Page 48 of Architect's Christmas Nanny

“It’s not,” Josie said, darting ahead of them, toward the velvet-roped area. “Everyone else is shopping. Why didn’t we come here before?”

“I guess the mall wasn’t this fancy when I was a little boy,” Brad said, shrugging.

Josie laughed and jogged backwards, knowing shewasn’t really allowed to run ahead, but clearly unable to contain her excitement.

“Go on,” Brad said. “Go get in line.”

He watched as she skipped ahead, getting in what really was a short line, behind a couple with a toddler and a big dog that looked a bit like Moose.

“Brad Williams,” the man called out, looking surprised.

“Chris Bell,” Brad said, recognizing him as soon as he turned around. “Wow, is this your family?”

“Sure is,” Chris said, smiling proudly as Brad approached.

“Grace Cassidy?” Brad asked, pretty sure he recognized the beautiful young woman by Chris’s side.

“GraceBell,now,” she said, smiling proudly and lifting her hand to show off a ring.

“Congratulations,” Brad said. “That’s so awesome. I’m really happy for you both.”

“And who are you?” Jillian asked, crouching to greet their little girl.

“This is our daughter,” Chris said. “Her name is Izzy.”

“Hi, Izzy,” Jillian said.

“That’s Molly,” Izzy said, pointing to the dog.

The dog gazed around at everyone, looking calm but alert.

“This is Josie,” Jillian said, gesturing to Josie. “She has a dog who looks a lot like Molly. His name is Moose.”

Grace and Chris began catching him up on all that had happened with them since Brad had seen them last, while Jillian interacted with the kids.

It was her way to be drawn to children, but today,maybe because hewishedhe could introduce her as his girl, he realized that her actions were a tribute to her sense of propriety. She clearly felt the line between being friendly and appearing to be part of the family, and tried to make it easier for him not to introduce her.

He suddenly realized he had been looking at her too long.

“She’s lovely,” Grace said softly, with a knowing smile.

“Can’t believe we haven’t bumped into you two over the holidays before,” Chris said. “Do you usually spend them with her family?”

Jillian’s eyes moved to him and for a second he saw a flash of pain.

Her family…

He froze, uncertain of what to say, when everything in him told him to claim her publicly.

“Well, you’ll be seeing each other plenty from now on,” Jillian said brightly, saving him. “Did you tell them about the move back to Trinity Falls?”

The conversation went on to the move and no one batted an eye.

As Chris talked about the coming events that might need volunteers, Brad found himself thinking about the fact that his old friends thought he was involved with Jillian, and no one had been anything but happy about it. It feltgoodthat no one was judging him for having messed up his first marriage and moved on to a sweet young woman.

Before long, Chris and his family were being called up to let Izzy meet Santa.

“They seem so nice,” Jillian said fondly, watchingthem talk to Izzy about the big, bearded man with the candy canes.

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