Downtown Billionaire Read online

  Andrew was trying his best not to laugh. “Well, I hope so.”

  Lacey moved her hand from her face and looked up at him, her face still a little pink. “Yes, well, anyway. Can I help you find anything?”

  “Not really. I just came to look around. You wouldn’t happen to know if the library has considered updating the technology around here, would you?”

  Lacey shrugged. “No idea. But I just started.”

  “Really?”

  “Just for the summer. I’m a teacher at the elementary school, but I’m off for the summer so I took a part-time job here.”

  “I see. That’s nice.”

  “Yeah, I like the library.”

  Andrew glanced around to give himself a minute to remember the question he wanted to ask. “Do many people come in?”

  “Not really,” Lacey scrunched up her face. “I hate it, but I’ve probably seen two people come in today.”

  “Hmm.” Andrew said. “Including me?”

  “Well no, I guess you make three.” Lacey’s voice sounded triumphant.

  Andrew pondered that as he stared off. His quiet nature took over, and he turned and ran his hand along a row of books as he walked away.

  “See you later,” Lacey said.

  “Oh yes,” Andrew glanced back to see her picking up the step stool.

  “I’m here Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays,” she put her hands on her hips.

  He smiled and nodded. “Thanks for your help.”

  “Bye,” he heard her say as he made his way out.

  “Two people,” he murmured to himself. “Two.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  “I’m here Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays,” Lacey mimicked herself before she let her head fall against the bookcase. “Why in the world did I say that?” She shook her head as she carried the stepstool back to the front desk and fell into the chair behind the counter. She felt pretty sure that no one would come in to hear her talking to herself. “Maybe he will forget this conversation just like the one we had at the wedding. Why do I remember everything about everybody who won’t even remember me?” She propped her feet on the desk and let her head fall back against the chair. She had always thought he was cool and confident, but they hadn’t run in the same circle, so she didn’t know him well.

  Which was why she was so surprised at Pete and Mallory’s wedding when he spoke to her at the reception. “Your dress is nice,” he had said.

  “Thanks.” Lacey had laughed. “I didn’t pick it out, and it’s not my favorite color, but thanks.”

  “Well it looks nice on you.”

  That had been the whole conversation, but it had stuck in her mind. Plenty of people had spoken to her, as the maid of honor she took her hostessing duties very seriously. But they had all said, “What a lovely ceremony,” or “The bride is just beautiful.” No one had told her she looked nice. But obviously it hadn’t meant as much to him as it had to her. “Never mind,” she said to herself as she picked up a book from the desk. The best part of this job was the reading time. Even though she had brought her own book from home, since it was unlikely she would find something new to read on the library shelves.

  Her eyes were on the page, but her mind was still elsewhere. Why did he want to know about the computer systems? She thought. I’m sure they haven’t been updated in years. But is that what he does now? She shrugged and went back to her book. She tried her best to put Andrew out of her mind.

  It was almost a week later and she had successfully moved her thoughts away from him. On a normal Tuesday evening she might have sat at home watching a movie, but not tonight. A movie might seem entertaining, but nothing could top the potential drama of a small town city council meeting. Lacey walked in and took a seat on the third row from the front and settled in just as the meeting was getting started. She sat through reports on the minutes of the last meeting and then listened while a few citizens detailed complaints about this or that. Mr. Latham brought his own statistics about the need for a traffic light on one of the side streets, and the local Girl Scout troop presented a proposal for a fall craft fair. Neither of those were dramatic. Lacey sat up a little straighter when Mrs. Byers, a stout woman in her seventies, went to the podium to address her problem. She leaned back in disappointment when the woman went on and on about the two pieces of litter she found on a walking trail.

  Just when Lacey thought she would go home with no interesting stories tonight, she heard someone clear their throat behind her as they stood to approach the podium. She couldn’t see the face. Assuming it would be another person over the age of sixty-five, Lacey yawned and sunk deeper into her seat. She dropped her gaze to her phone in her lap and started typing out a text to Mallory.

  “Good evening, folks.” The male voice nearly made Lacey drop her phone on the floor, but she gripped it quickly and looked up to see the familiar face of Andrew at the podium. He smiled confidently and began to speak. “I’m Andrew Hartley. I know many of you, and you probably know me.” He gave a short laugh. “Some of you may have known me since I was a baby. But if you don’t know me, you knew my grandparents, Charles and Helen Hartley. Starting with my great-grandparents, our family has owned many of the downtown properties since there has been a downtown Pine Haven.” He glanced over his notes and cleared his throat. “Tonight I’m here because I have proposed updates to some of the existing buildings. I have details for anyone who’s interested in reading the proposals.” He held up a stack of papers. “Those don’t need council approval, but we will be getting building permits for anything we’re planning to add on. What I’m proposing to the board is to rebuild the town library.”

  Lacey sat straight up in her seat at those words. What in the world was he talking about?

  “The library is small and the building is outdated, both in technology and in the collection of reading materials. The town owns the materials inside, but the building has always been owned by my grandparents. I would like to propose a joint effort, between the Hartley Company and the town, to build a new library that is up to date and can better serve the citizens of Pine Haven.”

