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Turning toward the far end of the porch, she gasped when she saw a figure seated on the front steps. Shaw. He was stretched out along the top step, his back against the post, one knee bent and his arm resting on his leg.
“Why are you lurking there?”
“I’m not. You looked like you wanted some alone time. I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“You should have spoken up when I came out then I could have—”
“Run back inside?”
She opened her mouth to deny it, then changed her mind. She didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of thinking he had any influence over her. Shaw stood and ambled toward her, his boots thudding with solid force on the old boards. He was a hard man to ignore. At five feet six, she wasn’t considered petite, yet Shaw’s height and solid mass made her feel dainty. Irritated by her wayward observations, she crossed her arms over her chest and raised her chin. He stopped a few feet away, but still close enough she could catch a whiff of sawdust. She’d always liked that smell. Quickly, she looked down at the cell phone in her hand.
“If you need to call someone, I’ll leave you alone.”
She shrugged, loneliness washing through her once more. “No one to call.”
“No friends or family?” His voice was low and gentle as he studied her.
“Nope. Just me and the girls.”
“I assumed when you left Baton Rouge you went back to your family.”
“I did. I went to live with my mother in Jackson, Tennessee. Chrissy was born there. After Mom passed, I went to work for her good friend, Mrs. Forsythe, in Memphis. Now I’m here.”
“I spoke to Mary Ogden this evening. The mayor’s wife. She told me he’ll be home around lunchtime on Monday. She said you should go by his office and speak to him about your job. She feels certain he’ll do what he can.”
She couldn’t see his eyes in the dim light, but she didn’t miss the conciliatory tone in his voice. He was still trying to make up in some way for the past. Something he could never do. “Can he get the library done by Thursday?” Shaw glanced away briefly, clearly stung by her question. She snuffed out the twinge of regret that surfaced.
“No. That’s all on me, but I promise I’ll get it done as quickly as possible. You can count on me.”
She started to remind him that she’d counted on him to keep her husband safe. But as distasteful as it was to rely on Shaw’s help, she couldn’t ignore the truth. If it weren’t for him, she and the girls might have been spending the next few days in a shelter, or living out of her car. He was doing all he could to help, even if his motivation stemmed from his own guilty conscience. She looked up at him and her gaze locked with his. The light had shifted and she could see the distress in his eyes. “I appreciate your help today. I don’t know what I would have done otherwise. I’d do anything for my girls.”
“Including taking help from me?”
Lainie squared her shoulders. “Yes.” The flash of pain that shot through his eyes surprised her.
She opened the door and stepped into her living room. Shutting the door, she inhaled a few deep breaths to ease the anxiety clogging her throat. For the time being, she had no choice but to accept help from Shaw. But as soon as she met with the mayor, she’d convince him to let her start work whether the library was done or not. And the moment she received her new cards, she would find a place for her family to live and put as much distance as possible between herself and Shaw.
But as she lay in bed that night, one image kept reappearing in her mind. The flash of deep pain that had filled Shaw’s eyes. Could the accident have affected him more than she’d thought? The notion disturbed her. If that were true, then her long-held assumptions about Shaw were wrong. And they couldn’t be wrong. She’d placed him in a nice little box. Labeled neatly and precisely. Irresponsible. Not to be trusted. Her world was neat and orderly, and if Shaw wasn’t the man she’d thought he was then that meant changing, and she didn’t like change.
Besides, his whole nice-guy routine was an act calculated to ease his guilt and redeem himself for the past. Well, she had news for him. No amount of help or phony concern could make up for his careless disregard for others.
Chapter Three (#ulink_1df83c8a-ee3f-527c-9c17-8fb658e124a0)
Shaw pressed the trigger on the nail gun, the kickback reverberating along his arm. The activity helped ease the knot in his chest, which had formed last night when Lainie had stepped onto the porch and stirred his emotions. Her presence was shattering the peaceful life he’d found and unearthing a past he’d fought hard to overcome.
Her thank-you had been frosty, but sincere nonetheless. Truthfully, he couldn’t blame her. He’d feel the same way if he were in her position.
A few more pops and the half-round molding was secured. He picked up the next section and placed it against the paneling, making sure the mitered corners fit snugly. This room was one of two with paneled walls that needed major restoration. He was anxious to complete replacing the wainscoting and trim boxes. Then he could let the painters match the new stain to the old, and he and Russ could get started putting up drywall on the second floor.
The back of his neck tingled and he glanced over his shoulder to see Russ eyeing him curiously. “You need something?”
“Nope. Just wondering why you’re here so early on a Saturday?”
“We’re behind. There’s a lot of work to do.”
“So it doesn’t have anything to do with your guests?”
“Why should it?”
“I thought maybe you were anxious to get out of the house. The lady isn’t happy to be staying with you.”
That was putting it mildly. “Can you blame her?”
“Maybe not. But you need to stop blaming yourself.” Russ strolled away.
