Page 21 of Single Dad's Christmas Cookie

“In the drawer where Emma keeps it,” I repeated to myself. That made perfect sense. Of course, the cook would keep the remote someplace convenient for her.

“Why don’t you pick out a Christmas movie?” I suggested.

I supervised as Amelia clicked through the available selections. She landed on a streaming service and immediately picked a princess and nutcracker movie.

“Can we watch this one?” she asked.

Noticing that the movie was based on Tchaikovsky’sNutcracker, I agreed. “It’s a classic. Why don’t you hit play and I’ll bring over everything we need to make our popcorn garlands?”

“I need to get Humphrey if we’re going to watch this movie!” She put the remote down and ran out the door.

Humphrey? Oh, right, the stuffed animal. While she fetched her toy, I made two cups of hot cocoa and set up a cozy little craft corner where we could watch the movie and work on our project.

Amelia came back into the kitchen minutes later, her bedraggled stuffed animal in tow. I hit the button on the remote and started the movie. The opening music began to fill the kitchen from invisible speakers.

Bryan crashed into the kitchen, his nostrils flared and his eyes lit with fury. He looked angry, and I hated to admit that it was ridiculously attractive on him.

“Are we not allowed to watch movies?” I asked nervously. My nerves danced with a blend of fear and being super attracted to the man at that moment.

He glanced over at the large screen TV. He shook his head. “Movie is fine. That’s not it. My mother has announced she is coming over for dinner.”

“I guess that means I should make something impressive?” I asked.

He nodded and ran his hand over his face and through his hair. Clearly, his mother stressed him out.

“She’s a picky eater. And very judgmental. Could you make that artichoke chicken that you made the other night?” he asked.

“Of course.” I began mentally going over the ingredient list and whether I was going to have to go to the grocery store or not. It all depended on whether or not there were canned artichokes in that giant pantry. Something gave me the impression that theaudition meal I made for him hadn’t been as important to my keeping this job as the meal tonight would be. And this was only a temporary job.

I wasn’t going to be able to sit and watch the movie with Amelia if I had to make the artichoke chicken. Well, it was a good thing the TV was large and the speakers were loud. I’d just have to follow along as I worked.

10

BRYAN

Mother swept into the house unannounced, as she tended to do. At least this evening, I was expecting her.

“Where is my granddaughter?” she demanded as I encountered her in the hallway after stepping out of my office.

“Good evening, Mother,” I said. “Amelia is around here somewhere.”

“I expect her to greet me,” Mother said.

“And she will as soon as she knows you’re here. She’s probably in the kitchen.”

“Why would she be there?”

“Can I have a moment of your time?” I asked. “Before we go find Amelia?”

“Yes, Bryan, what is this about?”

“I wanted to discuss the other day when you dropped Amelia off without confirming with me when you did.”

“She got inside and was safe. If your home were properly staffed, that wouldn’t have been a problem.” She sniffed, her signal that this wasn’t something she cared to discuss. Too bad. We were going to talk about it.

“My home is properly staffed,” I said. “However, you are aware that her part-time nanny?—”

“Is a child,” Mother cut me off. “If you would hire a proper nanny and not rely on that bad influence that you’ve hired, this wouldn’t have happened.”

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