  Lacey’s heart pounded as the blood pumped through her veins in a fury. She spoke up before she could stop herself. “So you’re proposing to tear down the library building?” She hadn’t realized she had stood up, but now found herself pointing a finger at the man.

  Andrew smiled and laughed somewhat uneasily. “Well, yes, that would be part of the plan. But to build a bigger and better building.” He held up a hand. “But in no way am I saying we won’t have a library. Just a new one.”

  “But the old one is…” she searched for a word, but nothing came to her fast enough. “Umm, old!” She blurted out. Quiet laughter came from around the room.

  Andrew smiled kindly at her. “Yes, it is.”

  Lacey frantically waved her hand in the air. “What I mean is it’s like, really old. Isn’t it like, historical or something? He can’t just tear down a historical town building, can he?” Lacey stared at the councilmen sitting behind the desks on the stage.

  Councilman Ramsey nodded to Lacey. “Thank you for your concern. Of course we will look over the proposal before any decisions are made. Mr. Hartley is merely making a proposal. I motion that a committee be created to discuss the possibility of building a new library. Mr. Hartley, would you be willing to serve on the committee?”

  “Yes, sir.” Andrew nodded to the man.

  “Very well. I will join as the council member, if that’s alright,” he glanced around and the other council members nodded. “We will allow for other members of the community to join the committee who are interested, and I will ask Mrs. Jernigan, the head librarian, to join as well.”

  Lacey’s hand shot up in the air as high as she could reach.

  “Yes, Miss Franklin?”

  “I would like to be on the committee.”

  “Very well. Others who are interested can contact me directly.”

  The meeting moved on to other
business as Lacey sat down. But she kept her eyes on Andrew as he walked to his seat. He smiled at her as he passed, but she narrowed her eyes at him. How dare he threaten her precious library? I’ll do everything in my power to keep him from tearing down the building. I can’t say for sure if it’s technically historical or not, but it’s historical to me.

  * * *

  Andrew breathed a sigh of relief as he climbed into his car. Several people had come up to talk to him after the meeting and the introvert in him was exhausted after all the conversation. As he pulled out of the parking lot, he mentally patted himself on the back. He hoped his grandparents would be proud of the work he was trying to do. Even though there was a long list of projects he wanted to tackle, starting with the library definitely felt right. He frowned as he thought of Lacey speaking up. He didn’t want to argue with her, but why would she be against building a bigger library? He knew she’d seen how sad the current one is. He shook his head. Maybe she’s just a little sentimental. I’m sure once she sees plans for the new building she’ll come around. He had tried to smile at her and wave before she left that night, but she ignored him. Once again I’m too awkward and weird. Just like when I spoke to her at the wedding. She probably thought that I was the strangest guy when I said she looked nice in her dress. She didn’t even know me. I’m sure she doesn’t remember that anyway. I guess that’s a good thing. He tried to think of something else as he drove outside of town to his parents’ property.

  Pulling off the road, he turned into the driveway that stretched half a mile before the main house came into sight. Andrew turned off a side road to the right of the house and up to the sidewalk of the guest house. Or at least it had been called a guest house most of his life, even though he didn’t remember many guests staying there. All of their extended family lived close by, so there wasn’t much need for overnight visitors. Andrew had moved into the two-bedroom house after college graduation and stayed there ever since. Walking in the front door, he tossed his keys on the entryway table. He let himself fall on to the couch and stared at the ceiling.

  The guest house was supposed to be a temporary situation. He didn’t see the need to buy a big house to live in all by himself right out of college. But back then, he had thought he would find a girl, get married, and they would buy their own house together.

  Andrew sighed as he propped his arm behind his head. Too bad I’m too shy and too awkward to start a relationship. So many times he had wished for someone to spend his life with, even prayed that God would send the right girl his way. But so far those prayers had been unanswered. He even considered moving to a new town where no one knew him, or his family, starting over where he could meet new people. But he was never brave enough to try.

  He picked up the remote and switched on a news channel. As usual, he would probably fall asleep on the couch with the TV on. Then later he would wake up and drag himself to bed. He would get up at five to work out before going to work. Andrew sighed again. At least my routine is predictable. Even with the television going, the house seemed lonely and quiet. Andrew closed his eyes and drifted off with one final thought. Maybe I should get a dog.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Andrew tugged on his collar as he entered the unfamiliar church building. The next town over from Pine Haven had a church with a large singles group and he thought this might be what he needed. Tonight was a social and Bible study, but he felt a little guilty that he had only come for the first part. He could hear voices as he walked down the hallway, but it didn’t prepare him for the number of people he saw when he entered the door. He swallowed hard as he tried to slip in unnoticed. Glancing around, he saw groups of men and women talking throughout the room. Most of them looked around his age, twenties and early thirties. Although some of them looked like college students, making Andrew feel very old, all of a sudden, at twenty-eight. He made his way to the refreshment table and poured himself a cup of coffee. What am I doing here? I don’t know anyone, and I will probably spend the night alone leaning against the wall.