Shaw pulled the trigger on the nail gun. Russ was never one for expounding on things. He stated his position and moved on, and he was probably right. Shaw should have paid for rooms at the Dixiana motel and gone on about his business. But he couldn’t. Lainie might never forgive him for the past, but he’d do all he could to make sure she and her daughters were taken care of until the library was done.
Job complete, Shaw shut off the compressor, questions from the past surfacing again as he headed out to his truck. Had he done all he could that day? Or had he shirked his duty because of petty resentments? He’d been a different man then. Not nearly as safety conscious as he was now, or as experienced in dealing with a crew. Over the years, he’d learned how to spot troublemakers, slackers and guys who thought swinging a hammer was a thrill. If he’d known then what he knew now, he’d never have agreed to train Hollings.
What would Lainie say if he told her the whole truth about her husband? Would she forgive him then? Doubtful. The truth would only tarnish her memory of him and make Shaw feel like a heel.
He wanted to make things right somehow. Last night, she’d stepped onto the porch into the moonlight and stolen the breath from his lungs. She was lovely, the kind of woman he’d always hoped to find. The one he could spend his life with. But she wasn’t for him and never would be.
Shaw tossed his hard hat into the truck bed then spread the blueprints on the tailgate. He flipped to the pages showing the lobby layout. He tried to focus on the lines and figures but found Lainie invading his thoughts again.
“Do all the doors have locks?” The panic in her eyes had wounded him. Did she distrust him that much? Or was she feeling vulnerable and scared in the aftermath of being robbed?
She was in a tough spot and he wasn’t sure how to help her. Technically, she wasn’t his problem. But how could he stand by and let her and her girls struggle? He was morally obligated to do whatever he could.
He stared at the blueprints, the web of tiny lines reminding him of his priorities. He needed to stop worrying about Lainie. His future depended on getting this library finished. If the building wasn’t completed, then their personal problems were immaterial.
A silver truck pulled to a stop near his and his cabinetmaker, Jeb West, got out. They’d run into a glitch and needed to find a way to reconfigure the reception desk.
Jeb hooked his hard hat under his arm as he joined Shaw. “Hey, boss. I have a few ideas on how to rework that counter.”
“Good. I don’t need any more complications.”
Jeb lowered his head a bit and peered over his glasses. “You okay? You’re looking a bit sour.”
Shaw frowned and grabbed up the blueprints. “You’d be sour, too, if you were weeks behind on a project.” And your biggest mistake was living in your house.
“Hey, is it true Miss Millie isn’t going to be the new librarian?”
“That’s right.” Word traveled faster than high-speed internet in Dover.
“Man, that’s hard to believe.”
The comment set Shaw’s teeth on edge. “Believe it. People will just have to get over it. Lainie is going to be a great librarian. They need to stop being so bullheaded and give her a chance.”
“Whoa. Don’t bite my head off. I’d just as soon have a new librarian. Millie was a scary old—” Jeb cleared his throat. “Me, I’m all in favor of the new gal. I hear she’s quite a looker, too.”
Shaw let his anger fade. He was being overly sensitive. He needed to remember that not everyone was opposed to Lainie. Just a few old-timers who thought they were protecting their friend. One of those rumors, however, was absolutely true. “I think there will be a lot of folks who’ll come to 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?”
“I 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.
“Mommy, 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?”
“It’s a happy room.”
“It is? Why do you say that?”
“’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.
“What’s 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.
“Hello. 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.”
“I’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.”
“How old are your girls?”
“Natalie is six and Chrissy is four.”
“Great. 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?”
“I’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.”
“I 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.”
“I’m so glad to hear that. Are you and your husband staying here with Shaw?”
“No. I mean, yes. I’m a widow. I’m only staying here temporarily.” She filled her in about the purse snatching.
“That’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?”
“I didn’t know that.” Though she wasn’t surprised. It fit with what she’d heard about him.
“Every 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.
“He 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.
“If 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 Monday to see when I can start work.”
“I’d be happy to keep the girls. I’ll bring the boys over later so they can get acquainted. It was so nice to meet you. Why don’t you visit our church tomorrow? Peace Community on the square. We’ll save you a seat.”
The invitation warmed her heart. “I’d like that. I want to get the girls back into Sunday chool.” Gwen gave her the time of the service then said goodbye, leaving a smile on Lainie’s face. Her visions of small-town life were starting to materialize. She’d had her first cozy conversation over a picket fence with a neighbor and been invited to church. She prayed the looming issues with her new job would be resolved as easily.
Returning to the porch, she watched her daughters darting in and out of the bushes and playing with the dog. Accepting Shaw’s offer was turning out to be a blessing, after all. She was staying in a charming old Victorian house, her girls had a yard and a dog to play with, and now neighbors. But this home was only temporary. She prayed she could find a place as nice once the issues with her job were sorted out.
