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“Keep those heels down,” Taryn hollered up at him.
He complied, his calves burning.
Right. Left. Right.
Pausing, he glanced down. He’d gone farther than he thought. He was a good thirty feet up. The sun broke through the clouds then, making it difficult to judge where to land his next swing. Too bad he didn’t have his sunglasses. Then again, when he left the house, he’d had no intention of ice climbing.
He let ’er rip, little pieces of ice pelting his face.
Right foot.
Missed.
He tugged harder on the tool, but it wasn’t secure.
Panic coursed through him as it slipped from the ice. His body tensed. He was going to fall.
Next thing he knew, he was swinging gently through the air, thanks to the belay.
“Everything okay up there?”
He struggled to catch his breath. “I think my life just flashed before my eyes.”
“Was it worth watching?”
He couldn’t help laughing. “Parts of it. Maybe.”
Looking up, Taryn snapped a picture. “You might want to fix that.”
Easy for her to say. She lived for the next climb. He lived for...
What did he live for?
He swung his tool. Landed it perfectly. He’d examine his pathetic life later. Right now, he needed to conquer this ice.
For the better part of two hours, he and Taryn took turns going up and down the ice.
“That’s the most incredible, fulfilling thing I’ve done in a long time.” Despite the cold, he was ready to shed his outer jacket. His body surged with energy and something he’d never felt before. “What did you call it?”
“Call what?”
“The feeling you get from climbing.”
“Empowered.”
“That’s it.” For the first time in more than a decade, Cash felt free. And he owed it all to the spunky girl next door. Without her, he’d still be staring at his laptop at the deli. But she’d drawn him into her world, given him a taste of what he’d been missing. And that was something he’d never forget.
* * *
Taryn loved this part of her job. The look on Cash’s face was priceless. And she couldn’t be more pleased with the way he’d put himself out there. His smile was unlike any she’d seen since he arrived. Genuine. He was truly enjoying himself.
She dropped her helmet.
“Does this mean we’re done?” He watched her coil the rope.
“I’m afraid so.” She sent him an apologetic look, just as sad as he was to see their time on the ice come to an end. “My best friend is getting married tomorrow and I’m the maid of honor, so I need to go help her.”
“Seriously?” He pulled off his helmet, tucking it under his arm.
She nodded, stuffing their gear into her pack.
“Wow, thanks for bringing me out here then.” He grabbed the pack she’d loaned him. “I’m surprised you had any time at all.”
“It’s not a big wedding. And besides that, you need to get back to your grandfather.”
“That reminds me, you did get some pictures of me, right?”
She couldn’t help laughing. “Lots. I’ll give you the memory card to upload to your computer. That way you can show your grandfather right away.”
“Awesome.”
“You got everything?” She eyed him as he slung his pack over his shoulder.
“I believe so.” He stepped closer. “Why don’t you let me take this.” He lifted the rope from her and draped it across his torso. “Now we’re ready.”
The sun shone down on them as they headed to her Jeep.
“So tell me about the ice park,” he said as they hiked. “Do a lot of locals go there?”
“Quite a few. It’s kind of a social event.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know, like a hangout. You want to catch up with people around town, that’s the place to do it.”
“Hmph. Interesting. Adds a whole new meaning to the term watercooler.”
She chuckled. “That it does.”
“Gramps mentioned an ice festival.” Cash sounded as if he was getting a little winded, so she slowed her pace.
“Yep. The biggest one in North America.”
“No kidding?”
“People come from all over the world to climb, test out the latest equipment and compete.”
“Compete?”
“Oh, yeah. It’s like the Olympics. There are a bunch of different events, and scores are announced in seven different languages.” She adjusted her pack. “You should come to one.”
“Maybe I will.”
She shoved her hand in her pocket. Something crinkled beneath her gloved fingers. “Oh, I almost forgot.” Pulling out the piece of paper, she held it out to him. “This is for you.”
He glanced at her hand, then her face. “What is it?”
“The password to my parents’ Wi-Fi.” She handed it to him. “You should have a decent signal at your grandfather’s, so you can now work from home.”
“Taryn, you’re lifesaver.” He shoved the paper into the pocket of his jeans. “You have no idea how much this will help me.”
“More importantly, you won’t have to leave your grandfather.”
“Precisely.”
She sent him a sideways glance, anxiety suddenly getting the best of her. Should she even ask him for business advice? Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. “I, um, don’t suppose you know anything about business plans, do you?”