  “Hi,” a voice startled him. A female voice. His pulse began to pick up the pace as he turned around.

  “Hey,” he said, trying to sound casual, but he heard the quiver in his own voice.

  “I’m Kim.” The woman smiled as she held out her hand.

  “Andrew,” he shook her hand and then stuck his own hand into his pocket.

  “Is this your first time? I don’t think we’ve met before.”

  “Yes.”

  “We have?”

  “No,” Andrew squeezed his eyes shut. “No, I mean, yes, it’s my first time. No, we haven’t met before.”

  “Well, glad to have you. Are you new in town?”

  “No, I’m not from town. I mean, not this town. I live in Pine Haven.”

  “Oh, Pine Haven is so cute.”

  “Yes, I guess so.”

  “Well it’s nice to have you join us in the big city.” She smiled at her own joke, and Andrew began racking his brain to think of a question to ask. He had prepared a few in his mind before he came, but now they all fell away. The woman continued, “My husband, Grant, is the singles’ pastor. I’d be happy to introduce you. We always try to make our visitors feel welcome.”

  Andrew wanted to smack himself on the head. Of course she was being nice to him, because that was her job as a pastor’s wife. No one was going to seek him out just to talk. And he was too busy being nervous to notice the diamond ring on her left hand. “Thanks,” he muttered. “I’m alright, I think I’ll just make my way around the room.”

  “Oh, alright. Let us know if there’s anything we can help with. Glad to have you.”

  “Thanks,” he said quietly and walked away from the table. Only a few steps away did he realize he had no idea where he was going. He scanned the room and saw that many of the circular tables were full of people. They laughed and talked with each other, and Andrew felt certain they had all known each other for a long time. He didn’t want to join in and be the newcomer who didn’t know anyone. He made his way to a table in the back and sat down alone. This is stupid, he told himself, I should just leave now and spare myself the embarrassment. But he didn’t. He sipped his coffee and watched the other people in the room enjoy themselves. Feeling awkward, he decided it would be good to keep his hands busy, so he headed back to the table and filled a plate with dessert and chips. As he balanced the plate on top of his second cup of coffee, he turned and saw a young woman at the table beside him. Alright, he told himself, you’ve got to get past this. You can do it. He breathed out slowly. Here goes nothing. He approached and said, “Hi.”

  “Hi,” the woman turned and smiled at him.

  He hadn’t planned anything beyond that and now he stood there silently. He saw the plate she carried with a piece of cake on it. “You like cake?” Immediately he wished he hadn’t said anything at all.

  She giggled. “Yes, I guess so.”

  “That’s nice,” he said.

  She stared at him for a moment and tilted her head as if waiting for him to say more. “Well, nice to meet you,” he nodded and turned to walk away, realizing that he didn’t meet her, because he didn’t tell her his name or ask her for hers.

  Back at the table in the back, he promised himself he would never do this again.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Lacey entered the city hall building armed for battle. She carried a heavy bound book she had taken from the reference section of the library. Over her shoulder, hung her bag with her notebook, several different color pens, and a pack of sticky notes. In her other hand was the largest coffee the local coffee shop sold. Yep, I’m fueled and ready, she thought.

  She barely managed to pull the door open and balance the book and the coffee. Just as she was about to stick her foot in the door with the coffee propped on the book and stuck beneath her chin, a strong arm appeared above her head and caught the door.

  “Here, let me get that for you.”

  “Thanks,” Lacey smiled as she re
leased the door and grabbed her cup. She turned to see her rescuer, and the smile faded from her lips when she saw Andrew. “Oh, hi.” Her voice fell flat.

  “Hi,” his own smile dropped as he seemed to catch on to her lack of enthusiasm. “Ready to talk in there?”

  She eyed him curiously at his strange choice of words. “Umm, yeah, that’s what I’m here for. And I have plenty to say.”

  “I’m sure you do,” he said. Lacey didn’t know him well enough to know if that was sarcasm, but she thought it must be.

  She took quick steps down the hall trying to distance herself from him. She didn’t want it to look like they were arriving together. Turning the corner into the meeting room, she saw she didn’t have to worry about that. The room was empty.

  “I guess we’re a little early,” Andrew said. He walked around the table to the head seat.

  “Early is on time,” Lacey said, tipping her chin up in the air.

  Andrew nodded slowly. “Yes, you’re right.”

  Lacey set her piles of things down on the table and looked over at him. She let her eyes trace his strong jawline and then his broad shoulders. She couldn’t help but notice how his button down shirt was fitted to his chest and wondered how often he worked out. She shook her head, trying to focus her thoughts on her plans for the evening. Lacey took a seat and tried to pretend like he wasn’t there.

  “So you’re a teacher right?” He asked her. He stood behind the chair and leaned on the back of it with both hands.

  “Yes.” Her voice sounded clipped. She didn’t take her eyes off the table where she was straightening her pens alongside her notebook. “And what is it you do, exactly?”