The New Year's Wish Read Online Free PDF Page B

black dog.
    â€œDo you need something, Garrett?” Jill looked up from the stack of folders she’d been shuffling through on his desk.
    â€œUh . . .” He looked back toward the door. He couldn’t leave Gracie out there upset, no matter what Ms. Harris’ problem was. She’d just have to wait. “No, not yet, Jill. Thank you. I have to talk to Gracie first. She’s upset I couldn’t take her trick-or-treating.”
    Jill shrugged. “She’ll get over it. Kids are surprisingly resilient.” She shot him a flirtatious smile. “Can I do something for you now?”
    â€œThat’s okay. Maybe later.” He headed back toward the door, but when he pulled it open, he stopped short. Olivia had squatted in front of Gracie’s chair, bringing herself to eye level with the little girl. Gracie still sulked, but curiosity tinged her expression as well.
    â€œWhat’s the matter, honey? Why do you look so sad?”
    Gracie sniffed. A pang of guilt stabbed him in the gut. He’d made her cry.
    â€œIt’s just . . .” She hesitated. “All my friends get to go trick-or-treating.” The words blurted out in a rush. “I want to go, too, but Daddy can’t take me.”
    â€œWhere is Daddy?”
    â€œWorking.” She gestured toward Garrett’s office without looking up. “In there.”
    â€œIs Garrett your daddy?”
    Gracie nodded.
    â€œWell, I know he has a very important meeting this afternoon, and he has to be at a work party tonight.”
    Gracie’s lip quivered.
    â€œBut . . . that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get to go trick-or-treating.”
    â€œReally?” Gracie swiped at her eyes.
    Olivia stood and reached out a hand. “Sure. I’m Olivia. I’m your dad’s personal assistant.”
    Gracie shook her hand.
    â€œMy job is to help him out when he needs it. So, how about if I take you trick-or-treating?” A huge grin lit Gracie’s face. “There are a lot of offices in this building, you know. We could go to all of them. I bet you’ll get a ton of candy.”
    â€œBut . . .”
    â€œWhat?” Olivia encouraged her.
    Gracie shrugged. “I don’t have a costume.”
    â€œHmmm . . . well, then. I guess we’ll just have to make one.”
    Gracie’s laughter warmed Garrett’s heart. He studied Olivia as she and Gracie chatted about different costume ideas and realized what was so special about her. She was, no doubt, beautiful, but it wasn’t only on the outside. Her warmth and compassion were reflected in those big blue eyes every time she looked at him.
    Olivia dug through her enormous pocketbook and pulled out a brush and a few other things and spread them out on the chair beside Gracie. Gracie turned happily and knelt on the chair facing the wall as Olivia began running a brush gently through her hair.
    He slowly eased the door shut and headed toward his desk with a smile. A few minutes later he lifted the receiver to his ear but paused at a knock on the door. Olivia poked her head in. “Sorry to interrupt—”
    Gracie burst through the door from beneath her arm. “Trick or treat!” She jumped up and down, vibrating with excitement. Her hair was wrapped in a bun, and a pair of way-too-big glasses slid down her nose. She shoved them back up. She held a clipboard in one hand and a paper bag in the other.
    Garrett dug through his desk. He looked up. Olivia leaned against his desk with her back to him. Her hands were behind her back, and a chocolate bar waved discreetly back and forth.
    He took it, went around the desk, and dropped it into Gracie’s bag. Then he scooped her up in a giant bear hug. “You look great. I love you, sugar.”
    â€œLove you, too, Daddy.” She squeezed him with all her might, the clipboard and bag hanging over his back. He glanced up at