Bachelor to the Rescue (5 page)

Monday afternoon, Lainie stepped into the mayor's office fighting to maintain a professional demeanor. The balding, fifty-something man had a warm smile and a firm handshake, which bolstered her hopes. He listened attentively, but when she finished, the frown on his face raised her anxiety.

“I understand and sympathize with the position you are in, Mrs. Hollings, but there's not much I can do for you. No one is allowed to work in that building until it's completed and passed inspection. It's not safe. And I know for a fact Shaw McKinney is a stickler for safety.”

Lainie bit off the contradictory comment she wanted to make. Shaw might be a stickler for safety now, but where had that concern been when her husband was on that steeply pitched roof?

“Mayor, with all due respect, I cannot be unemployed for weeks. I have two children to support.”

“Believe me, I wish I could help you, but it's out of my hands. Our first concern is the completion of the facility. If the building is not finished on time and in the manner prescribed, the city of Dover must assume the cost of running the library. Unfortunately, we're not in a position to do that. We must adhere to the directives in this bequest or lose the library.”

“Couldn't you speak with the donor and explain the situation?”

“I don't know who he or she is. Our benefactor wishes to remain anonymous. The donation was a way of housing their personal book collection. I think the stringent specifications stem from this person's desire to ensure the building will do their books justice.”

While she sympathized with his position, that didn't help her situation. She'd have to find a job. Quick. “I understand, Mayor. However, I would have appreciated some notification so I could have made other arrangements. I came to Dover prepared to start work.”

“I apologize for that. It was an oversight. But I promise you, I'll let you know the moment things are ready.”

As Lainie walked through the old courthouse, she searched for a way to make ends meet for the next few weeks. She was not going to live off Shaw for a month until she could start work at the library.

She pushed open the old wooden door and stepped outside into the warm sunshine and a welcome breeze. As her eyes adjusted to the light, she saw Shaw jogging up the stone steps. “What are you doing here? It's the middle of the day.” There was a hopeful look on his face that intensified his cobalt eyes.

“I wanted to know how it went.”

“Not good. There's nothing he can do until the building is completed. Something about the conditions of the donation.”

Shaw nodded. “I was afraid of that. I've had to navigate a maze of oddball construction requirements to accommodate the building design. Even with the structural problems, I could have been finished with the job weeks ago if it hadn't been for the details required.” A small smile moved his mouth. “I guess it's up to me now.”

“I can't wait that long.” She glanced around the square. There were plenty of shops and businesses. Maybe she could get a job with one of them. “I used to wait tables. I could work at the diner part-time.”

“I may have another suggestion. Come to work for me.”

Lainie frowned. “I don't know anything about construction.”

“That's not what I had in mind.” He glanced over her shoulder. “Let's grab something to drink and I'll tell you my idea.”

A cool glass of tea sounded wonderful. She could use a few moments to process the meeting, but she didn't have the time. “I can't. I need to get back to the girls. Gwen is watching them for me. What kind of job are you suggesting?”

“I need a bookkeeper. Between the library job and my other projects, I don't have much time to stay on top of my business accounts and I'm falling behind. If I had someone to handle the paperwork, it would free me up to spend more time on the job. I'd pay you a fair salary and you could work from the house so you wouldn't need a babysitter. And you'd have free rent.”

It was a tempting offer, but the thought of being further indebted to Shaw didn't set well. If she said yes, she'd still be taking his help, but at least she'd be earning her own money. She wasn't too proud to remain his tenant. She'd scanned the homes and apartments for rent section of the Sunday paper, and been shocked and disappointed at the prices. She'd expected the cost of living to be cheaper in a small town. “I don't know.”

Shaw smiled. “Think about it. We'll talk tonight, and I'll show you what I need you to do. It would help both of us, Lainie.”

She looked into his blue eyes and saw that hopeful glint again. “I'll think about it. But that's all I can promise.”

“Fair enough. I'd better get back to work. We should get the drywall upstairs done today.”

As she drove home, Lainie thought about Shaw's offer. Without a paycheck, there was little she could do but rely on Shaw for everything she needed. Once her new credit cards arrived, she could use them for her expenses, though she couldn't live off them. She'd deliberately set low limits. Working for Shaw would draw her deeper into Shaw's debt, and his life, but it was a practical solution in the short term.

Lainie parked the car in Shaw's driveway, then made her way next door to pick up the girls. Gwen greeted her with a big smile and the offer of a glass of sweet tea. Settled on Gwen's expansive back deck, Lainie felt some of the afternoon's tension ease.

“How's it going? Are you getting settled in?”

Lainie shrugged. “Coming to Dover was supposed to be a new start for us, and it's not working out at all the way I'd hoped. I took the girls to Friendship Park yesterday. I thought it would be a good way to meet some of the locals. But all I got were stares and a few curt comments. So much for the small town with the big heart.”

