Read Online Crazy for Lovin’ You by Teresa Southwick - Free Book Online Page B

things,” she offered.
    He aimed the megawatt gleam in his bad-boy baby blues directly at her. “First of all, a Texas gentleman never lets a lady carry his gear.”
    â€œBut I—”
    â€œAnd second, this is everything.”
    She rested one fist on her hip as she regarded him. “First of all, part of my service will be carrying my guests’ luggage,” she said, mimicking his tone. “And second, I can’t believe anyone travels that light.”
    He shrugged. “It’s the cowboy way,” he said simply.
    But when a dark look clouded his gaze, Taylor wondered what he was remembering that had stolen the sexy gleam from his eyes. She missed it. But all she said was, “Okay. I’ll show you to your room. Follow me.”
    He picked up the bags again, and behind her she heard the scrape of his boots on the wooden floor and his heavy step as he followed her upstairs.
    â€œI have four bedrooms in the main house, and four cabins adjacent to the bunkhouse that are being painted,” she said. At the top of the stairs she stopped. “This open area is sort of the second-floor family room so guests can relax. There’s a TV and VCR with an assortment of videos to choose from. The furniture is new and I hope comfortable. You’ll have to try it out and let me know.”
    â€œI’ll do that.”
    â€œThis is the master bedroom,” she said, pointing toan open doorway on her left. “It’s the biggest, so I plan to charge the most for it. I’ve added antiques and wing chairs in the sitting area. Maggie Benson made a quilt, throw pillows and the window seat cover in material that matches the curtains.”
    â€œMaggie’s still around?”
    Taylor glanced at him sharply. Did he have a past with every girl in town? she wondered. Then she gave herself a mental shake. Even if he did, it was no skin off her nose. “Yeah. Maggie’s got a great shop in downtown Destiny. She’s doing well enough to support herself and her little girl.”
    â€œShe’s got a kid?”
    â€œNine years old now,” she answered.
    â€œI always liked Maggie,” he commented.
    Something pulled tight in her chest and she hoped it wasn’t jealousy. “You?” She tipped her head to the side as she studied him. “I didn’t think you liked anyone,” she said, struggling for a light, teasing tone.
    â€œDon’t spread it around. I’ve got a reputation to protect.”
    â€œRight,” she said wryly. “Discretion is my middle name.”
    He brushed past her and poked his head into the master bedroom. “This is nice.”
    â€œThanks. Let me show you the rest.” She continued down the hall and pointed to her left. “The whole back of the house has a balcony. As you can see, every room upstairs has a French door opening out onto it.”
    He nodded. “Impressive. I always wondered what the second floor looked like.”
    â€œYou never saw it?”
    â€œAre you kidding? Your father practically stood at the bottom of the stairway with a shotgun.”
    â€œYou’re exaggerating.”
    â€œOkay.”
    But she could tell he didn’t believe her. She sighed. It made her sad that her father would never get to see how wrong he’d been about Mitch.
    She opened the door to the room on her left. “This is my smallest room. But I think it’s charming and comfortable. That bed is a double so there’s room for a chair and ottoman in the corner.”
    The bed would accommodate him, but big as he was, there wouldn’t be a lot of space left over for someone else. Her cheeks burned at that unexpected thought. She had no business thinking that way. But it was hard not to while Mitch Rafferty was under her roof. That didn’t bode well for her peace of mind during the next month.
    She cleared her throat. “The floral wallpaper might be a bit feminine for you, but