Bachelor to the Rescue by Lorraine Beatty Read Free Book Online

the library just to catch a glimpse of her.”
    Jeb stepped back to his truck and returned quickly with a blue-and-white striped box. Shaw chuckled. “The Donut Palace. Sugar covered?”
    â€œI figured if you were here this early you might be in a bad mood. I was being prepared.”
    Shaw placed a friendly slap on his shoulder. “Let’s get to work. After a doughnut break.”
    * * *
    Lainie poured a second cup of coffee and carried it into the living room, stopping at one of the large windows facing the front porch. It was a beautiful morning. She would like to sit outside, but the swing was on Shaw’s side of the porch and she didn’t want to cross that barrier. Besides, if she sat outside, she might not hear the girls, and she didn’t want them alone when they woke up in a strange house.
    She hadn’t slept well. Her dreams had been dark and threatening, each one jolting her awake and making it hard to fall back to sleep. In one, she’d been standing in a lovely garden that had suddenly changed into a dark cemetery. Another time, she’d dreamed she was running down wet streets searching for something, but no idea what. However, one dream had been more disturbing than the others. She’d dreamed she was being carried in strong arms against a solid chest and cradled in safety and warmth. When she’d looked up, she had seen Shaw’s face. That nightmare had pulled her from sleep with a yelp.
    Clearly, her subconscious was struggling to sort out the events from yesterday. Back in the kitchen, she sat at the table and opened her Bible, flipping through the psalms. Like David, she was wandering in an unknown wilderness, unsure of her direction and wondering what the Lord was working in her life by putting Shaw in her path again. She hoped his statement that she couldn’t start work on time was wrong. She planned on being in the mayor’s office the moment Mr. Ogden returned to get things straightened out.
    God willing, her replacement cards would arrive quickly, and she could regain control of her life. She glanced at the small makeup bag lying in the middle of the table. She’d emptied it out to use as her temporary purse. In addition to the cell phone, Shaw had given her a prepaid credit card for emergencies. She now possessed the things she needed to function on a daily basis—a temporary driver’s license, a phone, a credit card and her change from the diner. It wasn’t much, but it restored the sense of normalcy and control she’d been missing since being robbed yesterday.
    â€œMommy, I’m hungry.”
    Natalie shuffled to her side rubbing sleepy eyes. Lainie lifted her onto her lap. She was getting so big. “Did you sleep well?”
    â€œIt’s a happy room.”
    â€œIt is? Why do you say that?”
    â€œâ€™Cause the sunshine woke me up.”
    Little footsteps on the stairs announced Chrissy’s arrival. She hurried toward her mother for a morning hug. Lainie’s heart swelled with love and gratitude again for being delivered safely from a dangerous situation. She had her girls. Everything else could be handled in time.
    Lainie prepared breakfast, enjoying the meal with new appreciation. Despite her feelings about Shaw, she had to admit she felt safe in this old house, and having a man nearby was comforting, too.
    Chrissy swallowed the last of her juice then scooted off her chair. “I want to see Misser Shaw and play with Beaux.”
    Lainie had heard Shaw’s truck pull out of the drive early this morning and assumed he was going to the library to work. “He’s not here, sweetie.”
    Chrissy pulled back the curtain covering the French door. “Mommy, there’s a note.”
    She joined her daughter, bending down to read the note taped to one of the glass panes from Shaw’s side.
    Working today. Call if you need me. Doggie door unlatched if Beaux wants to play.
    â€œWhat’s