“I'm sorry. Try not to get too discouraged. Once the library opens and everyone sees how wonderful you are, and all the programs you'll start, they'll forget about you being a newcomer.” Gwen squeezed her hand. “The people of Dover are wonderful, loving and generous at heart. We have our sour apples and a few angry malcontents, but that's true of every town. I'm sorry you're not getting the warm welcome you expected, but I promise you they will come around. In their minds, you've attacked one of their beloved citizens. They're standing up for her and they'll do the same for you once they get to know you.” She picked up a gift bag from a small table and handed it to her. “Maybe this will cheer you up.”

“For me? What is it?” Lainie removed the paper filler from the bright green gift bag and pulled out a lovely leather shoulder bag.

“It's a combination welcome to Dover and apology gift. For my mother's horrible behavior at church yesterday.”

Lainie stopped with her hand on the purse zipper. “Oh, Gwen, you didn't have to do this. But it's lovely.”

“I know you're trying to make do, but no woman feels complete without a purse. I thought this would be the prefect size. It's small, but still large enough for a bag of cookies or a book.”

“Books.” Lainie's mind kicked into gear. “Books. What about all the books? Why didn't I ask him?”

“What are you talking about?”

“The library books. The mayor said the person who donated the library did so to preserve their personal book collection. Where are they? And what about the new books? Have they been ordered? Finishing the building is great, but if there aren't any books, it's useless. I need to call the mayor.” Lainie gave Gwen a big hug then called for the girls and hurried them out the door. “Thank you for the purse. It's perfect.”

After sending Natalie and Chrissy to play in the Princess Club, Lainie dialed the Mayor's office only to learn he was in a meeting for the remainder of the day. The secretary suggested she attend the Library Board meeting the next evening and discuss her problem with them then.

Renewed hope bubbled up from deep inside. Maybe she could convince the board to let her work on the books. Unless there was some weird stipulation that forbade it. She was grateful to the anonymous donor for their gift, but the strings attached to it were bothersome.

So far, her arrival in Dover had been fraught with speed bumps and detours, but she refused to sit by and twiddle her thumbs for the next three to four weeks waiting for Shaw McKinney to finish his part of the project. There was too much at stake for her and her girls.

In the meantime, she might need to seriously consider his offer to work for him. If she failed to sway the library board, then at least she'd have income and a roof over her head.

And she did like staying in this old house.

Chapter Five

T
he soft evening breeze drifted through the small window above the kitchen sink was enticing Lainie outside to sit on the porch and watch the evening fade. If she took Shaw's offer to work for him and remained in this house, the first thing she'd do would be to find some comfy chairs for the front porch. She longed to enjoy the porch swing out front, but she was reluctant to ask her landlord if it was okay. Keeping clear lines between them was wise.

Pushing the start button on the dishwasher, she wiped her hands on a dish towel then stepped onto the back porch to check on the girls. She'd allowed them to stay outside a little longer tonight. They finally had a big yard to play in and she wanted them to enjoy it as much as possible. Scanning the lush yard, she frowned when she couldn't see either child. “Natalie. Chrissy.” A finger of fear touched her spine. A list of horrible possibilities flashed through her mind. Her girls were her life. If anything happened to them she couldn't go on.

Losing her husband so suddenly had left her with a deep-seated fear of losing her children to some unknown catastrophe. Her mother had helped her overcome much of her fear by reminding her frequently that the Lord was in charge. But sometimes the fear would break loose, threatening to overwhelm her rational mind. She called out again, her voice rising in pitch.

“We're in here, Mommy.”

She spun around to see Chrissy's face poking out from Beaux's pet door. Relief made her slightly light-headed. “What are you doing?”

“I fit in the door like Beaux does.”

Her delighted smile washed away Lainie's fear. She did look cute on her hands and knees in the small opening. Still, she couldn't condone their being in Shaw's side of the house without telling her. “Where is your sister? And why are you in Mr. Shaw's house?”

“Beaux invited us in.”

Chrissy pulled back through the opening and Lainie tapped on the door. Chrissy opened it and smiled, pushing her glasses up.

“We are going to have a serious talk, young lady.”

Lainie found Natalie seated on the kitchen floor tugging on Beaux's ears.

Natalie muttered a soft
uh-oh
when she saw her mother. Shaw was seated at his kitchen table in front of his laptop. He had an odd look on his face, but she couldn't decide if he was upset or simply amused.

“Girls, you know better than to bother Mr. Shaw. Especially when he's working.”

“We wanted to help Beaux.” Natalie rested her head against the dog's side.

“He was lonely.” Chrissy darted to the dog and fell to her knees, wrapping her little arms around his spotted neck. If Lainie didn't know better, she'd think the dog was laughing at Chrissy.

