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things for sale at Goodwin’s for the two weeks before Christmas?”
    â€œTwelve days,” she corrected.
    â€œI’d be happy to do the behind-the-scenes work for that, but I don’t think…” She could hardly breathe. Her whole life she’d longed to disappear and just be one of the crowd. Her stomach churned. “Mrs. Goodwin, I can’t put myself on display like that.”
    â€œThen I can’t give you a job, dear.” The woman reached out, took her hand and gave it a pat. “I can’t pay for you to run the promotion and someone else to man it. Sometimes you have to be willing to stand up and let the world know what you believe in.”
    Despite the warmth of the sunshine reflecting off the sidewalks and large plate-glass windows, a chill snaked down Addie’s spine. This was it. She had always wanted to work at Goodwin’s, and now not only was she being offered a chance, but if she didn’t pitch in and do her part, there might not be a Goodwin’s to work at ever again. “I guess I could do it, but I wouldn’t have the first idea where to find a husband, not even a fake one.”
    â€œOkay. I’ll stay. One, two days tops, more if I have to, but not longer than a week. I absolutely have to be gone by Christmas Eve,” Nate shouted as he crossed the street toward them. “But the second you find someone else who can take my place, I am outta here.”
    â€œGood to hear it, Mr. Browder.” Mrs. Goodwin gave Addie’s hand a conspiratory squeeze. “This may just be the answer to all our problems.”
    Her heart pounded. “You mean to take care of Jesse, right?”
    â€œTo help take care of Jesse, yes, until my son returns next week. That will give you time to get the word out and make preparations for the publicity stunt, and then…”
    â€œAnd then…?” Addie watched the handsome man she had impulsively kissed as he reached her side.
    He looked even cuter standing there with the breeze ruffling his hair, and his heart—putting Jesse’s needs ahead of his plans—on his sleeve.
    â€œAnd then what? ” he asked, slipping off his sunglasses and looking first in Maimie’s eyes, then Addie’s.
    â€œAnd then we’re going to give you a chance to do what so few people ever get to do.” Mrs. Goodwin slipped her arm into Nate’s and began to lead him back toward the store. “We’re going to give you the opportunity to actually follow through on your promise to Addie.”
    â€œWhat promise?” he asked, looking back at Addie.
    Maimie gave him a yank to keep him by her side as she said, “That you’d happily help out if it would get her her job back.”
    His loafers scuffed along the sidewalk as he glanced back over his shoulder at Addie again. “Do you know what she’s talking about?”
    â€œUnfortunately, I do, and I want you to know—including you was not my idea.”

Chapter Four
    T hey stepped into the elevator on the first floor of the nearly empty department store. Mrs. Goodwin and Addie had not stopped talking the whole time the three of them made their way in from the street. Nate didn’t mind. Not one bit. He enjoyed listening to Addie infusing every last word she uttered with enthusiasm and her soft Southern accent.
    He could get used to that, he thought, and just as quickly reminded himself that he’d better not let himself get too comfortable with that voice, with those dreams, with this girl. He had plans. He had worked long and hard to get a chance to…
    He paused as they walked through the main aisle and he caught a glimpse of Jesse running his hand on the red satin arm of the painted gold chair where the store Santa was supposed to be. Something in that gesture really got to Nate.
    Of course it did. He had been that kid who knew notto rely on a mythical character for the answer to his hopes and yet