LITMIR.BIZ

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it looked as if the animal wasn’t going to eat her children.

      Shaw rose and joined her. “He’s a very gentle animal, but rambunctious.”

      “You should have told me you had a dog.”

      “Would it have made a difference?”

      “Yes.” She crossed her arms and glared at him.

      Shaw raised an eyebrow, challenging her statement.

      Lainie turned away. She wasn’t in a position to turn down his help. Dog. Horse. Dragon. It wouldn’t have made a difference because she had nowhere else to go.

      For the time being, she and her daughters were at the mercy of Shaw McKinney. It was Friday afternoon. It would be Monday before she could sort out her financial situation and meet with the mayor. Time in which she’d have to rely on Shaw. Not a comforting thought.

Chapter Two

      “You’ll be staying on this side of the house.” Shaw unlocked the bulky door beside her, pushed it open, then handed her the key.

      With a hand on each daughter’s shoulder, she urged them into the large living room, pleasantly surprised at what she found. The apartment was fully furnished. Everything was covered with sheets, but she could make out a sofa and chairs, and various small tables. The rooms looked livable despite the accumulation of dust. A little elbow grease should fix that. It was definitely preferable to sleeping in the car.

      “The woman who owned the house lived here until she was into her nineties. After she passed, her family removed the sentimental items and left the rest. You should have everything you need.”

      The house was the embodiment of Victorian style. The large windows, with intricate moldings, were covered with aged lace curtains, but still allowed in plenty of sunlight. French doors provided access to the front porch. Beside it, the curved walls of the tower added another element of charm to the room. It was a welcome change from the cramped apartment she’d shared with her mother, and the small garage apartment her former employer had provided. The girls ran to the tower, peeking out the long narrow windows.

      Natalie smiled over her shoulder. “Mommy, this can be our Princess Club.”

      Shaw gave Lainie a puzzled look. “Princess Club?”

      “It’s a game the girls like to play. They find a cozy corner and pretend it’s their special castle where they can play dress up and do crafts.”

      Chrissy pushed her glasses up, her expression serious. “It’s only for girls.”

      Natalie ran back to Beaux and hugged his neck. “And cute dogs.” Chrissy smiled and nodded in agreement.

      Shaw ran a thumb along his jaw. “Uh, Beaux is a boy dog.”

      The girls looked at each other. Then Natalie whispered in her sister’s ear, generating an enthusiastic nod that sent the little girl’s ponytail waving. “Boy dogs are allowed. But not real boys.”

      Shaw led them to the rear of the apartment into a large kitchen. The once-white cabinets were yellow with age, the laminate countertops worn and scratched, but there was a cozy quality that appealed to Lainie. She could envision a large family gathered here for a hearty meal, discussing the day’s events, and sharing laughter.

      Shaw rested a hand on his hip, glancing around the kitchen. “Everything works. I keep it up in case I have to rent it out. I’d hoped to restore the place and get it on the market, but that’s on hold now.”

      “You were going to sell it?” How could anyone not want to live in this lovely home? Even divided in half it was amazing.

      “A single guy doesn’t need a place like this.”

      “But you’ll have a family someday.”

      He drew his eyebrows together in a frown, one corner of his mouth lifting in a sardonic smile. “Me? And give up my unencumbered bachelor life? Not in this century.”

      She should have known. His statement reinforced what her husband had always said about him. He was the stereotypical self-absorbed bachelor, a man who liked the ladies, but wanted no part of the responsibility that came with a real relationship.

      Shaw pointed to the narrow staircase at the back. “There are two bedrooms and a full bath upstairs.”

      That’s when she saw it. The door-sized opening in the wall between her kitchen and the main hallway. She could see straight through to Shaw’s kitchen. Setting her jaw, she faced Shaw. “What is that? You said we’d have privacy and safety. Not with a giant hole in the wall we won’t.”

      Shaw grimaced. “Yeah. Just some exploratory work. I’ll take care of it.”

      “When?”

      “Today.”

      It suddenly occurred to her that she and her girls would be alone with Shaw in this house. Concern skimmed along her nerves. She was accepting help from a stranger. All she knew for certain was that he had been irresponsible in looking out for her husband. “Do all the door have locks?”

      His blue eyes bored into hers. “You’re safe here. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

      Lainie pulled her gaze away from Shaw’s probing assessment as her girls ran past.

      “Mommy, look at the trees.” Natalie pressed her nose to the multipaned back door that led to a wide back porch and a large yard.

      “Trees,” Chrissy said in awe.

      Natalie looked over her shoulder at Shaw. “Mister, is there a swing?”

      Shaw frowned, glancing at Lainie with a puzzled expression. “No.”

      Natalie’s lower lip poked out. “But I wanted there to be a swing.”

      Lainie peered out the window, at the tall leafy trees above full shrubs and a wide green lawn.

      “Mom, can we play in the yard? Please?”

      She couldn’t blame the girls for wanting to run and play. They’d never had a yard. Apartment life was limiting for children. She’d dreamed of a place like this to raise her girls. Maybe after she’d worked a few years, she could afford to buy them a home of their own. Lainie took Natalie’s hair in her hands gathering it at the back of the little neck before letting it go. “Not right now.”

      Shaw cleared his throat. “Uh, Lainie, we need to talk. Maybe the kids could play outside for a while? Beaux can go with them. He’s a great guard dog.”

      The serious expression on Shaw’s face started the anxiety in her stomach swirling again. She sent up a quick prayer. She couldn’t take any more bad news. “Girls, you can play outside for a while. Mr. Shaw and I need to talk. Take Beaux with you.”

      With squeals of delight, Natalie and Chrissy rushed out the door. Lainie gathered what little strength she had left and looked at Shaw. “What is it?”

      Shaw dragged a hand down the back of his neck. His dark eyes were filled with confusion and concern. Finally, he smiled. “Come over to my kitchen. You can use my phone and computer to get your accounts closed.”

      He’d changed the subject. Why? But he was right. First things first. She couldn’t afford to have that crook charging her cards to the limit.

      Shaw gave her an encouraging smile. “Don’t worry. It’ll all work out.”

      Oh, but she did worry. She had mountains of things to worry about, and relying on Shaw was at the top of the list. How could she depend on someone who couldn’t take care of the people entrusted to him? Lainie followed Shaw through the opening. The minute her accounts were taken care of, she and her girls were out of here. She just had to hang on and get through the next few days. Once she started work at the library, everything would be fine.

      *

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