was looking for.”
* * *
Taryn wasn’t sure whether to run away or melt into a puddle right there. The way Cash looked at her...
The phone rang behind the counter, bringing her back to her senses. She took the coat and headed for the cash register. How stupid. She would never be exactly what anyone was looking for.
“What about a hat?”
She dared to turn around.
Cash grabbed a matching blue knit hat from atop one of the racks. “This a good one?”
“Sure is.” Turning on her heel, she continued behind the counter.
“I’ll be in the backroom if you need me.” Buck was already halfway there, phone to his ear.
“Oh.” Did she dare say that she needed him so she wouldn’t be alone with Cash? “Okay.”
“And you can go ahead and leave when you’re done.” With that, Buck disappeared behind the curtain.
Cash stepped to the counter. “Looks like you get to go home.”
“Uh-huh.” She nodded, scanning the bar codes on his purchases.
“Did you walk or drive today?” He pulled a credit card from his wallet.
Taryn was afraid of where this conversation was headed. “Drove. How about you?”
“I walked.”
Wonderful. Now he probably expected her to ask if he wanted a ride. Which she would if he were anybody else. But he wasn’t anybody. He was Cash Coble. Tall, kindhearted, sweet Texan who seemed to know just how to worm his way into her heart.
Guilt nudged as she told Cash his total and swiped his card. She was the one with the problem, not Cash. “Would...you like a ride home?”
“That’d be great. Thanks.”
“There’s something I meant to ask you,” he said as he climbed into her Jeep a few minutes later. “What would you think about getting together tonight, after dinner, to go over your business plan? After talking to you last night, I came up with some ideas and thought maybe we could discuss them over coffee at that Mouse’s Chocolate and Coffee place.”
She shifted her Jeep into Reverse, a battle raging inside her head. She knew she needed to avoid Cash, but at the same time, he was the only one who seemed to know anything about business plans. And she needed that business plan. Then again, Mouse’s wasn’t exactly an intimate environment. And this was strictly business. Wasn’t it?
“Sounds good. And it’ll give me an excuse to have one of their scraps cookies.” She started to drive up the street.
“What’s that?”
“You mean, besides the most amazing thing you’ve ever put in your mouth?” She laughed, making a left at the Beaumont Hotel. “The cookie dough is some family recipe, but just kind of a basic dough. Then they add whatever scraps they have left over from the chocolate they made that day.”
“Really?”
“Yep. No two cookies are the same. You might get one with bits of toffee or chocolate bark or who knows what.”
“You must really like these cookies.”
“They’re my favorite.” She turned right. “Which is why I don’t allow myself to indulge very often. Even then, it’s only one.”
She pulled up to her parents’ house.
“Guess I’ll have to try one, then.” Cash smiled from the passenger side.
“I warn you. They’re addictive. And you can’t get them anywhere else.”
“Hmm...” He opened his door. “Seems there are a lot of things like that in Ouray.”
She hopped down from the Jeep into the snow. Why did he keep saying stuff like that? Refusing to look behind her, she continued up the steps. “I’ll meet you there at seven.”
* * *
Cash was waiting when Taryn arrived at Mouse’s at two minutes after seven. Then again, he’d left the house at six forty-five and driven his rental the entire three blocks, something he decided was completely stupid. The vehicle didn’t even have a chance to warm up.
But Taryn had said to meet her—not walk or ride with her.
He stood from the booth where he’d set up his laptop.
Her smile was tentative, as though she was nervous. But why?
She tugged at the deep purple scarf around her neck. “Have you ordered yet?”
“No.” He shoved his hands into hi
s pockets. “I was waiting for you.” A feat he found nearly impossible with the incredible aromas of coffee and chocolate wafting around him.
“You shouldn’t have done that.” No smile this time. Almost as though she was scolding him.
“I was getting things set up.” He gestured to his computer.
“Oh.” Her gaze fell to her feet. “Well, shall we then?” She started toward the counter.
A man close to Cash’s age stepped up to the other side. “What’s up, Taryn?”