Shaw stifled a smile and Lainie felt her tension ease. “I'm so sorry. I'll have a talk with them.”

“It's all right. They saved me from trying to juggle any more numbers.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose and exhaled a weary sigh. “I know it's not complicated, but I'm too tired to make sense of anything tonight.”

She stepped to his side, glancing at the computer screen, resisting the urge to place a comforting hand on his shoulder. This was as good a time as any to tell him what she'd decided. “I've been thinking about your suggestion.”

His eyes brightened. “And?”

“I'd like to accept.”

“Great. I really need your help on this.”

She forced herself to look away from his eyes. Certain emotions made them change from a navy blue to cobalt. They were an unusual color, and one she found far too fascinating. “I'm familiar with this program. I kept the books for my mother. She owned a small gift shop. After she passed, I went to work for a wealthy friend of hers in Memphis as her personal assistant, and she used the same program.”

“That'll make things easier. When can we get together and go over the details?”

“Tonight is good. After I put the girls to bed.”

He stood and extended his hand. “Then we have a deal? We'll be working together from now on.”

His words had implications she wasn't sure she liked. The working part was fine. It was the together thing that sent a twinge along her nerves. She hesitated a moment before slipping her hand into his. His grasp was warm and firm, and sent a strange vibration along her senses, an odd connection of some sort. She looked into his eyes and saw her own surprise reflected in his. She tugged her hand away.

He held her gaze a moment before resting his hands on his hips and nodding. “I'll get things in order and we'll go over what I need you to do. And we'll discuss your pay.” He nodded toward the French door that separated them. “Just tap on the glass when you're ready.”

“Okay.” She took a step back, battling the feeling she'd just made a deal with the enemy. Shaw wasn't exactly the enemy, but he wasn't a friend, either. “Girls. Let's go and let Mr. Shaw finish his work. You can play with Beaux tomorrow.”

She was halfway out the door when Shaw caught up to her. His expression was serious, his eyes holding a hint of pleading.

“Lainie, this will be a good arrangement for both of us. You'll have income to tide you over, and I'll be free to devote all my time to finishing the construction.”

She couldn't argue, but she felt as if she'd somehow betrayed her husband with her decision. “I know.”

She consoled herself with the knowledge that her survival was her first concern. She needed to provide for her girls, and this was only a temporary solution.

* * *

Shaw stood in Lainie's kitchen Tuesday evening trying to process what she'd just said. “You want me to what?” He'd barely stepped inside the house after a tough day at work, eager to shower and chill, when Lainie tapped on the glass in the French door, beckoning him to come over. They'd got together last night and gone over his accounts. She'd caught on quickly, lifting a huge burden from his shoulders.

He'd entered her kitchen, expecting her to have questions about his business. But instead, she'd blindsided him with a request to babysit Natalie and Chrissy.

“It'll only be for an hour or so. I asked Gwen to watch them, but she and Eric have an appointment this evening. I don't know anyone else, and I can't leave them with some teenager I don't even know. I need to meet with the library board tonight. I'm sure I can convince them to let me start cataloging the benefactor's book collection.”

Lainie might as well have asked him to go shopping for a prom dress. Shaw held up his hands in refusal. “No way. I don't know anything about kids.”

“I wouldn't ask if it weren't important. Believe me, you are the
last
person I want to trust my children to, but you said yourself that getting this job done on time is important to both of us. The library books are a vital part of that completion, don't you think?”

Shaw scraped his knuckles along his jaw. “I thought the mayor said there was no way you could start work before the building was done.”

“He did. But one thing I learned from working for Mrs. Forsythe is that there are always loopholes if you look for them. I'm praying this might be mine.”

The pleading in her eyes weakened his resolve. “Are you sure you want me to watch them?”

Lainie crossed her arms over her chest. “No. I'm not, but I can't take them with me. That leaves you as my only option. They go to bed at eight. I'll have them ready. All you have to do is let them play until bedtime then remind them to brush their teeth, and hear their prayers. After that, you can relax. Mainly you're here in case anything happens.”

The thought chilled his blood and a stab of guilt punctured his heart. That was the problem. What
if
something happened? He'd failed this woman once. He couldn't handle failing her again. He opened his mouth to refuse, but she placed her hand on his arm, sending a warm rush along his skin. Her soft brown eyes were lit with hope and excitement. She'd had little to rejoice about since arriving in Dover. He couldn't add more disappointment because of his fears. “Okay. But keep your phone handy. I reserve the right to bail at any moment.”

The smile she flashed dissolved his unease. It was a beautiful, knee-buckling sight. He remembered it well from when she would visit her husband on a job site. He cleared his throat. “What time should I be here?”

“In about forty-five minutes?”

He nodded, then headed to his place, marveling at how he'd been hoodwinked into being a babysitter. After a quick bite and a shower, he and Beaux went next door to begin serving their sentence.

