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“And you’ll never get what you want with Arnold running things and cutting your hours.

If he had his way, you’d only be working one hour a week, and we both know that wouldn’t go far.

You’d have to dip into your savings just to pay your room and board.

” Lucy leaned forward, took her hand, and squeezed gently before releasing her.

“I so wish you would have moved in with Ben and me.”

Tresia shook her head. “No, that wouldn’t have been right, Lucy, and you know that. You and Ben have only been married two years. Neither one of you needs me making a nuisance of myself.”

“Be that as it may, let me tell you about this job. Or rather, the marshal’s daughter. Her name is Avery. She’s almost five and she’s just adorable!” Lucy smiled a big Cheshire cat grin. “Just meet them, Tresia. What could it hurt?”

What could it hurt, indeed? Actually, it couldn’t hurt at all.

She’d love to tell Arnold she quit. Maybe then, he and his wife would actually have to work, which they didn’t now because she did everything from ordering supplies and keeping the books to making sure all their displays were attractive, despite the meager hours he gave her.

Oh, Arnold came in every day, strolling in whenever he pleased, but he stayed in his office.

What he did in there, she had no clue. And Willetta?

She only came in when she wanted something or to berate her for some imagined slight.

And the extra money? Yes, she could use that, save it all for the day when she could take the store back from right under Arnold’s nose…or buy another one somewhere else and make it her own. “All right. I’ll meet them, but I’m not making any promises.”

A knowing smile crossed Lucy’s face before she lifted the coffee cup to her lips as if to hide that smile. “I can guarantee you’ll love little Avery as soon as you meet her. I know I did. She doesn’t speak much, but that’s all right. She’s as cute as a button!”

Half an hour later, coffee and Lucy gone, she removed the white apron she wore, pulled on the jacket that matched her skirt, and knocked on Arnold’s office door.

She didn’t wait for him to respond, simply pushed it open to see him sitting there, cigar in his mouth, feet up on the desk, hands folded across his big belly.

He didn’t move except for his eyebrows, which lowered into a frown.

She ignored the cigar ashes that littered the floor and the desk, because he couldn’t even be bothered to use the glass ashtray that was sitting right there. “I’m taking my lunch, Arnold.”

She didn’t give him a chance to respond as she closed the door as quickly as she’d opened it and hurried from the store.

Walking across the town square, she felt the first jitter of anticipation flooding her belly.

It had been a long time since she’d felt that and she had to admit, it was good.

Her life, since losing Brett, then losing her father and the Emporium, had been a series of disappointments.

Maybe this was the opportunity she’d been waiting for.

Stopping in front of the house all the Marshals of Serenity had lived in for as long as she could remember, Tresia smoothed her hair back into the chignon at the nape of her neck, tugged down the hem of her jacket, and stepped up to the porch.

Her heart was in her throat. This was crazy.

How’d she ever let Lucy talk her into this!

She knocked and waited. It wasn’t long before she heard little footsteps scampering across the floor from inside the house.

A moment later, the door swung open, and she came face to face with a tiny cherub of a girl, clutching a carved wooden horse in her hand.

In an instant, she was smitten. Lucy hadn’t lied.

Avery Goodrich was the most adorable little girl she’d ever seen—short, light-brown curls that looked like she’d brushed them herself, if at all, sparkling, big blue-gray eyes, pert little nose, cupid’s bow mouth. She was a petite little thing, too.

The girl fidgeted in the doorway, eyes wide, shifting her weight from one foot to the other as if anxious to be moving—or perhaps, a little frightened.

She did not speak, nor did she move out of the doorway.

Peeking past her into the parlor, Tresia noticed two more horses on the rug in front of the cold fireplace.

She brought her attention back to the little girl. “You must be Miss Avery.”

The girl stopped moving and nodded, those curls surrounding her head like a halo bouncing as she did so.

“Who is it, sweet pea?” A hoarse, rather gravelly voice called out from further inside the house.

“A lady,” Avery responded then lapsed into silence, her eyes still wide, her hand still clutching the horse, but a little tighter now.

A moment later, she heard heavier footsteps then a big, strong hand grasped the edge of the door and opened it wider.

Tresia froze. So did he, stunned for a moment that seemed to last forever.

She inhaled an involuntary gasp. Lucy lied. Straight up lied. The man standing before her was an Adonis. Tall and muscular with almost midnight black hair touched with a hint of silver and smoky blue-gray eyes the color of storm clouds that seemed to see right into her soul.

He recovered first as a slight smile appeared on his face—his devastatingly handsome face—revealing dimples in his cheeks. “You must be Mrs. Morgan. Lucy said you’d be stopping by.”

Oh, that voice! Warm and raspy, it touched her all the way to her toes and made her mouth dry. She stared at him, looking for her voice, her composure, both of which seemed to have deserted her. Beyond surprised, she could do nothing but nod.

“I’m Devlin Goodrich, but you already know that.” He moved out of the way, opening the door even wider. “Please come in.”

Tresia took a step forward. The next thing she knew, she was falling…

right into his arms, her hands pressing against his hard chest to keep herself from tumbling at his feet.

Her first impression had been correct as she felt the tight band of his muscular arms wrap around her to steady her.

The subtle fragrance of sandalwood coming from the open collar of his shirt tickled her nose.

“Are you all right?” His voice in her ear was gruff with concern even as his body stiffened.

“Yes, I’m all right.” Her face hot with embarrassment, she nodded and stepped away, cursing herself for being so clumsy when she’d never been clumsy a day in her life. Lucy was going to pay for this! “I’m sorry, I don’t know how that happened.”

“No harm done.” He bent down and inspected the doorway.

“The threshold is loose. I didn’t notice that before.

