Page 13 of Architect's Christmas Nanny

“Good morning,” he said.

“Good morning,” she replied, trying in vain to stop noticing how handsome he was when he was relaxed like this.

“Hey, Daddy,” Josie said. “How many pancakes do you want?”

“Depends on how many Jillian is going to leave for us,” Brad teased.

Jillian laughed and rolled her eyes.

“Don’t let them tease you,” Annabelle said. “I think we need to feed you as much as we can while you’re here. You always come back from that city too thin.”

“I know, Ma,” Brad said. “I should have cooked more. But I’ll have time to now.”

“I’m going to learn to cook,” Josie said decisively.

“You’re already doing it, sweetheart,” Alistair told her. “Give it a flip.”

They all watched as Josie carefully worked the spatula under the first pancake. Batter oozed back onto the pan on the sides.

“That’s okay,” Alistair told her. “It’s going to make thelacy part around the edges when it’s cooked. Go on and flip it.”

Josie flicked her wrist and the pancake hit the pan with a satisfying sizzle.

Everyone cheered and she looked up from her work with a big grin.

They all pitched in to get the food on the table, and by the time breakfast was eaten and the kitchen was cleaned up again, it was time for Brad and Josie to head to the car for school.

“Coat and backpack,” Jillian told her gently, as she did every day back in the city.

Josie suddenly turned to Jillian with a panicked expression.

“What if no one will talk to me?” she asked.

“Your cousin Zeke will be there,” her grandmother pointed out.

“He’s not in fourth grade,” Josie pointed out. “He’s way littler than me.”

“You have plenty of friends in the city, right?” Brad said. “It only makes sense that you’ll make lots of friends here too.”

“You’re going to have a wonderful day at school,” Jillian told her. “Do you know how I know?”

Josie shook her head.

“I know because you’re good at paying attention, so I know you’ll pay attention to the teacher, no matter what,” Jillian said. “You’ll make sure she knows that you want to learn.”

Josie nodded, looking a little relieved.

Jillian knew the girl was practical. She neededspecific instructions about things that would be in her control.

“And I know you’re a kind person with a big heart,” Jillian continued. “So when you’re with other kids, you’ll always be thoughtful. And if you can see a way to help someone, you’ll do it. Even if the kids don’t notice what a great friend you’re going to be right away, they’ll definitely realize it over time, because you’re always kind.”

Josie wrapped her arms around Jillian’s neck and squeezed her hard.

“You always give the best advice,” she whispered in her ear before letting go.

Jillian felt like her heart was bursting and breaking all at once. What was she going to do without this wonderful girl in her life?

“I’m ready,” Josie told her dad as she shrugged on her coat.

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