Lainie ushered them in with a smile, but Shaw could see she was nervous. Was it because of the library board or that she was leaving her girls in his care? Probably a little of both. She was putting all her hopes on this meeting. He prayed it would go well.

Natalie and Chrissy charged into the room with happy smiles for him and hugs for Beaux. It left an odd hollow in a corner of his chest. He'd always liked coming home to his empty rooms. The peace and quiet restored him after a hard day. A welcome bark and nuzzle from his canine buddy was all the greeting he needed. But having two little faces smiling at him was nice, too.

“Hello, Beaux.” Lainie gave the dog a welcome scratch. “Bringing the dog was a good idea. They'll be so busy playing with him, they won't be any trouble at all.”

“Come on, Beaux. Let's have a tea party.” Chrissy tugged on the dog's collar and he trotted off with her.

Shaw frowned as the dog disappeared into the other room. “He was supposed to be my protection.” Lainie giggled softly, tripping an extra beat in his pulse. He'd never heard her laugh. It was like wind chimes.

“They're little girls, Shaw, not alien creatures.” She picked up her purse. “Thank you for doing this. I know it's a huge imposition, but think of it as another way we're working together to get the library done. I'm helping you with your accounting, and you're helping me by babysitting. And I promise I won't make a habit of it.” She made a thumbs-up gesture. “Pray for a positive outcome tonight.”

She had a point. He stopped her at the back door. “Lainie, I know you'll convince them.”

“How do you know that?”

“You convinced me to be a babysitter. That takes some doing.”

His encouraging words earned him another smile, but his confidence sagged the moment Lainie walked out the door. He was alone with two little princesses, and he had no idea how to be a knight in armor. A quick glance at his watch revealed he had an hour to keep them entertained before he could put them to bed and relax.

Setting his jaw and squaring his shoulders, he walked into the living room. The sight that greeted him convinced him he was seriously out of his element. Natalie, Chrissy and Beaux were seated in the tower around a small table. The girls wore wide-brim hats with flowers on top, and Beaux had a purple feather boa draped around his neck. The Dalmatian looked back at him with a pitiful expression. Shaw knew exactly how he felt. “Sorry, pal. There's nothing I can do.”

Two sets of blue eyes looked at him above happy smiles. Chrissy stood and darted to his side, her little hand wrapping around one of his fingers as she tugged him forward. Her hand was much smaller than her mother's, but it had a similar effect on his system.

Holding Lainie's hand yesterday had left an imprint on his skin and in his mind. For an instant, he'd thought he'd felt a jolt, a strange surge of energy shoot through his system. He'd quickly dismissed the idea as nonsense. But feeling the little fingers wrapped tightly around his was doing something to him, as well. It unleashed a rush of warmth around his heart and a depth of protectiveness he'd never experienced before.

“Come on, Misser Shaw. You can come to our tea party, too.”

His heart sank. No. Not that. “I have a better idea. Why don't we go outside and toss the ball for Beaux? I'll show you some of his tricks.”

Natalie shook her head. “First, tea party.”

Chrissy released his fingers and reached for a small blue plastic teapot. “We need water.”

“Please,” Natalie added sweetly.

Shaw took the pot into the kitchen, questioning his lapse in judgment in agreeing to watch the children. He felt inadequate. Nervous. What if he failed? What if something happened and he messed up, the way he'd messed up with their father?
Lord, please keep me alert and aware. Help me keep these little girls safe until Lainie comes home.
He'd keep an eagle eye on the children. Never let them out of his sight. Shaw stared at the small blue teapot, old doubts rising to the surface of his mind. He still questioned his actions that day on the roof. He needed to make sure nothing happened tonight. A quick glance at his watch revealed he'd only been a babysitter for ten minutes. It was going to be a long night.

“Sit down, Misser Shaw, so you can have your tea and cookies.”

Resigned to his fate, Shaw lowered himself to the floor sitting cross-legged as Natalie handed him a tiny cup and saucer. His hand was so large, he could barely pinch his fingers together to grasp the small handle. He watched as the girls took little sips of “tea.” He raised the cup and took a sip. He felt ridiculous.

Natalie smiled at him. “Isn't our Princess Club pretty?”

Shaw took in the circular area filled with feathers, bows and other girlie things. “Very nice. But I thought you said boys weren't allowed. Except Beaux.”

“You're not really a boy,” Natalie explained.

“Yeah, you're more of a daddy so it's okay.”

Shaw's throat tightened. Daddy? No. Not happening.

“Our daddy is in heaven.” Chrissy adjusted her hat.

Natalie nodded. “Mommy has a picture in her room.”

How was he supposed to respond to that? “I'm sure he was a good dad.”

“I guess.” Natalie shrugged. “I don't remember him.”