Rescuing the Texan's Heart

by Mindy Obenhaus

  For a moment he’d forgotten about getting back to Dallas. But did she really think he would leave when Gramps was hurt?

  “Forget about my flight. I’m not going anywhere until I know he’s okay.”

  Chapter Ten

  Taryn had really hoped to get to the bank this morning. She still couldn’t believe Cash had put together that entire business plan for her. And he’d done an amazing job. She’d gotten up early to make what few changes needed to be made, then she’d planned to print out the document and drop her entire package off with Cam at the bank later today.

  But that was before Cash’s grandfather fell. Now she followed the ambulance to Montrose Memorial Hospital. Mr. Jenkins was more important than any business venture. She had to know how he was doing.

  Cash had opted to ride in the ambulance. And who could blame him? After the way she treated him last night, she was surprised he’d called her. Then again, it wasn’t like he had many options. She was the only person in town he really knew.

  Except he didn’t really know her, did he? Nobody but Blakely did.

  Boy, could she use her friend’s input right now. On second thought...she never held back when it came to Blakely. When Trent came back into her life, Taryn had pushed and prodded, wanting her friend to see the big picture. And Blakely would likely do the same to her.

  Yep, it was a good thing that Blakely was on a beach somewhere in Florida with her husband, instead of pointing Taryn in directions she really didn’t want to go. She didn’t deserve a man like Cash.

  Both hands on the steering wheel, she continued north on Highway 550 as fast as she dared.

  Some guy really did a number on you. How had Cash figured that out? She’d spent most of the night pondering that and still didn’t have any answers.

  She shrugged off the memory as Montrose Memorial came into view. She snagged the first parking place she could find and hurried to meet the ambulance.

  The EMTs had put a neck brace on Mr. Jenkins before transferring him to a backboard. Something he was even less happy about than the ambulance. At least he seemed to listen to her when she explained why it was necessary.

  She really loved that old man.

  Cash was right beside the gurney as they wheeled his grandfather through the automatic doors, past the waiting area and straight to an examination room.

  Taryn paused at the doors that divided the waiting room from the treatment area. As much as she would have liked to go with them, she felt it wasn’t her place. She wasn’t family.

  The doors were almost shut, when they suddenly opened again.

  Cash took a step toward her. “Aren’t you coming?”

  Her heart swelled. Whether he wanted her there or simply understood how much she cared, she didn’t know. But he needed her, despite the way she’d rejected, perhaps even hurt, him last night. For that, she was grateful.

  Antiseptic smells drifted around her as she followed Cash down the long hallway. Inside the small triage unit, the EMTs relayed the necessary information to the hospital medical team.

  “Mr. Jenkins, on a scale of one to ten, ten being the worst, what’s your level of pain?” A nurse checked the old man’s IV line.

  “Nine.”

  “Do you have any allergies?” A second nurse tore open a syringe packet.

  “No.” The old man’s voice was raspy.

  Standing in the corner of the room, Cash watched the frenzy of activity, looking like a scared little boy.

  Taryn closed the space that separated them, slipped her hand in the crook of his arm and gave it a squeeze.

  He looked at her hand first then her face. He smiled, tentative, but enough to let her know he was glad for the support.

  Shoes squeaked against the polished floor as hospital personnel moved in and out of the room.

  A thin, dark-haired man approached them. “I assume you’re family.”

  “I’m his grandson.” Cash motioned to Taryn. “She’s a close family friend.”

  “We’ll need to do an MRI.” The doctor addressed both of them. “You’re welcome to accompany him.”

  “We’d like that.” Cash laid his hand atop hers, a move she refused to analyze right now. “Thank you.”

  A short time later, they sat quietly in the radiology waiting room.

  “This is my fault.” Cash pushed out of the brown upholstered chair and ran a hand over his face.

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Your grandfather’s doing stuff like that all the time. When he sees something that needs to be done, he does it.”

  “But I was supposed to do it.” He whirled toward her, his face red. “When it snowed the other day, he said he didn’t like the way the branch scraped against the house. I promised him I’d take care of it.” Dropping back into his chair, he leaned his head against the wall. “But I didn’t.”

  The pain in his eyes was almost palpable. How she wished she could take it away.

  “Cash, I can guarantee you that your grandfather does not blame you for what happened.”

  “You’re right. That’s not his way.” He looked at her now. “But I blame me.”

  She met Cash’s tender gaze. “I don’t think your grandfather would want you to do that. You know there’s this wonderful thing called forgiveness, right?”

  “Yes. But sometimes it’s easier to forgive others than it is to forgive ourselves.”

  Leaning back in her chair, she blew out a breath. “Don’t I know it.” She’d had plenty of practice.

  “I’m preaching to the choir, huh?” The corners of his mouth lifted. “So what have you done that’s so unforgivable?”

  * * *

  Cash watched Taryn’s face change. Her smile faltered. Her eyes lost their spark. His question had obviously struck a nerve. But why?

  She pushed to her feet. “I could really use a cup of coffee. Can I get you anything?” Her forced smile did little to hide whatever turmoil was going on inside.

