Rescuing the Texan's Heart
MELTING HIS HEARTCash Coble is desperate for a change. After working in the family business for ten years, he's stressed out and overworked. When he heads to Colorado to visit his ailing grandfather, he finds his mood lifted by the beautiful woman living next door. After a troubled past, ice climber Taryn Purcell isn't looking for love. Especially not with a charming Texan who's consumed by work. But there's something about Cash that captures her heart. Never one to back down from a challenge, Taryn promises to show Cash how to carve out a happy life-one that includes her.
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Melting His Heart
Cash Coble is desperate for a change. After working in the family business for ten years, he’s stressed out and overworked. When he heads to Colorado to visit his ailing grandfather, he finds his mood lifted by the beautiful woman living next door. After a troubled past, ice climber Taryn Purcell isn’t looking for love. Especially not with a charming Texan who’s consumed by work. But there’s something about Cash that captures her heart. Never one to back down from a challenge, Taryn promises to show Cash how to carve out a happy life—one that includes her.
He stared at the woman. “Taryn?”
Eyes that striking were hard to forget. Even though she’d been only a kid the last time he’d seen her.
“That’s me.” She shifted from one foot to the other, tucking her short, golden-brown hair behind her ear.
“Wow. I haven’t seen you since you were what…twelve?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Try seventeen.”
Way to go, Coble. “Sorry.” He glanced at the tray in his hand. “Something sure smells good. This wouldn’t be for Gramps, would it?”
“It is.”
He couldn’t help grinning. “Well, darlin’, allow me to assist you then.”
Her smile evaporated. “Suit yourself.” Turning on her heel, she advanced up the wooden steps, leaving Cash to wonder if he’d offended her with the age remark.
“I thought I heard voices out here.” Gramps held the storm door wide. “Smells like you’ve been baking again, young lady.”
Pink tinged Taryn’s cheeks. “It’s almost Valentine’s Day, Mr. Jenkins. Lots of people are baking.”
Cash focused on the girl who had once followed him and her brother all over Ouray. “Beautiful and a great cook. That ought to make some man very happy one day.”
MINDY OBENHAUS
always dreamed of being a wife and mother. Yet as her youngest of five children started kindergarten, a new dream emerged—to write stories of true love that would glorify God. Mindy grew up in Michigan, but got to Texas just as fast as she could. Nowadays she finds herself trapped in the city, longing for ranch life or the mountains. When she’s not penning her latest romance, she likes cooking, reading, traveling and spending time with her grandkids. Learn more about her at www.mindyobenhaus.com.
The Lord brings death and makes alive.
—1 Samuel 2:6
To the men and women of Ouray Mountain Rescue Team
Becky Yauger, amazing writing partner and true friend. Thanks for keeping me on task,
for seeing my warts and loving me anyway.
To my wonderful family, your love, support
and encouragement mean the world to me. You inspire me to follow my dreams.
Many thanks to Ted and Betty Wolfe
and Brandy Ross for your friendship and for helping me bring Ouray to life.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Epilogue
Dear Reader
Questions for Discussion
He didn’t want to be here.
Eyeing the snow-laden peaks that spread in every direction, Cash Coble tightened his grip on the steering wheel of his rented SUV and slowly navigated the hairpin turns leading into Ouray. He’d reeled in two new dealers over the past two weeks and, thanks to a new manufacturing plant, business at Coble Trailers showed no signs of slowing down.
Meaning, Cash couldn’t afford to, either.
I’s had to be dotted. T’s needed to be crossed. In Cash’s world, there was no such thing as a relaxing weekend.
It’s only three days.
He took a deep breath, mentally chastising himself for being so selfish. Gramps had never been too busy when it came to Cash. So why couldn’t he show the old man the same courtesy?
A sharp right curve on the Million Dollar Highway and Cash glimpsed the town that he’d once hoped to call home. Nestled in a bowl among southwestern Colorado’s majestic San Juan Mountains, Ouray was like no place else. Gramps always said it was heaven on earth. And, after all these years, Cash still agreed.
So why had it been so long since his last visit?
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
Work. Work that was in Dallas, not Ouray.
No point in dwelling on what could never be.
But you’re here now.
Only because his mother was caring for his two-year-old niece while his very pregnant sister was sentenced to bed rest. Yet that didn’t stop Mom from insisting Cash take her place. All because Gramps had been dealing with a little bronchitis. Of course, the man was ninety. And when Mom got insistent, neither Cash nor his dad stood a chance.
Clouds gave way to the early-afternoon sun illuminating the businesses that lined Main Street. The corners of his mouth twitched. The rows of colorful Victorian buildings still held the charm of a bygone era when miners and gold were the lifeblood of this town.
