Page 25 of Royally Benevolent

Most people danced around emotional subjects. Instead, Odette didn’t hold back. Her kindness wasn’t soon forgotten as I packed Theo to his art and music class. Whenever we were in Neandia, we made it work. He thrived with art—not unlike his beautiful, brilliant mother.

When we finally returned home, I saw Odette had already texted.

Odette

So, not to impose, but I heard you mention you have childcare issues. Do you mind if I make a recommendation?

Was she already thinking about my predicament? Had I mentioned it in passing?

Me

No, notat all. Please.

Odette

I’ll send you the contact info for Alex and Rick’s agency. Rick said they won’t send you a “stuffy Neandian” if you tell them you don’t want that.

I chuckled heartily. Stuffy was akindway to describe the average Neandian nanny.

Me

Send it. Thank you. And thank them for me.

Odette

Sure. Text me when you are ready to work on the big project and we can work on it.

My phone rang with the shared contact information for the new agency, and I was smiling when my mother arrived in the living room.

“What is so exciting?” Mom asked.

“Oh, nothing. A friend texted with a new nanny service rec. I mentioned in passing that I was up shit creek.”

She laughed. “It’s not that bad. You have me.”

“And you are thebest. But this is not how I wanted your retirement to go, Mom.”

“I don’t mind,” Mom said. “Theo, how was your morning?”

Theo ignored her, absorbed in a colouring book.

“I’m about to try and force a nap,” I sighed.

That got his attention. “Papa, no!”

“You’ve had a busy morning.”

“Gramma! I saw a girl who looked like Barbie,” Theo declared, spotting Mom.

“Who?”

“Papa’s friend,” Theo answered.

I needed to say something, registering my mother’s surprise first. Suspicion took hold.

“A friend of mine,” I said. “We ran into her.”

“She had a puppy!”

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