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

meant to tell you.”
    Shaw stepped closer to her side, squaring his shoulders as if preparing to defend her.
    Mrs. Adams raised her chin, the chill in her eyes still shooting icy daggers. “It said this is your first position as a librarian. I’m sure our new facility would benefit from someone with more experience.”
    â€œMother.” Gwen blushed and attempted to pull her away, but the woman stood still.
    Lainie wasn’t sure what was going on, but she knew she had to correct the misconception. “That’s not true, Mrs. Adams. I’ve worked at libraries many years before getting my degree.”
    â€œI don’t see why the board felt it necessary to hire an outsider when we have a perfectly qualified person here in Dover who has years of experience and the
respect
of every resident in town.”
    Lainie’s chest tightened. Hot stinging humiliation rose along her neck and into her cheeks. Her stomach twisted into a knot. Shaw placed his hand on her back, muttered something to Gwen and her mother, then firmly guided her and the girls out a side entrance to the parking lot.
    â€œI was afraid this might happen,”
    Lainie glanced at him. “What? I don’t understand. Why was she so upset? What have I done?”
    â€œNothing. It’s not you exactly.”
    â€œThen what exactly?”
    Natalie tugged on her hand. “Mommy, why was that lady mad at you?”
    Chrissy joined in. “Yeah, she was mean. I don’t like her.”
    â€œNot now, girls. We’ll talk about it later.” She sent a confused glance at Shaw. How did she explain something to her children when she didn’t understand herself?
    â€œWhere are you parked?”
    â€œAlong the courthouse park.”
    Shaw walked with them across the street into the park, stopping near a small pond. Slipping his hand into his pocket, he pulled out coins and handed them to the girls. “Ladies, this pond has a lot of hungry fish in it, and if you put these coins into the machine beside it, it’ll give you fish food.”
    Lainie nodded her permission and the girls ran off. Shaw guided her to a bench nestled in the shade of a sprawling old live oak tree.
    He watched the children for a moment before he spoke. “Russ called me this morning to tell me about the article in the paper.”
    Lainie braced herself. “Was it bad?”
    â€œNot at all. The problem is the town was expecting someone else to be the new librarian.”
    â€œWho?”
    Shaw explained about the affection the town held for the former librarian, but it did little to soothe her hurt feelings. “It’s not like I campaigned against this woman. The board hired me because of my qualifications. I thought small towns were supposed to be friendly and welcoming.”
    â€œThey are. They’re also loyal, and they see themselves as being loyal to one of their own.”
    â€œIs that why you’ve been standing guard like a watchdog this morning?” The grin he gave her caused a skip in her heartbeat.
    â€œIs that what I’m doing?”
    â€œYou practically forced yourself to sit with us, then you hovered like a bodyguard as we were leaving the sanctuary.”
    Shaw frowned and nodded. “Guess I did. After I heard about the article I thought I’d better try and run interference for you.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you warn me sooner?”
    â€œYou’ve been through a lot. Your welcome to Dover hasn’t been very kind, and I hated to add more to your burden.”
    â€œBut you suspected I’d get a cool reception at church?”
    â€œYes. Though I was praying the members would display a little more Christian charity.”
    â€œMost of them did.”
    He leaned closer. “It’ll be all right. Give it some time. The announcement caught a lot of folks off guard.”
    She nodded. “I suppose. My feelings are hurt, that’s all.”
    Shaw smiled and