Rescuing the Texan's Heart

The next message was from his sister.

Subject: Have a good time.

Enjoy your time in Ouray, big brother. You have no idea how jealous I am, but the doctor refuses to let me travel. Just as well. I feel like a beached whale. I still can’t believe I’m having twins.

Hug Gramps for me and give him my love.

Cash smiled. Prepregnancy, his little sister didn’t weigh a hundred pounds soaking wet. Now, based on the pictures his mother had shown him, she looked as if she’d swallowed a blimp.

Gramps took a seat across from him.

“Megan sends her love.”

The old man looked confused. “When did you talk to your sister?”

“Just now.” He turned the screen so his grandfather could see. “She sent me an email.”

“You gonna stare at that contraption the whole time you’re here?” Gramps pointed with his fork. “Folks seem practically glued to those things these days.”

“They do make staying in touch a lot easier. Email, text messaging—”

“What about a good old-fashioned phone call?”

Cash cleared his throat, fearful the comment had been directed at him. “They can do that, too. Hey, maybe we can FaceTime with Megan while I’m here. You’d be able to see her while you’re talking to her.”

The old man’s bushy white brows shot up. “Is that a fact?”

“Yes, sir.” Cash tucked his phone away, eyeing the fruit-filled pastry on his plate. “So, I take it Taryn does a lot of baking for you.”

Gramps swallowed his first bite. “She bakes for everybody. Says it’s therapeutic.”

“In that case—” Cash lifted his loaded fork “—I’m all for therapy.” The sweet, tart flavors burst onto his tongue. “Mmm... This is good.” He stabbed another bite. “Forgive me for saying this, but didn’t she used to be kind of a brat?”

His grandfather chuckled. “Taryn was a little too big for her britches, all right.”

“I recall her brothers complaining that she always got her way.”

“Well, she is the only girl.” Gramps rested his fork on his plate. “And a pretty one, at that. In case you hadn’t noticed.”

“Oh, I noticed.” A guy would have to be dead not to. “Didn’t I hear something about her leaving Ouray for a while?”

Nodding, Gramps cut another bite of pie with his fork. “Took off for college while the ink was still drying on her high school diploma.”

Cash grabbed a napkin from the owl-shaped holder on the table. Wiped his mouth. “Where’d she go?”

“Texas.”

“No kidding.”

“Finished her first semester, then told her folks she was taking some time off to think about what she wanted to do with her life.”

Cash hiked up the sleeves of his Henley a notch and grabbed another forkful. “That’s not unusual. Lots of kids get confused once they get to college.”

“I suppose.” Gramps studied his pie as if looking for answers. “’Cept Phil and Bonnie never knew where she was. About worried themselves sick.”

“You mean, she didn’t stay in touch?”

He shrugged. “On occasion. But anytime they offered to come see her or send money, she’d refuse.”

Cash immediately thought of the drugs so often prevalent in college towns. Then again, most druggies wouldn’t turn down a handout. They’d simply put it toward their next fix.

“Then one day, out of the blue, Taryn showed up back here.” Gramps shook his head. “Never said a word about what went on. Just that Ouray was where she belonged.”

“How long was she gone?”

The old man shrugged, going after another bite. “A year or so.”

That left a big gap of time. “And you don’t have any idea what happened to her?”

“None. And I don’t think her parents do, either.” Gramps pushed his half-empty plate aside then leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. His gaze bore into Cash. “But I do know that Taryn is no longer the self-absorbed girl we all remember. She’s a Godly woman.” Leaning back, he picked up his fork again. “One of the best mountain guides in town, too.”

“Mountain guide?”

“Hiking, rock climbing, ice climbing...” He wagged his fork through the air. “That’s her forte, you know.”

Cash absently rubbed his knee. All things he’d never be able to enjoy again.

Gramps scooped up another bite of pie. “She’s also on the Mountain Rescue Team.”

“What’s that?”

“A search and rescue team trained for our unique setting.” The old man grinned. “I even had the privilege of joining them on a mission last summer. One of our local boys fell into Chief Ouray Mine.”

Cash smiled at the old miner. “Let me guess, you had to navigate them through the mine?”

“Didn’t know that going out, but I went along, just in case.”

“Was the kid okay?” Cash finished his pie.

“A few scrapes and bruises.”

