Love Inspired May 2015 #1 (46 page)

Touching him stirred an unwelcome attraction. She was impressed with his willingness to let the girls cover him in stickers and paint his fingernails. She wouldn't have expected that from a diehard bachelor. Aware of the tension between them, Lainie cleared her throat and attempted light conversation. “My girls can be very persuasive.”

“A couple of little charmers. It's hard to say no. They told me this sky color matched my eyes.”

“Oh, no. Your eyes aren't sky blue, they're cobalt like those old bottles...” She froze. What was wrong with her? She shouldn't be paying Shaw any compliments. What would he think?

“I'm partial to brown eyes myself.”

She had brown eyes. Lainie pressed her lips together, forcing herself to not react. That was the Shaw she'd expected, always looking for a way to charm the ladies. Picking up a fresh cotton ball, she doused it with polish remover and started on Shaw's other hand working quickly to complete the task.

“I'm sure the library board will decide in your favor.”

“You sound confident.”

“I am. Anyone who can raise two great kids all alone can do anything.”

Lainie finished cleaning the last nail and released his hand, trying to ignore the compliments he'd given her. They didn't mean anything. He scattered flattery like beads at Mardi Gras, without any real thought. Still, she found herself wishing he'd meant them. Which was completely out of line. She needed some space. “Thank you again.”

Shaw stood. “My pleasure. If you need a babysitter, you know where to find me. Just tap on the glass and I'll come running.”

“Thanks, but I don't think I'll be needing you anymore.” His eyes darkened again, and he turned to leave. A funny hitch in her pulse refused to stop, even after he'd closed the door. She needed to get a grip. She would not fall prey to the compliments of a skilled charmer like Shaw.

Chapter Six

S
haw poured a tall glass of sweet tea before sitting down in front of his laptop. A quick check revealed Lainie was staying on top of his accounts. He leaned back in the chair and smiled. One less thing to lose sleep over. Beaux laid his snout on Shaw's knee, earning a gentle scratch. His gaze drifted to the French door across the hall. It was late Wednesday night. There would be no cute faces peeking at him and waving little fingers. And no glimpse of Lainie.

He smiled when he noticed slivers of blue polish still clinging to his cuticles. Babysitting Natalie and Chrissy last night had opened a new world for him. The two little girls enchanted him as nothing ever had, and stirred a longing deep inside that he couldn't explain.

It had been an interesting experience, like riding a raft down a rushing river without a paddle. But each time they peeked at him through the glass panes or smiled and waved, he felt an odd tugging in the center of his chest, like stretching an unused muscle. It hurt, but felt good at the same time.

Closing his laptop, he took his glass out onto the front porch. Beaux trotted alongside. The streetlights had blinked on, casting their yellow glow across the front lawn. He liked the stillness of evening and the solitude of the darkness. It gave him time to reflect on things and organize his mind for the next day. Though lately all his thoughts centered on Lainie.

He needed to concentrate on the library. The job weighed on his mind every minute. Failure was not an option. Completing the job was his responsibility and he took his responsibilities seriously. He learned young that responsibility gave him a purpose and a direction. After his mother left, his dad had sought escape in drink to ease the emptiness. It had fallen to Shaw to take over the household until his dad was able to function again. Years later, after renewing his faith, Shaw had come to see his sense of responsibility as his gift. He'd use it to help, to fix, to smooth the way for others. He'd be the one people relied on, the go-to guy. He liked it that way. Clear. Direct. No complications.

He eased onto the porch swing, resting his drink on the arm, and set the swing in motion. His gaze drifted to Lainie's side of the house. A faint glow seeped from her front window. He fought an urge to knock on her door and ask her to join him.

As if reading his mind, Lainie stepped onto the porch, a small smile on her face.

“Mind if I join you?”

“Please.” He scooted over to give her room on the swing.

She sat down and leaned back. “I've wanted to use this swing from the first moment I saw it.”

“Why didn't you?”

“I didn't want to step over any boundaries.”

His heart twisted. There would always be a boundary between them—the past—and nothing could change that. “There are no boundaries here, Lainie. You're welcome to explore any part of the house. You can even use my tools in the garage if you promise to put them back.” She smiled at his attempt at humor, sending his heart racing. The pale light made her hair shimmer with each movement and he longed to run his fingers through the silken strands.

“Thanks. I really came out to give you an update on the library situation.”

“Good news, I hope.”

“Mostly. I received a call from Angie Durrant this afternoon. She said Blake found a way to allow me to work on the books at another location. She also said I could come on board as a consultant, which would give me access to the library computer system so I can start ordering the books we'll need. I would also be in charge of selecting all the furniture for the library.”

