Rescuing the Texan's Heart

by Mindy Obenhaus

  Flames flickered inside the fireplace.

  “Is Cash ready?” She heard his voice then. Could see him pacing in the kitchen, phone to his ear.

  The old man frowned, closing the door behind her. “He’s been on that thing since before sunup.”

  That didn’t bode well. “Is something wrong?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  Cash’s gaze met hers and the look on his face was one of pure anguish. Her heart tightened. They were not going climbing.

  “I’ll call you back, Dad.” He pocketed the phone and strode across the tan carpet, rubbing the back of his neck. “Gramps, would you excuse us for a minute, please?”

  The old man nodded. “Need to get back to my laundry anyway.”

  As his grandfather disappeared into the kitchen, Cash turned her to look at him. “I’m sorry, I should have called you. I didn’t realize how late it was.” Stubble lined his usually clean-shaven jaw and pain had settled into his eyes.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “There was a fire at the plant last night.”

  Her eyes widened. “Is everyone all right?”

  “Yeah. No one was there except a security guard.”

  “I hope he caught it early.” She searched his weary gaze, looking for answers.

  “Relatively. It was confined to one area. Still...”

  A sudden chill filled the air, despite the logs crackling in the fireplace. Oh, how she ached for him. If only there was something she could do.

  “Your father must be beside himself.”

  He raked his fingers through his already mussed blond hair. “That’s an understatement. I’ve been talking with him, our foreman and the insurance company all morning.”

  “That’s what your grandfather said.”

  His hand cupped her cheek. “I was really looking forward to climbing with you today.” He wasn’t the only one. But there was no way she could tell him that. That would only make him feel worse.

  “Stuff happens.” She clasped her hand around his and lowered it. Gave a reassuring squeeze. “I understand. Your dad needs you.”

  “Yeah.” His gaze fell.

  She ducked to meet it. “Hey, I’m here if you need me, okay?”

  “Okay.” One corner of his mouth lifted. A halfhearted smile if she’d ever seen one.

  “I’d better go so you can get back to your dad.” She started to turn, but he tugged her back, refusing to let go.

  “Let me take you to dinner tonight.”

  “It’s Valentine’s Day, Cash. Getting a table might be a bit of a challenge.”

  “I don’t care if I have to wait all night.” He squeezed tighter. “Please?” There was an urgency in his tone.

  How could she refuse when he looked so miserable? “Sure. Just let me know when you want to go.”

  “Okay.” His efforts at a smile were a little better this time. “I’ll call you later.”

  Taryn couldn’t deny her disappointment as she trudged through the packed snow, back to her parents’ house. More than anything, she wanted to see Cash happy. Instead, he was worse than ever. And it broke her heart.

  Rumors had been swirling around town that the pass might be reopened later today. If that was the case, Cash would leave tomorrow. And while her head told her that was a good thing, her heart wasn’t ready to see him go.

  * * *

  Cash knocked on the Purcells’ front door. The prospect of spending time with Taryn had been a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy day. And he hoped beyond hope that, before the end of the evening, he could talk her into pursuing a long-distance relationship. Sure, it wasn’t ideal, but he had to try. He’d be a fool to let a woman as amazing as Taryn go without a fight.

  He heard Scout barking inside.

  When Taryn opened the door and the dog recognized him, Scout’s entire body wiggled, right along with her tail. She bounced up and down against his leg.

  “Well, hey there, Miss Scout.” He picked her up. Stroked the shock of white fur under her chin. She caught his face between her front paws, one on each cheek, and licked his chin.

  “Scout, you silly girl.” Taryn rescued him by taking the dog. “Sorry about that. In case you can’t tell, she really likes you.”

  “That’s good.” He wiped his face. “Because I kind of like her, too.” Right along with her owner.

  He got a good look at Taryn then and his pulse kicked up a notch. She wore a silky blue blouse that really brought out her eyes. Skinny jeans were tucked into a pair of fur-lined boots, revealing long, slender legs.

  “You have to stay here with Grandma and Grandpa,” Taryn said to the dog. She was a born nurturer. The kind that would make a great mom.

  “Taryn, honey, don’t make Cash wait outside. It’s cold out there.” Her mother appeared behind her.

  “No worries, Bonnie. We’re leaving anyway.”

  Taryn donned her coat.

  “So where are you two going?” Her mother’s eyes were alight with pleasure.

  “I’m not sure yet. Figured I’d let Taryn pick, or we’ll just see what strikes our fancy.” He offered his arm to Taryn. “Ready?”

  She tugged her purple beanie. “Ready.” She slipped a gloved hand in the crook of his elbow. “See you later, Mom.”

  “Have a good time.”

  “How are things at the factory?” Taryn asked before they made their way to the sidewalk.

  “A little better, I suppose.” He laid his gloved hand atop hers, liking the way it felt. “Though to hear my dad, it’s the end of the world.”

  “I’m sorry. I know this is hard on you.”

  “Ah, I’m used to it.” Rounding the corner, he was ready to talk about anything but work. “So what did you do today?”

