Page 11 of Architect's Christmas Nanny

Tears suddenly threatened, so she pressed her lips shut and looked out the window.

“You’ve done a great job with her too,” Brad said. “I’m glad she’s not a spoiled little princess. You deserve so much credit for that.”

She nodded, still not trusting herself to speak.

“The Butlers live in the city too,” Brad went on. “Maybe we’ll still see each other around if Josie and I come out for a consult. Remind me to get you on the phone with them when we get settled at the cottage. Maybe tomorrow.”

She nodded again and they both grew silent, taking in the sight of the little town glimmering in the darkness ahead of them as they passed pretty Victorians adorned in twinkle-lights and cottages with homemade decorations hanging from the trees.

There was a magic to Trinity Falls that felt stronger than usual tonight to Jillian. Though she had been feeling sad, her heart lightened as they drove through thevillage center. The candy cane decorations hanging from the lampposts and the warm light emanating from the shops and the apartments above all seemed to be embracing her and welcoming her back to town.

Why does this place feel so much like home?

4

JILLIAN

Jillian sat on her bed in the cottage the next day, waiting for Josie to come out of the bathroom in the hallway that was shared by their room and Brad’s.

The penthouse had always been too sleek and enormous for Jillian’s liking. But here in the small cottage, which was rustic bordering on rough, she felt more at peace. Their voices didn’t echo in the living room, and she always knew where Josie was, which was never more than a few steps away. She felt like it would be easier to build memories here in the small room they were sharing than it had been in a lifetime of luxury back in the city.

The only issue was that it was cold and drafty. Though she had gotten up, showered, and dressed an hour ago, Jillian still wrapped a blanket around her shoulders while she waited.

“Are you really just going to sit there?” Josie asked her from the hallway as she came back in.

Jillian was happy to smell minty toothpaste in the air, and to see that Josie had brushed her hair until it shone.

“You’re going to be getting ready in the mornings by yourself now,” Jillian reminded her with a smile.

“Dad will be here,” Josie offered.

“Do you remember the day we ran out of coffee, and I went to the store in the morning?” Jillian asked, smiling.

“Dad put me in two different shoes,” Josie remembered, giggling.

“It was only because he hadn’t had his coffee,” Jillian said. “But still. You’re getting older, and if you want to get him to agree to a dog, you have to show him that you’re able to take care of yourself first.”

“Okay, fine,” Josie said, rolling her eyes.

“I’ll just be here to keep you company,” Jillian told her. “But if you get stuck, I’ll help.”

Josie went straight to her dresser and pulled out socks, underwear, and the pair of jeans and the nice sweater Jillian had helped her choose the night before. Jillian felt glad all over again that they’d brought Josie’s dresser from home. All her things were right where she was used to having them.

The girl disappeared back to the bathroom and Jillian smiled at the idea that she wanted privacy for changing these days. It felt like yesterday that Jillian had been changing her pull-ups and trying valiantly to get her potty-trained.

The sound of a horse whinnying outside had her up on her feet, leaving the nice warm blanket behind as she headed over to look out the window. No matter howmany times they came out here, Jillian never got tired of seeing the horses on the homestead.

She was too late getting to the window to catch the horse and rider. But she admired the sight of the big, gorgeous trees, nearly unburdened of all their leaves. The wind that swirled in around the window frame was making the bare branches dance outside.

“I’m all set,” Josie announced.

Jillian turned to see that the nine-year-old was indeed dressed and ready.

“Nice work,” she told her. “And I could tell you brushed your teeth and your hair. Do you need anything else from up here?”

It was help in the form of a question. Josie definitely needed her backpack, and she should put the gym uniform Annabelle had gotten for her in it too, just in case today was a gym day.

“I put my backpack at the top of the steps already,” Josie said.

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