Free The Holiday Nanny by Lois Richer

of the closet.
    â€œI guess so. But you need to bring a warm sweater.”
    â€œWoo hoo,” Silver whooped as she raced back to her room.
    Connie’s wide-eyed stare unnerved him.
    â€œWhat? You can hardly object,” he muttered. “We both know you’ve been scheming nonstop to get me to spend more time with her.”
    â€œHardly scheming,” she protested. A faint pink tinge colored her flawless skin. “And I certainly am not objecting. I’m just—”
    â€œWhat? Surprised?”
    â€œGlad.” Her wide eyes and expressive face gave away her emotions. At the moment, Connie’s face blazed with joy. For him? “She’s going to love it. It will be a memory she’ll treasure.”
    â€œMaybe.” He wondered how many of those they’d have before his guilt completely overwhelmed him and he was forced to find Silver’s real family.
    â€œI’m ready, Daddy.”
    Wade pushed away the ugly thoughts. Later, he promised himself. He’d think it through later. For now he was going to grab this smidgen of happiness which life had offered.
    â€œAre you three all going out?” Amanda stood at the top of the stairs, frowning down at them.
    â€œDaddy and I are going to see Christmas lights.” Silver clapped her hands. “Why don’t you come with us, Grandma? And Connie. Then you could see the lights, too.”
    Wade had been struggling to come up with a way to open a discussion with his stepmother. Was this it?
    â€œInterested, Amanda? It might be fun.” He doubted she’d agree. For one thing, she was mad at him again because he’d circumvented another of her attempts to have the board rescind his decision to hire two new associates.
    But Silver didn’t know that. She dashed up the stairs and grabbed Amanda’s hands, tugging on them.
    â€œCome on, Grandma. It will be fun. They have rides, too—wagons with real horses!” Silver’s voice kept rising.
    â€œYou’re going to Winterhaven?” Amanda asked very quietly.
    â€œYes.” Wade lifted his chin. “Dad used to take me there. I thought I’d do the same for Silver.”
    â€œHe took D-Danny, too.”
    â€œI remember. It was their tradition. Maybe you could tell Silver about them.” Wade held his breath and waited.
    Amanda’s face crumpled. She opened her mouth to say something more, but after a quick glance at Silver, she gave her head a slight shake. “Don’t let her get hurt” was all she managed before she turned around and rushed away.
    A truckload of guilt weighed heavily on his shoulders even though Wade knew he hadn’t been to blame in eitherDanny’s or his father’s deaths. It was done, over. Why couldn’t she let it go?
    Silver walked slowly downstairs and stopped in front of him.
    â€œWhy is Grandma sad, Daddy?” she asked. “Did I do something bad?”
    â€œNo, Silver. You didn’t do anything wrong.” Guilt wasn’t going to become her constant companion, not if he could help it.
    â€œThen why is she sad?”
    Wade’s heart squeezed tight at the misery washing through the child’s previously sparkling blue eyes. He squatted down in front of her and cupped her face in his palms.
    â€œSome very special people who meant a lot to Grandma died near Christmas. She gets sad remembering, that’s all. You didn’t do anything.”
    â€œBut maybe if she came with us she’d be happy for a while,” Silver said.
    â€œMaybe she would. But Grandma isn’t ready to do that.” Silver looked confused, and Wade wasn’t sure how to explain. “She needs time,” he added, but that didn’t help so he looked to Connie for assistance.
    True to form, Connie was ready for the challenge.
    â€œRemember when you didn’t want to go near the puppets at storytime, Silver?” she asked, crouching down next to Wade.
    The