Page 69 of Architect's Christmas Nanny

“I think they’re just walking around since Duncan won’t nap,” Jillian told her. “But I’m sure they’ll be by to check out the baby section as soon as he settles down.”

“What about Dad?” Josie asked.

“He was helping the firefighters with the barbecue earlier,” Jillian said thoughtfully.

She really hoped he would come by at some point to admire all the work Josie had put into the sale. Thesound of many, many footsteps was already echoing out in the entryway, but this was important.

“Sorry, Josie,” she said. “I just need to do one thing.”

“Now?” Josie asked.

But Jillian was already typing away on her phone.

I know you’re helping with the burgers and dogs, but I would love it if you could come in and see the sale before too many books are gone. I can tell that it would mean a lot to Josie.

She sent her message, paused a moment, and then sent one more.

It would mean a lot to me too, actually.

Smiling, she went to put her phone away again, but it lit up with an incoming message.

Turn around.

She turned to find him standing right behind her, smelling like delicious grilled treats, with a big smile on his face.

“I wouldn’t have missed this for anything,” he said.

“I know,” she told him. “But I’m trying to get better about asking for what I want.”

“That’smy girl,” he said, pulling her close for a quick embrace.

“Dad,” Josie said happily, launching herself into thehug and then detaching quickly. “You’d better look around before everyone buys everything.”

There were so many books on the tables that it should have been a ludicrous idea. But townsfolk were rushing around, exclaiming over covers and stuffing volumes into their reusable shopping bags like they might never see another book again.

And the prices were more than fair, with the proceeds going to a good cause, so Jillian couldn’t blame them. She had plans to do a little shopping herself once the town had picked through everything.

“Go on,” she told Josie. “I’ll hold down the fort over here.”

She and Josie had been assigned to theParenthoodsection. So far, it was pretty calm, with readers easily able to find the most popular titles.

She was just wondering if anyone would ever need her help when Susan Grentz came bustling up with a smile on her face.

“Oh, Jillian,” she said. “I’m so glad you’re here. I heard back from my agent this morning and she has someone who would like to talk with you.”

“Really?” Jillian breathed.

“Now it’s just a conversation,” Susan warned her. “But this agent specializes in middle grade and YA. So worst case, I’ll bet she can give you wonderful advice as far as what to do next. And who knows, maybe she’ll be interested in representing you.”

“This town,” Jillian heard herself say.

“What about it?” Susan asked.

“I don’t know,” Jillian said, shaking her head. “Something about being here seems to be making all my dreams come true.”

“Oh, you’re doing all that, honey,” Susan laughed. “You loved and cared for that man and his daughter like they were your family, and now they are. And those books you wrote are charming.”

“Well, I couldn’t have written them without Josie,” Jillian said firmly. “If anything happens with them, we’ll work on it together.”

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