  “My boss over at Marmot Mountain Guides called shortly after I left you. One of the other guides was sick, so I ended up taking his group.” She paused suddenly. “I hope you’re not mad.”

  “Why would I be mad?” He smiled at her. “Disappointed that I wasn’t the one climbing with you, maybe. But not mad.”

  “I know you really wanted to go climbing.”

  “Yeah, I really did.”

  Snow crunched under their feet and their breath filled the air.

  “I heard they reopened the pass this afternoon.”

  “Yep. I’m already booked on the afternoon flight tomorrow.” Not that he was exactly thrilled about it. He wanted more time in Ouray. More time with Taryn.

  “Guess they got it open just in time.” Her smile faltered, making him wonder if she’d be sad to see him leave. He was certainly going to miss her.

  “I don’t know.” He continued to hold her hand in place. “I wouldn’t have minded a couple of more days.”

  “You can always come back, you know.” Her expectant look gave him hope.

  “I know.” If his dad would ever let him leave again. They turned onto Main Street at the Beaumont Hotel. “So what are you hungry for?”

  “How do you feel about Mexican?”

  “You’re kidding, right? I’m from Texas. I was weaned on Mexican food.”

  Her smile was bright. “Good. Then why don’t we see if we can get in at Buen Tiempo.”

  The restaurant was packed, but they decided to wait for a table, and he was glad they did.

  “Those were some of the best enchiladas I’ve ever had,” he said as the waitress cleared their dishes. He leaned back in his seat and scanned the bustling restaurant.

  “Just wait ’til you try their chocolate cake.” Taryn grinned across the wooden table.

  “Why are there dollar bills stuck to the ceiling?”

  She glanced upward. “Just something they do for fun. People get a kick out of it and give their servers bills
to tack up there.” She lowered her gaze. “Then, once a year or so, they take what’s up there and donate it to charity.”

  “That’s cool.” If they weren’t so busy, he’d consider joining in the fun. But he was on a mission.

  As time stretched on, he found himself growing more and more nervous. He had yet to tell Taryn how he felt about her. Kind of tough for someone who wasn’t used to talking about their feelings. However, he’d never met a woman like her. And he didn’t want to let this moment slip away.

  He retrieved a small box from his jacket pocket and slid it across the table. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

  “Wha—? For me?” Taryn’s eyes were huge. Her smile evaporated and she pushed the box back. “N-no. I can’t.”

  * * *

  Flashbacks of Brian and the gifts he gave her rushed through Taryn’s mind. Gifts he would use to manipulate her.

  She pushed the horrid thoughts away and focused on the man across the table. Taryn didn’t want to hurt Cash’s feelings, but there was no way she could accept what was inside that long, narrow velvet box. Jewelry came in boxes like that. Why would he give her jewelry, though?

  “Taryn, please. It’s okay. It’s not what you think.”

  He knew what she was thinking? How embarrassing.

  Taking hold of the package, she slid off the shiny gold ribbon and, after a quick glance at his expectant gaze, she opened it. “A flash drive?”

  “No, not just a flash drive. It’s your business plan.”

  “My...” Emotion clogged her throat.

  “I know you’ve been eager to get it done. And since our meeting last night never really got off the ground, well...I worked on it when I got home. There are some numbers you’ll need to plug in on the financial statements, and you may want to tweak some of my wording, but it’s all there.”

  “You did this for me?” Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them away. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had done something that meant so much. And the fact that it was Cash made her frozen heart melt just a little more.

  “Taryn—” He leaned forward.

  “One slice of chocolate cake.” The waitress plunked the plate in the middle of the table. “And two forks.” She set them beside the plate.

  “Thank you,” said Cash before the woman scurried away. “This looks amazing.”

  They devoured the dessert in record time, though Taryn was pretty sure she ate more than half.

  Cash paid the bill and helped her with her coat. Outside, the clear sky had given way to a multitude of stars.

  “Thank you again,” she said as they walked up the street. “Not just for dinner, but for the business plan.” Her fingers clasped the box inside her pocket.

  “It’s important to you.” He stopped as they rounded the corner. “And you’re important to me.”

  Her heart took a nosedive. He was going there. The one place she didn’t want to—no, couldn’t—go. She met his gaze. “Cash—”

  “Look, I know you live here and I live in Dallas. But I also know that it’s easier for people to stay in touch than ever before. We can talk, FaceTime, Skype every day.” He took hold of her free hand. “You’re the most incredible woman I’ve ever met, Taryn. I just want to get to know you better.”

  “And then what?” She couldn’t go into a relationship without coming clean about her past. What would Cash think when he learned not only about the baby but about Brian?

  “I don’t know. I guess we’ll play it by ear.”

  Taryn’s heart stopped. Once he got an earful of her past, he’d be looking for a way to be rid of her. She was sure of that.

  She shook her head. “It’ll never work, Cash. There are things about me you don’t want to know. Trust me, you deserve better.”

  He puffed out a disbelieving laugh that hung in the air between them. “Well, that sounds like a cop-out.”

  “I’m not copping out. Just being realistic.” She started walking again, suddenly eager to get home.

