Hometown Proposal Read Online Free

Anything that happened would have to be at Elise’s pace. During the interview process, he made no effort to contact her, even when he’d been in town for interviews.
    Juliane eyed him. “And you wanted to leave Pittsburgh?”
    Seth wondered what Juliane was trying to accomplish with all of her questions. Was she trying to get him to admit that he’d come here because of Elise? “I did. I was looking for a new opportunity.”
    â€œSo you thought Kellerville would be a good place for that opportunity?” Juliane continued her questioning like a scrappy little dog that had grabbed hold of a pant leg and wouldn’t let go.
    â€œYeah.” Guessing that Juliane was tackling the questions Elise wouldn’t ask, Seth looked deliberately at her. “While we were working together, Elise used to talk about Kellerville and told me what a great little town it is.”
    With an expression of disbelief, Juliane turned to look at Elise. “You did?”
    â€œWhy are you so surprised?” Laying down her fork, Elise furrowed her eyebrows.
    â€œBecause you couldn’t wait to leave.”
    â€œI know, but I came back, didn’t I?”
    â€œYou did.” Juliane smiled. “And I’m glad.”
    â€œMe, too.”
    Seth took in the exchange between the sisters, glad to have the attention on someone besides him. He guessed from their conversation that they’d buried old sibling rivalries. He remembered how Elise used to talk about Juliane always being the perfect one and how Elise could never hope to live up to her sister’s image.
    Seeing their newfound camaraderie, Seth wondered about the other changes he might find in Elise. He wanted to get to know her again. He hoped to have a new start with her just like the one she’d had with her sister.
    Barbara took a sip of her water, then set the glass down. “I have to put in a plug for our wonderful little town, too. It’s a great place to raise a child.”
    Seth glanced over at Olivia. “I thought that, too. Olivia was definitely a factor when I considered this job.”
    Ray slathered a roll with butter. “Well, the rec center committee, me included, is excited that you decided to take the position. Where are you staying now?”
    â€œAt that suites hotel on the edge of town.”
    â€œNice place. Barbara’s brother is the manager.”
    Seth smiled. “That’s good to know. I’ll be there until I can move into the house I’ve rented.”
    â€œWhen will that be?” Barbara asked.
    â€œThe moving van is supposed to arrive on Friday. I just hope there are no hang-ups. My stuff is on a truck that makes a delivery in Columbus before it comes here.”
    â€œLet us know if you need any help—like someone to watch Olivia.” Barbara winked.
    â€œThanks. I might take you up on that.”
    â€œPlease do.” Barbara resumed eating.
    The conversation lulled as everyone ate. In the quiet that ensued, Seth’s mind buzzed with a myriad of thoughts about this move. He tried to put everything into perspective.
    When Seth had found the job opening, he’d thought of it as a gift—a chance to get to know Elise again. He’d spent a lot of time in prayer. When he’d gotten the position, he’d seen it as an answer from God.
    Now he was second-guessing himself. He knew that unless he could prove that he’d changed, she would hold his past against him.
    Elise eyed him from across the table. “So if your mom isn’t happy about your moving, why did you decide to leave Pittsburgh?”
    Her question seemed to come out of the blue, and Seth didn’t miss the accusation in it. Had she been sitting there sizing up the answers he’d given to her family’s questions? Did she see his move as another selfish action? Maybe that soft spot he’d thought about earlier didn’t exist after all.
    â€œMost likely a move was