Rescuing the Texan's Heart. Mindy Obenhaus

      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.

      Rescuing the Texan’s Heart

      Mindy Obenhaus

       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

      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

       Back Cover Text

       Introduction

       About the Author

       Title Page

       Bible Verse

       Dedication

      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

       Copyright

       Chapter One

      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