  “What are you so afraid of?” He caught up to her in two strides.

  “Cash, I’m sorry if I made you believe I wanted anything more than friendship. But I’m just not relationship material.”

  Grabbing hold of her elbow, he turned her to face him. Her own pain and hurt reflected in Cash’s eyes, yet he stared at her for what seemed like forever. And try as she might, she couldn’t look away.

  “Some guy really did a number on you, didn’t he? And I’m guessing he was from Texas.”

  She opened her mouth to speak but closed it without saying a word. What could she say without going into the ugly details?

  Cash’s gaze darkened then narrowed. “So you think I’m like this other guy?” He looked away, shaking his head in disbelief. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” He faced her again. “Well, here’s a news flash. I’m not him. But, if that’s what you believe, then I guess you’re right. It would never work between us.”

  She couldn’t blame him for being angry. And though she didn’t like it, she supposed it was better than letting him think they stood a chance.

  He touched her elbow. “Time to go home.”

  * * *

  The next morning, Cash pushed himself away from the kitchen table. “Thanks for breakfast, Gramps.”

  “My pleasure, son.” The old man patted him on the back. “I’m going to miss you.”

  “Me, too.” There were a lot of things he was going to miss. He set his dishes in the sink. “I need to finish packing and grab a shave.”

  He took the steps two at a time. While a part of him was eager to get back to Dallas, another part wished he could stay and smooth things out with Taryn. After an otherwise wonderful night, he’d let anger, perhaps pride, get the best of him.

  Why had he brought up the subject of a relationship anyway? Hadn’t she already said she had no desire to return to Texas? And it wasn’t as if he could move to Ouray.

  In the small bathroom, he splashed a handful of warm water over his face then looked in the mirror.

  Misery stared back at him. Perhaps it had always been there and he simply couldn’t put a name to it. But then, he’d never been so torn between duty to his father and chasing his own dreams. At least not since he first took over the company.

  God, I don’t know what to do.

  Another desperate prayer. He knew God wanted more from him. So why did he refuse to give it?

  Time.

  Prayer took time. Time was always of the essence. Or so he thought. But shouldn’t God be at the essence of everything he did?

  He tossed his shaving kit into his suitcase as he entered the bedroom then dropped onto the bed. God, I thought, maybe, Taryn was part of the reason You brought me to Ouray. She’s going to be hard to forget.

  She brought out the man he used to be. A man who hadn’t seen the light of day in a long time. Too long.

  Standing, he gathered the rest of his belongings, zipped his suitcase and carried it downstairs.

  “Gramps?” He set his bag by the door then went into the kitchen. “Hmph. Wonder where he went.”

  He moved to the old dining table to pack up his laptop. Movement outside the window caught his eye.

  Saw in hand, his grandfather climbed an eight-foot ladder he’d positioned beneath the pine tree by the driveway. The one whose snow-laden limbs had draped over the driveway and scraped against the house. The one Cash had promised to trim.

  He rushed out the front door and around the side of the house. “Gramps! No!”

  The old man reached for the limb with his free hand. The ladder wobbled.

  Horror pulsed through Cash’s veins as the ladder went one way and Gramps tumbled helplessly the other.

  Knees in the air, Gramps was still on his back when Cash dropped
beside him.

  “Gramps! Are you okay?” Dread seeped into Cash’s bones.

  “My back.” His grandfather rolled onto all fours with a groan, his breath visible in the frigid morning air. “Help me into the house.”

  “Are you sure? Maybe I should call an ambulance.”

  “And leave me in the snow?” The old man held up a hand. “Just. Get me. To the house.”

  Cash gripped his grandfather’s arm and helped him to his feet.

  Hunched over, Gramps could hardly walk. Pain was etched all over his face.

  And it was all Cash’s fault.

  He eased his grandfather up the steps, his heart clenched with grief. If anything happened to Gramps...

  Inside, the old man tried to sit in his recliner but opted for the couch. He lay on his back, knees again in the air, though nothing seemed to relieve the pain.

  Sweat beaded Cash’s brow. He didn’t know what to do.

  Taryn was the only person he could think to call. But after last night, would she even answer the phone?

  Pulling out his cell, he punched in her number and ducked into the kitchen.

  It took three rings, but at least she answered.

  “Taryn. Gramps fell. Off the ladder. He hurt his back and I...I don’t know what to do.”

  “Where is he now?”

  “In the living room.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  By the time Cash rejoined his grandfather, Taryn was sprinting across the yard. He met her at the door.

  She glanced at him briefly before moving on to Gramps. “Mr. Jenkins.” She knelt at his side. “Tell me where it hurts.” Compassion filled her voice.

  “My...my back.” He winced. “Hit my...tailbone.”

  Standing, she looked at Cash, nodded toward the kitchen then started that way.

  He followed, his gut churning as he glanced back at Gramps.

  Once inside, she said, “He’s not going to like it, but we need to get the EMTs over here. He’ll need an X-ray, but I don’t want to risk moving him ourselves.”

  “I’m with you one hundred percent.”

  Her questioning gaze met his. “What about your flight?”