Page 68 of Architect's Christmas Nanny

“Forever?” Josie asked.

“Forever and ever,” Jillian promised her, pressing her lips to that beloved blonde head.

She wasn’t surprised when she felt Brad’s strong arms wrapping them both, holding them tightly, like he was sealing in their promise.

Forever and ever.

23

JILLIAN

Jillian stood in the church sanctuary nearly a week after Christmas, with Josie by her side. They both gazed out over tables of carefully organized books, bathed in beautiful hues of gold, red, and green light from the stained-glass windows.

“We did it,” Josie breathed.

“Your grandmother is a miracle worker,” Jillian told her, meaning it.

It was incredible to see how much this space had been transformed over the last few days in preparation for the sale. And she was planning to transform it again in a week.

Just like he promised, Brad was making sure they had the small church wedding Jillian wanted, with all his family there to celebrate with them. He had even surprised her by flying her sister, Rachel, and baby Duncan out already. The two of them were going to stick around for a few weeks, since Rachel’s husband was away.

It was the most time the sisters had enjoyed together in years, and the best wedding gift Brad could have given her.

And soon, there would be a gold band on Jillian’s finger to match the engagement ring, and her heart was full to overflowing every day.

“Volunteers,” Annabelle called out from the front of the church.

Everyone stopped chattering to listen.

“We’re going to open the doors now,” Annabelle said, a warm smile on her face. “For any first-time volunteers, it’s going to be wild for about an hour. Our job now is just to stay out of the way, and help out when people ask or look lost.”

Jillian glanced down at Josie. But the young girl looked absolutely game for anything.

A few days ago, she had admitted to Jillian why she was acting sad when she came home from school. And although she knew she should be stern about dishonesty, Jillian hadn’t been able to hold in her laughter.

“For heaven’s sake,” Jillian had said between giggles. “Allthe other kids were waving to you. Why didn’t your dad and I figure this out on our own?”

Josie had only shrugged, and Jillian wrapped her in a warm embrace.

“I’m glad I didn’t have to leave you after all,” she whispered in her ear.

“Is that why you’re marrying my dad?” Josie had whispered back. “Or do you actually think he’s handsome?”

Jillian just wanted to melt into laughter again at that,but Brad was right there, and she was pretty sure he’d heard the question.

“You might not want to hear this,” she whispered to Josie. “But your dad isthe handsomestman I’veever seen.”

“Ewwwww,”Josie laughed, pretending to be grossed out. But she hadn’t wrinkled her nose or shook her head, so Jillian knew she was only teasing.

“Plus, I just adore his amazing daughter,” Jillian added.

They had passed the rest of that day uneventfully, but when it was time to watch their usual Christmas movie, Josie abandoned her middle seat on the couch, and made Jillian sit between them, so she could hold hands with Brad.

Things were definitely changing. But not enough to be scary, it turned out. Life wasn’t so different from before, after all. They had both been looking forward to this book sale, and now here they were, together.

“Here we go,” Annabelle called out as she headed out to open the doors.

“Do you think Aunt Rachel and baby Duncan will be the first ones in?” Josie asked.

---