Page 33 of Architect's Christmas Nanny

Jillian looked up the open ladder on the side of the truck that ended so far above that she could barely see what she would be climbing into, and repressed a shudder of dread. It hadn’t looked so high when they were in the back of the line.

“Yes,” Josie squealed.

“You first,” Jillian told her, figuring if she were underneath she could catch Josie if she started to fall.

Josie scrambled up like she was in a race, leaving Jillian to go next.

Please don’t let me get halfway up there and freeze,she prayed.I can’t embarrass Josie.

Taking hold of the sides of the ladder, she kept her eyes down at her feet for every step. It was only when she reached the top that she caught the view over the little town.

“Oh,” she sighed inadvertently as her eyes slid over the little Tudor-style shops, the mini-amphitheater, and the town Christmas tree, which would be lit tonight.

“It’s so pretty,” Josie said, patting a spot next to her for Jillian to sit in. “Isn’t it?”

“It’s like something out of a storybook,” Jillian said simply.

“What’s like something out of a storybook?” Brad asked as he joined them.

“The town,” Josie said. “Jillian loves it.”

Josie’s eyes were moving between the two of them, her mind obviously working hard. Jillian tried not to smile.

If it were up to her and their little matchmaker, she and Brad would be announcing an engagement by now.

But unfortunately, that wasn’t the way the world worked. Brad was frowning, the tiny telltale line between his eyes telling Jillian he was near a breaking point of frustration.

She honestly wasn’t sure why. He and Josie were right where they wanted to be. She might be having a hard time adjusting at school, but she was an amazing kid and she would have a whole crew of friends in no time. Jillian was sure of that much.

Maybe he was frustrated that Josie’s nanny had invited herself to keep hanging around, but even that was temporary.

She had talked with the Butlers today. Aimee was quiet and reserved but seemed sweet. And Val was every bit the big personality Jillian would have expected from his reputation in the entertainment industry. She wasn’t a fan of his music herself, but she knew he was enthusiastic, talented, and donated time and money to his pet causes with real abandon.

The package they had offered her was generous, and included housing, food, health insurance, and ampletime off to continue her studies and go visit Rachel and her family.

Everything should have felt perfect.

But as Josie leaned on her shoulder, Jillian knew that wasn’t the case at all. Perfection was something money couldn’t buy. And as far as she was concerned, it was right here, with a cold and clingy nine-year-old and her grumpy father on top of a giant fire truck that was getting more top heavy with each rider who climbed up, and really felt like it could tip over at any moment.

There might not be rockstars or private apartments, but there could be noperfectfor Jillian without the two of them.

“Ho, ho, ho,” someone called out as they climbed the ladder.

Josie smiled and waved to the man dressed as Santa. She was a little old to still believe. But she hadn’t asked Jillian or Brad about the tradition, and they hadn’t told her.

I see no need, Brad had said when Jillian mentioned it to him privately.Why not let her stay a child as long as she wants?

Jillian couldn’t have agreed with him more, and was frankly proud of practical Brad for understanding that his mostly practical daughter might like just a little more of the magic of childhood. He was absolutely right that it did her no harm to enjoy every moment of believing, or maybe pretending to believe, in Santa Claus.

“May we have a picture with you?” Jillian remembered to ask before Santa sat down beside them.

“Oh, we don’t really do photos,” Santa said. “We haveto keep the truck moving so all the children can have a turn without getting too cold in line.”

“Okay,” Jillian said, though she could feel Josie wilt a little against her.

“Here we go,” Santa called out. “Be sure to wave to everyone as we take our tour through town.”

The truck took off with a sudden lurch that had Jillian grabbing Brad’s leg.

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