“Is there something I can help you with?”
She returned her attention to Patsy. “I, well, I don’t know. I was just dropping something off.”
“You can leave it with me if you like.” The woman gathered a stack of papers and tapped them against the top of her desk. “I’ll make sure he gets it just as soon as he comes out.”
Taryn hadn’t envisioned giving the paperwork to anyone else but Cam. She looked at the white envelope in her hand. “I guess that’ll be okay.” She undid the clasp, licked the glue then reclasped and sealed the envelope. “May I borrow a pen?”
“Sure thing.”
Taryn wrote Cam’s name in big letters. She wasn’t about to risk her paperwork falling into the wrong hands. “Here you go.” She passed both the pen and envelope to Patsy.
“All righty, then.” Patsy set the envelope on the corner of her desk. “I’ll give this to him just as soon as I see him.”
Taryn’s heart was pounding. “Okay. Great. Thanks, Pats.”
Walking to her Jeep, Taryn thought she might pass out. Lord, please let my application find favor with those deciding.
No telling how long she’d have to wait. Patience wasn’t exactly her virtue. This was one of those times when she was going to have to let go and let God.
When she arrived at All Geared Up a few minutes later, she looked at the front of the building in a whole new light. If things went according to plan, she’d have her own apartment and be a business owner before the high season. Excitement welled inside her. Of course, she didn’t own any of the things she’d need for an apartment. Other than her bed. She’d need furniture and kitchen stuff...
She turned off the engine and pocketed her key. Oh, what was she worried about? She hopped out and closed the door. Once her mother found out she was moving, no telling what treasures she’d come up with.
“Good morning, Buck.” She whisked past the front counter.
“Morning.” He eyed her over his shoulder as she shrugged out of her jacket and hung it in the backroom. “I wasn’t expecting to see you today.”
Returning to the counter, she pushed up her sleeves. “I’m here to work on that order.”
“Order?”
“The one you texted me about yesterday. I told you I’d take care of it this morning.”
“Oh, that.” He continued to mess with a display of sunscreen beside the cash register. “I thought I texted you back.”
“I didn’t see anything.” She pulled her cell phone out of her back pocket and scrolled through her messages. “Nope.”
“Hmph. At any rate, I sent that order off last night.”
“You—?”
Removing his reading glasses, he turned to look at her. “I felt bad after you mentioned you were at the hospital, so I played with the computer a bit and eventually got the order to go through.” He settled onto his stool. “Sorry you didn’t get my message, though. Could have saved yourself the trip.” He rubbed the lenses of his glasses with his flannel shirttail. “How is Art anyway?”
She repositioned a couple of sunglasses on a nearby shelf. “I haven’t heard anything today. As of late yesterday he was resting as comfortably as could be expected with a broken back.”
He held his bifocals up to the light then rubbed some more. “Any idea when he’ll come home?”
“Tomorrow, I think, but, like I said, I don’t have any updates.”
“Well—” he finally settled the glasses back on his nose “—since that order’s off your plate, maybe you can run on over to Montrose and see for yourself how he’s doing.”
That was the last thing she needed to do. “As much as I’d love to see Mr. Jenkins, I’m taking some folks climbing in a little over an hour.” She retrieved her jacket.
“Oh. Well, maybe you can go after that.”
“Maybe.” She reached for the doorknob, feeling a tad annoyed. “Later, Buck.”
Two for two. Man, nothing was going as planned today. She glanced at her watch. Of course, that meant she had an hour to play with her favorite four-year-old before meeting her climbing group at eleven.
She hopped into the Jeep as her cell phone jangled in her pocket. “Hello?”
“Taryn, this is Joel. Glad I caught you.”
What could her boss at Marmot Mountain Guides want? “Yeah, Joel.”
“Hey, that group you were supposed to take today didn’t make it.”
“What do you mean they didn’t make it?” She shoved the key in the ignition, watching icicles drip from the awning of the restaurant next door.
“Their flight was canceled, so they aren’t coming in until tonight.”
“I see.” This day was getting weirder by the minute.
“They’d like to reschedule for tomorrow, if that’s all right with you.”
Tomorrow. Mr. Jenkins was supposed to come home tomorrow. And since Cash didn’t have a car, she’d thought about offering to bring them home. Not that her Jeep would be the most comfortable ride.
“Yeah. Tomorrow will be fine. Same time?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. See you tomorrow, Joel.” Ending the call, she set the phone on the seat beside her and started the engine. Looked as though she’d have all day to play with Emma now.
The phone jangled again and Cash’s number appeared on the screen. Her pulse quickened. “H-hello?” For someone you don’t want to see, you sure are excited.
“Good morning.” Judging by his voice, he definitely hadn’t slept well.
“How’s it going?”
“Not too bad. They’ve already measured Gramps for his brace, and physical therapy is happening any time now.”
“Sounds like you’ve got a busy day.” She waved to someone on the walk in front of her Jeep.
