Lonesome Cowboy (Honky Tonk Hearts) by Stacy Dawn

over her shoulder to point into the room.
    “There’s a small alcove and breakfast room through that door.”
    His cologne mingled with the heat of male. Her knees trembled and she wondered if this was wise; simply being in his presence for a few moments ignited all sorts of dormant feelings.
    “And the dining area and kitchen are through the door to the right.”
    “N-nice.” Ducking back, she grabbed a quick glimpse of her daughter to assure herself she still slept, and proceeded to the safety of another room. A large dining table that could seat at least twenty lay covered with a floral sheet; above, a chandelier graced with a kaleidoscope of candle-shaped lights was covered in a thick layer of dust. In the corner sat a couple saw horses with the crown molding laid across their chipped surface. A few tools sat amongst the sawdust and peanut shells scattered in the corner.
    At least someone had been trying to do a bit of renovation. Maybe she could work a trade of some sort to get them to finish. Laundry, meals…there were lots of possibilities.
    And as the list grew, she noted the large open doorway at the other end where maple cupboards ringed a large island in the kitchen.
    “It’s bigger than I first thought. I wonder how many rooms there are.”
    Turning back, she found Marshall rested back casually against the front desk, arms crossed over his broad chest.
    “I believe there are eight rooms upstairs and two guest cabins ‘nestled in the garden’ as Mrs. Johansson used to say.”
    Amy grinned, excitement filling her with every new feature she found. More lists of minor renovations to get the place up and running formed as she practically skipped to the staircase.
    On the first step, however, she stopped and glanced back to the stroller. She bit her lip, assessing the stairs, and then decided just taking the carrier with her would be easier.
    Stepping back down, she reached for the handle, but Marshall’s hand covered hers. She raised her gaze to find handsome blue eyes smiling down at her.
    “Go on, I’ll keep an eye on her.”
    “No, you don’t have to do that.” He’d done so much already; she didn’t want to impose on him with a newborn who could wake at any moment.
    His hand squeezed gently and lifted hers to the banister.
    “Go on. It’s no problem. The Peanut and I have an understanding.”
    A flip in her chest started her heart pounding as she glanced down at the hand—bigger than her daughter’s head at the moment. Strong and protective.
    The lump forming in her throat at his thoughtfulness allowed her only a nod of appreciation, and something more that she didn’t have the right to consider anymore.
    The door of her heart behind which she’d locked the ghosts of their past shuddered and shook, threatening to open again. She turned away, taking the steps quickly with plans to take a short, quick look, and then leave before her thoughts took her further down a dead path.
    At the top landing, she made the mistake of glancing down the stairs just as Marshall tucked the blanket around her daughter’s shoulders. She pressed her lips together against the emotions swelling up. Hormones, Amy. Just hormones. She still didn’t have control over the stupid things yet, so the emotional lump in her throat was only due to the sight of a sweet moment—at least that was the mantra she maintained as she darted down the hallway on her right.
    A quick glance found carved beds and wardrobes of various shapes and sizes in all the rooms, ensuite bathrooms in the first two of the four rooms. The last two doors revealed a large bathroom with a claw-foot tub in one, and the largest linen closet she had ever seen, packed full with sheets, blankets, towels and other necessities for multiple guests. All leading her to believe that many of the amenities and furniture would then come with the sale of the property. That alone would save a bundle in start-up costs.
    Excitement got the better of her as she found