“Sure do. Had to assemble one before we built our new facility. Why?”
“I know someone who’s looking at buying one of the businesses in town, and the bank says she has to put together a business plan before they’ll consider her application.”
“And does this someone have a name?” The look he gave her told her he already knew.
She took a deep breath. “All right, it’s me. And, aside from the loan officer at the bank, you’re the only one who knows, so please don’t say anything to anyone. Not even your grandfather.”
“I won’t say a word.” He tromped through the snow beside her, his quick breaths sending white puffs into the air. “So what kind of business are we talking about?”
“It’s called All Geared Up and they sell almost any kind of gear the outdoor enthusiast might need.” Relaxing, she eyed the man beside her. “I’ve worked there for the last three years.”
His brow lifted. “So, no climbing, just the gear?”
“What do you mean?”
“Sorry, I just have a hard time imagining you stuck indoors, behind some sales counter.”
“Hey, it might mean I can’t do tours anymore, but nothing will ever stop me from climbing.” She plodded alongside him. “Oh, and there are also two apartments upstairs. That means I can finally move out of Mom and Dad’s, and I’ll have income from the second space.”
“That’s part of your business plan right there.” He dodged around a boulder.
“Really?”
“Yep.”
“But what about all the financial stuff?”
“That needs to be in there, too. I’d be happy to help you, if you like.”
“That’d be great, but—” She stopped.
He did, too. “But what?”
“You’re leaving Sunday. I’m tied up the rest of today and tomorrow.”
“Hey, you know, they have these newfangled things called telephones. And email.”
“Very funny.” She reached out and gave him a shove, accidentally toppling him into a snowbank. “Oh!” She tried to stop herself from laughing. “Guess I don’t know my own strength.”
“All right, Purcell. You had your little chuckle. Now get over here and help me up.” He held out his hand.
She closed the space between them and took hold. “Come on, cowboy.” She tugged.
So did he. Next thing she knew, she was on the ground beside him.
“Oh, I can’t believe I fell for that.” Growing up with two older brothers, she should have known better.
“Me neither.” Laughing, he tossed a handful of snow her way.
“Aw, man. Right down the neck.” She squirmed as it began to melt against her skin. “Coble, you’re a dead man.”
As he hustled to stand, she fisted the back of his jacket, quickly depositing an icy chunk. “Let’s see how you like it.” She scrambled to her feet before he could retaliate.
“Ooo-wee, that feels good.” He stood, trying to keep a smile.
“Yeah, I like that cute little dance you’re doing.” She thought she might bust a gut, watching him hop around, trying to untuck his shirt, all with that length of rope still around him. “Is that the Texas two-step?”
He sighed as the ice dropped to the ground. “All right, Purcell.” He moved closer, but she took a step back. “I know when to admit defeat.” He took another step and they were practically toe-to-toe. “You’re a feisty one, you know that?”
“So I’ve been told.” She dared to meet his appreciative look.
“Thank you for teaching this old dog some new tricks.” He leaned closer until the fog of their breaths mingled.
She could smell the woodsy scent of his cologne. “Old dog?”
He grinned. “You know what I mean.” He was so close. His gaze searched hers.
But she stepped away from him. “You’re welcome, then.” She nodded in the direction of her Jeep. “We’d better get going.”
Chapter Five (#ulink_1d13b633-4ea6-5b07-a8ff-939db6add92e)
By Saturday morning, Taryn had no doubt that the image of Cash’s smile after scaling that ice would be forever seared into her memory. And that was not a good thing.
Yeah, she wanted to help the guy. Show him what he’d been missing in his life. But she hadn’t counted on the feelings he stirred in her. Feelings she didn’t want, because the last time she allowed herself to feel this way, her whole world shattered.
“You’re unusually quiet this morning.” Blakely shifted slightly in her spa chair, her strawberry-blond ponytail trailing over one shoulder. “What gives?”
Warm water bubbled around Taryn’s feet as she sank deeper into her own spa chair, a pleasure she and Blakely rarely had the opportunity to revel in. Blakely owned Ouray’s finest Jeep-tour company. As head grease monkey and guide extraordinaire, she, like Taryn, was a no-frills kind of girl. But that didn’t mean they weren’t in touch with their feminine side. So her friend’s wedding day was the perfect opportunity to pull out all the stops. Manicure, pedicure, makeup and hair.
“Blakes, you’re getting married. As your maid of honor, I have a right to be reflective.”
