скачать книгу бесплатно
Rescuing the Texan's Heart
Mindy Obenhaus
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.
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 (http://www.mindyobenhaus.com).
Rescuing the Texan’s Heart
Mindy Obenhaus
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
The Lord brings death and makes alive.
—1 Samuel 2:6
To the men and women of Ouray Mountain Rescue Team
Acknowledgments (#ue8083357-730a-5049-9fcf-f6dd0e188b11)
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
Cover (#uab2788c3-9282-536b-8ef2-c79e3f6893b3)
Back Cover Text (#ue2bed87b-4d73-5bb2-90b6-4699b5056875)
Introduction (#u55df4009-26d5-57fb-97a4-62b859998e1f)
About the Author (#u699682cc-92db-5830-9696-8e20bed4a2f2)
Title Page (#u7249bfdb-1d54-55dd-a234-c4c702d55f32)
Bible Verse (#u6d04b154-adf8-5e2b-9787-08b74edfcfe8)
Dedication (#ufff530ab-4940-55df-91cc-641d4ef4ab22)
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
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One (#ulink_790835d5-8882-5f82-aed2-a8028859b684)
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.
Two blocks and a couple of right turns later, Cash eased the SUV to a stop in front of his grandfather’s house. The 1920s two-story didn’t look quite the way he remembered. Peeling green paint and a roof that had seen better days made the house seem neglected. Forgotten.
Kind of like your grandfather.
The thought jarred him. Had it really been ten years since his last visit?
He shifted the vehicle into Park and pulled the key from the ignition. What happened to him? There was a time when he would have leaped at the opportunity to visit his grandfather. Now it had taken coercion.
Exiting the SUV, he sucked in a breath of the freshest air he’d smelled in ages and lingered over the view. Ouray was the antithesis of Dallas. The closest things to mountains there were made of metal and glass. Man’s handiwork sure paled next to God’s.
He unzipped his jacket, the temperature warmer than he expected. Remnants of snow still clung to life in shady areas, while dirty mounds dwindled away on street corners. Not exactly what he’d hoped for. It was February, after all, and this was Colorado. There should be plenty of snow. Even an inch or two would appease his Texas heart.
“Scout...stop that.” Somewhere behind him, a female giggled.
Turning, he glimpsed a young woman crossing the patch of brown grass that was Gramp’s side yard. She held a foil-covered tray in each hand, while a small wirehaired pup playfully nipped at her shoes.
“Scout! You’re going to make me fall.”
The dog all but ignored the hint of reprimand in the woman’s tone and continued to dart in and around her feet.
That is, until it spotted Cash. The animal jerked to a halt.
Unaware, the woman stumbled over the dog, sending one of the platters airborne.
Ignoring the ache in his left knee from sitting too long, Cash rushed up the walk, intercepting the tray before it reached the ground.
The startled dog let out a high-pitched bark and lunged toward him.
The woman straightened. “Scout! No!”
Hoping to maintain an air of composure, Cash eased onto his good knee and held out his free hand. “Scout, is it?” He kept his voice gentle. “Well, hello there.”
The pint-size mixed breed sniffed his fist. Its ears went back and tail wagged.
Cash couldn’t help smiling. He missed having a dog. Life just hadn’t been the same since Mickey died last year.
“There you go.” He stroked the animal’s sandy-colored fur. “See, I’m not so bad.”
Standing, he met the woman’s gaze.
“Sorry about that, Cash.” Her pale blue eyes were unusually stunning. Especially against her tanned skin. The kind that could knock a guy right off his feet. She smiled. “Your grandfather said you were coming. Matter of fact, he hasn’t talked about anything else.”
