Page 21 of The Widower's Nanny

“Damper?”

“It should be fine now.” I cough. “It’s June. Why did you light the woodstove?”

“It’s cool out here in the country.”

“Not that cool.”

She shrugs. “I just thought a fire would be nice.” She peers inside the door. The smoke is clearing out now that it has someplace to go. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s just a little smoke. It’ll clear out soon.”

“You must think I’m an idiot.”

I motion toward a chair. “Have a seat. I’ll go open the windows.”

When I come back out, she is perched on the edge of the chair. “Is it okay in there?”

“No permanent damage. Although it’ll smell like smoke for a while. Mrs. Cartwright might give you some grief about it.”

“And she was just starting to like me.”

“Like isn’t really in her vocabulary.”

“Right. Sheapprovesof me.”

I lean against the railing and she looks at me. “Why are you here?”

“Tomorrow is Saturday.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Do you have stuff to do? Shopping, friends to see?”

“Not really. Why?”

“Lilly wants to invite you to our day of adventure.”

Rachel smiles. “She’s so sweet. But I can’t interfere again.” She smiles at me. “Did she go allCarrie, again?”

“No. Because I didn’t say no.”

She nods. “You want to make me the bad guy?”

I laugh. “That’s not my intention. If you’d like to come, you’re more than welcome.”

“Does this adventure involve snakes or bugs?”

“Well, I can’t guarantee we won’t run into any but the chances are pretty slim. There’s an old cabin on the property. It’s rustic but still standing.She likes to go there and hang out. There’s a big swing in the tree out front and a pond with frogs and ducks. Do you have a problem with frogs?”

“No. Frogs are cool.”

“So…?”

“If you’re sure you don’t mind, I’d love to go.”

I straighten up from the rail. “Good. That’ll make Lilly happy. It’s a bit of a hike so wear good shoes and pants. There might be mosquitos on our way back. They come out at dusk.”

“I’ll be ready.”

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