  “Coffee would be great.”

  “Good.” She disappeared through the door, leaving him alone in the otherwise empty room.

  He recalled their post-dinner conversation last night. She’d said there were things about her he wouldn’t want to know. That he deserved better. At the time, he thought she was just trying to let him down easy. But now?

  He stared at the door. Something haunted her, all right. And he’d bet it had to do with a guy. Perhaps the one he’d alluded to last night. And he couldn’t help thinking that it had something to do with her time in Texas.

  So many questions. Yet they did little to diminish his feelings for her. Feelings that seemed to grow stronger every time they were together.

  His phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and looked at the screen. Dad.

  May as well get it over with. “Hello.”

  “Glad you finally decided to answer.”

  “What?” He wasn’t in the mood for his father’s interrogation.

  “I’ve been trying to call you. Have you made it to the airport yet?”

  This was not going to go over well. Though, at this point, he didn’t really care. “No, and it doesn’t look like I’m going to, either.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  He let go a frustrated sigh. “I’m at the hospital, Dad. Gramps fell off a ladder and hurt his back. They’re doing an MRI on him now.”

  “He shouldn’t be getting on a ladder at his age.”

  Pour salt in the wound, why don’t you. “I know that. But then, he’s not your typical ninety-year-old, either.” He stood and paced the small space.

  “I’ll give you that.” His father chuckled. “Hope I’m in as good shape when I’m his age.” He paused. “Have you told your mother yet?”

  Cash dreaded
the thought. The woman was a worrywart when it came to her father. “No. I wanted to wait until I knew the extent of his injury.”

  “That’s probably best.”

  “Yep.” But was his dad still going to demand he come back?

  “Well, we’ll hire a nurse to care for him once his injuries are determined, then we’ll get you on a plane right away. Tomorrow, if possible.”

  “What? Are you crazy? There’s no way I’m leaving tomorrow.”

  Silence filtered through the line.

  “Come on, Dad. Be reasonable. What would Mom say if I left in such a hurry?”

  “Yeah, I reckon you’re right. We can wait ’til this weekend.”

  Cash heaved out a sigh. The man was exasperating. “I can’t talk right now. I’ll call you later.” He buried the phone in his pocket. There was no way Cash was going to let the man pressure him into coming back any sooner than necessary.

  The door opened and Taryn breezed in with two cardboard-sleeved cups. “I got you a caramel latte.” Her usually bubbly disposition seemed to have returned.

  Rubbing the back of his neck with one hand, he accepted the drink with the other. “Thank you.”

  She studied him a moment. “Are you okay?”

  “Not really.” He dropped into his chair. “My dad just called.”

  “I see.” She settled beside him once again. “What did he say?”

  “He’s still expecting me to come back right away. And get this. He wants to hire someone to take care of Gramps.”

  “Well...” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “What are your plans for going back?”

  “I don’t know.” He raked a hand through his hair. “At this point, I’m going to have to wait and see.” He took a sip. “Mmm... This is good.”

  She smiled. “I remembered you ordering a caramel latte at Mouse’s the other night, so I took a chance.”

  “Well, I’m glad you did.” Before he could second-guess the move, he clasped her free hand in his. “Thank you for being here.”

  She looked at him, her expression earnest. “Your grandfather is very important to me.”

  “And what about me? Am I important to you?” He sensed her trying to pull away, but he held fast.

  She took a deep breath. Met his gaze. “Yes. I just wish things were simpler.”

  “Mr. Coble?”

  He looked at the technician across the room.

  Rotten timing.

  “Your grandfather did great. If you’d like to follow me, we’ll be moving him to a temporary room.”

  * * *

  The aroma of dinner lingered in the air as Cash paced the hallway outside his grandfather’s room. For hospital food, that roast beef Gramps had sure looked good. Cash’s stomach growled now; the sandwich Taryn had brought him for lunch was a distant memory.

  “He has a broken back, Mom.” He pressed the phone against his ear. “A compression fracture.”

  “Oh, no. Is he going to need surgery?”

  “No.” Surgery would be rough on someone Gramps’s age. “He’ll have to wear a specially made brace for several weeks, though.”

  “Bless his heart, he’s not going to like that.”

  “Probably not. But it beats the alternative.” Of course, if you had taken care of the branch in the first place, like you promised, Gramps wouldn’t be here at all.

  “Poor Dad.”

  A woman wearing brightly colored scrubs smiled as she moved past him, pushing one of those carts they use to check blood pressure and such.

  He leaned against the handrail. “They said if everything goes okay, he can go home on Friday. But even then, he’s not going to be able to live by himself for a while.”

  “Oh, Cash.” Distress laced his mother’s tone. “I don’t know what to do. Megan could deliver any day and there’s no one else who can stay with Annie Grace.”

  “Mom, it’s okay. I wasn’t asking you to come.” He knew she needed to be there for his niece.

  “Well...what are you going to do then?”

  Air whirred through the ventilation system overhead.

  “It’s my fault he fell, so I plan to stay here until he’s well enough to be on his own again.” A decision he’d made shortly before Taryn left.