“I told you they would come around.”

“Well, the bad news is, while I'll be officially on the payroll as a consultant, I won't get a paycheck until my job is completed.”

“So it's a good thing you're working for me. Now you can get started on the job you came here for.”

“Yes, but it all hinges on finding a large enough space to work on the books. Do you have any suggestions?”

“Not off the top of my head, but I'll ask around and see what I can come up with.”

“Thanks. I'd appreciate it.” Lainie stared at her hands a moment as if gauging her next words. “The girls were disappointed they didn't get to see you tonight. They talked about you all day. They have declared you their favorite babysitter.”

The compliment made him smile. “I'm sure they did. I caved to their every request.”

“It's nice for them to have a male presence in their lives. They've been surrounded with women up until now.”

Shaw swallowed. Was she asking him to step in and be that role model for the girls? Doubtful, but he couldn't dismiss the longing in the brown depths of her eyes. “Have you thought about getting married again? You're young, beautiful, with a lot of love to give the right man.”

She looked away, her fingers clutching the chain holding up the swing. “No. Most guys I meet aren't interested in a woman with kids. The last man I dated told me a real man wouldn't want to raise some other guy's kids.”

Shaw's fingers curled into fists. What kind of jerk would say something like that to Lainie? “He was wrong. You know that, don't you? A man who loved you would love your girls because they are part of you.” Her brown eyes reflected tender gratitude, sending Shaw's pulse tripping.

Her voice was soft when she spoke. “What about you? Don't you ever think about settling down?”

Not until lately. He looked away. “Nope. I'm not the marrying kind.”

“Is that why you only date a woman twice, so you can't get too close?”

“Who told you that? That's not true. I'm a busy guy. I don't have time to play around.”

“Really? I thought maybe you were playing the old ‘dump them before they can dump you' game.”

Her observation pierced like an arrow into the center of his heart. She was wrong. He'd allowed his reputation with the ladies to stand because it prevented his dates from getting ideas. But he didn't dump his dates. He just never called them again. Shaw hid his emotion behind an “Are you kidding me?” expression. “You've been spending too much time in the psychology section of your library.”

Lainie's eyes narrowed. “Maybe so.” She shrugged. “Anyway, I had another reason for coming out here. I'm in need of your handyman skills again. One of the kitchen drawers is stuck.”

Grateful for the diversion, Shaw stood. “Let's take a look at it.”

In the kitchen, Lainie pointed to the half-opened drawer. “If it was any other one, I'd leave it alone, but we need silverware.”

Shaw tugged on the sides, but the drawer refused to budge. “Can't have a family meal without knives and forks.”

“So tell me about your family.”

He was beginning to wish Lainie had never joined him on the porch. Her questions were far too probing for his liking. “My dad and me. That's it.” He wiggled the drawer side to side.

“Your mom?”

Stooping, he examined the drawer slides, searching for the spot that was stuck, ignoring the sudden clenching in his stomach. “Walked out when I was twelve. Never saw her again.” He stood, then grasped the sides with both hands, braced himself and yanked. Hard. The drawer broke free with a loud snap. Shaw set the broken drawer on the countertop, giving it the once-over again. “The slides are broken. I'll replace them, but for now, you'll have to use it like this.”

“It's okay. I'll put the silverware someplace else.”

He turned to face her and found her close at his side. She took his hand, squeezing it gently. “I'm so sorry. I know how it feels to lose a parent. My dad died when I was in high school. But I can't imagine losing your mother that way.”

Shaw looked into her eyes, his heart beating wildly. His gaze caressed the soft lines of her face and the graceful curve of her neck. He inhaled the sweet strawberry scent that had lingered in his senses from the first moment he'd seen her at the police station. She stole his breath away. Her small hand fit perfectly in his. He wanted to hold it forever.

His cell phone dinged, breaking the spell. She released his hand, leaving him feeling lost and adrift. He took a shaky breath, trying to recover his composure and remember what they were talking about. Family. Right.

Lainie stepped back, brushing her hair behind her ear. “Thanks for looking at the drawer.”

“Sure. Just set it on the porch after you've emptied it. I'll get to it as soon as I can.”

“Okay.”

“Good night.”

Outside on the back porch, Shaw exhaled a pent-up breath. What had just happened between them? Lainie had taken his hand, and the connection between them had vibrated with awareness. He'd read compassion and understanding in her pretty eyes, giving him hope that maybe someday she'd be able to forgive him and they could be friends.

