Page 31 of The Nanny Contract

I glanced down and saw Henry at the far end of the garden, planting new roses as per Mother’s request.

I watched as Casey pulled more weeds out of the ground.

His strength came as something of a surprise to me. But I wasn’t sure why.

Normally Casey was dressed in stuffy clothes, but today it was something entirely new.

Today, he cut a nice figure in a t-shirt and jeans.

He obviously took care of himself and exercised regularly. I’d seen him one day at the private gym at Westbrook Meadows. I was walking by and caught a glimpse of him lifting on the bench press, his biceps flexing just like they were today in the glimmering sun.

I knew I needed to go over and speak to him. We couldn’t keep beating around the bush. It was now or never.

I started to walk toward Casey, but a voice caught me off-guard.

I turned to see Veronica, carrying a mysteriously unmarked bottle with a spray hose attached.

“Logan, darling!” she said. “I thought I’d come and lend a hand. Betsy told me all about your little garden project.”

I watched as she sprayed the contents of the bottle all over our plants, particularly the areas that were newly planted and still delicate.

“Dad!” a voice called out, turning my attention to Henry. “A snake!”

Without thinking, I rushed over to help, leaving Veronica alone with my new plants.

Upon arrival, I quickly realized that it was a Garter snake.

“Harmless,” I said, my heart still racing.

Henry smiled.

Part of me wondered if he was pranking me. Another part of me wondered if there was a hidden camera somewhere and I’d end up on TikTok.

Mother would find the video organically and show me for a laugh.

“Henry, we’re Googling poisonous snakes later,” I said, turning to walk away. “A boy your age living on an estate like this should have an idea about which snakes are dangerous, and which aren’t.”

“And the flowers?” he asked, grabbing my attention again. “Grandma specifically requested these.”

I walked over and saw the most beautiful snapdragons I’d ever seen in my life.

They were vibrant and whimsical.

“Grandma said they’re strong and resilient,” Henry said. “Like a Westbrook.”

Standing in the garden with Henry, my worries about the Mercers seemed to fade away, even if just for a brief moment.

There, with the scent of freshly cut grass and newly planted soil, I was grateful to have a family like mine.

Henry looked up from his shovel. “Grandma also said if I plant them wrong, she’ll make me write a formal apology to each snapdragon.”

I winced.

He wiped dirt from his gloves onto his jeans. “She also said if they die, she’s entering me as a contestant in the Charleston Flower Show, which sounds like a threat.”

I nodded. “I’d take grandma very seriously, if I were you.”

We shared a laugh before I remembered that I’d left Veronica unattended.