Bachelor to the Rescue Read Online Free Page A

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.”
    â€œWhen?”
    â€œToday.”
    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.
    â€œMommy, look at the trees.” Natalie pressed her nose to the multipaned back door that led to a wide back porch and a large yard.
    â€œTrees,” 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.
    â€œMom, 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.
    * * *
    Shaw settled Lainie at his kitchen table with his laptop and helped her get started on contacting her creditors to close her accounts, then he went outside to bring in