Her mom started to take a bite then stopped. “Without telling us?”
“I’m sorry, Mom.” She shrugged. “But I was afraid that you might try to talk me out of it. This was something I needed to do on my own.”
“So why do you suddenly want to buy a business?” Her dad scooped his first bite.
“All Geared Up isn’t just any business. It fits me. I mean, who knows more about what the outdoor enthusiast likes than an outdoor enthusiast?” She lifted her cup. “Besides, I’m thinking about my future. You and Mom don’t want me living with you forever. I’ll be able to live in one of the apartments over the store.”
“And the other one?” her father asked.
“Rent it out. See? Automatic income.” She took a drink.
“But we love having you with us.” Her mother pouted.
“Mom, it’s okay. I’ll only be around the corner. Besides, I’ll need you to help me decorate and furnish it.”
That made her mother smile.
“Has your loan been approved?” Her dad’s blue eyes met hers.
“Not exactly.” She set her mug on the table. “Seems I don’t have enough collateral. Which is why I wanted to talk to you.” She took a deep breath. “Would you guys be willing to cosign for me?”
Her dad looked at her mom and vice versa.
He left his spoon in the bowl and leaned back in his chair. “Owning a business is a huge commitment. You’ve seen how many people have set up shop over the years, only to be gone after one season.”
“And what about your climbing?” There was that question again. Except her mother punctuated it with another pout.
“I’ll still climb. I just won’t guide anymore.”
“But you love being a guide.”
“I know, but I can’t do it forever.”
She addressed her father. “All Geared Up is a thriving business with a proven record. I don’t plan to do anything that would jeopardize that.”
Leaning forward, her dad rested his elbows on the oak table. “Your mother and I will need to pray about this and take a look at our finances.” He looked straight at Taryn. “I assume you’ve prayerfully committed this to the Lord?”
“I’ve been praying, yes.” Though she couldn’t exactly say that she’d committed it. More like grabbed the ball and ran with it. Still, she felt God had a hand in this.
“All right, then.” Her dad picked up his spoon again and sent Taryn a wink. “I guess we’ll just see what the Lord has to say.”
“Thank you, Dad.” She should have known they’d be willing to at least consider cosigning for her. And talking to them wasn’t nearly as bad as she’d feared. Actually, she was glad she’d discussed this with them.
Maybe there are some other things you should discuss with them.
She shook her head. Her past was another matter altogether.
The sound of tiny paws bounding down the stairs caught her attention.
“Sounds like somebody’s finally awake.” She twisted in her chair to see her baby running toward her, smiling. Yes, Scout was definitely smiling.
The dog pranced from person to person, wiggling and waggling on her way to the back door.
Her mom and dad both greeted her with a pat.
“Ready to go outside?” Taryn stood, cup in hand, and moved to the door. Cold air sifted into the room when she opened it.
“You climbing today?” Her mother glanced her way.
Taryn headed for the coffeepot for a refill. “Hopefully. Joel wanted me to come in and help him inspect some of the gear.”
But you love being a guide.
Her mother’s comment played through her mind as she stirred creamer into her drink. Why were so many people questioning her decision to give up guiding?
Leaning against the counter, she took a sip. She really did love being a guide. Teaching people to overcome their fears, encouraging them to break out of their comfort zone and push themselves harder. Sometimes it was almost like a therapy session, teaching families and friends to trust each other and work together.
Yeah, she’d miss that.
Climbing meant a lot to her. Had helped her heal. Empowered her to press on and understand that life is a journey not a destination. And she was passionate about sharing that with others.
Could she really give that up?
If she bought All Geared Up, she’d have to.
She shoved away from the counter. Or maybe not.
What if All Geared Up offered climbing clinics? Rock climbing in the summer, ice climbing in the winter. Kind of an introduction to climbing. And if she marketed them just right, she could pull in people who might not have ever considered climbing.
Excitement bubbled inside her. This could actually work.
* * *
A bluesy piano riff echoed from Cash’s phone Wednesday morning. Sitting at his desk, he hit Send on his first email of the day before answering. His mother’s call could only mean one thing.
She was on her way.
“Hey, Mom.” He leaned back in the wooden captain’s chair.
“Hi, honey. I’m at my gate and my flight is on time, so I should be at the house about two this afternoon.”
Cash fingered a small stack of papers. He knew his mother was eager to see firsthand how Gramps was doing, but he still couldn’t help wishing she’d held off another day or two. “Do you need me to pick you up at the airport?”
“No, you stay with your grandfather. I’ll grab a rental. I’ll want my own car once you’re gone anyway.”
Gone. It sounded so final.
“Okay. Well—” he rubbed the back of his neck “—I guess we’ll see you when you get here then.”
Standing, he set his cell back on the table and joined his grandfather in the living room. “That was Mom. She says she’ll be here about two.”
“Hope she’s got lots of pictures of those young’uns.” Gramps peered up at him from his recliner.
“I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that.” He wouldn’t be surprised if his mother had filled an entire scrapbook already.
