Bachelor to the Rescue

“Uh, yes, but I don’t think it’s any good anymore.” He pointed to the bucket on the floor filled with brown gunk.

“Ew.” Chrissy pinched her nose against the smell.

“Thanks for the pizza, Mister Shaw.” Natalie grinned up at him from her mother’s side.

“My pleasure.”

“Girls, it’s bedtime. Say good-night and go back upstairs. I’ll be up in a minute.”

“Night, Mister Shaw.” Natalie smiled full out, flashing her twin dimples.

Chrissy came to his side and grinned. She placed her hand over her mouth, made a kissing sound, then blew it toward him. “Night. See you in the morning.”

Shaw watched the girls scurry up the stairs, a strange warmth curling inside his chest. He wasn’t sure if he liked the sensation or not. Gathering up his tools and the bucket of water, he said good-night and returned to his side of the house.

He liked helping people. He enjoyed working with the teens he taught. He welcomed the chance to aid the members of his church. But helping Lainie tonight had been a different experience. He’d felt like a knight coming to the rescue and receiving a boon in the form of a kiss blown by a tiny girl with glasses.

Shaw rubbed his forehead. He was obviously exhausted and not thinking clearly. He closed his kitchen door, snapped his fingers at Beaux, then headed into the bedroom. He needed sleep. But he had a feeling Lainie and two little charmers with blond hair and blue eyes would be invading his dreams tonight.

Chapter Four (#ulink_dd246b1d-b3bf-5ab1-9a0c-df75ff3a3727)

Lainie pulled the brush through Natalie’s curly hair trying to be gentle, but her daughter still winced.

“Ow. Mommy, you pull too hard.”

“Sorry, sweetie, but we’re running late for church and I still have to fix your sister’s hair. Do you want a bow?” Natalie nodded and darted off to find one.

Lainie called to Chrissy and picked up a small rubber band.

“Mommy, can I have two tails today?”

“Sure.” Her youngest liked her hair out of her eyes. She pulled the silky blond hair into sections, one over each ear, before placing a kiss on the top of the little head. Downstairs, Lainie picked up her makeup-bag purse, her gaze drifting to the sink Shaw had fixed last night.

He’d answered his door, and she’d found herself keenly aware of him—as a man. Obviously fresh from a shower, his hair had been damp and combed back, making his dark blue eyes even more noticeable. He had smelled clean, brisk, like soap. He’d been earthy and masculine, and she’d found herself in an odd tug-of-war—wanting to flee and wanting to linger.

She’d returned to her kitchen, determined to ignore her reactions, only to find new things to disturb her when he’d started work on her sink. He’d been confident and capable as he’d gone about his task. His muscles had bunched and strained as he worked with the wrench, his long legs stretched across her kitchen floor. But the thing that stuck in her mind most now was his admission that he had as much invested in completing the library as she did. She needed the employment. He needed to ensure the future of his business. For some reason, that knowledge gave her a measure of comfort. Not that she was concerned for his company—hardly—but she at least had the comfort of knowing he’d do all he could to make sure the deadline was met.

They arrived at church later than she would have liked, which wasn’t unusual for them. Getting the girls ready and out the door was always a challenge. Finding no parking spaces near the church, she drove down the block, angling the car into a slot along the courthouse park.

Gwen was waiting on the front sidewalk of the stately red brick church when they arrived. She waved and smiled. “I’m so glad you came. I’ve saved you a seat.”

Lainie took the bulletin the greeter handed her and stepped inside the old church. An air of reverence and tranquility wrapped around her the moment she crossed the threshold. Her church attendance had suffered during the past few months. Closing out her old job and getting ready for the move to Dover had consumed all her time and energy. It felt good to be back in a worship environment again.

Gwen stopped midway down the aisle and pointed to a pew on the left. “We saved this section behind us for you. We’ve got a full house today.”

Lainie guided the girls in first, reminding them to be quiet and sit still. Her gaze traveled around the historic edifice, admiring the richly stained arched buttresses, the massive pipe organ and vivid liturgy cloths placed on the pulpit. Peace Community Church was vastly different from the church they’d attended in Memphis, which had been a more modern style of building.