He entered his side of the house, chiding himself for creating fantasies. But maybe he could show his appreciation. Do something for her and the girls. Natalie had been disappointed there wasn't a swing in the backyard. That was something he could correct. And what better way to touch a mom's heart than by making her children happy?

Or gain her approval. He wanted that. He wanted Lainie to see beyond the past and erase the image she had of him. He wasn't that man anymore.

But he couldn't think of that now. They were under his protection, and until that obligation ended, he'd have to keep his emotional barriers in place.

He needed to remember that Lainie wasn't for him.

* * *

Lainie took a bite of her toast and tapped a few more keys on Shaw's computer. As soon as possible, she would buy one of her own. Having access to the internet and the information available was vital. Of course, once the library was up and running, she'd have use of that computer, but having one at home would be nice, too.

She closed her eyes and leaned back in the chair. Except, so far it hadn't been much help in finding a place to work on the library books. She'd run out of options. She'd called churches and civic groups, but none of them were willing to donate space. And the costs of renting available space were too high. She was beginning to think the whole idea was hopeless.

Being a stranger in town with few connections, and the person usurping the crown from the former librarian, didn't make things easier. If she were a native, she'd probably be home free. Of course, she was being a tad unrealistic. She'd gained approval from the board just yesterday afternoon, and it was only eight in the morning now.

“Mommy. There's a swing in the yard!” Giggles and squeals accompanied the sound of little feet pounding down the stairs. Natalie ran to Lainie's side, her eyes bright with excitement.

Chrissy hurried to a stop beside her sister. “Two of them.”

“What are you talking about?” Natalie dashed to the back door and pulled it open.

Chrissy tugged on her mother's hand, urging her up. “Come see.”

“Hurry, Mommy.”

She followed her daughters outside. Natalie hopped down the porch steps and ran across the grass. Chrissy held the handrail, moving as quickly as her little legs would allow. She smiled, pointing to the yard. “See, Mommy, I told you.”

Lainie walked across the lawn to the old live oak tree at the back corner of the yard. One thick limb now anchored two swings, the perfect height from the ground for two children.

Chrissy joined her sister, clapping her hands with joy. “This one's mine.”

A surge of gratitude and appreciation swelled Lainie's heart. She touched her fingers to her lips to still her emotions. Shaw had taken her daughter's wish to heart. She'd have to thank him for his thoughtful gesture.

“Push me, Mommy.”

Stepping behind Natalie, Lainie gave a firm push, unable to keep from smiling. Her girls would spend hours out here. Shaw had no way of knowing that he'd also given her a gift. She'd dreamed of this for a long time. Beaux barked and loped up to join them.

With the girls captivated by the new swings, Lainie resumed her search for a place to set up her library work. Gwen had called, but had nothing to report, though she promised to keep looking.

The morning stretched on, and with each failed phone call, Lainie's discouragement increased. She had run out of ideas and enthusiasm. Having her plan to catalog the books approved meant nothing if she couldn't find a place to work. Sitting back in her chair, she rubbed her temples trying to ease a throbbing headache.

The familiar cheery whistle of the postman gave her an excuse to take a much-needed break. Lifting the mail from the box beside the front door, she sorted through the stack, letting out a small squeal when she saw an envelope from her bank. She squeezed the paper, feeling the plastic card inside. Finally. Her life was back in her control. Now she could give Shaw back his credit card and pay him for the cell phone.

Back in the kitchen, she glanced outside. The girls were still swinging. On their stomachs this time. She wanted to thank Shaw for his kindness. She picked up her phone, but hesitated. She never called him at work. She didn't want to do anything that would slow the progress on the library. She could go in person. A phone call wouldn't convey her sincere appreciation for the swings the way a face-to-face would. Plus, then she could return the credit card to him. It would be safer.

Of course, she could wait until he got home tonight, but he'd been working later and later. There was no telling when he'd get in. Probably long after she'd gone to bed. She glanced at the kitchen clock. Gwen was taking the kids to an animated feature this afternoon. That would be the perfect time to go see Shaw. And the library. It occurred to her that she'd never even seen her future workplace.

As soon as the girls left for the movie, Lainie changed into her aqua sundress and applied a little makeup before slipping into her sandals. The library was located a block off the square and she pulled to a stop across the street. The building wasn't at all what she had expected. When Shaw had told her about the old Webster house, she'd imagined a dark stone building, like something out of a gothic novel. But the Dover library was going to be housed in a stately, golden brick mansion. The two-story structure boasted an angular tower on one side with arched windows. Double wooden doors flanked by stone corbels welcomed visitors. Graceful windows on either side were topped with arched lintels, and an impressive parapet ran the length of the roof.