Taryn took a deep breath and pulled her hand free to swipe at a wayward tear. “I don’t know why we’re having this conversation anyway. Cash will be going back to Dallas soon. And, if everything goes according to plan, I’ll be settling in at All Geared Up.” She downed the rest of her hot chocolate. “Doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy his company right now.” Because she really did like spending time with him. Liked the way he made her feel. As though she really was special.
“No, it doesn’t.” Her friend smiled. “I just don’t want you selling yourself short and closing the door to anything God might have planned for you. Because while you may not believe it, you deserve to be loved.”
Chapter Fourteen
Over the past week, Cash had carved out a nice little routine. Up early, he’d fix breakfast for himself and Gramps before settling into his makeshift office. He had his laptop and his phone, and since his assistant mailed him the paperwork he’d left on his desk at Coble Trailers, he was caught up. Possibly for the first time ever.
Of course, he didn’t have his father barging into his office at least five times a day, either. Maybe he should have considered working from home a long time ago.
Then there were the evenings spent with Taryn. They were undeniably his favorite part of the day. She’d had dinner with them every night since Gramps got home, usually preparing the meal, whether heating up something others had brought or whipping up her own dish. Cash liked helping her in the kitchen. Liked seeing her at the end of the day. Liked everything about her.
Gramps was improving faster than Cash expected, though. Which meant Cash would be leaving sooner rather than later. But, for now, the old man still needed him, and Cash wasn’t about to let him down.
While his grandfather settled in for his afternoon nap in his recliner, Cash made himself comfortable on the couch and enjoyed the fire. One of many things he’d miss about Ouray.
Phone in hand, he pulled up the Bible app he’d downloaded forever ago but hadn’t used nearly enough. He’d gone to church again yesterday. This week the pastor focused on the verse from the book of Matthew that talked about seeking God first and then allowing Him to take care of all the other stuff. Cash had heard that verse all his life, even singing a song about it when he was a kid. Though he’d never really grasped what it said until Pastor Dan talked about it.
One thing was for sure. The amount of seeking Cash had done in the last fifteen years would fit into a thimble. Yeah, he was always asking God for stuff, but to genuinely seek Him and entrust every aspect of life to Him? It had been a long time.
Something he needed to change. Starting now.
His phone vibrated in his hand and his dad’s name appeared on the screen. Good thing he’d made a habit of turning off the ringer whenever Gramps was asleep. Standing, he moved from the living room through the kitchen and into the laundry room, closing the door behind him.
“Hello.”
“Did you get that quote off to Jurikson Motors?”
Less than an hour after it came in. Man, the older his father got, the more crass he became.
“Hello, Cash. How’s it going? Oh, pretty good. How ’bout yourself, Dad?” He closed the lid on the washing machine.
“Sorry. Guess I did sorta fly off the handle there.”
“Sorta?”
“Yeah, well...” His father grumbled.
Cash leaned against the dryer. “To answer your question, though, yes. It was sent before ten-thirty their time. Why? Didn’t they get it?”
“I don’t know. I got some message to call them regarding a quote, so I just wanted to make sure.” The man really needed to lighten up.
Hmm...sounded like Cash was channeling Taryn.
He grinned. “Did you go see the babies this weekend?”
“Sure did.” Was that a smile he heard in his father’s voice? “Cute little fellas. Patrick’s just about bustin’ at the seams with pride over them two.”
Sounded to Cash like Patrick wasn’t the only one.
“That reminds me, Patrick’s folks are due in today, so it looks like your mother should be able to take your place in a couple of days.”
“A couple—?” Cash nearly choked on the words. The muscles in his neck knotted. He wasn’t ready to leave. Things were going so well here. He was doing so well.
“I’ll let her give you all the details on her arrival. It sure will be good to have you back here, son.”
Good for whom? Certainly not Cash.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Okay, Dad. I need to go. I’ll talk to you later.” Returning to the kitchen, he dropped into one of the vinyl chairs. God, why are You sending me back now?
He glanced at his phone. When the call ended, it had gone back to the app he’d opened before. Matthew 6:33 stared up at him.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
“Okay, God. You win.” Cash had been doing things his way for far too long. Maybe if he did things God’s way, he wouldn’t be so miserable. Besides, God had thwarted his plans to leave twice before. Now Cash could only pray He’d do it again.
* * *
More than a week had passed since Taryn turned in her loan application and she had yet to hear anything. To say she was getting antsy would be an understatement. So when she left All Geared Up at four o’clock on Monday afternoon, she hopped into her Jeep and headed straight for the bank, praying Cam was still in.
The sun had dipped below Twin Peaks, bathing the town in shadows. A chill ran through her as she parked and hurried up the bank steps.
“You looking for Cam?” Patsy eyed her as soon as she walked into the lobby.
“As a matter of fact, I am. Is he in?”
Patsy pointed toward his office. “Sure is. You can go on in.”
Taryn’s palms grew sweaty as she approached the stuffy room. Cam was hunched over his desk, reading glasses perched on the end of his nose, as he stared at his computer. Her pulse raced. She rapped on the door with her knuckles.