“Guess this means you’ll be leaving soon.”
Cash dropped into the chair on the other side of the fireplace. “Unless you can come up with a way to keep me here.”
Gramps shook his head. “I’m not falling off any more ladders.”
They both laughed. Something Cash was glad they were able to do, considering how frightening the ordeal had initially been.
The old man’s folded hands lay atop his turtle-shell brace. “Cash, I’ve seen a remarkable change in you since you’ve been here.”
“Me, too.” He’d come a long way in the last three weeks. And he liked the man he’d become. He didn’t want to be the workaholic Cash anymore. Yet he feared that was exactly what would happen once he returned to Dallas. “I hate to leave.”
“Well, maybe you can get back here a little more often. We’re just a plane ride away whenever you need to fill your Ouray tank.”
“I know.” He rose and grabbed two logs from the bin on the hearth. “And next time, I’m definitely flying into Montrose.” Opening the glass doors, he laid the wood atop the dwindling flames. They sparked, a puff of smoke drifting into the room.
“Lot quicker.” Gramps’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m gonna miss having you around.”
Cash closed the doors and returned to his seat. “Why does life have to be so complicated, Gramps?”
“I wish I knew, son.” The old man paused as though carefully choosing his words. Odd, since he usually spoke his mind. His brow furrowed. “You’re not happy in Dallas, are you, Cash?”
“No, sir. Though I don’t think I realized it until after you fell and I really allowed myself to settle in here.”
He pulled the lever to bring up the footrest. “Things are just different in Ouray. People actually take the time to enjoy life.”
Gramps retrieved his coffee cup from the side table. Took a drink. “You were able to work from here these last couple weeks. Maybe you could do that permanently, just fly back to Dallas every now and then.”
“You make it sound so easy.” He rubbed his thumbs across the velvety fabric on the arms of the chair. “And while I could see it working, Dad would never go for it. You know how many times he’s called me.”
“Well, then...I guess your only choice is to do what you have to do and let God take care of the rest.”
“Yeah, I just wish He’d work a little faster.” Suddenly restless, he dropped the footrest, crossed to his work area and picked up his own cup.
“Sounds like somebody needs to pray for patience.”
“Already did,” he hollered over his shoulder on his way to the kitchen for a refill.
“Where’s Taryn today?” Gramps asked when he returned. “She climbing?”
“Yeah.” He paused beside the old man. “She should be by tonight.”
The old man stared across the room at nothing in particular. “I believe saying goodbye to her is going to be your greatest challenge.”
Cash looked out the window to the house next door. Leaving Taryn was going to be the hardest thing he’d ever done. “I really like her, Gramps.”
“I know you do. And I’m thinkin’ she feels the same way about you.”
“Perhaps.” He wandered to the other side of the room and watched out the front window. “But she’s said more than once that she’ll never set foot in Texas again.”
“Maybe she hasn’t had the right incentive.”
He took a sip, eyeing the snow-covered Amphitheater. “I don’t know.”
“Back in my day they used to say that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Maybe she’ll have a change of heart after you’re gone.”
He faced his grandfather now. “Can you add that to your prayer list?”
Gramps sent him two thumbs-up. “You got it.”
Cash returned to his computer. He still had work to do. Though how much he’d actually accomplish remained to be seen.
“When are you planning to leave?”
He ran a finger over the touch pad. Highlighted an email. “I don’t know. I need to check flights, see what’s available.” He put his cup on the table and sat down. “But I’m not going to rush. Week’s half over, so I may as well wait until this weekend.”
“Now you’re talking.” Gramps uprighted his chair and slowly pushed to his feet. “Enjoy a few more days in Ouray.” He shuffled toward Cash. “Maybe you can even get Taryn to take you climbing again.”
He looked up at the man. “That sounds like a plan.”
* * *
Taryn bounded down the oak staircase of her parents’ house. Late getting home from her climbing gig, she grabbed a quick shower and changed clothes. For whatever reason, she was even more excited about spending time with Cash tonight. She’d grown fond of their nightly ritual. Dinner, maybe cards, dominoes or some TV. Stuff other people might think boring. But with Cash, everything was fun.
“Do you have a minute?” Her father stopped her at the bottom step. “Your mother and I would like to talk to you.”
“Um...sure. Yeah. Okay.” She glanced at her watch. Five forty-five. Mr. Jenkins didn’t like to eat late.
“It won’t take long.” Her mother looked nervous.
They gathered in the living room, Taryn perched on the edge of the wing-back chair while her folks sat side by side on the leather sofa.
“What’s going on?” She’d rarely seen her parents this somber.
“This...is very hard to say.” Her dad cleared his throat, a sure sign he was troubled. “We’re not going to be able to cosign the loan for you.”
“Oh.” She kept a straight face, but inside she was falling to pieces. Her parents were her last hope. Without their help, her dream of owning All Geared Up, no matter how short-lived, was gone. Just like every other dream.
“I was prepared to say yes until I delved deeper into our finances.” Her dad shook his head. “We just can’t do it right now, Taryn.”
