Mended Hearts Read Free Page A

turned Neal Brennan’s brilliant mind into a disaster, nearly toppling their family business. Jeff intended to do whatever it took to polish the Brennan name until it gleamed.Matt Cavanaugh’s sudden reappearance in the area didn’t make his goal easier, but Jeff refused to dwell on that new twist. He’d meet with Grandma later, get her opinion. And he’d run an internet check on his half brother, see what he could find. Good or bad, he’d face any showdowns with Matt well-informed.
    And Hannah…
    Hopefully he could establish ground rules with her over supper. If they were on the same page, perhaps they could jump-start the library fundraiser quickly. Start-up was always the most time-consuming part of fundraising. Between his grandparents’ and mother’s philanthropy, Jeff had seen that firsthand. So he’d get together with Hannah, make a plan and set it in motion. And the whole dinner with a beautiful woman thing?
    Not too shabby either.

Chapter Two
    â€œD inner with Jeff Brennan? At The Edge? Oh, girlfriend, you are travelin’ with the big guns now.” Megan nudged Hannah as they crested the hill at the edge of town, late-day shadows beginning to lengthen.
    â€œStop.” Hannah scowled and increased the pace of the walk deliberately. Maybe if Megan was winded, she couldn’t ask questions.
    â€œHave you met before?”
    Not winded enough. “No.”
    â€œEver?”
    â€œNo. And don’t look at me that way. I’ve only been here a few years.”
    â€œBut he’s everywhere. Does everything. And not only because his family is like the royal family of Allegany County, but because he’s a people person. Jeff loves to be in the thick of things. A born manager.”
    The last thing Hannah wanted was to be managed. “Whereas I prefer the background, thanks.”
    Megan frowned, hesitated, then waded in. “You’re great with people, Hannah.”
    â€œI’ve got nothing against people. I just don’t like getting involved.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œAnd I’m busy.”
    â€œDo you need me to cut your hours at the store? Would that help?”
    â€œNot if I want to continue to pay my bills.” Hannah started to surge ahead, then came to a complete stop, aggravated, wishing she didn’t have to explain herself. Explaining meant she might slip back into the dark waters of things she avoided. “See, that’s the thing. I love working at the library because it’s small. Quiet. I help a few people here and there. It’s perfect for me. If we make it all big and beautiful, I’ll be expected to do all kinds of things, all the time. I like things the way they are, Meg.”
    â€œWhy is bigger bad?” Megan wondered. “I would think you’d embrace the idea of helping more kids, more families, providing more books, more chances.”
    Megan’s words struck deep.
    Hannah had provided a lot of chances for kids back in the day. She’d gone out on limbs, taken the bull by the horns, encouraging, offering young adults a rare experience. She’d been a risk taker then, in her beautifully equipped classroom, before life flipped upside down.
    She was a rabbit now. Emotional necessity ruled the cautious lifestyle she’d adopted. It suited her duck-and-cover personality.
    â€œI’ll be on the committee if you’d like,” Megan offered. “Would that help? Then we could strategize while we’re at the store together. Kill two birds with one stone.”
    â€œWhat horrible bird hater thought up that analogy?”
    Megan laughed. “Don’t change the subject. What are you wearing Wednesday night?”
    â€œNothing special.”
    â€œWhat about my blue sarong? The one I brought back from Hawaii?”
    â€œHmm. Show up at the library in a sarong. Perfect forchildren’s hour.” She flashed Meg a wry look. “End of story. And this