His bald head popped up. “Taryn. I was just about to call you. Come on in.”
As she sat on the edge of the chair opposite his desk, he moved to close the door. “Little nippy out there today, isn’t it?”
She peeled off her headband. “Better than last week.” At least now they were into double-digit temperatures.
Returning to his ever-creaking chair, he pulled out a file and scrubbed a hand over his face. “I hate to tell you this, Taryn, but your application has been denied.”
Her nervous smile flattened into a thin line. Her heart plummeted as her future evaporated right before her eyes. “Are...are you sure? That was an excellent package I gave you.”
“Yes, it was very well put together.” He removed his glasses. “However, you just don’t have enough capital to support such an undertaking.”
“Capital? So I have to have more money?”
“Or assets. You might consider a cosigner. Something that would garner you more financial backing.”
Her mind reeled, Cam’s words fading into the background. “I see.” She swallowed hard, feeling as though her world had been ripped apart. What was she supposed to do now? Standing, she reached for the doorknob.
“I’ll hang on to your application, Taryn. Just let me know what you’d like to do.”
What she’d like is to get out of here. Fast. She moved through the lobby as quickly as she could, though it still felt like slow motion. Was everyone looking at her? Did they all know that she’d been rejected?
Cold air slammed into her face as she blew through the lobby door, stinging her eyes. Tears formed. She would not cry. She would not—
A single tear spilled onto her cheek. She quickly swiped it away with a gloved finger. Pulling her headban
d back on, she trudged up the street. Where had she parked anyway?
She stopped. Did an about-face and strode back in the direction of the bank and sought refuge inside her Jeep. She shoved the key in the ignition and fired up the engine.
She slammed the vehicle into gear and started up Main Street. God, I thought this was what I was supposed to do. What You had called me to. She’d prayed long and hard before making the decision to move forward on this. Okay, maybe not so long, but definitely hard.
But did you wait for God to answer?
“Yes. No.” She let go a sigh. “Maybe.” She turned up Fifth Avenue. Why else would God have brought Cash into her life right when she was in need of a business plan?
She pulled up in front of her parents’ house. Lord, I’m floundering here. You know the desires of my heart. I have to start building my own life. Show me what You want me to do.
Her head ached. She got out of the vehicle, eyeing the light in the window next door. She really wanted to see Cash. Maybe he could help her make sense of things.
She quickly retrieved Scout, hugging her against her chest, and went next door.
The sky was turning dark when Cash’s happy face greeted her. Though his smile quickly faded. “Uh-oh. What’s wrong?”
That was all it took. Nuzzling her nose into the fur on Scout’s neck, she lost it. The floodgates opened and Taryn was a teary, snotty mess.
She turned away, but he caught her by the arm. “No. Don’t look at me.”
Ignoring her, he pulled her into his arms and held her close.
Scout protested, so Cash took the fidgety pup and set her inside the house.
“You should go in, too,” Taryn said as he held her once again. “It’s freezing out here.”
“I don’t know. You feel pretty warm to me.” He rested his chin atop her head, his hands moving up and down her back. “So, are you going to tell me what’s wrong?”
With a giant, very unfeminine sniff, she pulled free and dug out a tissue from her pocket. She blew her nose, another not-so-ladylike move, and regained her composure.
He watched her, arms folded across his chest. “Better?”
She nodded and tucked the tissue back where it came from.
“Would you prefer to continue this conversation out here or go in the house?”
“We can go in.”
After ditching her coat and greeting Mr. Jenkins, Taryn followed Cash into the kitchen. Seemed they spent most of their time there lately.
He pulled out a chair for her, scraping it across the worn sheet vinyl. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“No. I’m just being a ninny.”
“Well—” he eased into the chair beside her, his grin making her want to throw herself back into his arms “—you’re the cutest ninny I’ve ever seen.”
“Hardly.” She wiped both hands across her face. “I probably look a mess.”
“Never.” He took hold of her hands. “Now, what’s going on?”
“The bank turned down my loan.” She was definitely making progress. She got the words out without a single sob, whine or tear.
“Aw, Taryn...I’m sorry.” His thumbs caressed her knuckles. “Did they say why?”
“I don’t have enough collateral. Or did he say capital?”
“Doesn’t matter. I understand what they’re getting at.”
“I don’t know what I’m going to do, Cash. I wanted this so bad.” Her head dropped.
“Why?”
“Why what?”
He tucked a finger under her chin and tilted it until she looked at him. “Why do you want All Geared Up?”
“Because I want something that belongs to me. I mean...I still live at home, I work three different jobs—”
“As do a lot of people in Ouray.”
“I suppose.” She grabbed a paper napkin off the table and twisted it in her fingers. “But I need a life. And I really like All Geared Up. I don’t want to see someone buy it and turn it into another gift shop. It’s important to me.”
Cash cocked his head, his gaze never leaving her. “Did the loan officer mention anything about a cosigner?”