“Gramps does, anyway. Hey, I need to ask you a favor.”
“Sure.”
“Would you have time to pick me up and drive me back to Ouray so I can get my car?”
“Oh. Well, I...”
Have nothing else to do.
But she wasn’t planning on spending time with Cash. Her insides twisted with indecision. Then she realized there was only one real choice.
“Of course I will. What time do you want me there?”
* * *
Cash hated to leave his grandfather, but with the way the nursing staff doted on the old man, Cash knew he was in good hands. Besides, he wouldn’t be gone that long. Just long enough to grab some lunch, a change of clothes and his rental car.
In order to do that, though, he found himself relying on Taryn yet again. But his options were limited. Unlike Dallas, he couldn’t just call a taxi.
“I have to admit, I was kind of surprised you answered your phone.” He watched her maneuver her Jeep down Highway 550. She’d barely looked at him since they left the hospital. “I thought you said you were taking a group out climbing today.”
Both hands on the steering wheel, she stared straight ahead, looking almost stiff. “They postponed.” Short and sweet. Just like all the other times she’d addressed him today.
A semi whizzed past them, making the Jeep shudder. Perhaps he shouldn’t have called Taryn. He was becoming a nuisance.
“Thanks for coming to get me. Seems I’ve imposed on you a lot lately.”
“You’re not imposing, Cash. Besides—” shrugging one shoulder, she sent him a bashful smile “—I owe you.”
“Owe me? How?”
Her facial expression changed and she seemed to relax. “I turned in my loan application this morning.”
“That’s great.”
“Yeah. It felt pretty good.” Her full-blown smile warmed his heart. “You did an amazing job with the business plan.”
“Ah, it was nothing.”
“
Nothing?” She cast him an incredulous look. “Are you kidding? You saved me. Even if I had managed to pull together a business plan, it wouldn’t have looked near as professional as yours. I don’t know how I can ever thank you.”
“You already did.”
Her brow puckered in confusion.
“I don’t know what I would have done without your help yesterday. And then agreeing to pick me up today...”
She shrugged again. “What are friends for?”
Friends? He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t hoping for more. But he had no intention of giving up.
The pavement hummed beneath the Jeep’s heavy-duty tires. Passing through Ridgway, he glanced at the clock on the dash. Was it really almost one o’clock? “Have you had lunch yet?”
“No. I’m not really hungry.” Just then her stomach growled, belying her claim.
“Guess somebody forgot to tell your stomach.” He grinned at her. “What do you say I buy us some lunch to celebrate your turning in that application?”
“I thought you wanted to get right back to the hospital?”
“A guy’s gotta eat sometime.” He could tell by the way she chewed her lip that she was debating.
“How about a compromise?”
“I’m listening.” And watching. He couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her.
“I’ll fix lunch for both of us while you gather up your stuff. I’m sure your grandfather has some canned soup and sandwich fixings.”
“He does indeed.” Though, after what happened the night of Trent and Blakely’s wedding, he thought the last thing she’d want was to be alone with him.
“Good.” Her wistful expression had him wondering if maybe something had changed between them. If maybe she’d decided to open herself to the possibility of a relationship. Or was that just wishful thinking on his part?
Either way, she’d agreed to have lunch with him. And he’d take any time he could get with Taryn.
His cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He’d kept the thing on silent at the hospital, not wanting to disturb Gramps. Now he pulled it out and looked at the screen. Dad. The muscles in his neck knotted.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Afternoon, son. Hadn’t heard from you today. Thought it best I check in.” His father’s tone said he knew Cash had decided to stay until Gramps was well. And he wasn’t pleased.
“Gramps is resting as comfortably as he can. I guess Mom told you his back is broken.”
“She did. How long do you expect you’ll be out there?”
“No idea. A week or two, maybe three. Just depends on how Gramps is doing.” He stared out the window, watching the open range rush by. Clouds had started rolling in, shadowing what had started out as a beautiful day.
“That’s commendable, son, but Home Health can take care of your grandfather. You have a responsibility to Coble Trailers. I’m sure Art will understand.”
He’d understand, all right. Understand that Cash had become so all-consumed with work that he didn’t have time for family. Not even when it was his fault Gramps fell in the first place.
“The man can’t even get out of bed on his own.” Raking a hand through his hair, he tried to rein in his emotions. “Look, I’m every bit as committed to the company as I was before I came out here, but I’ll have to do some things long-distance for a while.”
“What about our customers? Hank Moncrief called looking for you this morning.”
“Then I will call Hank back.”
“What if he needs you to pay him a visit?” Always the worrier, Dad had a knack for coming up with worst-case scenarios.
“Dad, you act as though business has come to a grinding halt because I’m not there.”
“I thought you loved this company.”
Cash eyed the red sandstone formations that hemmed them in on the left, certain he’d never said that. Commitment didn’t always equal love.
