Page 48 of Unwrapping Romance

“I’m done,” Ellie said, jumping up from her seat.

We left for the office. When we arrived at the building, I noticed Ellie staring at the Christmas decorations that plagued the lobby. She let go of Jack’s hand and ran to the twelve-foot tree in the middle, with an old-fashioned train on a track that went around it.

“I want to play with the train!”

“Come on, Ellie. We have to get upstairs. Maybe later,” Jack said, taking hold of her hand.

I sat her at my computer and pulled up some children’s games for her to play. Walking into Jack’s office, I shut the door.

“What’s up?” he asked.

“Ellie needs things, Jack.”

“Like what?”

“Clothes and toys. I was thinking you should buy her an iPad so she can play some educational games on it. And also, I think you need to enroll her in preschool.”

“Preschool? She’s only four, Sierra.”

“She needs to be around other children and not be stuck in this office every day.”

“She won’t be once I hire a nanny.”

“I also think you need to redo her bedroom. It’s not a child’s room. She needs to feel like she has a place where she belongs.”

“Since when did you become a child expert?” His brow arched.

“Just trust me.”

He leaned back in his chair and sighed.

“Look up preschools then and let me know. Did you contact another nanny agency?”

“Yeah. I’m waiting for them to call me back,” I lied.

“Okay. Let me know when they do.”

I returned to my desk, got out the coloring books and crayons, and asked Ellie to color me a pretty picture while I scoured the internet for a good preschool. My phone rang. Glancing at it, I saw it was Becca.

“Hello.”

“How is everything going in the Atlas household?” she asked.

“Not too bad. Hey, do you know of any preschools around for four-year-olds? Preferably, private ones?”

“Rose Hill Montessori at 2ndAvenue & 28th. Some of my clients send their children there and say it’s the best. Their kids love it.”

“I’ll try calling them. Thanks.”

“You’re coming for Thanksgiving, right?” she asked.

“Becca, I can’t. Especially now with Ellie.”

“She’s not your kid, Sierra. Let Jack figure out Thanksgiving with his daughter.”

“Becca, come on.”

“Fine. At least you won’t be home alone watching Netflix this year.”

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