Rescuing the Texan's Heart. Mindy Obenhaus
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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.”
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.”
“Not buying it.” Blakely cocked her head. “Try again. Preferably, with the truth.”
The two of them had always been brutally honest with each other. And Blakely was the only one who knew about Taryn’s baby. She was the most trusted friend Taryn had ever had.
The people working in the salon were another matter, though.
But since they’d made themselves scarce for the moment... “Another long, tall Texan is tugging on my heartstrings.”
Her friend’s blue eyes lit up like an LED headlamp. “Are you kidding me? Who?”
“Easy, Blakes. It’s nothing serious. Just a little...disconcerting.”
“Okay, fine.” Blakely whispered. “But will you at least tell me who you’re talking about?”
She scanned the area, making sure no one was close enough to hear, then leaned toward her friend. “Mr. Jenkins’s grandson, Cash.”
“What happened?”
“You know how you’re a sucker for that lost-puppy-dog look?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, once I got past the fact that he looked and sounded so much like Brian...” She picked at her nonexistent fingernails, wondering what kind of magic Miranda could possibly work to make them look pretty. “It’s like the guy has no life. Or a life not of his choosing.”
“I’m not following you.”
“He loves Ouray. Used to spend every summer here with his grandparents. But, until Thursday, he hasn’t been back in ten years.”
Blakely leaned closer. “Why?”
“He didn’t say, but I have my suspicions. See, he took over running his father’s company when he got cancer. Even though he’d planned to move to Ouray. His father’s okay now, but Cash is still there, doing everything he can to make his father proud.”
“I see. So his hopes and dreams got sidetracked by the need to win his father’s approval?”
“And it doesn’t take a genius to see that it’s robbed him of his joy.” She scanned the tranquil and blessedly empty space once again. “Cash used to be a fun-loving and adventurous guy. Now he’s always thinking about work. I’m not sure he even knows how to relax.”
“And you’re going to fix that.”
Taryn tried not to smile but failed. “Well, I tried. I took him climbing yesterday.”
“How did that go?”
“He loved it. And it was nice to see a glimpse of the old Cash.”
“But...?”
“But nothing.”
Blakely lifted a brow, soothing music filling the space between them.
“We’re friends, Blakes.”
“That could change.”
“Not likely. He lives in Dallas. I live in Ouray. Long-distance relationships never work out.”
Blakely crossed her arms over her chest. “Sometimes they do.”
“Only if one party is willing to join the other. He’s not going anywhere. And there’s no way I’m ever setting foot in Texas again.”
A smile played at the corners of her friend’s mouth. “Never say never, Taryn. That’s just enough to make the good Lord show you who’s boss.”
“Okay, ladies. Have your tootsies thawed out?” Miranda, the salon’s owner, emerged from the back room.
Blakely straightened, adjusting the pillow in her lap. “Mine have.”
“I’m good,” said Taryn.
“Sally.” Miranda motioned for her assistant before addressing Blakely and Taryn. “Thought we’d get your toes done first so they’ll be good and dry by the time you’re ready to put your boots back on. It’s really coming down out there.”
Taryn and Blakely looked out the front window, stunned to discover the snow had really picked up.
“Wow. It was barely flurrying when we got here.” Taryn couldn’t help thinking about Cash. Looked like he got his wish for snow. Hopefully, he was enjoying it and not staring at his computer. Maybe she should call Mr. Jenkins and ask him. But what would Cash think about her checking up on him?
The guy is leaving tomorrow.
May as well go for the gusto.
She tugged her cell phone from the back pocket of her jeans and dialed her neighbor. Luckily, Miranda, Sally and Blakely were engrossed in nail color selections and not paying attention to her.
“Mr. Jenkins.” She kept her voice as low as possible. “Is Cash around?”
“Sure is. Taryn wants to talk to you.” His voice faded as he handed off the phone.
“Hello.”
“Are you looking out the window?”
“I’ll do you one better. I just came in the house to get warm. I’ve been outside enjoying every flake.”
“No kidding?” Perhaps she’d made some progress, after all.
“Wish you were here. We could build a snowman.”
“Snowman? There can’t be more than two inches on the ground.”
Blakely held a bottle of nail polish in front of her and pointed to her toes. It was the same wine color as her dress. She smiled and shot her friend a thumbs-up.
“In Texas we make snowmen with a lot less snow than that.”
“They must be awful small.”
“Hey, it’s about the experience.”
She turned away from the other women. “Who are you and what have you done with Cash?”
“Very funny.”
“Afraid you’re on your own for this one, cowboy. I’m enjoying a day of pampering at the spa.”
“Will I see you later?”
Suddenly a swarm of butterflies came to