” He turned his head to look at her, still crouched down on his haunches then rose slowly to his full height, which had to be well over six feet, concern for her reflecting in those stormy eyes of his. “Are you certain you’re all right?”

“Yes, perfectly fine,” she lied. She wasn’t fine. Her heart beat much too fast. She concentrated on trying to salvage her equilibrium…and her pride.

“Let’s chat in the kitchen.” He led the way, then pulled out a chair at the table and gestured for her to sit. Grateful, as her knees were still a little weak, she slid into her seat. Avery followed and crawled into her lap almost immediately—and without hesitation—though she didn’t say a word.

Tresia didn’t mind. She loved children, and they seemed to love her, though she’d never had any of her own. She glanced at the marshal, still a little taken aback by his appearance and the fact that Lucy had straight up lied to her.

He seemed surprised that his daughter sat on her lap but didn’t make a comment.

He blinked several times though and cleared his throat.

“I’d offer you something to drink, but I don’t know where anything is yet.

We arrived late last night and stayed at the hotel.

I didn’t pick up the key to the house from Lucy until about an hour ago. ”

“Glasses are in the cabinet to the right of the sink,” she offered.

Startled, his dark brows rose. “How do you know that?”

She laughed, slowly gaining her poise. “I’ve been in this house many times.

I was friends with the last marshal’s daughter.

And I helped Lucy clean in anticipation of your arrival.

” She adjusted Avery in her lap and pointed to a door to his left.

“There are foodstuffs in the pantry but nothing in the ice box. We didn’t know exactly when you’d be arriving and we didn’t want anything to spoil, but if I know Lucy—and I do—she’s already arranged to have ice delivered.

She probably also let Mr. Shaeffer—he owns the dairy just outside town—know that he can start bringing milk, butter, and cream, beginning tomorrow morning.

He delivers between six-thirty and eight on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but since you just arrived, he’ll make an exception for you. ”

She watched him, her eyes roaming over his broad shoulders, slim waist and long legs before he turned and pulled a glass from the cabinet, giving her a view of his backside, which was perfect, in her opinion, though she had no business looking at it.

He filled the glass from the pump at the sink then turned once again to hand it to her.

She took a sip to relieve the persistent dryness in her throat.

Pulling out the chair opposite her, he sat, then folded his hands on the table. “Uh, I’m not sure how to do this. I’ve never hired anyone to take care of Avery before.”

“Not to worry, Marshal.” She smiled at him. He definitely needed her help and though it wasn’t what she wanted, she’d do it anyway—for him and for the little girl sitting on her lap. “We’ll figure it out. Ask me anything.”

“Can you cook?”

“Yes, of course. Nothing fancy, mind you, but tasty and filling.”

“I already know you can clean.” He waved his hand, encompassing the room. “Avery and I haven’t explored much, but everything looks spotless.” He turned his attention back to her, tilting his head to the side. “Will Sunday and Wednesday afternoon off be acceptable?”

She couldn’t concentrate on what he was saying.

Not one bit. All she could hear was her heart beating rapidly, like it had suddenly sprung to life three years after she laid Brett to rest. She couldn’t see beyond the warm glow of his eyes, either, or the slight smile that made his mouth fuller. Tongue-tied, she finally just nodded.

“I’m not sure of the hours but I was thinking something like seven to seven. Will your husband mind if you’re here and not at home?”

“I’m a widow, Marshal. There is no one at home waiting for me.” She glanced at the girl in her lap then turned her attention back to him. “I can work whatever hours you need.”

Sympathy appeared in his eyes and a slight flush colored his cheeks. “I’m sorry. I just assumed—Lucy didn’t mention that when I met with her this morning.” He recovered from his embarrassment rather quickly, but the empathy remained. “Did she tell you how much the salary would be?”

“No, she didn’t.”

He named a figure that was much more than she earned at the Emporium, considering that Cousin Arnold kept decreasing the hours she worked.

With that much money every week, she’d be able to save a good deal toward The Plan.

Excitement bubbled inside her that her dream was much closer now, but that feeling was overpowered by the warmth of his gaze. “Yes, that will be fine.”

“There might be occasions where you’ll have to stay late. Is that all right with you?”

“Of course.” She shifted Avery’s slight weight as the girl sat on her lap and tightened her hold on her. “I would never leave Avery alone. I’ll just wait for you to come home. I have a room at Mrs. McMurty’s boarding house so I’m close by. Actually, you can see her place from your back porch.”

He visibly relaxed, the tension easing from his stiff posture. “You’re hired. Can you start tomorrow?”

“I’d like nothing better.” She removed Avery from her lap, then rose from her chair as he did the same. “I’ll see you both in the morning.”

“By the way, the rest of our belongings should be arriving tomorrow. Will you take care of Avery’s things when they do?”

She watched as Avery slipped her little hand into his big one. She really was smitten with the girl. “I’d be happy to.”

He walked her to the front door, then pulled a key from his pocket.

There was a look in his eye as he handed it to her, as if he was saying he trusted her with his most prized treasure—his daughter.

She understood better than he might think.

She slipped the key into her drawstring purse, then pulled the strings tight.

“Everything will be fine, Marshal. Avery and I will have a wonderful time together.” She tried to reassure him but wasn’t certain if he believed her. She’d just have to prove it to him.

He said nothing as he opened the door, simply nodded in response to her statement.

She turned her attention to Avery. “I’ll see you tomorrow, all right?”

The little girl nodded with enthusiasm, those bright eyes of hers gleaming, but she remained silent.

As she stepped off the porch and into the street, she was aware of the marshal’s gaze on her and felt the thrill of it settle in her stomach. Despite that feeling, the next time she saw Lucy, she’d have a word or two to say to her!