Page 13 of The Widower's Nanny

Preston gathers the bags our sandwiches had been in. “Finish up, then we’ll go look for ladybugs, caterpillars, and butterflies.”

She giggles. “Remember when I used to call them flutterbys?”

“Yes, I do.”

“That’s when I was a baby,” she tells me.

“Yep. Last year when you were a baby.”

4

Preston

Ihadn’t wanted Rachel to come with us. In fact, I was a bit irritated when Lilly threw a fit when I told her no. I am glad now that I gave in to her tears and asked Rachel to come on our day of adventure. She isn’t interfering; she’s making it better.

We are currently examining the bark of the pine trees, looking for wood beetles. We’ve already let ladybugs crawl on us, chased a half dozen butterflies, and found one caterpillar on the backside of a large, green leaf.

Rachel had been a trooper through it all, but none of it compared to how well she took falling into the creek. She landed with a splash and a look of shock but got over it pretty fast. It would seem this woman can handle anything. I assume her shorts are probably still wet but it doesn’t slow her down as we look for bugs. I am pretty sure she is hoping she won’t find one. Ladybugs and butterflies are one thing, but I don’t believe beetles are on her list of “bugs I will touch.”

When she goes around a tree, I hear her gasp. I figure she found a beetle, but when I come up behind her, she is frozen and staring at the ground.

She glances at me, points a foot in front of her, and whispers, “Snake.”

I come close to her, look over her shoulder, and see the black snake with a yellow stripe. “It’s just a garter snake.”

She talks through gritted teeth. “I don’t care what kind of snake it is. It’s staring at me.”

I try not to laugh as I put my hands on her shoulders. “It’s harmless. Just take a step back.”

“It’s going to strike.”

“It’s not going to strike. They don’t strike. I assure you, it’s more scared of you than you are of it.”

“Why is it staring at me then?”

“It’s probably wondering the same thing about you.” I put some pressure on her shoulders. “Come on. One step at a time.” She takes a step back. “There you go.”

She takes another step, then shrieks when the snake slithers off under a bush. She turns to me and throws her arms around my neck. “Thank you.” She suddenly seems to realize what she is doing. She lets go and takes a step back. “Oh, sorry.”

“It’s okay.”It was actually very okay.But I mentally reprimand myself for thinking so.

She moves away from the trees into a clear area. “Okay. I’m done looking for bugs. I’ll just stay right here in the open where I can see anything crawling, flying, or slithering toward me.”

Lilly comes up to her and hugs her. “You’re so brave, Rachel.”

Rachel looks at me over Lilly’s head and shakes her head as she pats Lilly’s back. “Thank you, honey.”

I pick up the backpack. “I think it’s time to head home.”

Lilly looks up at Rachel, and in her most grown-up voice asks, “Will you feel better if we go home?”

“I think so. Is that okay?”

Lilly nods. “Yes. Let’s get you home.”

Ismile. “Alright, ladies, let’s go.”

As we head down the path toward home, Lilly and Sugar run ahead. Rachel comes up beside me.

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