  “Your fault? How can it be your fault?”

  He briefly explained.

  “Oh, Cash.”

  “Dad’s not going to be too thrilled about my decision, but between my phone and my laptop, I can work just as easily from here.”

  “Don’t you worry about your father. I can handle him. We’re all having to make sacrifices. He’s just going to have to deal with it.”

  Cash couldn’t help laughing. “I’d like to be a fly on the wall during that conversation.”

  “Oh, stop. Now, let me talk to your grandfather. That is, if he’s feeling up to it.”

  Cash stepped back into the room.

  Gramps fiddled with the controls on the bed. The poor guy had yet to find a comfortable position.

  “He’s a little groggy from pain meds, but his spirits are good.” Cash caught his grandfather’s eye. “Mom wants to talk to you.” He passed off the phone and pulled up a chair while they chatted.

  “They’re all making a fuss over me.” Gramps paused and listened. “Well, I don’t like it. Not one bit.” He paused again. “All right. Bye-bye.”

  He handed the phone back to Cash. “Don’t you think it’s about time for you to head on home?”

  “Nope. I’m staying here with you.”

  His grandfather’s brow furrowed. “You don’t have to do that.”

  “What, and miss out on a chance to sleep on that fold-out vinyl bed?” He gestured to the beige chair in the corner. “Besides, I don’t have a car. I rode in the ambulance with you, remember?”

  “You could have gone home with Taryn.”

  “I didn’t want to go home with Taryn. I want to stay here with you. However, I’m starting to get the impression you don’t want me here.”

  The old man frowned. “Of course, I do, son. I just don’t like putting you out. You’ve already been here longer than you planned. You should be back in Dallas.”

  He leaned closer. “Gramps, I can’t leave you.” Emotion filled his throat. He reached for his grandfather’s wrinkled hand lying atop the white blanket. “I’m sorry I didn’t take care of that branch. I said I would and...I let you down.”

  The old man’s grip tightened as a hint of a smile formed. “Cash, you could never let me down.”

  Suddenly, Cash felt like a little boy again. Tears stung the backs of his eyes. He blinked them away. “Can you ever forgive me?”

  “There’s nothing to forgive. I told you before, son, I don’t believe in coincidence. God has a reason for everything. We should just be thankful it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.”

  Cash sniffed. He was beyond thankful.

  Standing, he smoothed Gramps’s blanket and repositioned his pillows. “But for the foreseeable future, you’re stuck with me. Because this is exactly where I want to be.”

  Chapter Eleven

  What was wrong with her?

  Taryn had lost more sleep since Cash arrived in Ouray than ever before. And saying goodbye seemed to get more difficult every time. Yet she kept going back for more, even when she knew she’d end up with a broken heart.

  With Scout on her heels, she made her way into the kitchen Thursday morning, certain that she hadn’t fared any better in her own bed than Cash did on the vinyl fold-out job at the hospital. Did the kindhearted Texan have to consume her every thought?

  She poured herself a cup of coffee, added a splash of hazelnut creamer and leaned against the counter, her gaze drifting to Mr. Jenkins’s house. Good thing she had
stuff to do in Ouray today. Things that would not only keep her mind off Cash, but also prevent her from considering a trip to Montrose. Things like turning in her loan application and helping Buck with an order, followed by a guided-climbing gig.

  She sipped the steaming brew. Yes, busy was good.

  “Taryn, honey?” Her mother’s voice trailed down the hall. “There you are.” She strolled into the room. “Gage just called. He’s bringing Emma over. Poor thing has one of those nasty colds, so I said I’d keep her.”

  Taryn’s brother was a good father. Still, being a single dad was tough. And it was times like this when he really needed their help.

  “Poor kid.” Taryn pouted. “Wish I could stay and play with her, but I have to work.”

  Scout scratched at the back door.

  “Oops. Sorry, baby.” Taryn hurried across the room to let her out. “Maybe Scout can keep her company.”

  “Oh, Emma will love having Scout all to herself.”

  Taryn peered at her mother over the rim of her mug. “And Scout will enjoy all the attention.”

  The sun was bright and the temperatures mild as she loaded her gear into her Jeep. A few more days like this and they might actually be rid of some snow. But today, she needed to get to the bank. Though not without another passing glance next door. She couldn’t deny her attraction to Cash. If she made a list of qualities of her perfect man, Cash would probably fit every one on the list.

  She hopped into the vehicle and fired up the engine. But she was far from anybody’s perfect woman.

  Shaking off the depressing thought, she cruised down a wet and slushy Main Street. While her fingers kept rhythm with the praise song blaring from her speakers, she wondered how Mr. Jenkins was doing and prayed he’d had a restful night.

  She parked in front of the bank, waiting for the tune to end before she hurried inside. “Hi, Patsy.”

  “Hey, Taryn. What can we do for you today?”

  “Is Cam in?”

  “Yes, but he’s in a meeting.”

  “Oh.” She glanced around the lobby that seemed to be void of customers. Now what should she do?