“Yes.”
“Well, what about your folks? Do you think they’d be willing?”
“I don’t know.” She looked into his green eyes so warm and caring. “At this point, they aren’t even aware I want to buy All Geared Up. Let alone that I went to the bank.”
“How come you never told them?”
She shrugged. “I was afraid they’d try to talk me out of it.” Despite a relatively good relationship, she wasn’t exactly in the habit of sharing the important things in her life with her parents.
“Remember in church last week when Pastor Dan talked about God’s approval versus man’s approval?”
“Yeah.” She tore the napkin into tiny strips.
“Sometimes we have to exercise a little bit of faith. If God wants you to have All Geared Up, He’ll make it happen, Taryn. But I really think you should talk to your parents.”
Probably not a bad idea. “I’ll think about it.” She stood and crossed to the trash bin. She deposited the sacrificial napkin.
Scout trotted into the kitchen and bounced at Taryn’s feet.
“What are you doing, baby?” She picked up the dog and gave her a squeeze. “Has Mr. Jenkins been feeding you treats?”
Scout licked her cheek.
“Speaking of eating...” Cash stood. “I hope you’ll grace us with your company again.”
“Hmm...what’s on the menu?” Something did smell yummy.
He moved past her. “Believe it or not, I already have dinner squared away.”
“Really?” She nuzzled Scout with her cheek. She’d been in charge of their meals most nights, a role she’d grown quite fond of, taking care of these two magnificent men.
“Lasagna is already in the oven.” He flipped on the oven light to prove his point.
“Nice.”
“I put it in right before you rang the bell.” He gestured to the counter then. “And to go with it, I’ve got salad and garlic bread.”
She couldn’t help smiling. “Well, aren’t you the picture of domesticity.”
“That would be a big negative.” He inched closer and rubbed Scout’s head. “But will you please stay anyway?”
She looked up at him, knowing she was going to be an absolute mess when he went back to Dallas. “Sure. Why not.”
* * *
Cash crawled into the old iron bed after another enjoyable evening. This past week had been a far cry from his nights in Dallas. Those were usually spent at the office, eating some sort of takeout while he continued to work until he could hardly keep his eyes open.
He was glad he’d been able to cheer Taryn up. He didn’t like to see her so upset. And it took all the restraint he had not to offer to help her financially. He could do that in a heartbeat. And a week ago, he probably would have. Now he knew he needed to talk to God first and find out what He wanted before offering anything.
He closed his eyes. So what do You say, God? You already know the situation. Is Taryn buying All Geared Up part of Your plan? If it’s not, please reveal that to her and give her peace. But if it is, am I supposed to have a part in it? Should I offer to help her? Maybe he could be a silent partner. At least that would give him a reason to come back to Ouray more often.
His eyes opened and he stared into the blackness. I’m falling in love with her, Lord. Could it be that You want her in Dallas? With me?
Now he was putting thoughts into God’s head. He rolled over and fluffed his pillow. He never would have guessed he could change so much in just a few short weeks. I don’t want to go back to the man I was. Help me, Lord.
What he wouldn’t
give to live in Ouray. To have the kind of life he used to dream of, back when he used to dream. Are You there, God?
Stupid. He knew God was there, listening.
Maybe that’s what he needed to do. Shut up and listen.
I’m here, God, whenever You’re ready to lay something on me. Today, tomorrow...I’ll be listening.
Chapter Fifteen
Taryn made sure she was up and ready to join her parents for breakfast Tuesday morning. She’d fallen asleep last night praying the Lord would give her the right words to say when she approached them about cosigning. But her nerves were still getting the best of her. Which was kind of weird since, overall, she had a good relationship with her parents. Still, she did have a tendency to hold back whenever she thought they might not approve.
“Hey, princess.” Her dad was sitting at the table when she walked into the kitchen. His silver hair had that still-wet sheen. “Isn’t it kind of early for you?”
“No.” She kissed his freshly shaven cheek. “Just for Scout. She’s still crashed in my bed.” She continued to the coffeemaker, poured a cup and added some hazelnut creamer before joining her father at the table.
“Care for some oatmeal, honey?” Her mom was still in her robe, heating up breakfast for herself and Dad. Their cholesterol level must be outstanding.
“No, thanks.” Cradling the warm cup in her hands, she took a sip of the steaming brew. “I would like to talk to you guys about something, though.”
Her father folded the newspaper he’d been reading and set it on the table. “What’s up?”
Her mom joined them, carrying two bowls. She set one in front of Dad, then took her seat next to him. “Okay, I’m all ears.”
Here goes nothing. “I want to buy All Geared Up.”
Her parents looked at each other. That silent exchange between parents that’s like a language only they understand.
Her dad stirred a spoonful of sugar into his oatmeal. “When did you decide this?” His voice was firm yet calm. Making her even more nervous.
“A few weeks ago.” She ran a finger around the rim of her mug. “I’ve already turned in my loan application to Cam.”
Rescuing the Texan's Heart Page 15