He picked up his empty plate and started toward the sink. “Sounds like Taryn’s an integral part of the community.” Which made him wonder why she had been so eager to leave in the first place. She’d obviously decided the big city wasn’t all glitz and glamour. But why had she stayed away so long?

Rinsing the dish, he contemplated his interaction with her. The way she seemed to bristle every time he said something that would flatter most women. And he wanted to know why.

Considering he was only in Ouray for a few days, unraveling the mystery of the girl next door seemed nearly impossible. Then again, it wasn’t like him to back down from a challenge. Especially one as intriguing as Taryn Purcell.

“Maybe that’ll give you two something to discuss tonight.”

He jerked his head toward his grandfather. “What’s tonight?”

“Bonnie and Phil Purcell invited us for dinner. Apparently the whole family is looking forward to seeing you.”

A gust of wind rattled the windows, drawing their attention outside.

“Looks like that front’s finally arrived.” Gramps stood with his plate. “Things are s’posed to turn mighty chilly.”

Given Taryn’s abrupt exit, Cash was certain of it.

* * *

Taryn paused at the front door, her hand on the antique bronze knob, while Scout barked behind her.

Cash is not Brian. And he is not interested in you. He’s a family friend. Just like his grandfather. Though considerably more handsome.

He called you darlin’.

She squeezed her eyes shut. Lord, please help me to be kind to Cash. I realize he did nothing wrong. That it’s my past with Brian that is causing me to behave so horribly.

“Are you going to open it, or let our guests freeze to death on the front porch?” Her big brother, Randy, stared down at her.

Since when did he pull himself away from the sports channel for anything but food?

“I’m warning you, Randy. If you say one thing to embarrass me...”

“Nah. I’ll leave that to Mom.” He nudged Taryn away from the door and turned the knob. “By the way, you look really nice tonight.”

Peering down at the soft blue, ultrafeminine sweater, she wished she’d gone with the bulky cable knit. She glared back at Randy with half a mind to wallop him. But their mother would never stand for it. After all, appearances were everything in Bonnie Purcell’s world.

Instead, Taryn picked up her dog, leaving her big brother to do the honors of greeting their guests while she made her way to the kitchen to help her mother and her sister-in-law, Amanda.

At least she’d bought herself a little time before she had to face Cash again. Strange to think that there was a time when she wouldn’t have felt the least bit guilty for treating someone so ugly. But she wasn’t that person anymore. And God had been prodding her all afternoon, letting her know what He required of her.

Still, she didn’t have to apologize in front of everyone. She’d wait for just the right opportunity. Even if it took all night.

“Yes. Absolutely you need to meet Cash.” Taryn’s mother motioned for Randy’s wife to follow and nearly plowed into Taryn at the kitchen door. “Where are you going?”

“The kitchen?”

Her mother whirled her back around. “Not until you’ve greeted our guests, you don’t. Now, go.” She all but shoved Taryn across the wooden flooring in the foyer.

Taryn hugged Scout a little closer. And so it begins.

“My goodness, Cash...” Her mom’s arms went wide as she approached. “It’s so good to see you again.”

Taryn kind of felt sorry for the guy when her mother embraced him like a long-lost son. She had to hand it to him, though. Cash didn’t look the least bit taken aback by the welcome. “It’s nice to be here. Thank you for inviting me.”

“Nonsense.” Her mom released him. “You’re like family.”

“How’s it going, Cash?” Her father stepped forward to shake his hand.

“Just fine, sir. Thank you.”

“There’s Gage,” her mom continued.

Taryn’s second brother waved from the adjacent living room, then gestured to the four-year-old in his arms. “This is my daughter, Emma, and—” he pointed to the golden-haired girl who had already latched onto Mr. Jenkins’s hand “—that’s Cassidy over there.”

Cash acknowledged them with a smile and a nod. “Girls.”

Randy snagged Amanda around the waist and inched her closer. “This is my wife, Amanda.”

“It’s nice to finally meet you.” She held out her hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Cash took hold. “All good, I hope.”

“For the most part.” Amanda and Randy exchanged a playful, loving glance. One that always made Taryn wonder if there was someone in this world who could love her like that. Completely and unconditionally. As though she was the only one who mattered.

“This is our son, Steven.” Randy hoisted the five-year-old into his arms.

