Teenager Dilya Stevenson's life at the White House is like no one else's. As the First Family's nanny and dog walker, her duties are sometimes light and always enjoyable. Which leaves her plenty of time­ to keep her eyes and ears open behind the scenes. Facing danger as a child, and even death has taught her to be a loner—too much so her elders fear.

Retired spy Miss Watson takes pride in trusting no one. But she keeps a weather eye on Dilya from her secret library in the White House's deepest basement. Both she and Major Emily Beale, an old friend, wish to save the girl from following in either of their footprints. Little knowing that all their lives will be impacted, they set Dilya's Christmas Challenge.

Don't miss the companion story: Emily's Christmas Gift, a Henderson's Ranch story.