Begi

once again, but this time, she wasn'

led deeply, trying to shake off her nerves. This wasn't just

parted smoothly, as if the hous

ning b

the pristine white columns, the enormous glass windows reflecting the morning sun. It was

te nod. He was an older man, with sharp eyes and

med her. "Miss Ella is in the playroom.

ed and nodde

urned and walked away, leaving Rose t

a moment before pushin

ered across the room in a colorful mess. At the center of it al

e girl looked up, he

os

ped up and ran toward her, throwi

g to hug her back. "G

ough to beam at her. "Da

r behind the girl's ear. "Maybe we'll

odding enthusia

ing in, a deep voice c

re ea

ly, her breath h

dable as usual. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, his

head start," Rose r

econd longer than necessary,

walked away, disappearing down the

's hand. "Come play

ering tension from Christian's pr

ealized that being Ella's nanny wa

s a pic

clared at lunch, pouting as sh

"What if we make them superhero c

eyes in considerat

if you eat at

popped it into her mouth, and chewed thoug

takes a few minu

e, and Rose silently celebr

Ti

o nap was another

she insisted, r

eyebrow. "Not

op

r, making Rose smile. "How about a story, then? You

d onto her bed. "Okay... bu

fairy tale, adding her own twists unti

d learned the unspoken ru

conversation. When she asked the housekeeper a questi

quickly everyone was ca

nces when she spoke confidently, as if

e her more

day, she was exh

reparing to leave, she nea

ist

her as she steadied herself.

s. "Was there a bet

irk but not quite. "You'd be surprised

row. "Well, I'm not

he wondered if she imagined it. He studied her in silence for a

ked away, leaving her standing there, her h

on, she exhaled deeply, letting

y knew working for Christian Ashford