She stared at her hands. “I understand.” If they couldn’t afford it, they couldn’t afford it. But the pain was still there.
“Perhaps this is God trying to nudge you in a different direction.” Her mom sent her a woeful smile. “Honey, I’m not sure All Geared Up is right for you. I mean, if it’s a place of your own you want, why don’t you look into buying a house or a condo?”
How was a house going to take care of her in her old age? Provide an income when she could no longer guide? She shook her head. How could she expect her mother to understand? She had Dad to take care of her. Taryn had no one. She’d always be alone. Whatever dreams she had of a husband or family died in Texas.
But they didn’t know that.
She looked at the two wounded people across from her. Her parents would do anything to help her. Telling her no was difficult for them. No matter how much she ached, she wouldn’t add to their distress.
She stood and crossed to her father. “It’s okay, Dad. Really.” She hugged him. Maybe, deep down inside, she knew her parents would say no. Not to hurt her, but because they truly weren’t able to help.
“I’ll figure something out.” She released him. “If God wants it to happen, I know it’ll happen.” She said the words with much more conviction than she felt. Forgive me, Lord. But I don’t want them to feel bad.
She scooped up Scout, who’d been clinging to her since she got home. She’d gotten used to going next door every night, too.
“Think about what I said.” Her mother sent her a pleading look.
“I will.” She knew better, but she had to put on a good face. “Now, I really need to get next door.”
Her mom sniffed. “Spending the evening with Cash again?” When it came to love, the woman shifted gears faster than any race car driver.
“And his grandfather.” She started for the door, suddenly more eager to escape than to see Cash.
Outside, she gulped for air, trying to hold herself together. She did not want Cash to see her crying again. God, I thought You’d presented this opportunity just for me. Now it seems almost impossible.
She set Scout on the ground. “You need to take care of business, baby.” Scout tiptoed through the snow, looking for just the right spot.
Hands burrowed in her pockets, Taryn glanced at Mr. Jenkins’s house. A car she hadn’t seen before sat in the driveway. They’d had a lot of visitors lately. Considering her mood, perhaps she should wait.
She shivered.
Or not.
“Come on, Scout. Let’s go see Cash.” She could keep it together. She had to.
Tail wagging, the dog scampered ahead of her, straight up the front steps.
Taryn knocked on the door.
A split second later it opened.
A woman smiled through the glass. Her blond hair was cut in a layered bob and her green eyes were all too familiar.
She pushed open the storm door. “Taryn. How nice to see you again.”
Scout planted all fours firmly on the porch and barked at Cash’s mom.
“You must be Scout.” The woman knelt and held out her hand. “Aren’t you the cutest thing? I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Scout sniffed, wagged her tail then trotted inside, as usual.
Taryn followed. “When did you get here, Elise?”
Cash’s mother hugged her. “A few hours ago.” She shut the door behind Taryn.
“I was hoping that was you.” Cash sauntered down the stairs, his dimples carved deep into each cheek.
Turning,
Taryn looked from Cash to his mother and back again. With Elise here, that meant...
Cash was leaving.
The emotions she’d been battling clogged her throat. She swallowed hard. She had to get out of here. And the sooner the better.
Scout zoomed across the room just then and bounced at Cash’s feet.
He picked her up. “Nice to know somebody missed me.” He scratched under her chin, his gaze riveted to Taryn, as though wondering if she’d missed him, too.
Elise crossed to her father. Standing behind him, she laid her hands on his shoulders. “I can’t thank you enough, Taryn. I understand you’ve been taking good care of these two gentlemen.”
“It was nothing.” She shrugged.
“Don’t listen to her, Mom.” Cash set Scout on the floor and placed his hand in the small of Taryn’s back, urging her farther into the room. “We would have been lost without her.”
“That’s for sure.” Mr. Jenkins welcomed Scout into his lap. “You’ve been good medicine for both of us, Taryn.”
“Dinner’s almost ready.” Elise smiled. “Please say you’ll join us.”
“Oh, well, I...I should be going. I’m sure you all have lots of catching up to do.” She started to turn, but Cash grabbed hold of her hand. When she looked up at him, confusion and disappointment marred his features.
“Nonsense.” Mr. Jenkins waved a hand through the air. “You’re like one of the family.”
Elise approached, her eyes darting from Cash to Taryn. “Now I feel like I’m scaring you away.” The woman’s gaze settled on Taryn. “Please stay. I was hoping we could chat.”
Taryn looked into Elise’s warm green eyes. This family had a way of drawing her in.
“Okay.”
* * *
Something wasn’t right.
Cash had observed Taryn all night. And while she may have smiled and laughed with them over dinner and dominoes, there was a sadness in the depths of her blue eyes. Now, as they sat in the living room, he was still hard-pressed to figure out why.
“Well, I guess I’ve had enough excitement for today.” Gramps shoved out of his recliner, turned off the lamp on his side table and shuffled in the direction of his bedroom. “Good night, everyone.”
Rescuing the Texan's Heart Page 16
