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

lightly touched her arm. “Anyone ever tell you you’re a tough lady?”
    â€œI’ve had to be.” She’d intended the comment to put him in his place and remind him of the past, but her moment of triumph faded quickly at the deep sadness that darkened his eyes.
    â€œTrust me. Once the citizens of Dover get to know you, they’ll come around.”
    Trust Shaw? Not likely.
    He stood. “If everything here is good, I have an appointment I need to get to.”
    â€œBig date?” Why had she asked that question? His personal life was none of her business.
    â€œNo. Big job. My other projects are suffering because of the library. I’m trying to get caught up.” He glanced at the girls then nodded at her. “I’ll see you at home later.”
    Lainie waited until Shaw was driving off in his truck before calling a halt to her daughters’ fish feeding. She hoped he was right about the people of Dover eventually accepting her. Perhaps it would help if she made herself more visible and started to meet people. A friendly smile and showing sincere interest in their town could go a long way to breaking the ice and shifting people’s negative reaction to her new position.
    As she finished fastening Chrissy into her car seat, Lainie spotted a newspaper dispenser a few feet away. Curious to read the article written about her, she inserted the required coins and pulled out the weekend edition of the
Dover Dispatch
.
    By the time she’d stopped at the grocery and returned to the house, she was relieved to see Shaw’s truck was gone. She changed her clothes, then went downstairs and opened the paper. The article about her was very nice. It mentioned her years of working in libraries, her degree and her children. Other than being a newcomer to Dover, there was nothing in the piece that should have upset anyone. Except for the fact that the residents had expected Millie to get the job. Well, she’d have to prove to them she was the perfect one to run their new library. And she would, as soon as she could start work.
    â€œMommy, I’m hungry. Can we have hot dogs?”
    An idea blossomed in Lainie’s mind. Gwen had told her about Friendship Park, where the people liked to gather on weekends. She’d said there were hiking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds and ball fields. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. What better way to meet the locals than at a place called Friendship Park?
    â€œGirls, how would you like to go to the park?”
    She would take the initiative and reach out to the locals. If she was friendly and open then maybe they would see that she wasn’t a threat, simply a newcomer who wanted to fit in and bring the joy of the new library to Dover.
    * * *
    Monday afternoon, Lainie stepped into the mayor’s office fighting to maintain a professional demeanor. The balding, fifty-something man had a warm smile and a firm handshake, which bolstered her hopes. He listened attentively, but when she finished, the frown on his face raised her anxiety.
    â€œI understand and sympathize with the position you are in, Mrs. Hollings, but there’s not much I can do for you. No one is allowed to work in that building until it’s completed and passed inspection. It’s not safe. And I know for a fact Shaw McKinney is a stickler for safety.”
    Lainie bit off the contradictory comment she wanted to make. Shaw might be a stickler for safety now, but where had that concern been when her husband was on that steeply pitched roof?
    â€œMayor, with all due respect, I cannot be unemployed for weeks. I have two children to support.”
    â€œBelieve me, I wish I could help you, but it’s out of my hands. Our first concern is the completion of the facility. If the building is not finished on time and in the manner prescribed, the city of Dover must assume the cost of running the library. Unfortunately, we’re not in a position to do that.