He let go a sigh. “This business has been my top priority for the last ten years.” He’d poured blood, sweat and countless sleepless nights into it. “And while I may not be there physically, you can rest assured that our customers will still receive the same attention to detail and customer service that I’ve always provided.”
“Well...I certainly hope so.”
Cash wanted to toss his phone out the window. He would never please his father.
Taryn made a left at the Beaumont.
“Where are you now?”
“We’re fixin’ to pull up to Gramps’s house. Taryn brought me back so I could get my car.”
“And your computer, I assume?”
He fought the urge to roll his eyes the way he did when he was a teenager. “Of course.”
“Good. I need you to send me those latest sales figures.”
“I sent them last week.”
“Must’ve gotten lost in cyberspace, then.” Or his father had deleted the email without opening the attachment.
“You’ll have them in fifteen minutes.”
He ended the call, slamming the door as he exited the Jeep.
Taryn fell in line beside him, looking a bit apprehensive.
“I’m sorry you had to hear that.”
She shrugged as she continued up the back steps and opened the storm door.
He unlocked the door and followed her into the kitchen. “Should be some soup in the cupboard.” He pointed. “Sandwich stuff’s in the fridge. I’m gonna boot up my computer.”
In the dining room, he waited for his laptop to start. After all these years, did his dad think Cash would forget about the company simply because he wasn’t there? He thought he would have proved himself capable by now, but apparently his father would always see him as the loser who thought goofing off with his friends was more important than college.
After connecting to the internet, he pulled up the email he’d sent last week and changed the subject line to read JANUARY SALES before forwarding it to his father. If that didn’t get his attention, nothing would.
He checked his in-box and responded to the two emails that needed immediate attention.
“Lunch is ready.”
He must have really zoned out, because he almost forgot Taryn was there. He stood and started toward the kitchen. “Smells good.”
On the table were two plates, each holding a small bowl of soup, a grilled cheese sandwich that had been cut in half and some potato chips. Beside them, a spoon rested atop a folded napkin.
“Water, milk or something else?” Taryn stood next to the refrigerator.
“Water’s good.” He pulled out her chair and waited for her to sit down.
“Thank you.” Those beautiful eyes peered up at him.
He took the seat across from her. “This looks great.”
“It’s just soup and a sandwich.”
“Yeah, but you made it look special. Like at a restaurant. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
He picked up his sandwich and took a bite.
She watched him then bowed her head for a moment before dipping the spoon into her soup.
She was praying. Why hadn’t he thought of that?
Because somehow, in his busy life, he’d gotten away from saying grace.
He massaged the back of his neck.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. Just trying to work out some of this tension.”
“You were okay until your dad called.” She gave him a pointed look.
He thought back on his day. Despite a rough night on the hard fold-out chair at the hospital, he’d been pretty relaxed all morning. “I guess you’re right.”
She picked up a chip, broke it in two. “Are you aware that there are two sides to Cash Coble?” She popped one half in her mouth.
“Two sides?”
“Yep. Though I suspect you’re not too familiar with one of them.”
Wiping his hands with a napkin, he set his elbows on the table. “Do tell, Miss Purcell.”
She folded her hands in her lap, refusing to look at him. “One side is relaxed and easygoing. His eyes sparkle with life because he’s not afraid to look goofy in front of a bunch of kids or fall prey to the whims of a young woman who kidnaps his laptop, even though he could easily take it back and make a getaway. He makes a little dog who’s afraid of everyone adore him in no time at all. And he rushes to rescue those who can’t help themselves.”
She took a deep breath. “But then there’s this other guy. And when he takes over, his whole being morphs. His shoulders become very rigid and his face hardens. He’s perpetually rubbing his neck because of the chronic stress that overwhelms him. His heart is good, but he’s so busy trying to earn his father’s approval, he’s forgotten what it’s like to live.”
She looked at him now, those heart-stopping blue eyes filled with tenderness. “I really wish that first guy was around more often.”
Cash swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. She’d nailed him. Guy number two was his default. What he needed to be to survive. But he liked guy number one a whole lot better. And Taryn seemed to know just how to bring him out. Which was probably why he was so drawn to her.
He cleared his throat, suddenly more concerned with her approval. “Maybe...with a little help, he could be.”
Chapter Twelve
Her heart was going to end up broken. Taryn knew that, but it was too late. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, she’d fallen for Cash. A part of her thought, why not ride the tide? Have fun with the sweet Texan who seemed to enjoy her company as much as she did his. But her pragmatic side said the more time she spent with Cash, the harder she’d fall.
Reality was overrated.
Though she spent most of the next day at the ice park, she could hardly wait to get home, change into something much cuter than her climbing gear and rush next door. Now, as darkness settled over the town, she followed Scout up the steps of Mr. Jenkins’s front porch, her heart racing.
Cash’s rented SUV was in the driveway and lights glowed inside, indicating they’d made it home from the hospital. She couldn’t help wondering if his father had called him again. For Cash’s sake, she hoped not.
Rescuing the Texan's Heart Page 12