“Not much. How’s things with you, Jeb?”
“Can’t complain. What can I get you?”
“I’ll have a hot chocolate.”
He glanced at Cash. “You two together?”
“Yes,” said Cash before Taryn could say anything to the contrary. “I’ll have a caramel latte.” He eyed the glass case filled with all sorts of chocolate creations.
“You’re a better person than I am.” Taryn shook her head. “That’d keep me awake half the night.”
He was used to the caffeine when he worked late nights at home. But late nights were not the norm at Gramps’s. “You know, you’re right.” He eyed Jeb. “Make mine a hot chocolate, too.”
“Oh, and two—” Taryn’s gaze drifted to Cash’s “—scraps cookies?”
“Yes. Two, please.”
Cardboard-sleeved cups in hand, they retreated to the Formica-covered booth and shed their coats. Cash inspected his cookie, which looked different from Taryn’s, even though they were both scraps cookies. Bits of chocolate, nuts and other goodies littered his. “This looks amazing.”
“Trust me, it is.” Her eyes closed as she savored her first bite.
He took a bite, too. “Mmm...” He continued to chew. Then stared at the cookie again. “Caramel and chocolate.”
“It’s not a science experiment, Cash. Just enjoy it.”
He grinned. Then took a second bite and chased it with a sip of hot chocolate. “Whoa!” He stared at the cup.
“Too hot?”
“I’ve never tasted hot chocolate like that before. That’s amazing.”
She smiled. “Their secret recipe.”
“Glad I followed your lead.”
Cookie devoured, he dusted off his hands and pulled up the file he’d created for Taryn’s project on his computer.
“So what did you think about All Geared Up?”
“It’s great. And you obviously know your stuff.” He lifted his new jacket. “Keeps me toasty warm.”
That earned him another smile.
“Good.” Taryn opened the notebook she’d brought. “I wrote out my mission statement, vision statement and the company background. Of course, those were the easy parts.”
“But they’re still things you need, so good job.” He turned the laptop so she could see the screen.
“When I was there today, I tried to get a better feel for the assets.”
“Did you include the apartments upstairs?”
“Yes.”
“And the furnishings, since Buck plans on leaving those.”
“Good, good.” He scrolled through the document. “As far as competitor analysis, there really aren’t any in town that I can tell.”
“No. There are a few outfitters in Telluride and Montrose, but that’s about it.”
“Okay. Now let’s talk about the financial portion of this.” The door opened again, bringing with it another blast of cold air. This place was busier than he expected.
“Ugh. I don’t even—”
“What has you two so deep in conversation?”
Cash and Taryn both looked up to see Taryn’s brother, Randy, standing beside them.
“Nothing that concerns you, big brother.”
Following Taryn’s cue, Cash closed his laptop. “Good to see you again, buddy.” He stood to shake his friend’s hand.
“I heard you got held over.”
He shrugged. “Can’t do much about the weather.”
“What are you doing here?” Taryn eyed her brother.
“Just looking.”
She lifted a brow. “Yeah, right.” She got up from her seat. “My guess is you forgot to get something for Amanda for Valentine’s Day.”
Guilt clouded Randy’s features. “Maybe.”
“Don’t you dare let me catch you giving her one of those prepackaged boxes they have. You can at least have the courtesy to put together a box with all of her favorites.”
“Favorites?” Randy chuckled. “She likes everything they have.”
“There you go, then. Get her one of everything.” Taryn sent him a mischievous grin.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Randy glanced behind him as two more last-minute shoppers wandered in. “I’d better get in line. I’ll talk to you two later.”
Cash and Taryn slid back into the booth.
“Kinda reminded me of me and my sister,” said Cash.
“Megan, right?”
“Yeah.”
“How is she?” Taryn folded her hands on the table.
“At the moment, very pregnant. She’s expecting twins.”
“Oh, wow. And she already has one child, correct?”
“A girl, yes.”
“Sounds like she’s going to have her hands full.”
