Bachelor to the Rescue by Lorraine Beatty Read Free Book Online Page A

it say, Mommy?”
    Beaux came to the door and sat down. Chrissy pressed her face to the glass and giggled. “Hi, Beaux. Do you want to play with us?”
    Lainie ruffled Chrissy’s hair. “Mr. Shaw is at work, but he said Beaux can play with you if you want.”
    Both girls squealed, threatening to burst her eardrums. They dashed out the back door and Beaux slid through the pet door to join them. Pouring another cup of coffee, she went onto the back porch to watch the girls play.
    For a few moments, she allowed herself to daydream. If this were her yard, she’d clear out the bushes along the garage and put in a vegetable garden. And she’d put a small playhouse under that large live oak tree in the back corner. A sturdy one that would last until her grandchildren could play in it, too.
    â€œHello. Yoo-hoo. Over here.”
    Lainie looked in the direction of the shout and saw a woman about her age standing at the picket fence waving. Lainie waved back. “Hi.”
    â€œI’m Gwen Rogers. I heard the kids playing and thought I’d introduce myself.”
    Lainie joined the woman at the fence. Her smile was warm and friendly, making her blue eyes sparkle. “I’m Lainie Hollings.”
    â€œHow old are your girls?”
    â€œNatalie is six and Chrissy is four.”
    â€œGreat. My Mark is seven and Jacob is five. They’re at their grandmother’s now, but they’ll be home later. It’ll be nice for them to have playmates next door. Do you work?”
    â€œI’m the new librarian.”
    Gwen’s smile grew bigger. “Really? That’s wonderful. We’ve all been wondering who it would be. I can’t tell you how excited the town is to finally have our own library again. The closest one is in Sawyer’s Bend about twenty minutes from here. It’s nice, but it’s not ours. I think a library should be part of the town.”
    â€œI agree, and I have lots of ideas for programs and events to benefit the community. I want the library to be a place the residents of Dover look forward to coming.”
    â€œI’m so glad to hear that. Are you and your husband staying here with Shaw?”
    â€œNo. I mean, yes. I’m a widow. I’m only staying here temporarily.” She filled her in about the purse snatching.
    â€œThat’s awful. You must have been terrified. I’m glad you’re all right. And I’m glad Shaw was there to help. You know he’s Dover’s most eligible bachelor?”
    â€œI didn’t know that.” Though she wasn’t surprised. It fit with what she’d heard about him.
    â€œEvery woman from here to Jackson has tried to catch him. But he’s not about to be caught. He’s too content being single. If we could auction him off, we’d raise enough money to fund our local charities for the next decade.”
    Lainie couldn’t argue. Shaw was very attractive. Physically well built and handsome, but it was his character she questioned. His irresponsibility where others were concerned was a flaw she couldn’t ignore.
    â€œHe only dates a woman twice, then it’s over.” Gwen snapped her fingers in the air to emphasize her point. “I think something or someone in his past hurt him deeply. But he’s a good guy. He teaches some of the teen boys woodworking in his spare time.”
    Lainie wasn’t sure what to make of that piece of information. Her neighbor was painting a picture of her landlord that was difficult to process. She found the contradictions unsettling.
    â€œIf you need a babysitter, just let me know. I don’t work so I’m here most of the time, and I love kids. The more the merrier.”
    Gwen was going to be a joy to live next to and Lainie had a feeling they would quickly become close friends, even after she left Shaw’s house. “I might take you up on that, if you’re serious. I need to meet with the mayor on