“Hey there, champ.” Cash held up a high-five and Taryn’s nephew smacked it.

Everyone laughed, drowning out the basketball action blaring from the fifty-inch flat-screen in the living room.

Her mom grabbed Cash’s arm, turning him ever so slightly. “And here’s our little Taryn, all grown up.”

Everyone standing in front of her parted like the Red Sea, adding to her mortification.

Repeatedly stroking Scout’s wiry fur, she fought the urge to run screaming from the room as all eyes shifted to her. Including Cash’s.

His knee-buckling smile made it impossible to move, though. “Yes, we met earlier.”

Heat singed her cheeks, a rare occurrence for someone with her olive complexion. Still, she would bet that her cheeks were as red as the cherry jelly beans she’d bought to give to her nieces and nephew on Valentine’s Day.

“Oh...?” Interest sparked in her mother’s eyes. No way the woman with a penchant for matchmaking was letting that one sail by unnoticed.

“She brought some desserts over for Gramps. Which—” his attention shifted back to Taryn “—were really good.”

Mr. Jenkins cleared his throat. “Speaking of food, it sure smells good in here.” He shot Taryn a stealthy wink. At least someone had her back.

“Taryn makes the best stew you’ve ever tasted,” her mom boasted. “And her rolls are positively to die for.”

“Wait till you see the table decorations.” Desperate to shift the spotlight to someone else, Taryn continued, “Mom really outdid herself.”

Her mother half-heartedly waved off the compliment. “Oh, I just threw a few odds and ends together, that’s all.” Her gaze flitted to the dining room on the other side of the foyer. “But it did turn out quite nice.”

“Sounds like the Purcell women are a talented lot.” Cash’s gaze settled on Taryn, sending another wave of heat surging up her neck.

Unfortunately, she had not inherited her mother’s flair for decorating. She could probably manage a decent grouping of candles, but her mom knew how to make things look perfect.

“You simply find a way to cover up the flaws,” she always said.

Nuzzling a squirming Scout, Taryn thought about all the flaws in her life. The ones she’d worked so hard to cover up since returning to Ouray. Perhaps she was more like her mother than she thought. She had more scrapes and scars than the old hutch that was the focal point of Mom’s new kitchen.

She set the wiggling pup on the floor, wishing she, too, could escape.

“Phil, why don’t you take their coats while I get our guests something to drink.” Her mother’s attention shifted between Cash and his grandfather. “How about some hot spiced cider?”

“Cider sounds great, Mrs. Purcell.”

“There’s no need to be so formal, Cash. Call me Bonnie.”

“A hot drink would be just dandy.” Mr. Jenkins handed his jacket to her dad.

Six-year-old Cassidy caught her grandmother by the arm. “Nana, can you help me find the checkers so I can play with Mr. Jenkins?”

Her mom cupped Cassidy’s chin. “You bet, punkin’.”

Watching the tender exchange, Taryn couldn’t help wondering if her mom would have accepted—

She shook her head. No, her mother had made it perfectly clear.

No daughter of mine will have a child out of wedlock. If you ever do that to me, I’ll disown you.

Taryn understood, though. After all, her mother grew up as the illegitimate child of a scarlet woman. The last thing she wanted was to be the talk of the town.

“Taryn, honey—” her mother’s voice jerked her from her thoughts “—would you be a dear and get those refreshments while I help Cassidy?”

What? And hide from inquiring minds?

“Two ciders coming up.” The aroma of fresh-baked rolls made her stomach growl as she drew closer to the kitchen. She washed her hands then grabbed two mugs from the refurbished hutch, recalling how decrepit and unsightly the piece had been when her mother found it on somebody’s curb. Actually, it wasn’t even a hutch. More like someone’s old pie safe. But with some new glass and a couple coats of red paint...

Yep, Bonnie Purcell knew how to dress things up, no matter how battered and beyond help they seemed to the untrained eye.

But Taryn wasn’t a piece of furniture. She clutched the mugs to her chest and crossed the kitchen. If her mother ever learned the ugly truth of Taryn’s time in Texas, she’d be deemed unsalvageable. Which is why no one could ever know.

Lifting the lid on the pot of mulled cider, she savored the scent of cinnamon and cloves before ladling the steaming drink into the mugs.

