Mindy Obenhaus - Rescuing the Texan's Heart

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 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 Конец ознакомительного фрагмента. Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес». Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес. Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом. Copyright Конец ознакомительного фрагмента. Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес». Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес. Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.

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.