* * *
He glanced at the refrigerator, not needing to open the door to recall it basically housed a jar of mustard, cold cuts, and some leftovers.
* * *
Unlike Jan, his secretary, Erin wasn’t on the town’s payroll. Erin worked specifically for him as his right hand, so he had no issue imposing on her. She picked up his dry cleaning, did his shopping, and even helped him find popular toys for Addison during the holiday season.
* * *
Erin had a way of anticipating his every need and inserting herself at exactly the right moment. He’d be lost without her.
* * *
One of the bedrooms will have to be prepared. She can choose any of the unused ones. Have her make a list of any additional items she might need to help her settle in.
* * *
There isn’t much food in the fridge. Please take the morning to replenish the pantry and fully stock the kitchen with anything Ms. Marcelli might require. I trust you know what to get. I want her to feel at home, since she will be staying. If there’s anything else you think of, you have my credit card.
* * *
He closed the email with an inside joke about her ever-growing Christmas bonus. He had no doubt Erin would see to everything he asked.
* * *
This time, Rhett would make sure the new governess had every amenity she could want and no chance of getting burnt out like the last four nannies. He trusted Erin to see to her comfort.
4
Stepping outside of the café with her peppermint coffee in hand, Skylar breathed in the crisp winter air and grinned. The wind held the bite of snow, and the sky was swathed in wispy clouds.
Across the street, Christmas trees crowded the parking lot of O’Malley’s Pub, and salt sprinkled the roads in anticipation of that first dusting of white.
Gazing at the mayor’s mansion at the other end of Main Street, just beyond the Town Hall, a swirl of excitement gathered in Skylar’s belly. She’d been so keyed up about her new job—and new salary—she barely slept a wink last night.
Bouncing out of bed around five, she showered and dressed in a carefully selected first day of work outfit. Her salary raised the expectations and she didn’t want to disappoint, so she tried for a professional look that wasn’t too schoolmarm-ish. She wanted to impress her boss, but she also wanted to dress in a way a four-year-old would view as approachable.
Rocking a gray wool skirt she snagged from the thrift shop last winter, she paired it with black tights and a white turtleneck sweater. The whole outfit put off great governess vibes, and she was pleased with the end result.
…Pleased with herself.
She was a governess…
It started to flurry once she returned with her coffee to her car. She had so many fun ideas for activities to do with Addison, and if it snowed, she could dig into her winter collection of crafts and games.
Skylar wasn’t quite sure what to expect of her new boss. He seemed busy and important, but also human in a refreshingly humble sort of way.
Maybe she should feel more intimidated around him, but yesterday he seemed so frazzled and in need of help, she could only see him as a dad in need of a female’s touch. For his daughter, of course! There would be no touching him. He was her boss.
She backed out of her parking spot and carefully navigated the traffic.
Should she call him Mayor Buchanan? Or Mr. Buchanan? Or was it okay to call him Rhett?
She never thought much about the mayor. Before, he had just been the guy who beat her grandfather in the election. She’d done some campaigning on Pop’s behalf and helped stuff envelopes, but Rhett Buchanan had the magnetic sort of charisma women especially seemed to love.
He could speak about bridges and park benches and stir the most inspired response among the town’s people. A lot of the men bristled at his natural charm, but Skylar believed that was just poorly disguised envy, because all the women in Jasper Falls—married and single—remarked about how handsome he was.
He was indisputably striking in a timeless way, but she gave him more credit than simply having good genes and a nice voice. He was a visionary and a doer. Since becoming mayor, their little town had improved in ways she never imagined.
She’d never admit it out loud, but she thought Rhett Buchanan proved the better man for the job. She adored her grandfather, but Mr. Buchanan had accomplished so much in such a short time, she believed he possessed a true gift for civil service.
Since he’d taken office, the residents seemed happier. And now she was happier, because she would finally be earning enough money to finance her bachelor’s degree and eventually finish her education.