“It smells great in here.” At the sound of Cash’s voice, she jumped, sending the metal ladle crashing to the floor. “Whoa. Hey. I’m sorry.” He knelt beside her to retrieve the utensil. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

She set the lid back into place, determined to regain her wits before looking at him. Though the woodsy scent of his cologne wasn’t doing much to help.

“I’m all right.” Retrieving the dish towel from the counter beside the stove, she wiped a drip from the first cup before handing it to him. “And if anyone needs to say they’re sorry, it’s me.” She took the ladle from him and dared to meet his puzzled gaze.

“You? Why?”

“I wasn’t the friendliest person earlier today.” She glanced past him to make sure no one else was coming. In particular, her mother, who would, no doubt, misconstrue their being alone in the same room.

“Taryn, I’ve met plenty of unfriendly people in my time and you are not one of them. A little flustered maybe.”

Flustered? He thought she was flustered?

“That’s what I get for teasing you, I suppose.”

“Teasing?” She dropped the towel on the counter, rinsed the ladle in the sink.

“About you following me and Randy around.” He sipped his drink. “Mmm. This ought to warm me up. It’s freezing out there.”

Her brain quickly retraced their earlier conversation.

How stupid could she be?

She set the ladle beside the stove. Of course Cash was teasing her. Just like he used to do when she was a kid. Just like her brothers still do. She’d just been so tuned in to what she interpreted as smarmy to realize the difference.

And now that she did, she wasn’t sure which was worse. The smooth-talking Cash or the Cash that still thought of her as a child.

Chapter Three

When the kids announced that it was snowing, Cash wanted to push away from Bonnie’s dining room table and hurry outside to enjoy the sight. After all, in Dallas, snow rarely lasted more than a few minutes. Good thing he remembered he was a grown-up, though. Otherwise, his hosts might have thought him a little crazy.

Nonetheless, he was pleased to see the white flakes still falling in the darkness when he and Gramps bid the Purcells farewell.

“Phil and Bonnie have done an impressive job of restoring that old home.” Cash glanced back at the gray Victorian. “That has to be some of the finest, most intricate millwork I’ve ever seen.”

“They done good, all right.” Despite the short walk, Gramps tugged on his nubby stocking cap and gloves. “Bonnie loves that sort of stuff.” He nudged Cash with his elbow. “I see you quit picking the celery out of your stew.”

Cash couldn’t help laughing. “It took me a while, but I finally got used to it. Just don’t expect me to eat it raw.”

“So noted.” The old man patted his now-protruding belly. “Yes, sir, that was one mighty fine meal.”

“You’ll get no argument from me. I can’t tell you the last time I ate that well.” He rubbed his own stomach, suddenly regretting that third roll. “Or that much.”

Gramps chuckled.

“By the way, thanks for giving me a heads-up on Gage’s wife.” His grandfather had shared how she’d taken off last year, leaving Gage to raise their two daughters alone. “The last thing I would have wanted was to create an awkward situation.”

“Which is exactly why I told you.” The old man started toward the back of the house.

“If you don’t mind—” Cash paused in the side yard “—I think I’ll stay out here for a bit and enjoy the snow.” Not to mention check email without the fear of reprimand.

“Suit yourself. I’ll be inside where it’s warm.”

“I won’t be long.” Especially since his “warm” coat didn’t seem quite as warm here as it did in Dallas. At least the wind had died down.

He pulled out his phone and aimed the camera at a streetlight in a way that highlighted the falling snow. Satisfied with the shot, he forwarded it to his sister. That ought to make her jealous.

Leaning against the side of the house, he checked his email.

“Delayed shipment?” But Wiseman’s was their largest distributor in Oklahoma. How could we—

A high-pitched bark made him jerk his head up.

Taryn gasped and yanked on Scout’s leash. “Cash! You scared me half to death. What are you doing lurking in the shadows like that?”

“Sorry.” He held up his phone. “Just trying to get a little work done.”

“Work, huh?” Her gaze narrowed. “Aren’t you supposed to be on vacation?” She tried to shorten Scout’s leash, but the pup squirmed toward him anyway, tail wagging frantically.

“Not exactly.” He pocketed the phone and stooped to pet the dog. “You know what they say, no rest for the weary.”

“They also say all work and no play makes Cash a dull boy.”

