The Holiday Nanny by Lois Richer Page B

but you’re wearing me down. Every day you have some new demand.”
    â€œI don’t think my expectation of functioning accommodation is a demand,” Amanda said in a huffy tone, her eyes spewing her disgust at him.
    â€œI didn’t mean that,” he said quietly. “Of course I’ll have the plumbing in your bathroom checked. But the way you ask—” He saw her stiffen as if preparing for battle and sighed. “Never mind. I’ll have the plumber come tomorrow morning, I promise. And I’ll ask Cora to cut down on the salt in your food. Anything else?”
    â€œPlenty. But those two are the most troublesome.” She tugged at the hem of her suit jacket then threw her shoulders back. “Also, I would like to know your plans for Christmas.”
    â€œMy plans?” He sensed something big was about to break. “What do you mean?”
    â€œYou must be planning something with all that’s been going on around here.”
    â€œNothing unusual that I know of.” Where was this leading?
    â€œThen—?”
    Following the wave of her hand, Wade glanced around the room. It brimmed with festive decor. Lopsided angels balanced on coffee tables. Strings of popcorn and paper chains of colored paper dipped and bowed across walls and windows.
    â€œI would prefer it if you would instruct that nanny of yours to stop polluting this house with her inferior decorations.” Amanda’s scathing gaze rested on a particularly unround wreath propped against a wall.
    â€œUh,” Wade gulped. He could imagine telling Connie to stop planning Christmas about as well as he could imagine Amanda enjoying the festive season.
    â€œYou can hardly find even a doorknob that isn’t adorned.” Amanda’s exasperation grew. “It’s not as if they’re well-done decorations either. They’re handmade.” She spat out the words as if they carried a bad odor.
    â€œBy Silver,” he said. “Who is only four.”
    â€œAlmost five. She’ll soon be going off to school. She should know what’s proper for an Abbot.”
    â€œProper? I did the same thing when I was her age,” he said with a smile.
    â€œAnd look how you turned out.” Amanda sniffed in disgust. “I do hope you’re not planning some maudlin singsong around the fireplace on Christmas Eve.”
    â€œNo, I’m not planning that.” But Connie might be.
    All at once, her eyes widened. “You’re not going to put up a tree, are you?”
    â€œWhy not?” he asked stupidly, then wished he hadn’t.
    â€œBecause they make a mess, drop sap onto the floorsand smell up the house. It’s all silly and sentimental nonsense anyway.” Her voice had grown progressively more harsh.
    â€œAmanda.” The time had come to stand his ground. Wade tried reasoning with her. “I know it’s a difficult time for you, and I empathize, truly. But Silver is a child. Every child looks forward to Christmas. Danny did,” he said quietly.
    â€œDon’t you dare speak his name!” Amanda’s beautiful face hardened. “Not when you’re the reason he isn’t here.” With a shudder, her harsh mask dissolved, and a grieving mother slipped into its place.
    Wade wanted to comfort her, but when she stormed out of the room he let her go, staring into the empty fireplace and wondering if he should plan on celebrating Christmas somewhere else.
    â€œAm I interrupting?” Connie hesitated in the doorway.
    â€œIt’s fine.” Wade sank on the arm of the nearest sofa.
    â€œIs something wrong?”
    â€œJust that I can’t seem to say the right thing where Amanda is concerned.” He sighed, then noticed how well dressed she was. “Where are you off to?”
    â€œSilver and I are going to church. I wondered if you’d care to join us?” She waited still as a church mouse while he thought it