“Yes, she will.” He opened his laptop again. “Now, about that financial statement—”
His cell phone rang and he tugged it from his pocket with a groan. “It’s my father. Sorry. I’d better take this.”
* * *
Taryn had really hoped to make a dent in her business plan, but it didn’t appear that was going to happen tonight. Too many interruptions. First Randy, then Cash’s dad.
As Cash’s telephone conversation with his father wore on, she quietly excused herself and went to help her brother, who, even from across the room, looked totally perplexed.
“Need some help?” She bumped Randy with her elbow as she joined him at the expansive glass case.
“I’ve got all her favorite truffles, I’m just trying to decide what else to get.”
“Well, how about some toffee or Turtles? She likes nuts, doesn’t she?”
“Yeah. Good idea.” He completed his order and waited while they wrapped the box. “So what’s going on with you and Cash?”
“Nothing romantic, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Her brother grinned down at her. “Nah, that’s Mom’s job.”
Turning, she watched Cash. His body language had changed.
“Whoever he’s talking to, he doesn’t look happy,” said Randy.
Tension knitted Cash’s brow. His shoulders had grown stiff.
She folded her arms across her chest. “It’s his father.”
Images of a genuinely happy Cash flashed through her mind. When she took him climbing, and the other day sledding at Vinegar Hill. That’s the Cash she liked to see. The one she was trying desperately not to fall for. And the one she’d like to see at least one more time before he returned to Dallas.
“All right, sis.” Randy paid his bill and grabbed the beautifully wrapped package. “I’m out of here.” He gave her a hug and kissed the top of her head, something he’d done since she was a kid.
She hugged him back. “See ya.”
As the door closed behind Randy, she returned to her seat.
“I got it. All right, Dad. We’ll talk tomorrow.” Cash ended the call. “I am so sorry about that.”
“Problem?”
“Not really. But he seems to think so.”
“Sounds like you’re also chief executive of talk-’em-down-from-the-ledge.” That made him smile, which she was glad to see.
“Yeah, where Dad’s concerned, I seem to be wea
ring that hat more and more often. Especially with my mom gone to be with Megan.”
“So that’s usually her role?”
He shrugged. “They’ve been married for thirty-five years. She’s had a lot of practice.”
“I know what you mean.” She leaned forward, resting her forearms on the table. “Dad’s that way with my mom. They complement each other. Where one is weak, the other is strong.”
“Sounds like a good basis for marriage.”
“I’ve always thought so.” She glanced around to see they were the only ones left in the store and workers had started putting things away. “Looks like they’re getting ready to close.”
“I was afraid of that.” He clicked a few keys then closed his laptop. “I’m sorry I wasted your time.”
“What? No, you didn’t waste my time. I don’t suppose you could break away for a few hours tomorrow, though, could you?”
“To work on your business plan?”
“No, to go climbing. Thought I might take you over to the ice park.”
“Really?”
She had to laugh when his face lit up like a child’s. “Yes, really. You had so much fun the first time. Plus, you’ve got that new jacket we need to break in.”
He glanced down at his coat. “You’re right, we do.”
“So, what works best for you? Morning or afternoon?”
“How about somewhere in between. Say, ten-thirty?”
“It’s a date.”
Chapter Nine
Today was the perfect day for ice climbing. Temps were in the twenties and the sun was as bright as it could be. Taryn had to admit she was actually looking forward to climbing with Cash today. She wanted him to relax and have fun. Those dimples of his would simply be a bonus.
She loaded their gear into her Jeep then headed next door to get Cash. Birds that had been taking advantage of Mr. Jenkins’s feeder took flight as she passed.
Hopefully, Cash had taken care of whatever work his father was so concerned about last night. She didn’t want anything hanging over his head today. Except lots of ice.
Smiling, she knocked on the front door.
Mr. Jenkins opened it. He was wearing her favorite flannel shirt, a green-and-blue plaid that looked great with his green eyes. “Mornin’, Taryn.” He held the door wide, inviting her inside.
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