Ouch! He glanced up at the feisty woman. Yvette had turned down his proposal with those same words.

“Come on.” She tugged on the leash, started to walk away, then stopped and looked back at him. “Well, are you coming?”

“Me?” Standing, he fingered his chest.

“Yes, you. If you’re going to be out in this cold, you need to keep moving.”

Man, this girl didn’t pull any punches. And for some odd reason, he kind of liked it.

He fell in line beside her, surreptitiously watching her every move. Taryn wasn’t like any of the women he knew. They only seemed to care about clothes, shoes and how they looked. Taryn was gorgeous without even trying. And, from what he could tell, she cared about helping others.

As they walked, he burrowed his fists deeper into his poor excuse for a jacket, wishing he’d thought to grab his gloves. “I was hoping to see some snow. Think we’ll get much?”

A few flakes clung to Taryn’s purple beanie. Another item he’d failed to consider. “Nah. But don’t worry. Winter’s not over yet.”

He cut her a sideways glance. “Easy for you to say. I leave on Sunday.”

The corners of her mouth lifted. “You might be in luck then. There’s more snow forecast for Saturday.”

Scout trotted ahead of them as they wandered onto Third Avenue.

“It’s so quiet here.”

“For the most part.” Her puffy white jacket made a swishing sound as she swung her arms. “So how are things in the cattle trailer business?”

“Booming. At least for us.”

“Those must be some special trailers.” She let out some length on Scout’s leash.

“Weight is our best selling point. We have the lightest empty weight in the business.”

“And your dad designs them?”

“Yep. The whole thing’s been his dream from the beginning.”

They stopped while Scout took care of some business.

Taryn stared at him. “And what about you? Is it your dream?”

To say he was taken aback by her question would be an understatement. No one had asked about his dreams in a long time. Not since they were put on ice. Now the best he could hope for was to make his father proud.

He shrugged. “Like I said, business is booming.”

She looked as though she could see right through him. But didn’t say a word.

They started walking again.

By the time they turned onto Fourth Street, Cash was eager to change the subject and get some answers of his own. “Gramps tells me you’re one of the best mountain guides in town.”

She laughed. “Your grandfather is a bit biased, but I can hold my own.”

They ducked under a limb that bowed over the sidewalk, while Scout tugged on her leash, nose to the ground.

“Climbing is in my blood. Though it wasn’t until I came back to Ouray that I realized how important it was to me.”

“Came back from where?”

“Texas.”

“Really? Whereabouts?”

“I spent some time at UNT.”

“University of North Texas. I know it well. Matter of fact, my brother-in-law went to school there. What was your major?”

“I wasn’t there long enough to think about a major.”

“So why’d you leave?” If she could apply the pressure, so could he.

“People change.” For a moment, her expression clouded. Then she cleared her throat. “Besides, I missed the mountains.”

“You ever thought about coming back to Texas? Maybe for a visit?”

Her exhaled breath clouded in the chilly night air. “Nope. Ouray is where I belong. It’s a part of me, like climbing. Tackling a mountain or a massive slab of ice changes my perspective. I look back and see the path I took. A path that wasn’t perfect. One that was steep and maybe a little slippery. But I made it.” She looked at him now. “That empowers me.”

He couldn’t help wondering if she was talking more about climbing or life. But the passion that sparkled in her eyes drew him like the stars to the night. Had he ever been that passionate about anything?

“You certainly sold me.”

In the glow of someone’s porch light, her cheeks, already pink from the cold, deepened in color. “Then perhaps you should give it a try.”

* * *

Taryn saw the excitement that brightened Cash’s green eyes. Then fade just as quick. And despite telling herself repeatedly she was going to keep her distance, curiosity only drew her closer.

The heels of Cash’s cowboy boots clipped along the sidewalk as they made their way down Fourth Street, their breath visible in the cool air.

“Did your grandfather ever take you climbing?”

Scout darted back and forth in front of them, searching for who knows what.

“Just hiking. I was always in awe of his connection to these mountains.” Cash’s gaze lifted. “He seemed to know everything about them. And never hesitated to share his passion. That man taught me geological, biological and theological lessons no one’s ever heard in a classroom.”

She laughed, having been on the receiving end of the old miner’s passion a time or two herself. “Ever thought about giving ice climbing a try?”